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?

Monday Mayhem

Why Mayhem you ask? Well because I have made a bold decision to let YOU, my loyal and loving readers, ask ME anything you want to. (This is going to bite me in the bum...I already know it.)

Since I've gained quite a new bunch of followers I wanted to make sure everyone knows me properly. And where, yes, you could read back through all my old posts to figure that out, let's be honest ... who has the time for that? I can barely keep my hair washed these days I'm so busy!

SOOOO I am going to swallow my pride (more like a gulp when it comes to some of you out there...no need to name names, you know who you are!) and give you permission to ask whatever you want ..... as long as .....

It's PG rated

I like the question

The answer does not include a vlog

and

I have an answer!

So go for it kids. Get wild. BRING IT ON!!!

Put a little #windinmyhaaaiiiirrrrr!

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!

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!!!

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!?!

Usually it's all about me ...

... But today I want to make it all about you! (Well most of you anyways!)

I've noticed quite a bit of new people in my comments and as I have been busy reading Percy Jackson getting ready for the school year I haven't had much time to pop over to all of your blogs yet. SOooo I was hoping you'd all like to introduce yourself here in my comments!!!

So Hi ... Welcome ... Let's get to know each other a little better! Tell me all about yourself, your blog, how much you love me, your dreams, your aspirations...

Example

Hi! I'm Poppins. I love gnomes and long walks on the beach coupled with an ice cold Margarita and a fresh new pair of pajama pants. I've written one absolutely fabulous novel and currently I am working on a new even more fantastic one. This is my blog and you should totally read it EVERY day!

Feel free to self promote!!! I'm all about it.

So come ... grab a name tag and introduce yourself already!!! I want to know EVERYTHING about you (in the most non-stalkerish way of course...)

(PS ... if I know you already ... introduce yourself to my other readers. Tell them how awesome YOUR blog is - because let's face it, your blogs are ALL super awesome!)

This is WHY they invented Post-Its!

Advice: Write down Blog Post Ideas!

I literally had about 4 blog post ideas in the last week that came to mind. I jumped with joy and thought, "My readers with LOVE this topic!" and "I'll barely have to put any thought into this post. It will just flow from the heavens through my fingers and the world will sigh in appreciation that I have just written the best blog post ever!"

This actually happens often. Unfortunately these posts ideas come to me at the most inconvenience of times. Like right now when I'm in the middle of another post. Or when I'm JUST about to fall asleep. Sometimes they come to me in the shower. Oh oh ... or in the car! (Or while my husband insists on talking to me while I am mid thought...but of course this NEVER happens)

So needless to say, the worlds best blog post ideas disappear ... as though they never existed. It is a tragedy I tell you!

Remedy: Post-Its



I'm considering carrying a packet of them at all times. I can write down an idea and I can stick it to my forehead and hope my head absorbs the idea fully and never forgets it...Ever! Oh...what is that? That's not the point of Post-Its? I can actually post them on my wall or my desk and it has the same effect? Sweet! Even better!

Post-Its my friends....Post-Its!

Am I a Genius or what! What? Ok ok...we can give credit to the guy who invented them too...

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!!!!

How do you Moderate your Comments?

My husband and I have been discussing this for most of the morning. Have you ever had to delete comments posted to your blog? How did you deal with telling the commenter after you deleted it?

I know the "Mom Wars" are going on right now. The Good vs. The Bad. And I am so torn in my own opinions with these blog posts. I can only imagine the comments that are getting posted on each one!!! I couldn't do a post like that. I would have a really hard time letting people post mean things on my blog. I am a Comment Moderator. I can't help it. Granted I've never really had to delete more than one or two comments. One was only because someone had figured out my Big News before I posted it. LOL

However I did come upon a comment that made me uncomfortable to post on one of my blogs and I wasn't sure what to do with it. So originally I let it simmer, trying to consider my options. Then finally I just put it up. Although I can only imagine what that person must have felt wondering where their post went to, I was still somewhat unhappy to post something I did not fully feel comfortable with. At the very same time my "nice/people pleasing" self just couldn't upset that person and leave it out because I could not figure out a way to explain why I didn't want to share it without possibly upsetting that person further.

How do you deal with this? Has it ever happened to you? Can someone please explain to me why I am incapable of upsetting people even after they have upset me? Possibly I should reread this previous post eh?

