Category: writing

F is for Fashion

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Hey ladies. 
Nothing says “fashion” like jeans and heels.

(via: Southern Elegance)

This long weekend is a perfect time for it. 

And while we’re on the subject…. 
I love thinking about what my characters would wear. The MC in my current WIP is pretty low-key. She loves jeans (with heels, on the weekend), yoga pants (when no one is looking), cashmere pashminas (because she likes to say “paj-mean-uh”), and no-fuss biz-wear while at the ad agency (where she’s a very under-appreciated copywriter). 
Lookie, there she is:

(via: Daily Cup of Couture)

(And, by the way…..happy weekend.)

F is for Fashion

4 Comments
Hey ladies. 
Nothing says “fashion” like jeans and heels.

(via: Southern Elegance)

This long weekend is a perfect time for it. 

And while we’re on the subject…. 
I love thinking about what my characters would wear. The MC in my current WIP is pretty low-key. She loves jeans (with heels, on the weekend), yoga pants (when no one is looking), cashmere pashminas (because she likes to say “paj-mean-uh”), and no-fuss biz-wear while at the ad agency (where she’s a very under-appreciated copywriter). 
Lookie, there she is:

(via: Daily Cup of Couture)

(And, by the way…..happy weekend.)

Lucky 7

2 Comments
Thanks to my lovely Entangled Publishing writerly friend….I’ve been tagged.
And here’s the gist…… 

The Rules:

  1. Go to page 77 of your current manuscript.
  2. Go to line 7.
  3. Copy down the next 7 lines/sentences, and post them as they’re written. No cheating.
  4. Tag 7 other authors.

My excerpt from DREAM SOME:


“Did you take off any time for Thanksgiving?” she queried.
             “Um. Well. No.”

            She nodded as if making mental notes. “And are you taking time off for Christmas or New Years?” I shook my head, suddenly feeling pissed off; pissed off that I had the suckiest job in the world, and pissed off that Mandy was constantly calling me on that. “Sounds like a done-deal to me,” she added.
            “Me too!” Sarah chimed.
            “Peer pressure, Tess,” Giovana pointed at me. “Just. Say. No.”
Thank you, Leah Rae Miller for the tag. (I’ll get you back.)

Lucky 7

2 Comments
Thanks to my lovely Entangled Publishing writerly friend….I’ve been tagged.
And here’s the gist…… 

The Rules:

  1. Go to page 77 of your current manuscript.
  2. Go to line 7.
  3. Copy down the next 7 lines/sentences, and post them as they’re written. No cheating.
  4. Tag 7 other authors.

My excerpt from DREAM SOME:


“Did you take off any time for Thanksgiving?” she queried.
             “Um. Well. No.”

            She nodded as if making mental notes. “And are you taking time off for Christmas or New Years?” I shook my head, suddenly feeling pissed off; pissed off that I had the suckiest job in the world, and pissed off that Mandy was constantly calling me on that. “Sounds like a done-deal to me,” she added.
            “Me too!” Sarah chimed.
            “Peer pressure, Tess,” Giovana pointed at me. “Just. Say. No.”
Thank you, Leah Rae Miller for the tag. (I’ll get you back.)

Cover Reveal – My Super Sweet 16th Century

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I’m so excited to be part of another Entangled Publishing cover reveal!
This week, I present MY SUPER SWEET 16th CENTURY:

 

Rachel’s book releases September 11, 2012
My Super Sweet 16th Century, by Rachel Harris is available for pre-order on: Amazon | Barnes & Noble Be sure to add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads!

Connect with Rachel at:

And also, check out this super sweet excerpt:


I hear their muffled whispers and understand every Italian word. Every witty comment made at my expense.
It’s like my brain is automatically translating.
I bunch the soft fabric of the dress in my hand and then reach up to feel the ribbon in my hair. I lightly skim my fingers over my chin and feel my lack of zit. I take in the costumes of the crowd, the stench of the animals, and the Italian I can now speak and understand. And suddenly it hits me.
Reyna must have pulled some kind of gypsy mojo.
Maybe this is one of those nifty “change your life” magic scenarios like in the movies. I mean, mostly I’m still expecting to blink and be right back in the midst of overpriced, gaudy tourism, but for now, the gypsy-time-warp explanation is infinitely better than thinking I’ve lost my mind. As I decide to go with that option, I feel my frantic tension melt away.
The growing crowd seems to notice my change in demeanor and begins shooting one another amused looks, but I don’t care anymore. A smile stretches across my face. Evidently, I was wrong earlier; Reyna is a psychic mind reader, because if this is her special brand of bibbity-bobbity-boo, then she made my exact daydream from earlier in the courtyard come to life.
The long red gown, the braided hair, the Italian merchant’s daughter, the time period. I am in Renaissance Florence.
I stare dumbly at the ground, the words and reality sinking in.
I’m in Renaissance Florence!


