Wanna Be A Savvy Author - Check Out Savvy's Workshop Line Up for July 1st

I'm always on the lookout for things to share, and this one has been right under my nose all along. Savvy Authors. Looking for phenomenal writing classes, workshops and intensives, then look no further. I've taken countless classes with Savvy Authors and I cannot begin to explain how much it has grown and improved my writing. The instructors are worth their weight in gold and there is something informative and inspiring for the beginning and seasoned author alike. Definitely worth checking out if you're passionate about writing or becoming a published author. If you've ever asked what would it take, you may find some answers here!

Savvy Authors - Check Out Savvy's Workshop Line Up for July 1st

Do You See What Eye See?

Life, I believe is about imagery. Everywhere we turn our senses are flooded with sensory input... sounds, smells, feeling, touch, and most powerfully for me, sights. I've recently come to realize how much of life I see through my inner eye, the one that sees what cannot be seen. When I'm reading or writing, the scenes play out like a movie, in full technicolor in my mind's eye, filling in details written or unwritten, as I image them to be. What I find amazing is that vision is so personal and so different for each and every person experiencing it through their own inner eyes. What they see may not resemble what I see at all; a sort of disconnected, separate vantage point from where we see the inner and outer world.

And yet, when an artist is called upon to capture something as illusive as a description, I'm often blown away by how much of the inner eye vision must actually have been shared. This was the experience I had working with the cover designer for my book, Fire & Ice. Amanda Matthews is an artist I'd never met nor spoken to, appointed by Astraea Press to design the cover for my novel. I must admit I was more than apprehensive, and being so visual, I worried and wondered, how on earth I could convey the essence of my story to someone else in a way that will give them all they need to know to successfully create a visual. A visual I really didn't fully have in my mind, which was likely a good thing. I was willing to let myself be open to the possibilities, but in secret I was preparing for the worst.

I provided a few scant detail about my story and the main characters within it and someone was supposed to create something as important as a cover from just that alone? Well, eventually there was an email from the artist, in which she detailed why she made the design choice she made. I carefully read and reread every word before going to view the image she had designed for my book cover. My baby. Every hair stood on end and I held my breath as I opened the file. And as I saw the image I nearly dropped the laptop for wanting to jump up and down.

It was amazing! Simply breathtaking! There was no one else at home that I could share it with. I immediately called my mother who as it turned out couldn't see it because of computer troubles. So I was alone, staring at the incredible image created by someone else far away that felt as though she had plucked it from my mind's eye, without my knowledge it was in there. But in truth it came from within her mind's eye, her vision so powerfully and poignantly matched my own. And so I was reminded of the many many reasons I believe, that in some small way we must on some level be a little connected to one another. Inner eye to inner eye.

Stay tuned for the big cover reveal within the next few days! The ebook version of FIRE & ICE goes on sale the first week of July.

Want to contact Amanda Matthews? Check out her site here: http://amdesignstudios.net/

A Passion for Fashion

This post comes after a really terrific night spent viewing the exclusive fashion line of Canadian designer Lisa Drader Murphy. I'd never heard of her before but when my Mom asked if I was interested in a attending a fashion show, I was all over it. Needless to say I was blown away not only by the amazing fashions of this designer, whose business is called Turbine Fashion, but also the amazing venue; Jennifer Naturals Salon & Spa. It's a gorgeous space, offering fabulous treatments and incredible women who own the company are... well incredible! Everyone involved in the event was beautiful and brilliant and their passion and enthusiasm were infectious. And the clothing was to die for! The evening included the opportunity to try on different outfits from their trunk show, which made me feel like I'd stepped out of the era of The Great Gatsby, when designers would bring their collections to our home for private intimate showings. The entire evening was a blast, and I'll be doing a lot of shopping at both of theses businesses. I mean what could possibly beat a fresh new look... mani/pedi, hair and a hot new outfit.... after a day like that the only things missing would be the sexy sandals to pull it together and a rockin event to show it all off! Looking good and feeling good go hand in hand in my world!