(Sorry, couldn't resist the picture...it's one of my favorites!)

Don't forget to visit My Website to and give me your advice on
Deciphering Agent Responses and Crit Groups!

But I like to Play in Traffic!!!

As an aspiring novelist ...I like the word novelist better than author or writer...doesn't it just roll off the tongue so nicely...say it with me...novelist...it just gives me goosebumps! So as I was saying ... As an aspiring novelist, I find that it is important to build a platform. (small word...Big meaning, I know...didn't quite understand it myself at first.)

Although it wasn't the only reason I started this blog, I have found it to be quite relevant toward making a name for myself. (Keep in mind, the networking and support system I have gained has been much more rewarding than simply getting my name out there!!!) Unfortunately simply building a blog doesn't exactly guarantee you readership. That piece of the puzzle is a bit more difficult to put together. And let's be honest here...regardless of WHY we are blogging, we all want more followers...am I wrong? (Who said never play in traffic...I love traffic!!!)

So here are a few things I have started that have helped build traffic.

Facebook has been an AWESOME tool for me. By building a Page, starting a Group and participating in Networked Blogs...I have brought on a good amount of new readers (Thanks guys...I LOVE YOU!!!)

I've become very active in Twitter. Although I haven't gained a ton of readership, I have gained contact with other aspiring novelists (there is that pretty word again! Novelist...) and publishing agents.

I've also joined other sites such as Blogher, Blogged, and MomLogic but unfortunately haven't had much success with them yet.

I think the best method of building traffic is comments. I know when someone new leaves a comment on my blog, I immediately check out their blog in return. I've also noticed when I leave comments on new blogs I have visited, I often get a comment from that blog owner. Comments ARE Contagious!

What have you found to be helpful? If you are a fellow writer, has blogging helped build your platform? Let me know what you think!!!

Not a Rant....Just a Realization :)

I have been so intertwined in writers blogs, agents on twitter and advice websites about how to write the best book, that it's got me thinking....

(Stick with me here....I'm hoping not to confuse ya...)

ALTHOUGH..... I LOVE all the blogs, I AM ENTERTAINED by twitter, and I'VE LEARNED a wealth of knowledge from all the websites....

At what point should we put it all down and just write? After all, isn't that why we started the craft to begin with...to write? At what point to we throw all the advice into a bucket, sit down at our computers and just spew what our hearts and heads are shouting to us?

(Have I lost you yet???)

Although my crazy, chaotic life is slightly to blame for my lack of accomplishments lately, I will admit that all these blogs, tweets and web articles have also hindered the completion of my MS. Sometimes I need to remind myself that the reason I am sitting in this uncomfortable kitchen chair, staring at my unforgiving red pen, is because I had an idea, an idea needing to be shared with the world (or anyone willing to read...which SHOULD be the world, cuz I'm that awesome!)

There is no blog that will tell me what happens next in my story. No one is going to send me a tweet about where my protagonist is going to figure out she's made numerous mistakes and there is no website or article that can tell me what my reader is going to feel when they read the last sentence of my novel.

True, they can all teach me and tell me how to mold my craft....BUT....they can't write the story for me. In the end, I am still the author, the writer, and the creator of my characters' worlds. Nothing I read on the internet is going to change that fact.

So how bout you? At what point do you put aside all the advice and knowledge and just write from your heart?

Proof that the internet does not have ALL the right answers!
(Although where can I find me some sky gnomes yo!?!?)

Are comments contagious?

When you see a Blog that has been commented on, what do you do? Do you read each comment? Do you feel compelled to comment back? Do you send future comments to your email? Do you comment back to those who commented on your comment? COMMENT COMMENT COMMENT!!!

I answered yes to ALL of the above. I'm not sure if that makes me lame, or just like every other Blogger! I love to comment on everyone's Blog. I feel important when I can contribute to the conversation. I enjoy sharing my opinion with the other 10 to 1000 followers who have read and decided to comment back as well. It's a rush! It does not matter whether I am on a Blog, Facebook or Twitter. If you have posted, I will comment! It's contagious, like a yawn or the chicken pox. I cannot just simply stare at your comments and leave them be. They'll be lonely and isolated. They need a friend. They NEED another comment. They need MY comment.

How contagious are comments to you? Please leave your comments...you know what will happen next....