Reviewer Appreciation Giveaway!

Yes, I know. This is WAY, WAY, WAY overdue.

I mean, I've been talking about doing a reviewer appreciation giveaway since April. But if you've been reading this blog over the last few months, well, you know that things got a bit crazy around here, and, well. My prizes kinda-sorta disappeared into a moving box for a little while.

But fear not. They have been found! And the giveaway is here and officially starts TODAY!!!

Take a look at these fab prizes:

In honor of Water So Deep, this fabulous Bella Del Mar Mother of Pearl jewelry set is beaded with tiny white pearls, and accented with clear crystal quartz. This set comes in a beautiful display box and includes a gorgeous necklace, bracelet, and earrings, and is a $95 value. (The crystals look slightly blue in this picture, but they are really mostly clear.)

Also in honor of Water So Deep, this stylish and trendy Refuse to Sink bracelet, still attached to the manufacturer packaging.

In honor of Descendant and Birthright, this lovely crystal quartz healing crystal necklace was custom made by Zuniga's Custom Jewelry. (She makes some of my very favorite original pieces.) Also in packaging.

To enter, all you have to do is leave a review of one of my books on your favorite review site (there are tons of choices) and then come back here and leave the link in the Rafflecopter link box. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY LEFT A REVIEW, it's okay. This contest is MEANT for YOU! Go ahead and leave me the link to your already posted review and you do not need to do anything more.

You will see that there are lots of places where reviews can be left for each of my books. In case you're wondering, YES, it is totally okay to copy and paste one review to ALL THE PLACES if you so choose. As long as you remember to collect the link and enter it into the Rafflecopter box, it totally counts.

This contest closes on June 30, so be sure to enter before then.

*Winners will be notified by email ir FB private message (depending on the information included through Rafflecopter) and will have 72 hours to respond with a U.S. mailing address. If you are out of the United States, you are still eligible to win the bracelet or healing crystal, but not the larger set. Prizes may be adjusted as necessary for this purpose. 

**United States prizewinners may be given the option to trade their jewelry prize for a paperback or ebook copy of any of my books. International prizewinners wishing to exchange their prize will be given the option for an ebook.

Also, while you're entering contests, don't forget to scroll to the post below this one and follow the link to the other fabulous contest for the Magic of Solstice Fantasy Writers' tour I'm participating in this month.

Good luck to all of you, and THANK YOU SO MUCH for your fabulous support. I couldn't do what I do without all of you.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

When You Think You Stand Alone

Remember when you were in high school and there was that one group of popular kids? Remember wanting so badly to just be accepted, or to fit in, but feeling like every time you tried, you fell flat on your face?

That feeling of standing alone in a crowded room, screaming, while the world ignores you—it happens to adults, too. I was reminded of this last week when talking to a friend who’d experienced a similar thing in a working-environment. The difference, I think, is that as teenagers, we don’t have the same understanding of the world as the adult versions of ourselves. This makes it both better, and worse.

Better, because usually our adult selves have other people in our lives. People who love us and who depend on us and who are there to make sure our world continues turning. We have that knowledge somewhere in our mind (however deep it’s buried) that we are all people. And people are complex, with insecurities and self-confidence issues, and fear of the unknown.

But it’s worse as an adult because no one—no matter our age—wants to be thrown into a time-warp and sent back to high school. No one.

Here’s the thing. That clique? The so-called “cool kids club”? It’s not really all it’s cracked up to be. It’s fueled by drama, angst, pain, fear—and very, very rarely by joy. Because the people who feel true joy are the people who don’t feel the need to gather their friends into a group and hold tight to the boundaries. People who feel joy are the people who want to share that joy with everyone. People who have true self confidence don’t feel the need to cut others down or stomp on their opinions or words or work or thoughts. People who feel true joy are the people who are a joy to be around.