When Dreams Come True - Dream On

It's such an exciting moment when a long held dream comes true. It's almost a little surreal, while at the same time feeling perfectly natural as through it's the next logical step. Like welcoming an old friend, I want to say "Ah, there you are, what kept you?".
To end the suspense, I will share my good news. I just signed a publishing deal with Astraea Press for my novel Fire And Ice! To say I'm thrilled is somewhat of an understatement! The enthusiasm and support I've received from my agent Denise Barone and from Stephanie Taylor of Astraea Press, not to mention family and friends near and far, has been astounding and humbling. It felt like a collective journey- a collective dream, and so sharing it with the world just seems fitting.

 To put a delicious cherry on top of a wonderful week, I discovered this post from my amazing success coach and music producer Jessi Jordan which it home how fortunate I am to be surrounded with such brilliance!

★ ★ ★ Congratulations to the UBER TALENTED client of mine Michele Barrow-Belisle for nabbing a publishing deal for her book FIRE AND ICE!!! She felt stuck, took my "Be Your Magic in Every Audition, Performance and Pitch Program" ( www.beyourmagic.com ) - got unstuck and 30 days later BAM BABY!!! SHE IS THE MAGIC! Expect to see, hear and read BIG things from this lady!! woo hoo!!! How does it get ANY Better than this?! ♥

One dream successfully fulfilled, what's next..... perhaps a movie deal!?! What are the endless possiblities?

Wishing you a lifetime of dreams come true! 

Dream On!!!

MUSIC MASH-UP Mike Starr (aka Ty Real Da RokStar) - HU$TLE ft Jessi Jordan

Check out the awesome and amazing Jessi Jordan with Mike Starr, in this super-cool music video. Jessi is not only a diva goddess singer extraordinaire, but a fantastic magical-life coach as well!!


http://www.jessijordancoaching.com

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Happy 2013! It's been a while since my last post, but what better time for a new one than with the coming of a new year! There is a quiet excitement for me over this new year, a soft gentle anticipation of wonderful things unfolding. But aside from all of the fantastic "BIG" things happening, there are glimpses and glimmers of even "BETTER" things. Things I find myself grateful for all over again. Snowfalls. Lattes. Cozy pj's. And best of all, the experience of watching a 12 year old girl fall in love with my novel. There is nothing quite like that feeling. She discovered a copy of it on a table at my parent's house during a family dinner. From the moment she picked it up, the book did not leave her hands all evening. From 3pm until 10pm she read, in between chatting, eating, hanging with the other kids, playing three rounds of bingo... through and between it all, she read, literally unable (or at least unwilling) to put the book down. Wow. Now that was exciting for me to see! She read 15 chapters and when it was time to leave you could see the agony in her eyes. Since the book has not yet been published, this was her only chance to finished. I think had my mother not agreed to lend her the copy, she might have camped out over night in order to finished the remaining 23 chapters!
It was a lovely sight to behold, watching before my eyes, the delight and fascination of someone so fully enthralled with something I had a part in creating. Watching her get excited at the parts I got excited over, and frustrated, upset and worried in all the right places, turning page after page, with a need to know what woudl happen next. How does it get any better than that?
She came over to me after a few hours and said with a note of seriousness and sincerity, "So far, I would rate this book as an 11 out of 10." Pretty impressive score if I do say so myself. She's anxious to finish and to read the second book and the third, which has yet to be created. But if ever I was in need of external motivation, I found it last night in the eyes of that young reader, who in the midst of a crowd of noise, laughter and merriment, hungrily flipped page after page to find out what would happened next!

 

Happy New Year!
May yours be shiny and bright, and filled with dreams fulfilled!