Cover Reveal – My Super Sweet 16th Century

Leave a comment
I’m so excited to be part of another Entangled Publishing cover reveal!
This week, I present MY SUPER SWEET 16th CENTURY:

 

Rachel’s book releases September 11, 2012
My Super Sweet 16th Century, by Rachel Harris is available for pre-order on: Amazon | Barnes & Noble Be sure to add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads!

Connect with Rachel at:

And also, check out this super sweet excerpt:


I hear their muffled whispers and understand every Italian word. Every witty comment made at my expense.
It’s like my brain is automatically translating.
I bunch the soft fabric of the dress in my hand and then reach up to feel the ribbon in my hair. I lightly skim my fingers over my chin and feel my lack of zit. I take in the costumes of the crowd, the stench of the animals, and the Italian I can now speak and understand. And suddenly it hits me.
Reyna must have pulled some kind of gypsy mojo.
Maybe this is one of those nifty “change your life” magic scenarios like in the movies. I mean, mostly I’m still expecting to blink and be right back in the midst of overpriced, gaudy tourism, but for now, the gypsy-time-warp explanation is infinitely better than thinking I’ve lost my mind. As I decide to go with that option, I feel my frantic tension melt away.
The growing crowd seems to notice my change in demeanor and begins shooting one another amused looks, but I don’t care anymore. A smile stretches across my face. Evidently, I was wrong earlier; Reyna is a psychic mind reader, because if this is her special brand of bibbity-bobbity-boo, then she made my exact daydream from earlier in the courtyard come to life.
The long red gown, the braided hair, the Italian merchant’s daughter, the time period. I am in Renaissance Florence.
I stare dumbly at the ground, the words and reality sinking in.
I’m in Renaissance Florence!


"To My Wife"

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Currently, I’m at the “relationshippy” part of my WIP. When I came across this quote, I thought it was something my hero would say. And something I’d like to hear from my future hero. And (in the mean time), something I’d like to share with you.

 

“I WON’T . . .

come riding on a White Horse, with a waffle maker, “tickets to the that thing you like” and a bouquet of roses. However, I don’t expect you to be waiting at the door when I get home cooking dinner while holding my dry cleaning and crap.”

(via: TO MY WIFE blog)

"To My Wife"

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Currently, I’m at the “relationshippy” part of my WIP. When I came across this quote, I thought it was something my hero would say. And something I’d like to hear from my future hero. And (in the mean time), something I’d like to share with you.

 

“I WON’T . . .

come riding on a White Horse, with a waffle maker, “tickets to the that thing you like” and a bouquet of roses. However, I don’t expect you to be waiting at the door when I get home cooking dinner while holding my dry cleaning and crap.”

(via: TO MY WIFE blog)

Why I can never be a book reviewer

8 Comments
I love reading. I LOOOOVE writing. So then…why do I suck at writing about reading?

Case in point: The other day, I was organizing my GoodReads virtual bookshelves, while also, curiously, reading a few of my “reviews” from books I read a while back.

After laughing/cringing at my obvious incompetence, I thought I’d share some of my more random, half-hearted reviews.
Enjoy. At my expense.
(Book titles have been removed. For your protection and mine.)
(via: blueleah)
This was cute, but the guy needed to be hotter sooner. I was too confused and scared. But in the end it was cute.
The only reason I didn’t give this one star is because I don’t want to go to hell. Seriously though, I was bored to tears.
Predictable and not enough love. Her other books are better. I did manage to learn a thing or two about greyhounds and building a staircase in the Cotswolds, however.
Clever writing, lots of kissing, no sex.  Safe for your mom!  
Meh.

Pretty cute. I liked the beginning and end the best. The middle was a bit annoying. The chick was just so stupid.

I liked thinking about this afterwards more than actually reading it. Still worth the 4 stars. Easy read.

SPOILER: 
Is this a story about a fat girl who hates herself? 
or about a girl getting dumbed? 
or a girl with Daddy issues? 
or a girl who gets knocked up? 
MAKE UP YOUR MIND!!!
Disc 2 got stuck in my cd player. I took that as a sign to stop. Bored anyway.
Are you FREAKING KIDDING ME??? One star was generous! Why put me through all that? And for what? I’m still so annoyed!!!!

Yes!–5 Stars. A perfect book. Exceptional, stunning writing, emotional. I laughed, I sobbed, I wanted to be friends with these boys.

Couldn’t finish this one. Too much weird circus freak naked. And not enough story. Buh-bye.

