Did you miss me?

See how I started this post with a totally rhetorical question! Don't ever do that on a query letter...

ANYWAYS....as you can see I'm a bit out of practice on the whole blogging thing. It's even worse on facebook and twitter. I only managed 275K on Bejeweled and have no clue what to say on twitter. This is going to take some time to get back into the swing of things!

So I see that whilst I was away a few of you acquired agents ... YAY!!!!! I'm so proud of you (and possibly jealous...)

Nothing much of excitement happened to me during my absence BUT I did learn some interesting things from my fast. Things I really didn't expect to happen. (I may or may not be slightly naive in some instances.)

So here are the things I learned...

Top 10 Things I Learned While Away from Social Media

10. The Crackberry is not nearly as fun without twitter and facebook

9. When you take away twitter and facebook, the need to read/write blogs and go on other social media sites seems kinda silly. Especially when you can't post your blogs anywhere or follow up with people about them elsewhere. It's not something I can completely explain, but I totally didn't expect for it to happen.

8. When you are not blogging, tweeting, playing Bejeweled Blitz all day ... you have a LOT of time on your hands.

7. When you are not in constant contact with writers, agents, bloggers 24/7, suddenly you feel the need to take a break from your writing as well. I didn't look at my book once. Instead I spent the 40 days helping a dear (super awesome fantastic) friend with editing her book and sending encouragement during her agent search (not to be confused with Star Search...) And oddly...it felt good to step away from my own work for awhile. I needed it.

6. When you have a ton of time on your hands you read ... a LOT. I didn't make it through all the books I wanted to BUT I did read (in no particular order) Impulse, Identical, Crank, The Maze Runner, 13 Reasons Why, Love You, Hate You, Miss You, Wake, Fade, The Bell Jar, Shiver, Stephen King's On Writing, The Adoration of Jenna Fox, and I'm currently reading Gone and Plot and Structure. Again, not as many as I wanted to read, but after the first 8 I kinda got burnt out.

5. Not many people email any more...or using Yahoo Instant Messenger. I had both available the entire 40 days and I really only stayed in touch with about 3 or 4 people. This kinda made me sad. But it's all good, I know people have been busy :)

4. When you aren't reading, writing, on the computer you watch a TON of TV. I have watched the first 5 seasons of Grey's Anatomy via Lifetime Network and DVR and almost all of the first season of Bones via Netflix as well as any episodes of House that I have been able to catch on Saturday nights. My husband would like to take the TV away from me.

3. Moving is a bit easier when not glued to the computer. I was able to get my entire house packed and ready to go to the point where it only took us 3 hours to load the moving truck and 2 to unload. By far the easiest move we have ever had!

2. I spent way more time with my family then I had before. Apparently my husband doesn't like to cuddle 24/7. What's up with that?

1. The most interesting thing about the whole fast was that I didn't miss it as much as I thought I would. The first few days kinda sucked, but after that I just kinda got used to it. I really missed the people, but not the websites themselves. I actually felt kinda strange when I got back on yesterday.

Conclusion...

While Social Media is fun, it's not completely necessary. You miss out on a ton of interaction, but I was able to still feel connected to those who kept in touch via email.

Now what I wonder is will it be harder to get back into the swing of things than it was to get out of them....I shall keep you posted!

And if you didn't get a chance to let me in on what I missed while I was gone, visit yesterdays post and give me the goods!

If you see me on a Milk Carton...

You may have noticed on your blogs lately that I have been a little MIA. With everything going on in my life lately I have barely had the time, or the concentration, to write a blog. So reading and commenting have been even more difficult!

I'm almost done with my WIP and plan to start querying next week. So this week I am doing the final run through of my MS, write my query (which is coming along WAY better than I anticipated) and writing a synopsis. All that in between real life, which on it's own has been super hectic and drama filled.

My priorities look something like this...

Family (Which is demanding A LOT of my attention these days)

My MS

Blogs

Twitter (Which may weazle it's way in between my MS and Blogs...but come on...it's Twitter!)

So if you see my face on the back of the Milk Carton, know I am still here. I still love you all. And I am perusing your blogs at every chance I get.



Do you ever feel too overwhelmed to get everything done? How do you order your priorities? Have you had to push any to the side lately to get things done?

Blogging for Sanity

After yesterday's post, I was more than relieved to discover I am not the only one with all these anxieties. I suppose in the back of my head I already knew I wasn't alone, but sometimes hearing it (or in this case, reading it) helps verify my submissions and set my mind at ease.

A few people have done posts lately about WHY they blog. After yesterday I had no doubt in my mind what that reason is for me.

I blog for my sanity!

Because if my anxieties are high, I can voice them and my readers will set my mind at ease. When I've had a rough day, I can spin it in an entertaining tale for everyone, and by the end of the post, it doesn't seem like such a bad day any more. And because through blogging I have met so many INCREDIBLE people that I cannot begin to describe how different my life would be without them.

You guys are my sanity! I blog for you. Not to be confused with blogging for your ratings or gaining followers, but because I genuinely enjoy your company and comments! You keep me sane.

So a big fat thank you to you guys. Thank you for all your support and thank you for not being scared off by my insanity!