And those people attract others who know how to find joy. That particular group grows so fast that it ceases to be a group, and tends to be a whole lot of individuals just being friends. Those friends, being individuals, never have to stand alone because they stand for something much, much bigger. An equality of living and a sharing of life, love, happiness, and friendship.

Those individuals will always attract others, and because of that, there is no high-school-themed-clique-style-drama required.

My point is, just be yourself. The best self you can be. And you will never have to stand alone. Unless there are zombies coming. Then you better learn to run fast. 

Oh Summer, My Dear Summer

In case you haven’t noticed, June somehow morphed into August in the blink of an eye. So fast, it almost felt like we skipped right over July (which, FYI, happens to be one of my favorite months of the year). School starts again in like, two weeks.

Get this. High school sports teams (like JV/Varsity soccer, which my sophomore daughter made after an INSANE week of tryouts) have been chosen and practice started. Class schedules and predicted fees have been mailed out, and back to school shopping is in full swing (for most people).

And through it all, I keep thinking…NOOOOOOOO! Not yet. I’m not ready for summer break to be over yet. IT JUST STARTED!

But like it or not, it’s about here. I have a total of two and a half weeks left before it’s officially over for good—and one of those weeks I will spend in Reno at World CON (without my family).

One of my most favorite parts of this summer has been the times I’ve taken to visit people I don’t see often enough, just to chat, or eat treats or a meal, or see a movie. I’ve had a lot of dear friends come into town, and most of them have been able to find time to hang out for just an hour or two.

I think it’s crazy that we only make time for the funnest stuff during certain months. It’s like we’ve been preprogrammed to think we’re only allowed to enjoy ourselves between this time and this time, and the rest of the year we have to work, work, work.

Why do we do this? I propose that we all stop thinking that way and continue living the ideals of summer throughout the rest of the year. I mean, sure, okay. I’ll probably have to put the top up on my convertible about the time the first real blizzard hits Utah, but I can still meet up with my favorite people and eat soup or drink hot chocolate or cider, right? Yeah. Okay.

*Sighs*

Still. I will have to get some work done at some point.

*hangs head*

Guess I’ll cheer myself up by stocking up on notebooks and pens. At least there’s one good thing about the end of summer. School supply sales!

Because They ALL Matter

By now you all probably know I had a birthday last week. (No, I will not tell you how old I am because it would totally ruin the illusion I have going on about that. Besides, age isn’t the point.)

Ever since I joined Facebook, I’ve discovered that my online friends are thoughtful people who remember the special days every year. Granted, you can’t miss those little reminders, but still. Every single birthday wish is thoughtful nonetheless.

Those people (even if I can’t really see their faces in the itty-bitty avatar box) took a small piece of valuable time to wish me happy birthday. ME. Even the ones who don’t know me IRL. I appreciate that. I am grateful for each person who is willing to take that time.

So on that day when I had a couple hundred birthday wishes, I wrote a couple hundred thank you replies. If I’d had a thousand, or ten thousand wishes, I would have written that many thank yous.

Someone suggested just write a blanket thank you on my own wall (as most people do—and which is a perfectly acceptable way to say thanks to a thousand people at a time—I’m totally not criticizing that practice, cuz a thank you in any form is always valuable). But I couldn’t bring myself to do that. For some reason, I felt it important to take a piece of my valuable time to thank each person individually. Because when it comes right down to it, each one of the people making those wishes matters to me.

Just as each one of my readers matters. I once told some author friends that I will never turn away a reader wanting their book signed, even when my hands are cramped and arthritic and screaming in pain. That’s not who I am. I value every single individual fan.

I believe that NO ONE on this earth gets where they are without help. For authors, readers are a large part of that help. I intend to do my very best to never ever forget their contribution.

On the day when I end up with half a million screaming fans waiting in a line that stretches across the city, I invite you all to question my sanity. (I do it every day.) But if that ever happens, I guess I’ll get to brag that I broke David Farland’s world record. And dang, I’d be ever-so proud.

