Life Changes

My life has gone through some abrupt and large changes lately. Unfortunately not the kind of changes I would prefer. (AKA Getting "The Call" and becoming a widely known author) but I am now forced to adjust.

Adjusting can be difficult. Even when it is adjusting to the changes that we DO prefer.

So then the question swarmed through my mind, "How will I adjust to the changes that come with publishing?"

Wow! Big question!

I'm used to being a writer. I'm used to writing my novels for me. I'm used to agonizing over query letters. I'm used to my heart breaking over rejection.

But...

How will I get used to having an agent? How will I get used to finding a publisher? How will I get used to finally fulfilling my dream!?!?

These are going to be some pretty big life changes. And don't get me wrong, I am SOOOOO ready for them. If they want to pile up on me tomorrow, it's all good!

But do you ever ask yourself these questions? Do you ever wonder HOW your life will changes when you finally reach success?

Are you ready?

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)

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?

I am Raising a Future NY Times Best Selling Author

,
Now...it is possible I say this because of her awesome poem that she Wrote...but let's face it ...we all know the truth! She had me "Gnome"!!!

Gnomes by Awesome Daughter Smith

I was in a garden. A gnome looked at me. Then another. Then another. Then all of them looked at me. They looked creepy. Then I looked at them. I thought I was in Hogwarts. But they weren't real gnomes. they were wind-up gnomes that talked. I didn't understand why they were alive. I shouldn't have gone in moms garden anyways.

The End!

Sniff Sniff....***Eyes Glistening and Heart Racing***...isn't she the best daughter ever! (and hahaha Hogwarts!)

Announcement!

As some of you saw on Facebook this weekend (then whined about it when I wouldn't share the news **cough cough Scott cough cough**) I have an awesome announcement to make!

**Trumpets sound as the red carpet rolls out and I walk across it in my slinky silver evening gown to proclaim my wondrous news!!!***

(Reality...I'm sitting at my desk in my pajamas with a hint of lingering morning breath and a couple crusties that I forgot to wipe out of my eye ... but who's worried about details!)

On Friday afternoon, amidst a gloomy day (and we aren't talking about a lack of UV Rays out doors) while my mood was doing the exact opposite of sky rocketing after a long drawn out Grocery Shopping trip with my children ... I got a phone call ...

**Gasps sound across the room **

Was it THE Call?

OMG!!!

Sigh....no...BUT

This call was almost as exciting as THE Call!

My phone call was an invitation to join the Website/Blog of If You Give a Girl a Pen!!!!

Slightly like the story If You Give a Moose a Muffin ...


but closer to the story If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (Considering the height difference and all...)


But with WAY less mess ... unless you consider the red pen that was scratched across my first and second drafts a mess. Cuz it super looked like a mess! ...

So a big thank you to the girls over at If You Give a Girl a Pen for accepting me into their group and for being crazy smart enough to notice my strange awesome writing talents!



Please take a minute to visit their site...and of course follow it since it's another place that you get to read my awesome writing advice! You can welcome me here.

Another Book Review

... Caution... MIGHT be controversial ... but with love ...

I woke up this morning after dreams of the Priory of Sion, cryptexes and trying to escape from the Louvre. That right kids, I am reading the DaVinci Code.

GASP!!! OH NO!

I think that somehow makes me a bad Catholic? Or is it the fact that I am really enjoying it and I super loved watching the movie last night that brings my faith into question?

POSSIBLY it may have something to do with asking my husband Friday night if he thought anyone would be offended if I brought the book into St. John Vianney's with me during the wedding rehearsal. (At which point I got a look that said, "That better be a rhetorical question!" Which it was...but it was entertaining to see his reaction nonetheless! I should have asked the priest if he'd mind....ok ok...too far I know!)