Blog-Hopping on a Sunday

The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

Nothing like having to prepare for visitors at the last minute!! Today, I got the message... people will be stopping by, get your blog updated. Sure. No problem, I thought. I just updated it.... uhm... when was the last time?  I was tagged me in a blog hop, and sent an email saying "hey there, I tagged you, people will be coming to visit". Ok, awesome. I mean it's an honor just to be chosen. New to-do list: Drop everything. Update blog!  Thank you Riley Darkes for that. ;)

What to blog about? Well one of two things. My writing or my sculpting. My passions. This month has been almost singularly devoted to writing, given it's NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). Sucker for punishment I can be, I signed up to write 2000 words a day every -day in the month of November, for Entangled Publishing's "Smack Down" event at Savvy Authors. Woosh what a wild ride it's been so far. I've impressed myself and on most days...writing even while over exhausted and bleary eyed. Even put in a day of 6500 words! Now I'm hoping to top that and reward myself with a viewing of Breaking Dawn. And some chocolate. Who am I kidding, I'm going to see it whether I write another word today or not. :) Same goes for the chocolate.

So for the guests who may do me the honor of swinging by, let me share with you a little info about my new WIP for this writing bookcamp extravaganza. 

Want more details about the awesomeness that is Savvy Authors.com, check it out here!

What is your working title of your book?

Acid Raine

Where did the idea come from for the book?

I spent the summer with a highschool friend following DuranDuran on tour. Ok, so we onky went to 3 concerts, but they took us from our cozy hamlet in Canada to exotic locals like NY New York, and Biloxi Mississippi! Anyway, the idea for this story sprang from those concerts and our eternal fixation with the band members. I mean John Taylor... Simon LeBon... need I say more. (Note to my hubby: you totally trump them all baby). 

What genre does your book fall under?

Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

I'm horrible with actor's names, so I'll have to do some research there. But in the meantime, here are some photos of what I imagine the main characters look like.

Heroine: Skylar Peyton
Age 22 -first year med student at Oxford University,
-plucky, impulsive, outspoken

 ____________________________________________________________

Hero: Raine Mauler (changed at 28 years old- actually over a century): Demon, Rock star, lead singer of smash group Acid Raine
-dark, soulful, brooding, sexy

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

A 22 year old med student plans to lose her virginity to the lead singer of her favorite rock band, to honor a bucket-list promise to her deceased best friend. But after falling for sexy lead singer, she notices a string of paranormal events surrounding the band. She discovers they were involved with her friend’s death, and might be plotting hers.... Yes, I do realize this was actually 3 sentences.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

Represented by an agency... or I should say my uber fabulous agent extraordinaire!!

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

It's still in progress... the plan is it will take 30 days... or however many days November has. How does that rhyme go again... 30 days hath September...

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Wow, that's a tough one becasue there are elements and aspects I see from a variety of other books. It's a paranormal love story with the classic angst of forbidden love

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Losing a good friend from high school very suddenly and way too young, prompted my summer of Duran Duran. Seeing them (and Prince) in concert had been on my bucket list forever. You have to make NOW the right time I've decided. Why wait. So I jumped into the story and the 30 day challenge of NaNo.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

This isn't your typical predictable paranormal love story... there are some unexpected twists planned for these characters which will change their lives in ways no one could have imagined. At least that's the plan so far!

Riley tagged me, and your job is to tag other authors so we can hop over to their site and visit them.

So, TAG - You're IT in The Next Big Thing!

Shelly Bell

Susannah Scott

Lacey Devlin

R.J. Garside

Tricia Skinner


 ***************

Wanna Play: 

Include the link of who tagged you and this explanation for the people you have tagged.

Rules for The Next Big Thing Blog Hop:

***Use this format for your post

***Answer the ten questions about your current WIP (work in progress)

***Tag five other writers/bloggers and add their links so we can hop over and meet them.

Ten Interview Questions for the Next Big Thing:

What is your working title of your book?

Where did the idea come from for the book?

What genre does your book fall under?

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Include the link of who tagged you and this explanation for the people you have tagged.