Performance Anxiety

Everyone gets it in some way, shape or form. Getting up on stage to sing, reading aloud, giving a speech, I (close your eyes Scott) even get it in public restrooms. Some one comes in, and suddenly I can't pee! (Ok you can open them now...it's all over)

Right now there are a few areas where I am experiencing large bouts of performance anxiety.

1. Writing my query letter ... I know the words are there. I know the story is great. But every time I put my fingers on the keys my mind goes blank and the words disappear. I am pretty sure this has to do with my second issue.

2. Getting ready to query ... My book is almost complete and pretty and perfect. All I need to do is polish up some things and write that query letter. BUT once that query letter is written there is nothing stopping me from sending it out. I am terrified to send it out. What if it's not perfect? What if my story doesn't catch anyone's eyes? What if I get rejected.

Thus...procrastination. I'm getting really good at it too!!!

And alas, my final issue.

3. Blogging ... For some reason lately my blogging goes like this. I get all excited to blog. I do the happy dance. I sing a song. (This is a dramatization...Poppins does not actually do a happy dance or sing.) Then I sit down and open up my blog ready for my bout of awesomesauce to spill across the page. But it doesn't. I worry my post isn't going to be funny or it's going to be boring. And all those fun little things. Then I sit and I stare at the computer screen for large amounts of time. This is kinda getting in the way of productivity.

Performance Anxiety kinda sucks. (Especially when you REALLY have to pee! Sorry Scott, I couldn't help myself there.) But I am determined to get over it and forge ahead. Look I've already started. I'm blogging as we speak! (Ok so as you read this I will have already blogged so that's not entirely true, but you get the point!)

What gives YOU performance anxiety???

Share your Magical Secrets with Me!

Ok I'll admit it. I totally have not caught up on all my blog reading as of late. (GASP!!) There are just so many to read and so little time and yesterday I had the lovely privilege of getting my Second Filling in the last week. So half the day I couldn't even feel my face!

(I really kinda enjoy imagining all the mental pictures you are all getting right now!)

So it is now that I will admit, I have been defeated! I have tried and tried and I feel like I will never catch up! BUT I still love you all. And I'm still going to continue trying through out the day.

How do YOU do it? How do you keep up with all your followed blogs? Is there a magic secret I need to learn to make the day at least an hour longer in order to sneak in a few extra comments on each one? TELL ME YOUR SECRETS!!!

That being said. I shall stop writing right now and spend my blogging time reading instead. And tomorrow hopefully I'll have come up with something witty and exciting to right about!

Even I have Goals!!!

It looks to me like everyone is coming up with lists of goals as 2009 draws to an end. I simmered on this for a moment, considered whether or not I should do it myself. I mean I'm not much for following trends, BUT then I decided to go with the flow. It sounded fun enough!

So here we have it kids.

Poppins 2010 Goals

1. Consider giving up dairy. I feel that as long as I am giving it consideration I am making a large step forward. Maybe next year I'll actually do it. But I really like cheese!


2. Acquire more gnomes. I have come to the heart felt decision that 4 gnomes and 2 gnome pictures are not NEARLY enough for a Gnome Connoisseur like me. (That's right! I no longer feel that the term 'Gnome Lover' applies to me! I'm SO much more than that!)

OMG Someone PLEASE make me some of these!!!

3. Stay free and clear from #blogwars! While at the very same time making sure to enjoy every moment of them. (Now this is going to be more difficult than one might expect. I have to watch my P's and Q's and make sure to NOT AT ANY TIME let anything embarrassing about me slip. I'm really good at embarrassing myself on this blog so it's going to be quite the challenge!)

4. Finish editing my book, write a KILLER query, score a perfect agent and sign for an awesome book deal with a HUGE publishing house. It can happen...you just wait and see!

5. Go to the movies ... a lot ... this is going to be one of the best movie years EVER! Percy Jackson, Toy Story 3, Eclipse, The Deathly Hallows, Shrek 4 ... and seriously the list goes on. I'm stoked!


6. Get a second car. I'm hoping this can be accomplished after I complete number 4. I'd REALLY like a mini van with a DVD player and heated seats. Is that really too much to ask for?

7. Have fun with my blog and remember it's not about how many followers you have, it's about how many of those follower love you! (Luckily for me ALL of my followers love me ... right? Right! RIGHT?!?!)

8. Continue building awesome relationships with all you awesome bloggers and writers and mommies. You guys have truly made 2009 one of the best years ever! I'm in love with each and every one of you. But I'm sorry, I'm married. So I'm going to have to keep our love at bay.

9. Find new and innovative ways to waste time and/or keep up my obsessions with twitter and Facebook. (Easiest goal to obtain EVER!)


10. Be me .... um ... or figure out who me is. That might be a better start.

So what are your goals for 2010? Has 2009 been good to you?

And so I was Tagged....

Let met tell ya what! My lips are way chapped after all that snogging yesterday! Remind me to bring my Lip Smackers during the Tour de No Kiss Blog Fest hosted by Frankie over at Frankie Writes (about #windinherhaaaaiiiirrrr) I'm going to have to come up with a No Kiss scene before then. I think I'm way too naive to know if I've ever taken part in an almost kiss myself! But January 2nd friends...January 2nd....

So on my road to recovery after such an epic snog fest I read in my comments that Simon over at Constant Revision thought he would be funny/cool/irritating and tag me in this little Tag Game going around. I'm not sure who started it, but it's probably better that way. So without further adieu...

