on repeat

Ok, so admittedly I don't really have anything to say, but HI.

Hi!

So how's your week?!?!

Mine's on the upward trend....woot woot!  WIP is moving, work is good, life is good.  I'm still not 100% out of the slumps, but I'm getting there...I'd say I'm at about 85%. 

I think I've mentioned numerous times before that I have quite an addictive personality, but if you're new to my blog and don't already know, um, I have a very addictive personality.

I've been addicted to the band Thriving Ivory as of late.  Okay, it's been a few months now.  Okay, maybe half a year.  ANYWAY, I originally downloaded their "Angels on the moon" song for free from Itunes and loved it so much I downloaded the entire album and was instantly addicted.  See how marketing ploys work on me????  I'm an easy target people!  My love for them has been renewed this week as I just discovered their video "Hey Lady" and I've already watched it 4 times, 5 if you count just now.  Good stuff.  It's basically on repeat for me this week.  My only complaint is that there aren't any other videos right now that I can download.  *whine*  I'm seriously considering writing a letter or finding their website to complain.  I'll never do it, but I like to imagine myself doing it.  Somehow I feel validated.

So here's a little of what I consider the good stuff, because, well, because.

Enjoy!



*lots of hugs*
kristi

the slumps

I admit it.  I'm in blogging withdrawal!  I miss you all!

Last week I found myself in "the slumps".  Okay, realistically, I might be the ONLY ONE who noticed I was there, but still, I felt it.  The only problem with being a total optimist is that even when you have a bad day, most people don't even notice.  And it's not that I'm "faking" it or anything.  It's just that even when I'm not feeling 100% "me" I'm still fairly upbeat. 

Because you know what?  Even when I hit my ultimate tired level as I did last week.  Even when I'm worn out and my current WIP is less than exciting and I'm needed that something to perk it up.  Even when work is only so-so and I'm frustrated.  Even when I've been working out and the scale doesn't show it.  Even when I just reworked my entire beginning, spent a week on it, and hate the result.  Even when my computer runs slow and I haven't posted in a week.  You know what?  I'm still blessed.  I still have an awesome life.  And I'm still smiling. 

It's hard to be too down in the slumps when the friends, family and people that I'm surrounded by are so incredibly awesome.  So thank you to you all, because believe it or not, your comments and support are all a part of that.  Even when I don't post regularly...it means alot.  Actually, I think it means even more when I'm too busy to post but you still stop by.

Being in a "baby slump" last week made me really think about when in my life I'd had major slumps.  You know the ones.  The life-changing, you're not sure you'll make it out ones?  I've been lucky enough to only have three. 

Three that scarred me enough to remember anyway:
1 - The largest was when my baby sister was sick and diagnosed with two forms of cancer (that will put any baby slump into quick perspective)....and breathe easy....she's in remission and is currently training for a marathon.  Seriously, she's in better shape than me...and my very best Beta Reader.
2 - A horrible, horrible breakup.  One that hurt bad enough to cause life-changing slumpness and lots and lots of patheticness.
3 - Right before my son was born.  As soon as that due date went by, two weeks later, I had stopped talking to anyone and locked myself in my house.  I was not a happy camper.

BUT you know what the best thing about big slumps and baby slumps is????  Getting over them!  They always pass and that rainbow seems even brighter when you come out the other side.

AND for the record, this weekend my computer was fixed, new memory added, and the slow, frustrating posting is behind me.  And, yes, I'm back to my WIP and life is once again golden.

Now if all my exercise would finally cause my stupid scale to start going in the right direction...who am I kidding???  I'll take what I can get...

I hope you are all having slump-less weeks!
*take care*
kristi

Teaser Tuesday!

Teaser Tuesday is upon us again!  So far my one faithful posting day, whether it's my own work or some random inspiration I've found to share, it's the one day that makes me feel semi-consistent as of late.

So, what's up for me this week?  I'm continuing with my latest WIP, SYBIL.

This excerpt is from Chapter 5 - New Beginnings.  All feedback is welcome and appreciated!

***Excerpt removed for editing***

That's it for today...short and sweet!
 
