Here we are at the dawn of a new year. Since my son got me up at the ungodly hour of 5am (and then again at 7am), I've had some time to reflect on the last year. Sorry, but Johnny Test marathons can only hold my attention for so long. Heh The last 365 days have been such an enormous roller-coaster for me on a personal note, as well as a writerly note. I'm not going to focus on the family stuff in this here post, as that was filled with too many negative and conflicting emotions. If you really want to know, we shall share a bottle of wine and chat. Instead, I'm going to give my ode to the wonderful people I've met this year who have been so beyond pivotal in my growth as a writer, and a person... If you have not had the pleasure, I insist you track down the awesomely sparkly C. Issy. We sort of Twitter-befriended and chatted lots before finally meeting face-to-face at SCBWI in NYC last January. We fangirled, we cried, and we shared mush-brains after an incredible virgin SCBWI conference. Since then, Carli has become an awesome friend and wonderful critique partner. Carli keeps my 'teen voice' in check and inspires me to write super swoony kissy scenes. You can't have her, she's mine. So there.
The fab Cassandra Clare talking love triangles
TOTALLY geeked out when I passed S&S!
Henry Winkler's speech was beyond inspirational to the budding writer.
After a fate-sealing CP request post on AgentQuery Connect, I met the hysterical and insanely talented Alisha Marie Klapheke. As fate would have it, Ish lives literally like a half hour from me. Super weird, I know! It was awkward at first, but soon we realized we had so much in common we might have been sisters in another life. Kinda sappy? Yeah, but I heart my friends. Alisha loves a good edit and has taken the figurative red pen to my work more times than should be legal, but always has great advice and brainstorming. Passive voice be gone! And if you ever need a hot date for some tandoori chicken and naan bread, she's your gal!
Alisha and I often meet here (YUM!) to talk books, fictional boys, and everything else.
Inkpop may no longer be a place for young writers to connect and share, but it's the reason Michelle Warren is on my "awesome people of 2012" list. Michelle is a self-published author who I met through the HarperTeen sub-site. Her books, Wander Dust and Protecting Truth, I reviewed right here on this blog!! We traded a few emails and soon Michelle not only became a fantastic friend, but also an incredible beta reader/critique partner/inspiration/cover artist/ and all around awesome person to have in your arsenal. Michelle pushes me to question everything in my writing (the good/probing kind of questioning) and pointed out my horrible 'was' affliction. Awful. Really. Last July, I met a budding YA/NA author at utopYA Con right here in Nashville. M.R. Polish came all the way from Nevada to take part in a fledgling Con for paranormal writers. We chatted, laughed, and absorbed all the amazeballs info at utopYA. Ms. Polish has recently debuted her novel WOLF SPELL and I had the pleasure of being a beta. It's a wonderfully magical story full of awesome visuals and imagination. M.R. has helped me as well. She has read for me and, like Ish, is a big fan of the figurative red pen. But her insight and questions, like Michelle, have pushed me to question things myself.
Abbi Glines, Tiffany King, C.A. Kunz (Adam and Carol), and Michelle Leighton at utopYA 2012
Raine Thomas, L.M. Davis and Willow Cross at utopYA 2012
Linda Foster, K.C. Neal and Myra McEntire at utopYA 2012
Laskey Hall at Scarritt-Bennett where it all went down
Scarritt Hall at Scarritt-Bennett Center
I am so very thankful to have these ladies in my life. In the last two years that I've been actually writing, I have heard many times that finding good people to be part of your writing life is crucial to success. These ladies are my people. They are intelligent, witty, creative, crafty, funny, serious, practical, genius, supportive, encouraging, grounding, and by golly I heart them! Because of their insight, advice, and honesty, I would never be the writer I am today. I'm no where near where I want to be, but these fab ladies have helped me find a starting place. And with a little luck, we will all find that place of awesomeness together!
Here we are. It's December 31st, the last day of another year. It is also a time of reflection. No matter who you are or where you are in your life this is the day we look back at the past year and evaluate the choices we made, new discoveries, new friends, lost loves, and what grand adventures await us in the next year.
I would like to take the next few moments of your precious time to recap some of my fave 2011 moments. Just bear with my cuz I will likely get a little geektastic with some of this. But it cannot be helped, really.
First off I discovered my inner writer. WOOT! Who knew she was in there? I sure as hell didn't. For years I have lived in my own head, in my own little make believe world. Now I am in the process of sharing my world with others and it feels AWESOME!!! Why it took me so long to find this side of myself I will never know but good GAWD almighty am I glad I did.
Next up is my son, Boog. He graduated from toddler to preschooler. He went from being more self sufficient in his entertainment to discovering the wondrous world of Disney/Pixar and the Thundercats. He now likes to pretend play and it's the best thing ever! We hold 'swords' high and bellow in our best Thundarian voice, "Thundercats! HOOOOOOOOO!" Boog also finally 'got it' with Christmas this year. Seeing his face and the slight gasp of elation when opening presents from Santa was beyond wonderful. The appearance of a Sword of Omens and his very own Woody doll under the tree this year were a crowning mama moment.
Now for the geektastic moment.... NKOTBSB 2011! Yeah baby! Shush, no judging. I am slightly showing my age by expressing my obsession ..er.. stalkerness.. uh...passion... um love, for the fab boys from Beantown. That is New Kids on the Block to those of you not in the know. They made a comeback in 2008-2009 and then went all boyband crazy by joining up with Backstreet Boys in 2011. Oh yeah, I went to the concert in Nashville and nearly cried my joy. I did in fact lose my voice from my incessant screaming and was the butt of many jokes on the work front. Those haters just don't understand... *wink* I will eave you with a snip-it from my fave boys while I temporarily collapse is a puddle of reborn teen lust and angst...
But there was also those fab boys from the Irish Isles... The Script. I fell hard for these boys back in 2008, but finally got to see them here is Nashville this year. If you are not familiar with these hot Irish crooners let me share a tidbit... Feel free to swoon cuz I sure will be. Oi! I love these guys... Danny can SO drunk dial me anytime.
There was also the music...oh my the music!
I could seriously go on forever here but I will refrain. *giggle* For now I will dance around the living room like it's a Vegas night club. You are welcome to join me.
The movies!!! Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, Transformers, Mission Impossible, Hangover Part 2, The Help... Again I could go on forever.
So what is next for 2012? I have no clue. Have I made any resolutions? Why yes! I will continue to feed my child's imagination, I will attend my first writer's conference in NYC next month (SCBWI babay!), and I will continue to work on my writing. I hope to join in with a good crit group so I can continue to improve my craft, I will finish making the final touches on my first novel and maybe, just maybe, I will be ready for submissions in 2012.
In any event I know without a doubt 2012 will be a great year and I am ready for all it has in store. Are you?