1) What's the last thing you wrote? What's the first thing you wrote that you still have?

The last thing I wrote was the current MS I am working on right now. It is all sorts of awesome wonderful and we are in love and it woos me every day. It's a dystopian sci fi -ish YA novel. (As in it involves time travel) It makes me want to be 13 again so I can fall in love with one of my characters!

The first thing I wrote...hard to say. I really have been writing every since I could read Hop on Pop. I THINK the first book I wrote was a book about monsters. Nice monsters. In my closet. (Monster's Inc. totally ripped my idea off!) Now I feel the need to go looking for it.

2) Write poetry?

Not since I was forced to in grade school. I wasn't really that bad at it, but I didn't really enjoy it either.

3) Angsty poetry?

Isn't MOST poetry Angsty? Well at least half of mine was.

4) Favorite genre of writing?

I adore YA. (I hope that doesn't make me creepy) I just like reliving the fun life on not having any responsibilities even though it felt like you were holding the weight of the world on your shoulders! Plus young love is so adorable and pure. I do prefer it to be fantasy or sci fi-ish as well. Paranormal is fun too!

5) Most annoying character you've ever created?

I'd have to say one of the characters in my first MS, Rachel. I loved her and hated her all at the same time. I couldn't stand the things she did but I felt bad and totally understood why she was doing them. She was a blast to create!

6) Best plot you've ever created.

The one to my newest MS. It is so intricate and complicated in such a lovely perfect way with all these twists and turns and ... did I mention we are in love?

7) Coolest plot twist you've ever created?

The one at the end of this book. BUT like I'm going to tell you about it. What fun would that be. Let's just say it left people saying they were still thinking about it the next day (OMG seriously...isn't that like the best compliment ever! Or ... maybe the worst ... I'm shooting for best!)

8) How often do you get writer's block?

I spent the entire summer with writer's block. It was awful. So I read over 20 books and didn't stop reading until my mind got going again. Now I'm in idea overload. I can't keep up with any of them.

9) Write fan fiction?

Never. Not a big fan. People have tried to get me to read some too and I just can't bring myself to do it. Why ruin an already great story?

10) Do you type or write by hand?

Both. Sometimes I'll write a chapter short hand then elaborate as I type it out. All small ideas get written by hand. Each book I write has an entire notebook dedicated to it.

11) Do you save everything you write?

Yes and it drives my husband CRAZY now that I have 30 million copies of everything clogging up our hard drive!

12) Do you ever go back to an idea after you've abandoned it?

My newest MS. I had the prologue written for months and all my ideas down in the notebook but I just couldn't figure out how to get it moving. So I picked it back up for NaNo and forced the words and once I started I couldn't stop! It was WONDERFUL!

13) What's your favorite thing you've ever written?

Something I haven't really started writing much of. It's kinda a memoir, but with totally different names and I intend on deviating from what really happened quite a bit. But I've written three chapters almost exactly as it happened and I love them! They are hilarious and oh the angst I went through was totally worth it to get it all down in writing!

14) What's everyone else's favorite story you've written?

Most people have only read the two manuscripts. And of both they tend to like the newest one better. But my sister has read the memiorish MS that I started and assures me I'm going to hit it big with that one. Gotta love sisters! Best confidence builders EVER!

15) Ever written romance or angsty teen drama?

I suppose my MS is somewhat angsty romance. But that is really just on the side, and not too angsty. But definitely teen!

16) What's your favorite setting for your characters?

The future that I've created in my newest MS. LOVE IT!

17) How many writing projects are you working on right now?

I am solely devoted to one right now. But I have a few that are waiting for me to give them attention again.

18) Have you ever won an award for your writing?

Well as Simon pointed out...do all those blogger awards on the side count? ----->

No, but to be perfectly honest up until recently I've never entered any of my writing into a contest. I did enter my latest MS into the First 200 words YA contest. But I won't know anything until February. So we'll just have to wait and see.

19) What are your five favorite words?

Angst, Snarkasm, Actually, Phantasmagoric and Totally (Good thing I write YA eh!)

20) What character have you created that is most like yourself?

Every one of my characters has something of me in them. I can't say that any certain one is more like me than any of the others. And if there was one that is, I probably wouldn't point it out because they have more of my bad qualities than good ;)

21) Where do you get your ideas for your characters?

I'm not sure really. I kinda just make them up as I go along. I know that's pretty lame, but it's how I do it!

22) Do you ever write based on your dreams?

My latest story came from a dream. I had this scene in my head and decided I needed to elaborate and figure out why they were doing and saying what they did. That scene never made it into my book....

23) Do you favor happy endings?

Not a big fan of happy endings. They are not realistic. I do like happy elements in my endings, just not tooooo happy. (What does that say about me??? Glass half empty anyone?)

24) Are you concerned with spelling and grammar as you write?

I can't help it. I hate to see little red or green lines under my words. But besides that, if MS word doesn't pick it up, I can' usually move past them.

25) Does music help you write?

OMG NO!!! How can you guys do that?!?! I can not listen to anything except the sound of my fan as I write or I get so distracted.

26) Quote something you've written. Whatever pops in your head.

Paper back writer (paperback writer)
Dear Sir or Madam, will you read my book?
It took me years to write, will you take a look?
It's based on a novel by a man named Lear
And I need a job, so I want to be a paperback writer,
Paperback writer.