*take care*
kristi

TGIF and a confession

We made it!  Woot, woot!  Yes, Friday is finally here!  The weekend lays ahead, full of the promise of lovely outdoor activity and yard work!  Ahhhh....

And then I realize I've fallen back into my blogger schizophrenic ways this week, with only one post.  *gasp*

Which had me thinking this morning about all the writer quirks some people have.  You know, the "cool" ones.  I always imagine the author with the crazy hair, bathrobe, lack of care about the outside world...kind of like a tamer version of the Shining.  Or maybe like Stephen King sleeping with the light on or not owning a cell phone.  (Not sure if those are true but the rumors had passed by my ear a time or two.)

And I thought, hmmm...maybe my blogger schizophrenia could be considered a writing quirk?  It sounds much, much better than laziness, yes?  And in all honesty, it is't laziness at all.  I've mentioned before that usually when my writing is going well and the voices in my head are playing along, this posting on the blog suffers.  It's a necessary evil.  We all know the worst thing is when the voices stop and you're left mid-novel with no clue what to do.  Now that's bad.  Did we just jinx ourselves?  It's ok - spit in your hand, stomp your left foot, turn around three times and we should be good.  Done?  Perfect.

The fear of the voices stopping always causes me to write as much as I can in the hopes that they won't go away.  And I always think about posting something about a blogger break or a hiatus, but I know the moment I do, I will have a great topic and want to post and have to take it all back.  So just know that I will be very erratic the next few weeks, but eventually, I will go back to normal.  Then again, what fun is normal?  Really?

Anyhoo - since the writing bug is still in full swing, I vow once again to post something this Teaser Tuesday!  Yippee!

But before I go, let me leave you with one of my other writing quirks I've just discovered:  When I'm feeling the muse and the writing is going well, be careful if you ask me a question.  My rambling hits an all time high.  Some of you have already experienced this.  :-) 

You will not get a yes or a no but a five paragraph explanation of how I feel followed by a final:  I don't know.  I see all perspectives and become indecisive.  I've decided this too is even worse when I'm writing.  It's like I can't turn it off. 

SO, what about you??  Any writing quirks?  I hope for your sake they are much cooler than mine, I'm afraid it wouldn't be a hard thing to do.

Happy weekends everyone!
*grin*
kristi

The inspiration behind your swing... errr... words!

As you all know for Teaser Tuesday I usually do one of two things:  give you a peek at my current WIP or share some kind of inspiration.

Something I saw this weekend made me go for the latter.

The truth is, we all have people in our lives that keep us going in one way or another.  For me, it's my sister who always reads my work and gives me feedback, my husband and son who allow me time to work on my crazy hobby (which I tend to try to fit in when they are either sleeping or busy), my Krit Group that shares their own writerly struggles, my family who thinks I can do anything I put my mind to....the list could go on and on but you get the point.

Do the people in your life know how appreciated they are and how much their small sacrifices mean to you?

The following clip from winner Phil Mickelson at the Masters moved me in so many ways.  And yes, I cried.  Is anyone shocked?  I'm such a softie!!!



Not only did this make me really think about the own people in my life and the importance of family and friends, but it also moved me in other ways as well.  This moment is one that is frozen in time, priceless and meaningful.  It makes me want to write a character that can show these same struggles and triumphants.  It's what moves us as people and remembering that when we write is equally as important.

Congrats to Phil on his 3rd Masters win.  I, for one, was pulling for him on Saturday before I even realized he had all of this family stuff going on.  When hubs explained to me on Sunday, well, it made me pull for him that much harder.  I don't doubt for an instant that he was out to prove something.  Well done, my man. 

And looking good, might I add...much different than the last time I watched the masters. 

Hope everyone is off to a great start this week...can't wait to see what Teaser Tuesday brings!

*hugs*
kristi

Flashback Foto Friday

Are you as highly entertained by the title of my post as I was?  No?  Okay, it's just me then.  *giggle*

I always tend to think about my posts as I get ready for work in the morning.  I've known for a while that I wanted to do a Foto Friday post but I've been busy and, until now, it just hasn't happened.  As I thought about it one word came to mind:  Rad.  I thought, this is going to be one rad post.  Followed quickly by the thought:  wow, when was the last time I actually used the word rad in a sentence?  And thus the idea for Flashback Foto Friday began as I took a trip down memory lane this AM. 

