I've turned my dining room into a writing space. Who needs meals at a table when you have a book to write?
Music: Alice in Chains
Tea: pomegranate white tea
Weather: thunderstorm and windy (hellish for a girl who is STILL scared of thunderstorms)

Long time no see!  I have been blog-slacking again, feel free to slap my wrists.

Ouch, not too hard!

So, yes, I've been doing a lot of research for my writing...it's called Life.  I'm excited about some plot twists and turns that will be happening in QOF2 that could only happen because of my own crazy twists and turns.  The thing about a writer is...if she isn't inspired to write, it feels like a chore.  And we all love doing chores don't we?

Dreamy.
I have actually had a dream in which I was Tianna and the dream revealed something that I'm incredibly excited to pass on to you, dear readers, and so, the journey of QOF2 continues. 

Busy.
Working, volunteering, laughing...I've been working on balancing a few areas in my life so that the best author in me can come out and play when I sit down to write. 

Change.
Life is great because of change.  Could you imagine not ever changing??  No thank you.  So, I have embraced the recent changes in my life (with gusto!), and I believe they have made me a better, stronger, happier person.  I feel like my life is in the process of being transformed and I'm patiently waiting inside my cocoon, ready to stretch my wings and fly away to my own personal paradise. 

Oh, Spring, you get me all sentimental and philosophical and stuff...

So, fret not, this writer is a happy girl and writing comes easily when you're happy.  QOF2 will be out before the monarchs migrate south.  Happy reading! 

Happy Valentine's Day dear readers!  Or, if you prefer...Happy Thursday! 

I'm going to keep it short and sweet for you:

Here's a link to some hilarious Vday autocorrect fails to make you laugh.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/valentines-day-iphone-autocorrect-fails-1709297

And remember to focus on what a day of love is really all about and do something nice for someone else today.  Bring some cookies to your coworkers (that's my plan!), pay for someone's coffee, or just smile at people...maybe while you wear those new shoes you bought yourself when cupid missed ;)

Yes, dear readers, I've failed with my deadline to have the sequel of QOF out by the end of 2012.  But, if it's any consolation, the re-editing and re-writing of the sequel will be well worth the wait.  I am hoping to have it ready for release in the coming months. 
In the meantime, QOF is getting a lot of attention and has been entered into Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Contest.  Keep your fingers crossed for me dear Freaks Fans!
For those of you who are curious, here are a few tidbits of information to keep the anticipation flowing for those who are wanting more:
1.  In this second book, there are scenes written from the point of view of other characters.  You get a peek at Tianna from someone else's perspective.  Who?  Well, you'll just have to wait and see.
2.  New characters.  There are a few newbies who I'm really excited to introduce to you...but fear not, the beloved Bob and Finn continue to play an important role in this book as well.
3.  Any zombie fans out there? 

So there you go, a sneak peak into the world of QOF  2 (Title yet to be determined...)  Stay tuned!

A little while ago I spent the day going on rides and roller coasters...yes I am an amusement park junkie and proud of it!
I was on one particular ride, which was a wheel that spun us around, up, down, side to side and mostly upside down, when I had an insightful moment. 
The only thing holding me from falling face first to my death is this black rubber harness. 
Now, this was not the first time I've thought of this, so that was not my insightful moment...the enlightening thoughts came afterwards, while I was observing the smiling, laughing kids.
Why do children so willingly go on these rides with no fear, no hesitation, no thoughts of death or "what if" moments?  Why, on almost every ride I went on, was I the oddball for simply being an adult?  These were not kiddie rides, these were scary, fast, adrenaline pumping thrill rides.  Yet, while the adults backed away, waving to the kids and taking pictures with their phones, the kids laughed and got off the ride only to run back into line and get back on it again.
So what is the difference between adults and youths? 
In my humble opinion...trust.
While adults have been brainwashed by news and fear, children have no reason to be fearful.    There is no doubt in their mind that the harness will be there for them.  In their minds, the mechanical system will always be in perfect working order and all they have to do is enjoy the ride. 
The three most common excuses I hear from adults when I ask them why they don't go on rides are:
"I'm too old for that." 
"My stomach isn't as strong as it used to be."
"I don't trust the operator/machine."
Do you ever hear children give any of these excuses?  No.  They don't over-think, or go into "what-if" thoughts...they just want to have fun.
This theory can be extended to many situations.  How many children hesitate to eat somewhere because it might not meet health standards?  How many carry the weight of financial burden on their tiny shoulders or wake up in the morning feeling unsatisfied with their lives?  Not too many that I've met. 
The child's philosophy is simple...they trust.  They trust their parents, their teachers, their family's vehicle, the neighbor's dog, their rusty bike, the amusement park operators. 
Imagine if we could go through life as adults, living each day like trusting children. 
When we can learn how to fully surrender and trust life - and I do mean very aspect of life - from money to relationships to careers to our purpose in life...when we don't have to walk around in worry or fear, wondering about "what ifs", what would that feel like?
What does child-like trust feel like?
I would imagine it feels a lot like never-ending laughter on a thrill ride called Life.

Alright readers, I've pondered, I've analyzed, I've asked friends and family and now I'm letting YOU have a say.  Designing a new cover for QOF has been on my mind for quite some time and I recently held a design contest on 99 Designs, which brought in over 250 different design submissions. 

Here are the finalists...which one should have the honor of becoming the new cover??
VOTE HERE:
http://99designs.ca/book-cover-design/vote-xqj916

Today was a snow day so I worked from my bedroom, sitting on the end of my bed.
Music: classical
Tea: peppermint (my fave)

Day 2 writing* was done during down time at work.
Music: none
Tea: none
*I'm already behind by 1687 words!
Keep calm and carry on...

Today I am writing at my dining room table. 
Tea: citrus lavender sage & opus rouge rooibos
Music: Blade soundtrack (vampire dance club theme)
Note the blanket.  It's cold.

Well, it's that time of year again.  November 1 marks the beginning of NaNoWriMo, a month dedicated to the art of novel writing.  50,000 words written in 30 days.  Sounds achievable, right?  Right??

My NaNoWriMo months in the past have usually gone something like this:
Day 1  - "Yay, this is going to be fun AND productive...I have so many ideas!"
Day 5 - "Damn writers block...I'll come back to it tomorrow."
Day 10- "Nowhere near the goal, but that's okay, I can still do it!" (second wind arrives around this point)
Day 14 - "Why am I doing this?  Oh right, fun..."
Day 20 - "Well, I can get 25,000 words done at least.  I think."
Day 25 - "Well, I can get 15,000 words done at least.  I think."
Day 30 - "There's always next year..."

Yes, it's a daunting task to write an entire novel in one month, but this year I refuse to surrender.  If I write 1667 words a day I will meet my goal.  Thinking of how many texts and emails I send a day, 1667 words should be more than manageable. 

What will I be writing?  I plan on finishing the sequel to QOF (see, I told you I'd have it done by the end of the year!)

When will I be writing?  Any spare time that I have, except early mornings because frankly people, I am just not a morning person.

Where will I be writing?  Given that it's a winter wonderland outside my window right now, my writing nooks will be inside wherever it is warm.  Have laptop, will travel.  

I've included the NaNoWriMo word counter on this site so you can creep on my word counts (yes it's okay, you can creep...or encourage, or reprimand, or send chocolate...)

And remember, if you see any sleep deprived, disheveled looking folks stumbling around with a laptop tucked under their arms while mumbling to themselves, chances are, they're a NaNoWriMo writer!