It's the dirty story of a dirty man
And his clinging wife doesn't understand.
His son is working for the Daily Mail,
It's a steady job but he wants to be a paperback writer,
Paperback writer.

Paperback writer (paperback writer)

It's a thousand pages, give or take a few,
I'll be writing more in a week or two.
I can make it longer if you like the style,
I can change it round and I want to be a paperback writer,
Paperback writer.

If you really like it you can have the rights,
It could make a million for you overnight.
If you must return it, you can send it here
But I need a break and I want to be a paperback writer,
Paperback writer.

Paperback writer (paperback writer)

* * * * *

Sweet...now that THAT is done...I shall get back to editing. But not before I tag a few people. The problem is, almost everyone has been tagged. Hmmmm..... I tag Mindy and Hilary. Sorry Ladies! I Hope you enjoy.

Kissing Day Blogfest : In Honor of Mistletoe

Yay for kissing day. I once wrote an entire post on kissing, though you won't find it on this blog. It included the history of me and all my kisses and ended with "the kiss that hurts".

What?

A kiss that hurts?



Oh yes. The kiss that hurts.

We've all been there. Kissing the man we love goodbye because he is leaving on a business trip. Or kissing him hello because something terrible had just happened and you thought you would never see him again. Or even a kiss that signifies a break up that you are not entirely sure you want, but know you need.

The kiss that means nothing but at the very same time means everything. The kiss where you close your eyes and your face tightens because your entire mind is wrapped around that kiss. The kiss where you place your hands on his face and hold on for dear life because you never want to let go, though you know you are going to have to in a very short amount of time. It takes your breath away until your lips part. And afterward you step away staring at each other and gasping for air. This is the kiss that hurts. My unlucky character got to experience one of these. For a bit of a different reason, but it still hurt nonetheless. And to make it worse, my MC, who is painfully in love with him, had to witness the entire ordeal. It is possible that this kiss hurt more for her than the two involved.

They stopped on an empty street corner. It was dark and damp outside. The only lights surrounding them were from the street lamp above and the blinking traffic light beside them. “Rachel, I know you are going through a rough time right now with Oliver, but he is your husband. Regardless of whether or not I notice more than he does, he is the one you are with. Not me.”

I was proud of Michael for telling Rachel this. She needed to hear these words. Michael needed to hear these words. I feared he often forgot this himself. Unfortunately, as quickly as I was feeling pleased about Michael’s acknowledgment, Rachel was doing the unspeakable. She leaned in toward Michael. The next thing I knew she was kissing him. It was not like the kiss I had encountered with Greg. This was a kiss where I wished I could have been her. Their mouths had become one and his arms grabbed her closer until there was no longer any space between them.

I fought to think about my kiss with Greg, every little detail I could remember. I thought about the horrible breath that lingered from the extensive amount of onions he had consumed. I thought about his pointy tongue trying to penetrate through my firmly closed lips, but it did not work.

Time, up until this moment for the most part, had slid by unnoticed. But this moment - This moment where I longed to be Rachel’s lips pressed up against his, and Rachel’s waist held firmly by his arm, and Rachel’s hair flowing over each of Michael’s fingers - This moment lasted for what seemed to be an eternity. Again, I could not shake the feeling that there was something more, some force working against me.

The laughter was louder and more pronounced this time. It was also more malevolent. I knew it was near and knew it was meant for me. Someone was reading my thoughts or watching me. They were witnessing my failure to influence Michael, and they were entertained by it. I could tell the laughter was that of a woman’s, but did not see any other person or soul anywhere near. It was just Michael, Rachel and I as far as I could see. But the laughter continued, as did my frustration.

However, I continued to hold my concentration, to provide distraction. For one slight moment I felt confident it may have helped as Michael broke through their embrace and gently pushed Rachel back. When I looked into Michael’s eyes though, I knew the accomplishment was small. There was agony in his eyes as he stared at Rachel and watched her fight back the tears glistening in her eyes. It hurt him to see her hurt.

“I’m sorry Michael,” she said slowly, refusing to let the tears fall, she was feeling somewhat humiliated. “It was just that the moment was right, and I’ve wanted to do that for months now, and I just let the emotion overtake my common sense. It will never happen again, I promise. Please don’t tell Oliver.”

And without any notice she had turned away and began sprinting down the road away from Michael. Michael stood there, like a statue. He seemed stunned by the passing events. I could only imagine the thoughts cascading through his mind.

I knew the thoughts running through my own mind. I felt guilty. I knew this was my fault and I knew he would not have continued to kiss her had I not had the idiotic moment of weakness where I wished I were Rachel. I couldn’t stop Rachel’s actions, but I did have some small control over Michael’s. I had to make this right.

So that is my kissing scene. It's actually the only kissing scene in that manuscript. Sorry for all the poor grammar and such. It was my first novel and I had MUCH to learn after I wrote that. Well enjoy you kissing fest! I'm off to read some blogs!

You might not know this, but...

I guess people kinda like me. They possibly even think I'm funny! Do you think it's the Wind In My Haaaaaiiiiiirrrr?

Well because of this love (Yeah I totally took it up a step. I'm pretty sure they love me. I mean have you seen me? What's not to love?) I have been given a few awards! So put on your best dresses and those lovely little tuxedos (Not both at once ... how awkward would that be!) and come walk the red carpet with me.