No Two Friends Alike

I’ve been thinking this week about friendship and all its different forms.

I used to think all our friends fall into different categories and sub categories, kind of like books and genres. We might have best friends with whom we share everything, who we don’t always spend a lot of time with (but sometimes do), but who we know we can always count on unconditionally.

Then we might have close friends, who are just a little different than best friends in that they know a lot about us and we know a lot about them, and we probably spend a lot of time together (or at least talking or emailing, or whatever) but with whom we also have boundaries.

Then there are regular friends we like to see, love to spend time with and visit, but who don’t really know us like our close or best friends do. And vice versa.

Below that, we have acquaintances, who we know, who we enjoy seeing and talking to and getting to know better, but who aren’t the first people we think of when someone mentions the word friend.

Theoretically, that list sounds like a good way to classify the non-family people in our lives. Then logically, we have all kinds of sub groups, and sometimes it takes some work to figure out who belongs where in the file-folders of your heart.

Except I’ve recently discovered one problem to this way of thinking. People don’t always fit in file folders. We are emotional, and illogical, and commonsensical—but not. We are dreamers, and thinkers, and feelers whose moods and situations and family and jobs all affect who we are and why we love them or why they love you.

There is no safe way to categorize a friendship. So the best thing you can do is to stop trying and just let the people in your life be who they are and love them while you can. And if the day comes when you’re not as close as you once were, feel lucky that you had as much time as you did and be grateful to them for that time. Or maybe you’re closer than before. In that case, feel lucky for that.

Some friendships are worth fighting to keep, and sometimes we’re better off letting go and moving on. It’s all about what’s most healthy for both people involved. Just as love is a gift, so is friendship. And everyone appreciates it differently.

And people, I’m so grateful for all my amazing friends—no matter what category in which they fit. Or not.

Helping Hands

**I interrupt this post for a late contest winner announcement: 


I am a bad blogger. I totally forgot to post a winner for Monday's cheesy contest. There were a few people whose guesses I'm counting as close enough. They all guessed a conference, and I got registration for World CON in Reno. (*grins) So I entered the guessers into the random generator (to be fair) and it pulled up RivRe. Congratulations! I'll be emailing you for mailing info soon.


You may now return to your scheduled Wednesday blog.**

My dear blog readers. With my birthday, other summer activities, and the addition of two extra posts this week, I think I’m kind of blogged out. Out of subjects. Out of thoughts. Out of time. All that stuff.

So today’s post is me taking a break from thinking too hard. But I will leave you with the following little bits of inspiration.

Stay tuned Friday for a post about friendship.

Rachel Morgan Tagged Me!

It’s been a long time since someone tagged me, but last week, Rachel Morgan did just that. And since it’s my birthday this week, I figured there’s no better time for a fun party game. So I hope you’ll forgive me for indulging myself.

1. Do you think you’re hot?

Of course. Someone should call 911, because I’m on fire, peeps, FIRE! (Okay, seriously, it’s like 95 degrees outside, it’s Independence Day week, so there are fireworks happening all over the place, and since it’s summer, we’re firing up the grill for some serious BBQ. How much hotter does it get?)

2. Upload a picture or wallpaper you are using at the moment.
Hawaii, January 2010 (This was the view from our hotel Lanai/balcony.)

 Washington DC in December 2010, and yes, that is my family all bundled up in all those layers of clothes.

3. When was the last time you ate chicken?

Last Friday night at a Chinese restaurant. It was mixed with zucchini, broccoli, and mushrooms, topping a bed of fresh noodles, and topped with spicy brown sauce. Delish! (And actually, mine had shrimp, but my husband’s had chicken, so I stole a piece of the chicken off his plate. It counts, right?)

4. The song (s) you listened to lately.

Oh man, what a question. You all know how much I love music, right? But, considering Independence Day celebrations, I have listened to The Star Spangled Banner a few times, Garth Brooks’s We Shall Be Free, and Toby Keith’s Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue.