Well in actuality I don't think that enjoying this book has anything to do with my Faith or how good or bad of a Catholic I may or may not be. I mean let's be frank here (why yes, that is your new name for the moment...ok, well you can be Fred if you really want to!) - so let's be Fred for a moment here....nope...see it doesn't work...sorry - So being frank let me say, Dan Brown is a Darn Freaking Awesome writer! And THAT my friends is why I am enjoying the book so much.

I've seen the beginning of the movie a couple times before but never really found it interesting and always fell asleep, but the moment I started reading that book I was glued. And you can bet I didn't take my eyes off the tv the entire time we watched the movie last night!

Being a writer myself (in theory) I am amazed at how this man can spin his own set of historical facts -that aren't actually facts at all - and make them seem so believable. Amazing I tell you! I truly aspire to be as wonderful and talented as him.

So what is the point of this post do you say? Well as always there is absolutely no point to my post or else that would make this a purposeful blog. I merely just wanted to share my little views on Dan Brown as an author. Regardless of how controversial his books may or may not be, definitely worth reading, ESPECIALLY as an aspiring novelists!

Have you read any of his books? Did you enjoy them? Do you find them as controversial as others say they are?

Don't worry, I will return to my regularly scheduled snarkastic and pointless blogging about mommyhood and wifedom tomorrow :)

How I measure Success - A little question and answer time about my views on success during my writing journey.

Walk like an Egyptian!

Well I was thinking more along the lines of "Think like a writer!", but with the same tune. I'm wondering if there is a dance to go with this new song I've created? Any takers on putting together some wicked choreography? (We could even try to get it on So You Think You Could Dance!)

Well the moral of the story, or the point of the comment that is, is that it seems to be all I do lately. It doesn't matter what I am doing or thinking, it always feels like one big narration of someone's life being told in my head. I am constantly thinking like a writer. I actually narrated my entire shower Sunday morning, then blogged about it as a comment on Katie's Voice Lessons Post. I think I've seriously crossed over to the Dark Side (I'm really hoping they have cookies!)

How much has writing taken over your brain? Are you still able to go to the bathroom without thinking,

"She sat down slowly upon her porcelain thrown. She'd had to pee for hours now, but as she had spent the entire morning blogging and jotting down ideas for her new novel, she had put it off."

? Or am I the only crazy one here? (Ok, so I am slightly exaggerating with the whole bathroom reference ... but not much!)

~~~

Alright, so the moment we have ALL been waiting for! AWARD TIME!!! Bring on the ceremonious music and confetti. We now have a gname for the (previously known as The Roaming) Gnome!!! He shall now and forever be know as Gnorris! (not to be confused with Chuck Gnorris, although equally as awesome!)

Thank you Hilabeans for coming up with the perfect gnome gname!!!

You are now the proud winner of The Wee Little Garden Gnome (complete with your own Gnome Guide!)

Please email your shipping address to mb@marybethsmith.com

~~~

And as promised the next 3 winners of my Favorite Gnome Approved Blog award are...

Pajamas and Coffee - Entertaining and informational when it comes to parenting! She offers some great advice on Mommy Getaway Time. You Rock Marymac!

Booking It - One of the best blogs when it comes to aspiring writers. Her insight and advice have had a large impact on my writing abilities. Thanks Jessica!

Brain Throwup - Well the name alone makes it an award winning blog, but again her take on writing and motherhood are often inspiring. (Not to mention she's a fan of both Harry Potter and Twilight, which makes her a winner in my book anyday!) I love it Katie!

So check out all three blogs. There will be no disappointment involved! Tomorrow I will announce the final winner and the last 8 AMAZING facts about me.

Also, I elaborated a bit on the earlier part of this post on my website today! Check it out!!!

Is Coffee the Key to Success?

I read a post this morning called "Why I Drink". Well if you are a mother, there is not need to inquire further upon that statement. If we have children, if we have husbands, if we have pets....it's impossible to make it through the duties of wife and mother without a LARGE glass of wine from time to time. (Can I get an Amen!!!)