Check out my dress!

I totally look JUST like that in it too!

So my first award arrived from Elizabeth at Mystery Writing is Murder. (Who by the way wrote an AWESOME book!!! Read about it here, then buy it!) I love this award because it comes with NO rules. I like awards with no rules! (Cuz there have been some hideous rules going around out there...and I swear that even though I created the award, I had nothing to do with the rules! But I am enjoying them.)

She awarded me the Blogging Writer Award.


At which I say ... write back at you lady! You are a ROCKIN writer!!!

My next award has been presented by Natalie (OMG I love that name!) from her self titled blog Natalie Bahm (I mean listen to the way it just rolls off your tongue...Natalie...Ok I'm gonna stop sounding like a creeper now.)

She awarded me with the Loyal Friend and Visitor award.


This award also did not come with any rules (YAY AWARD!) but I decided I wanted to award my top 5 most loyal visitors regardless. Because without you, my comments section would go empty!

1. Julie over at Foursons seems to really like my blog :) I see her comments almost every day. I like Julie! Her Thank You Very Much posts are by far my favorite! Thanks for being loyal Julie!

2. Jessica over at BookingIt has been a loyal follower and commenter since almost the very beginning! I throw big smiles towards Jessica! Her blog is always thought provoking and super informative in the writerly world. Thanks for always coming back Jessica!

3. T. Anne over at White Platonic Dreams was pretty much one of my first followers. And can you believe she keeps coming back for more. Even after all my crazy posts about Harry Potter and Gnomes, she's never walked away! Her blog is wonderful resource for writers as well. (Not to mention entertaining!) Thanks for not letting my gnomes and Harry Potter be a turn off!

4. Jody from another self titled blog, Author, Jody Hedlund has also been around for quite some time. Jody is a super busy lady with her new agent Rachelle Gardner (JEALOUS) and her book deal! If you want to know what it's like step by step in the publishing world surf through Jody's blog. Absolutely informative and fantastic. Thanks for still visiting me even while your busy lady!

5. Katie from another self titled blog Katie Ganshert (What's up with the self titled blogs yo? It's like you are all authors or something!) She also recently signed with Rachelle and is working to get her book ready for publication. She's got great info about editing and writing and has such a blessed heart! Thanks for not thinking I'm too crazy to keep following!

And there are tons more but if I keep listing all you guys, I'll be here all week!

So my final award came from the two Shannons! (Did you girls plan this?) Shannon Messenger from Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe and Shannon O'Donnell at Book Dreaming. Both awesome girls and super new followers. (Maybe that's why they are handing out awards, they just don't know how crazy I am yet?!?!)


Now this little ditty came with Rules. Sigh....(mumbling possibly naughty words...possibly...)

Rule Number One!

Write 7 Things about You (Me)

Rule Number Two!

Pass it on to 7 Friends

Rule number two comes first. I'm going to make you wait to learn 7 new things about me. (Can you imagine there being 7 things you DON'T already know about me?)

7 Friends

Shannon @ Ramblings of Wannabe Scribe (She gives away signed copies of twilight...just sayin)

Frankie @ Frankie Writes (Wind in my HAAAAAIIIIIRRR)

Elana @ Elana Johnson, Author

Kiersten @ Kiersten Writes

Carrie @ Carrie Harris

Mindy @ CMOM Productions

Scott @ A Writer's Blog (Bombard him with comments so he can't play Bejeweled!)

So um...can you tell I'm a writer? Yeah me either!

Now...sigh... 7 Things About Me (Are you even still reading this???)

1. I have 4 Blogs ... That's right, 4. Sigh....why can't I get anything done again?

2. I get goosebumps when I hear children's choirs sing my favorite Christmas songs.

3. I have 8 Novels started, 2 Finished and a new idea in my head right now!

4. The first Roller Coaster I ever rode was The Raptor at Cedar Point and all the Roller Coasters I rode after that sucked. You couldn't force me to go on a Roller Coaster now! (Unless you offered me an agent, then I'd totally consider it...eh eh eh *wags finger*...I said CONSIDER!)

5. I'm paranoid. Like really paranoid. As in my phones need to be right next to my bed in case someone has to call me in the middle of the night for an emergency. As in I won't even let my 8 yr old go outside for more than a minute without me. As in I know I'm dying soon, I just don't know how yet. That kind of paranoid. I'm pretty sure its a side effect from reading too many books.

6. Because of number 5 I do NOT read Steven King or Dean Koontz. I made that mistake once.

7. (YAY SEVEN!!!) Hmmmm...this needs to be a good one... When I was little I was terrified of fires and my siblings teased me that my room was going to start on fire so at night I would unplug EVERYTHING from my walls just in case. (I mean I'm not really THAT paranoid...just a little bit. It's practically just an ounce of paranoia...my leg hurts, do you think it's gangrene? Should we amputate?)

So there, now you have a clearer picture of how crazy I am. Now you better leave lots of comments or I might get paranoid that you don't like me!!!

Congrats to all my award winners!!! And thanks for all the awards!!!

Recomendations and Agents

Husband Poppins My dear loyal and absolutely devoted, not to mention handsome husband (Is that better dear?) and I got in a chat about recommendations. He's big into Linked In. I like the site too, though it's not twitter. (Just sayin...)

