Books, Boys, Buzz...

Today is my day to blog over at Books, Boys, Buzz...

See you over there!

How Much Promotion Do You Need?

I've been thinking alot about doing the whole Myspace thing. Wouldn't that be cool to link up with other authors and readers? I've heard good and bad about the Myspace site -- what do you guys think?

Tuesdays Were Made for Dancing!

My uber-fabulous sister and I hit the Secret Machine's show at the Showbox last night, in the company of a great new friend from NYC. We had an amazing time, which I really needed. I'd been in a bit of a melancholy funk for the last few days -- and it was time to shake that loose.

I liked the music, which made me want to dance, even when a Yanni-ish looking dude said in passing, "That's too much dancing in a public place." Um. Say what? Is it somehow not okay to groove to the music at a concert? Or was it some kind of a ridiculous pick-up line. I tried not to care too much, and I kept dancing to spite the Yanni dude.

In the end, my sis decided that the music was too heavy for her -- so we headed home. But the effect of dancing, listening to good beat-driven music, and acting aloof toward Yanni look-alikes was long lasting. Life is way too short to let things get you down.

Things won't always be perfect. Things won't always go the way you want. But good friends and good music can help you through.

I have a lot of writing to get done today. Luckily, I'm working on a project that is making me laugh and smile. That's always a good sign for a humourous paranormal YA writer, right?

Have fun today in whatever you do!

Comments, Critiques & Crap

I think one of the most important things you can learn as a writer is to consider feedback a gift. Mind you, it doesn't always feel like a gift, but when someone in the business takes the time to consider your work, offer advice, make observations, or give impressions it can be invaluable.

A while back, someone had a suggestion about my work, a slight twist of a timeline that made a huge difference in my manuscript. Had she not taken the time to give me that, the story wouldn't have worked as well as it does now.

When we're able to hold our work at arm's length and take a more objective look, we can see the story for what it is -- not for what we want it to be. So, next time someone offers you feedback in a rejection, a revision letter, critque notes, whatever, consider carefully what they say. Sometimes, it may be exactly the thing you need to hear to unlock your story's true potential.

Other times, of course, it may be crap. But that's for you to decide.... :)

My Sis the Beauty Queen

Just to pay my sister back for dishing on the Books, Boys, Buzz Blog about the Prom Dress Incident -- here is a super cute picture of the two of us playing Intergalactic Charlie's Angels. 'Cause of course we do things like that all the time...

She's such a rad girl -- totally fun and stylish. She's one of the coolest people I know.

Love ya, B!