Then I began to think about my own mother. Although I do remember there being a box of White Zin, (Why yes, I did just say a box. My mama was classy!)I don't recall seeing her drink NEARLY as often as I've witnessed most mothers to do these days. Granted my mother was practically a saint....or so I believed and chose to continue believing... So I questioned this. Since current day mothers now get by with our wine, how did my mom do it? EPIPHANY!!!! She drank coffee! Sigh........

I have, for many years now, been REFUSING to become a coffee drinker. Although my nose perks up and I and savor the scent every time I come in contact with that evil enticing liquid, the moment it makes contact with my mouth I have a natural reaction to spit out the entire sip. (Serious question here! Why does coffee not taste as wonderful as it smells? That's deceiving!) But in addition to the sludge flavor, I refuse to evoke a new addiction. I've had friends, family and co-workers try to convert me. My response being, "I will NOT give in to your peer pressure!!!" (Way to sound like a seasoned teenager eh!)

But back to thinking about my mother, and all these mothers...and heck, let's take it a step further, all my new found internet friends, blog writers, blog readers, mothers, aspiring authors, etc.. There is one thing in common with each and every one of you. Yes, you guessed it! You are ALL evil coffee drinkers! *GASP* I mean seriously, one of my favorite blogs, Pajama's and Coffee, even has the damn word in her title!!!!

Am I truly that naive? Have you all been trying to convert me for better reasons than just peer pressure? Have I been failing to answer the call to the best little bean to hit the earth? (Seriously...It hits the earth, it grows...ok bad joke!) Why have I been fighting so hard? **Bows her head in shame**

So here is the real question kids...answer truthfully...is Coffee really the secret to success? Does it truly make you a better writer, mother, wife, etc....? Tell me....Tell Me...TELL ME!!!

Why I Read YOUR Blog...

I'm finally back to Blogging today. Unfortunately, real life kicked me in the ass this week. So I realized this morning, when I finally got a chance to catch up on all my favorite Blogs, how much I missed slipping away from reality for a bit each day. I never much occurred to me before, that I do indeed read blogs for an escape, a break, and a moment of solace. There are other perks of course.

Some Blogs, such as Rachelle Gardner and Nathan Bransford's, are insanely informational and helpful in regards to the career path I am pursuing. They provide insight about the world of writing and wonderful tools to help when searching for agents and/or publishers. They're Blogs have become a must read every day.

When it comes to writing I have also found it helpful and comforting to find a network of Bloggers whom are going through all the same experiences as I am. With their words and experiences, I find confidence and motivation. I am eteranally grateful to have found the Blogs of T. Anne, Jessica, Hillary, and Kate, amongst MANY others! You guys keep me moving along on my current WIP!

And then there is the ever tedious job of being a mother! I have no idea HOW our mothers did it. They had no Blogs, no Twitter, no Facebook, no Mommy Boards. OMG, I don't even think they had the happy pills so many of us rely on! Wine...that's all I can think of...wine....wine and Jesus. :D But when my children have left me exasperated, I rely on my favorite mommy Blogs. My favorite is hands down from a friend of my sisters. As a fellow woman in the writing industry, her eloquant words capture my attention with every Blog. The Momplex is also a must read for me! But if she hasn't updated, I keep my eyes on other Blogs. The Mommy Rambles, Mission Motherhood, and Happy Meals and Happy Hours are amongst some of the best! You girls are the key to my sanity some days!

I also have a few key Blogs I follow for mere entertainment and laughs. The best being Twitarded! Nothing better than a couple Edward Obsessed Fans! I also love Pajamas and Coffee. How can I resist reading about stories that involve a gay gargoyle! Thanks for the laughs. You girls ROCK!!!

So here's to you fellow Blog friends. I know I missed a few, but I love ya all the same. Keep Blogging, if only for my sanity. Because when real life kicks me in the ass, it's you I look for to put a bandaid on it! I LOVE YOU GUYS!