But aside from the patriotic songs I’ve had in my head (and also because I posted one on Monday) this is my new current favorite.

Linkin Park, Iridescent


5. What were you thinking while doing this?

Black Forest juicy oozers are quite delicious, and make very tasty blog-writing treats. I should stock up. Also I should get some Dr. Pepper to keep in the fridge in my garage.



6. Do you have nicknames? What are they?

Nicki, Nick, Mom, babe, and Fab #3 (but only people who know what that means get to use it!)

7. Tag 8 blogger friends

Okay, I’m going to pick some people I’ve never tagged before, or whose blogs I have recently started to follow. (No offense to my regular, long-time friends—you can be tagged too if you want!)

Jemi Frasier
Donna K. Weaver
Heather Cashman
Matthew MacNish
Michelle Davidson Argyle
Jeff King
Christine Fonseca
Theresa Milstein

Can't wait to see your answers!

Out There With the Brave

At a recent restaurant in which a large number of authors had gathered, Jamie Harrington made a comment that got me thinking. She said, “I love how we’re all just so out-there.” And by we, she meant authors and other artistic-types.

She was sort-of referring to the rainbow of color represented in our many eclectic hairstyles, but also our styles of dress, our conversational topics, our ability to make friends with strangers who live far away. But mostly, I think her comment came down to her loving our bravery.

Later, at a book launch, author Don Carey asked some of us about our chosen styles and hair colors. He wasn’t asking because he believed there was some kind of rebellion behind it, but as research for his work in progress. Because of the nature of his question, I think he got better answers than most of us would otherwise have given.

I told him that for me, it comes to bravery. I AM brave enough to write a book. I AM brave enough to submit and be rejected over and over and over again. I AM brave enough to repeat this vicious cycle continuously until I find success. (Though, I really wish someone would PLEASE help end the insanity soon!)

And if I am brave enough to do all that, well. It isn’t such a stretch to realize that my style choices are a physical manifestation of the bravery I’m clinging to with everything I have. It never hurts to have a daily reminder that YES, I can do these hard things. YES, I can be brave. YES, I can take hard rejections. And also, NO, I won’t quit, however tempted I may be.

Crazy sounding? Yeah, I know. But that’s me.

What do you do to remind yourself to be brave?

Totally Random-ish Thoughts: Friendship

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about friendship, and all the varieties and types of relationships that exist among friends. I could go off on how important it is to be a true friend who is always there and whose dedication is unconditional. And yes, having friends like that (and being one) is really important. (Believe me, it’s important. I wouldn’t know how to survive without certain people in my life.)

But I think it’s also important to have seasonal friends. You know which ones they are. They are really fun to know, and you spend some time with them, and you enjoy being around them. But when you really look, you realize they aren’t high on your priority list.

Then there are other friends who serve a purpose. Not people you’re using (because that sounds awful, and even if it’s true on some level, it’s not intentional) but who are there and kind of hold your hand and help you traverse certain roads that lead to career, or religion, or relationships, or whatever. If you move away, or change jobs or career paths or something, you might keep track of them on FB or Twitter, but you won’t go to great lengths to hang out.

It’s sometimes hard to know which role is being played by which person at any given time, but I realize it doesn’t matter. As time passes and life changes and people grow older, or closer, or apart—the most important ones stick around, the less important ones drift away, and the purposeful ones fulfill their mission in your life, and then you all go on your merry way.

Regardless of which type of friend a person is, though, I think they always deserve the most and the best you can give of yourself. Because people come into your life for a reason. We almost never know what that reason is, and if we were to try and guess, we’d most likely be way off. So maybe it’s just better to accept that they’re supposed to be there, give our all into our different brands of relationships, and learn from everyone we meet.

Because relationships of all kinds are the stuff of real life and fiction and everything in between.

And that, my friends, is totally random thought Wednesday!