On Linked In you put your resume up and connect with former/current employers and/or employees and/or co-workers. As you connect you are able to leave each other recommendations (As long as you have worked together in the past) and boost one another's credibility. It's an awesome feature and I don't doubt it helps in the hiring process.

Our conversation began when we started talking about agents I like and how I know some of their clients via blogging/twitter.

He said, "You should get recommendations!"

Now I think this a great idea, but I felt like 'eh'.

I explained that to me it seems like an unspoken rule between writers that we don't cross that boundary. Kinda like the unspoken rule that you never date your best friends ex. Or the one where it is mandatory to tell a good friend that they have food in their teeth.

Nobody flat out makes these rules, they are just kinda there.

OR maybe it's just me. I love my bloggy friends! I would never want them to think I am stalking following them just to earn me some recommendations. That is totally NOT the reason I stalk follow/read my favorite blogs and chat it up with my twitter folk! (Now in twitter language would that be Twolk? I'm totally trade marking that one!)

So what are your thoughts? Would you ask a friend for a recommendation before you queried their agent? If you have an agent, have you ever had anyone/everyone ask for a recommendation?

Please share your feelings. I am incredibly curious! (And I'd love to prove to the man that I am right about my unspoken rule that I may or may not have created all on my own)

Every Other Friday...and Seriously, I can't read Chinese!

I'm not sure many of you know, but every other Friday I write over at If You Give A Girl A Pen. Kinda like, If You Give a Moose A Muffin, but way more dramatic and if you give a girl a pen, chances are she's going to need a glass of wine if the pen is red and it's editing time! Well today was my Friday so go Check It Out! Leave some comments, show the girls some love!

Now another thing that I imagine would seem very obvious...

I seriously can't freaking read Chinese. I can't speak Chinese. I only eat Chinese! (The food ... not the people. The people are way too chewy!)

So why in the name of Bob (A friend wrote 'For the Love of Bob' in her manuscript...I'm not sure who Bob is, well besides my daddy, but I totally loved this sentence. So today I'm speaking about this Bob too!) As I was saying....why in the name of Bob would these anonymous non do gooding spam happying dougnut holes think I would enjoy reading their dang Chinese comments which are no doubt about the size of my .... toes and telling me I need to lose weight when the holidays aren't even over yet and (Seriously! I'm not getting on a diet till at least after the first of the year thank you very much!) all that other stuff I'm not interested in?

Just saying...

How are you dealing with all this new Blogger Spam? I reported it twice...still no luck. Anybody want to buy me a Chinese/English Dictionary for Christmas?

Any Friend of Yours is A Friend of Mine!

So here is what I've noticed, as I'm sure all of you have as well.... We are ALL friends.

I know I know...how cute and cuddly and blah blah blah ...

But seriously! Look in our followers boxes. We all share MANY of the same followers/friends.

Since I began blogging I started with a few followers and I followed them back. We all had about the same number of followers too. Then slowly we all began to grow. But we grew together. Their followers became my followers and I started following all of them and it was a big gigantic circle!

Isn't it amazing?

I think the best part is that I can say "Yay Katie and Elana for scoring agents recently!" and a good 50% of you know who I am talking about!

How cool is that?

So a big shout out to all my followers' followers' followers! I love following you too and lets keep the circle going cuz I totally love you guys. You (*cough* and your comments *cough*) make my day!

Are there any of your followers that I am not following? How many of my followers are you following!?!

You Mean I'm NOT the Only One with Insecurities?

Insecurities seem to be a trending topic through out the blogging world today, well at least with my fellow writers. I've come to the conclusion that you haven't felt insecurity until you've been a writermotherwifefriendblogger.

It's true!

Sure we've all been through high school and had our typical self-conscious moments.

Are my clothes cool enough? Why isn't my pimple cream working? Why are my boobs smaller than hers? Why does he have bigger muscles than me? Am I a dork? Am I a hot enough jock?

We've all been there, but we all know it goes away. Life happens and we get over it. We gain new insecurities, but they are usually small and ridiculous. (Ok so some aren't, but if I said that my blog post wouldn't work out....so work with me here!)

But when you are a writermotherwifefriendblogger there are so MANY sets of insecurities you can't even keep track over which ones are more prominent.

The insecurities of a writer on their own are hugely overwhelming. All the rejections and ridicule. It's hard to remember whether or not you are a good writer when 75% of the feedback is usually negative.

The insecurities of being a wife and a mother paired with all the hormones of being a woman. You might as well put us in a padded room with a big bottle of Shiraz (and/or Tequila...and for you non drinkers we won't leave out the chocolate and coffee!) at least once a week...no once a day is more accurate. And don't even ask us how we feel about needing to be in that padded room with our comfort objects because then you are just bringing up a whole other set of issues and showing the proof that we aren't adequate mothers and wives!

With me still?

Being a friend isn't any easier. It's hard to fit friendships in between all the mothering and husband loving and book writing. We have to sit back and ask if we've paid enough attention to our friends. Have we talked about our books more than they've cared to listen about them? Have we stopped talking about our books and our kids and our husbands long enough to listen to them talk about theirs? It's madness I tell you.

And then we add in blogging. What were we thinking!?!?