Interesting concept. But ended up kind of lame.
Whatever. I liked it.
Very cute. However, reminds me SO MUCH of MY book that I’m trying to get published (theme-wise, that is). Weird….
I’ve had better.
Big, stupid cow! Couldn’t relate to her. She was a big, stupid cow!  (My earlier review of same book at the halfway point:  You big, stupid COW! Men aren’t mind-readers, you big, stupid COW!!)
Cute. Some bits were a tad slow because of all the fabric and alpaca talk, but the guy was bossy and hot. I like that in a man. 🙂
Not great but didn’t hate.
This was a 2.5 rating. Could have been higher if the girl wasn’t so annoying and there wasn’t so much “dry rot” talk.
I really loved this. I wasn’t sure where the story was going at first, and I didn’t trust any of the weirdo characters. But then….I fell in love with these weirdos. Great message, nothing disturbing or shocking. To me, it’s kind of a cross between “Fight Club” and “Pay It Forward.” I know….
Bored. Weird.
Creepy good time. Wonder if the movie is any good
Er. I can’t believe she wasted her time on THIS instead of giving us Midnight Sun! This added nothing to Eclipse, but only managed to further tick me off as Stuffy again chose to break her own rules. Blah!
Cool, creepy story. Kind of a combo of “Rebecca,” “Jane Eyre,” and “Wuthering Heights.”
I feel like a failure since I can’t finish this. But…I JUST DON’T CARE! Maybe I’ll rent the movie…

Why I can never be a book reviewer

8 Comments
I love reading. I LOOOOVE writing. So then…why do I suck at writing about reading?

Case in point: The other day, I was organizing my GoodReads virtual bookshelves, while also, curiously, reading a few of my “reviews” from books I read a while back.

After laughing/cringing at my obvious incompetence, I thought I’d share some of my more random, half-hearted reviews.
Enjoy. At my expense.
(Book titles have been removed. For your protection and mine.)
(via: blueleah)
This was cute, but the guy needed to be hotter sooner. I was too confused and scared. But in the end it was cute.
The only reason I didn’t give this one star is because I don’t want to go to hell. Seriously though, I was bored to tears.
Predictable and not enough love. Her other books are better. I did manage to learn a thing or two about greyhounds and building a staircase in the Cotswolds, however.
Clever writing, lots of kissing, no sex.  Safe for your mom!  
Meh.

Pretty cute. I liked the beginning and end the best. The middle was a bit annoying. The chick was just so stupid.

I liked thinking about this afterwards more than actually reading it. Still worth the 4 stars. Easy read.

SPOILER: 
Is this a story about a fat girl who hates herself? 
or about a girl getting dumbed? 
or a girl with Daddy issues? 
or a girl who gets knocked up? 
MAKE UP YOUR MIND!!!
Disc 2 got stuck in my cd player. I took that as a sign to stop. Bored anyway.
Are you FREAKING KIDDING ME??? One star was generous! Why put me through all that? And for what? I’m still so annoyed!!!!

Yes!–5 Stars. A perfect book. Exceptional, stunning writing, emotional. I laughed, I sobbed, I wanted to be friends with these boys.

Couldn’t finish this one. Too much weird circus freak naked. And not enough story. Buh-bye.

Interesting concept. But ended up kind of lame.
Whatever. I liked it.
Very cute. However, reminds me SO MUCH of MY book that I’m trying to get published (theme-wise, that is). Weird….
I’ve had better.
Big, stupid cow! Couldn’t relate to her. She was a big, stupid cow!  (My earlier review of same book at the halfway point:  You big, stupid COW! Men aren’t mind-readers, you big, stupid COW!!)
Cute. Some bits were a tad slow because of all the fabric and alpaca talk, but the guy was bossy and hot. I like that in a man. 🙂
Not great but didn’t hate.
This was a 2.5 rating. Could have been higher if the girl wasn’t so annoying and there wasn’t so much “dry rot” talk.
I really loved this. I wasn’t sure where the story was going at first, and I didn’t trust any of the weirdo characters. But then….I fell in love with these weirdos. Great message, nothing disturbing or shocking. To me, it’s kind of a cross between “Fight Club” and “Pay It Forward.” I know….
Bored. Weird.
Creepy good time. Wonder if the movie is any good
Er. I can’t believe she wasted her time on THIS instead of giving us Midnight Sun! This added nothing to Eclipse, but only managed to further tick me off as Stuffy again chose to break her own rules. Blah!
Cool, creepy story. Kind of a combo of “Rebecca,” “Jane Eyre,” and “Wuthering Heights.”
I feel like a failure since I can’t finish this. But…I JUST DON’T CARE! Maybe I’ll rent the movie…