What types of things did I pass on my drive through the good 'ole days?

*My sister and I on rollerskates in the garage choreographing dances to Paula Abdul's "Cold Hearted Snake".  Come on, you know you know the words. 

He's a cold hearted snake, look into his eyes, oh no, he's been telling lies.  He's a lover-boy at play... 

Wow.  Good stuff.  Too bad there wasn't a career in roller skate choreography because we were all over it.

*Atari and more specifially Q-bert.  I loved Q-bert.  It rocked.

*Reading Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys.  Loved those books.  And wasn't there a series involving two sisters?  Sweet Sixteen or something?  I can't remember the name but I was really into them and always imagined myself as the brainy, dorkier one...

*I had a horrible outfit with black pants and an attached pink skirt with black hearts.  I loved it and when I wore it I thought I looked totally cool.  It was hideous.  My poor mother.  I never wanted to take it off.

*Sideways pony tails and those t-shirt clips that bunch your shirt on the side.  Wow.  It was special and yes, I rocked them both.  At the same time.

*Rolled up jeans.  That roll was tough too, you had to get it just right and nice and tight at the bottom.  Alot of work went into the rolled up jean phase.  And don't forget your Keds.

*My first kiss as the Extreme song "More than words" played in the background.  It wasn't a good moment but I still love the song.  The boy, however, not so much.  He pushed me down and tried to kiss me, it was totally gross.  Ahhhh....how times change.  *grin*

And for your entertainment this Friday, an entertaining pic of yours truly from back in the day:

Apparently I knew that bow-headband was a horrible idea.

And another one:

I feel the need to apologize to my sister for this one.  Wow.  And yes, I'm the one on the right and this was my "perm" phase.

And because the above two were hideous:

My girlfriend and I before prom.  If I had professionals style me at all times things would go much smoother....

And now, time for work!  TGIF!

So what about you?  What memories have stuck with you???  What things do you remember or what things make you wonder WHAT WAS I THINKING?!?

*hugs*

kristi

The Wednesday Book Recommendation

If any of you haven't checked out literary agent Janet Reid's April 1st post, please do so without going any further, it's seriously hilarious and stumbling upon it made my day yesterday.  You can find it here.

Moving on to the main reason for this post, my review of

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Goodreads Book Description:

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.


But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.
 

My thoughts:

 
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars or 8 out of 10...whichever you prefer.
 
Honestly, I loved this book.  The cover alone is drool-worthy and what girl doesn't love a bad boy? 
 
The plot was fantastic and the ideas interesting.  I moved through it quickly, unable to put it down.  I literally found myself reading on the car ride back from vacation, risking car sickness, because, well, I just HAD to know what was going on and how it ended.  I love when a book consumes me and this book did that easily.  It drew me in and I couldn't rest until I finished.
 
So, why not all 5 or 10 stars?  For me, it was missing a little something.  I wanted more emotion and more character insight.  Something dramatic would happen and I was continually frustrated that the story moved on quickly when I wanted to really feel it.  I think this is both a good and a bad thing.  Obviously if the story didn't intrigue me and draw me in, this wouldn't have been an issue.  In the end, I just felt like more could have been done with the material to really make this one shine.
 
That was my only complaint.  I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading young adult books with a paranormal edge.  It's an easy and quick read that you won't regret.
 
I can't wait to read more from Fitzpatrick because I have a sneaky suspicion the one thing that bothered me will come with time and more novels.  For a first time novel this was excellent!!!
 
And now, folks, back to the grind.  Are you impressed that I have posted twice this week?  I am!  I'm on a roll.  Which, of course, means I'll be taking tomorrow off of blogging and working on writing.  But I'll be around. 
 
Happy Hump Day!
*hugs*
Kristi

Teaser Tuesday!

This snippet is from my current work-in-progress, SYBIL, and comes from one of my favorite scenes from Chapter 4--Retribution.
 

Without further rambling from me:

***Excerpt removed for editing***