I don't know about you but I am constantly thinking about what I am going to blog about tomorrow. Will it be interesting enough for people to want to comment? Will they like my post? Will I offend them? Will I bore them? Do I have enough followers? Do my followers actually read my blog or do they just follow me?

Seriously!!!

So don't worry my fellow writermotherwifefriendblogger's and all those who only do one to three of those duties. We all feel it. You are not alone.

Now does anyone know where I left my bottle of Champagne and my straight jacket? Can I get that stuff via IV? I'll take pizza if you can't find any!

I googled 'Insecurities' and got this photo.
I'm not going to ask...I'm just going to enjoy it!

DID YOU CHECK OUT MY POST ABOUT AGENTS???
WELL YOU SHOULD! CLICK HERE!

The Wisdom and Vocabulary I have Gained from Blogging

Blogging has opened me up to entirely new vocabulary. I feel a bit smarter now that I blog, now that I am a blogger in the great blogosphere. I can hold entirely new conversations with my friends and although my husband has no clue what I am talking about, I know it is only because he is not made up of all the little pieces of awesomeness like I am!

Before I began blogging I did not know there was such a thing as a puppy sized elephant or that Snuggies are really called WTF blankets on the black market. I had no idea that Cakes could be a Wreck or that there was actually a blog dedicated to the little Passive Aggressive Notes that people write.

Now when someone tells me they snarfed, I know it has nothing to do with vomiting. And last but not least I have learned to be snarkastic. I never knew there was so much snark in me. Why say wit or sarcasm or snide humor when you can say snarkasm!

Thank you dear Blogging Friends, or should I say Blogiends or maybe Frioggers, because you are the best source of wisdom and vocabulary out there! It is because of you that I feel so smart and KNOW I will one day be a super fantastic writer made up of so many pieces of awesomeness that I might possibly explode!

Considering a Change

I've been exceeding my word goals on NaNo by large amounts and I am super excited. My book is coming along quite nicely, ok well ... it kinda sucks considering I'm just trying to push out words. But I am writing, and for the most part I am getting the story out and providing myself with something to work with in the editing process. All and all a very good start.

You may have noticed however that I was missing yesterday. All this writing has left my brain incapable of thinking of anything that does not directly include my story, thus I could not for the life of me come up with a blog topic yesterday.

BUT

Its ok.

Jody Hedlund wrote a great post today about building a platform and when you should start. I've been thinking about that a great deal lately. I've been so wrapped up in the blogging world and keeping my twitter going and trying to make my name known to anyone and everyone that I have thrown my writing into the back seat and it's just been sitting there quietly. (unlike my children while they are in the back seat!) I almost forgot what it felt like to write.

Now granted building a platform WILL help me in the long run, if I'm not writing and not progressing, what good is it going to do me.

I've noticed quite a few of my blogging friends only write 3 days a week. I am considering doing the same myself. I think I have just been afraid that if I stop writing everyone will forget me! At the same time I have noticed that I have been so busy plopping out blog posts about incredibly irrelevant crap that no one is really reading my posts anyway. That's not cool! I love my readers. I don't want to bore them!!! You guys are awesome!

So what do you think? Will you forget me if I move down to 3 days a week? Will you miss me?

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Calling in Sick

Dear Bloggers,

I will not be coming in to work today so there will not be a regularly scheduled snarktastically wonderful blog post.

Unfortunately I am

... feeling better but feeling too lazy to write.

... lacking ideas and/or full of too many to put into one post.

... too busy watching Playhouse Disney with my 4 year old

... more interested in laying in my bed all day.

... unable to concentrate on Bejeweled thus completely incapable of coming up with post ideas.

... um ... my dog ate it... wait ... I don't have a dog.

So you will have to wait until tomorrow to enjoy my awesomeness.

Sincerely,

Poppins

In the mean time I am going to need you to leave a million comments about your best excuses for calling in sick to work. It is apparent that mine are pretty lame so I'm gonna need your help coming up with a better one.

I feel like this Separation isn't Working Out

So I've traveled back to the writers seat again ... and I'm LOVING in! But I'm having a hard time with the whole blogging world. Well my blogging world that is.

A few months back I got my website up and running and decided to devote all my fun loving writer words to that blog and that blog only, but my writer words miss this blog. And unfortunately all my visitors go to this blog, which in turn means less comments and not nearly enough advice on that one. So I'm not sure what to do!

(Oh listen to me whining like a little girl ... well in all retrospect, I am a "little" girl...so it's totally ok!)

Part of me wonders if it is because that blog is on WordPress and this one is on Blogger. I myself must admit it is MUCH easier to follow a blog on Blogger. I just head over to my dashboard and scroll through all my favorite bloggers (which by the way I have way too many because you all freaking rock!) and click in and out of each blog. WordPress isn't that easy. With word press you have to click on the RSS feed to know when I update or watch through my fan page and/or this blog for posts that I've updated. That's really quite a bit of work.

So do you visit many WordPress sites? Do you own a WordPress site? How do you keep your followers updated? Does anyone else have this frustration? Any advice? Should I just double post and bring my writing posts back to my Poppins world as well? Have I asked enough questions yet? Would you like me to ask a few more? Are you sick of my questions? Do you know why the sky is blue? Did I tell you I can totally make a website in WordPress?

But but but....It's still the weekend!!!

I completely forgot today was a blogging day!

The Horror!

I'm still stuck on weekend mode. You know weekend mode right....the no cleaning, barely cooking, still in bed at 9am and up till midnight (and NOT because I'm reading a really good book) kinda mode.

I have to admit I love holiday weekends that go the extra day. It's all nice and relaxing. So I'm gonna continue relaxing...it's ok...please don't cry! I'll have plenty of awesomeness to share with you during the rest of the week!

And tomorrow is a SUPER special day with a SUPER cheesy story for you. Are you ready?

MISS ME!!!

Once Upon a Time

Once upon a time there was a little girl named Marybeth. Every morning she would wake up and perform the same rituals. First she would check her emails, facebook and twitter. Then she would read through all her favorite blogs and comment on as many as possible. After this the inevitable torture would begin. What to write a blog about today? Usually it was pretty easy. She was after all cute and smart and funny! But this day was not like the others. Her mind raced with inadequate ideas.

Gnomes? Nope...already been done.

Her book! No....there is a new website for that. Plus, it's best not to talk about THAT mess right now.

The kids? Well they hadn't really been that entertaining lately. She would be having a strict talk with them about that! How dare them not be funny!

The husband...She was pretty sure no one wanted to hear about HTML and CSS. She would have to have a talk with him about not being cool enough to blog about as well.

She could blog about her ugly/smelly/inner city house...but that would be complaining...she had a different blog for that too

Food? Not much to say about numerous days in a row of eating chicken.

Legos...her thoughts tralied away as she stepped on one!

She was at a loss. Her smart funny mind was not working properly. She started to breath heavy and sweat. What would her followers think of her? They'd be so disappointed! She grabbed a paper bag in haste, taking a few deep breaths and calmed down ever so slowly.

She'd just do what every blogger does when they are having a bad blog day. She'd post a Picture!

And then she felt better and lived Happily Ever After.

The End!

I think it's safe to say...I missed you!

You may have noticed yesterday that I did not comment on your blogs or on mine. I apologize. I was out of the house 90% of the day. Thank goodness I barely noticed being away from the computer. I could probably do it every day. It was like I completely forgot the computer existed.

....

.......

............

Oh. My. Goodness. It. Was. AWFUL!!!

I woke up and had about 10 minutes to post the pre-written blog I had prepared. I glanced at my Dashboard and used every ounce of will power available not to start reading them all. (It was almost physically painful!) I tore myself away from my pretty glowy monitor and got ready to go to a friends.

I spent an hour and a half in the car, unable to even check the email on my phone. I had to set the vehicle on Cruise because my knees began to shake and bounce at an uncontrollable pace. I settled for man handling my daughters iPod and skipping numerous songs just so I could push the buttons.

When I arrived at my friends I quickly glanced at my phone, seeing email just sitting in my inbox. I took a deep breath, put the phone in my pocket and moved forward. I knew I could do this...I could be a technology free woman for at least 5 hours...right??? So we got in her house and I set the phone down and everyone started visiting. After about a hour I mentioned I was missing my phone. This was a good sign. I had already forgotten where I set it down. I was overcoming my addiction! (Or I was possibly in really good company...most likely the second option) When she stood up and mentioned she better grab her phone too I took a sigh of relief. I wasn't alone.

So I nervously snuck a few rapid glances at my emails here and there when no one was looking, reading everyone's comments on my blog, just wishing I could comment back. Had she turned up the air? It was getting kinda hot. I bit my lip. I hoped the beads of sweat didn't glisten too brightly, and thankfully my arm pits remained dry.

When the afternoon was over we said our goodbyes. We then headed home to pick up my husband from work. Another hour and a half in the car. Luck was on my side when the children fell asleep and couldn't see me scratching my skin off and yelling at the radio stations and the now dead iPod. My finger crashed into the steering wheel controls with force every time a good song failed to reveal itself. The car ride was unbearable.

But I made it ....with skin in tact...clothes not quite soaked (partially because I had a sudden onset of major chills)...and only a small, somewhat inconspicuous twitch in my left eye.

I arrived to my husbands job about fifteen minutes prior to the end of his work day. SCORE! I rambled through all my emails, checked my facebook statuses, updated my own, and twittered. A small portion of my heart still yearned to read all my favorite blogs, but I ignored the burn and smiled at my husband now entering the car.

We got home and had to eat quickly. It was gym night. I whined and pouted, my arm slightly extended towards the computer, complained that I did not want to go. He dragged me by the hair...I mean gently explained we had made a commitment. I went.

In the gym....no service...left eye twitch becoming not so inconspicuous....

When we returned home "So You Think You Can Dance" was on. UGH! What was with all these road blocks! I ran to my computer during one short commercial, blazing through each website, barely having time to pee, which of course was the "real" reason I had come upstairs. Luckily the dancers were, as always, phenomenal and I barely remembered my forgotten blogs.

By this time it was 10pm. I was tired. The strain from being away from the computer had broken me down. I couldn't take it anymore. I passed out in the fetal position...I mean fell asleep.

So friends I just want you to know. You are lucky I am still alive. I barely made it. I swear!

But I'm back. I've read all my favorite blogs. Commented on as many as I had time for and now I am calm and relaxed. Let's just hope that never happens again shall we!

See how much I love you guys!!!!