I'm Back! (And a Few Things I Learned in Mexico.)

Well, sort of back. I'm  home, but not at all caught up on everything I've missed. I haven't even written my blogs for the rest of this week yet.


*Gasps*

 I even thought I did today's blog in advance, but when I checked, there wasn't one. So. Yeah. My bad.

But I did learn some stuff while I was gone, and I think I'll share them with you.

1. The current exchange rate between the Mexican Pesos and the American dollar is 12.5-$1

2. Wicker furniture is much heavier than it looks, and probably not meant to be taken outside for sleep-outs under the stars. Probably.

3. When five women go anywhere together, people take notice. It doesn't matter if you forewarned them or were accidentally way-laid due to airline misahps. They see. They remember. They take note. As in, "Oh yeah, you're the five." (Everywhere we went.)

4. Factor 15 sunscreen is not nearly strong enough, even if you reapply twice in a day. And red is not a very becoming color on me.

5. Sand dollars are extremely hard to find, but dead blow fish are everywhere. At least, in Mazatlan.

6. Just when you think you'll never see these people again, someone who knows someone you know shows up and shatters that thought to bits. As in, "I saw your wife and some other women booking it through the Houston airport, pulling pink suitcases, and wearing sandals. Very entertaining. Quite comical. Did they actually make it?" (Missed it by eight minutes, dude. Doh!)

7. Telling a Mexican merchant you're not going to buy something sparkly is like issuing a challenge, which might result in a standoff that ends in the use of a credit card or the rest of your cash.

8. Even in Mexico, when you tell people you're from Utah, they have to ask, "So, is this a sister-wives trip?" or "Do you all have the same husband?" And man, they're serious. (REALLY? We're really good friends, but not that kind of good.)

9. Just because the cell phone company offers you an international plan doesn't mean you'll actually get a signal where you're going.

10. When you end up stranded overnight in a city you didn't plan on visiting, with no luggage, Continental airlines gives you a little bag with a toothbrush, comb, and deodorant. "Thanks for flying with us. Please accept this valuable gift in lieu of a missed day at the beach. We hope you'll fly again soon!"

Yeah, I'm sure there's more. But it's way past my bed time. Hopefully, I'll be back on track by Wednesday. Good to see you all, my friends!

Can Service be Selfish?

**Warning. Random thinking may be involved in this post**

I had the opportunity to do something the other day. Something good. As with most things we choose, there were a thousand possible consequences to my choice to do, or not do, this thing.

But as I weighed the pros and cons, the whole issue boiled down to one point. It felt like the right thing to do. And for me, that’s all that mattered.

Well, okay. Not ALL, all. But maybe the most important thing.

I have this thing—this, IDK maybe it’s compassion?—where I feel like the condition of the human spirit is one of the most important parts of life. Like, it should be a priority, you know? And my spirit is always healthier when those around me, or who I care about, are somewhat balanced.

While this sounds like a good thing, it also feels selfish. I have to wonder if I serve others more for their benefit or mine. If I do something—no matter how good—that inadvertently (eventually) comes back to benefit me, did I really do it for them? Or for me?

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t generally do nice things for selfish reasons. At least, not consciously. But it becomes a cause and effect thing. Like one of Newton’s laws. Every good deed must reap a reward. It’s Karma.

Has my subconscious figured this out? And if it has, are my good decisions really selfish?

If that’s true, I don’t know how to change it. Maybe it shouldn’t be changed at all. Or maybe there’s more I can do to serve others. (Wait, did I just say maybe? Make that definitely.) Maybe I should stop over thinking it and go with instinct.

I’m not necessarily looking for the universe to bow to my needs when I hold the door open for someone, you know? (Though I wouldn’t complain if it did.) My life is full of miracles. And if events in it don’t always work on my timetable or the way I want them to happen—well. I’m probably better off. Because when it comes down to it, I choose to do the things that make my spirit feel balanced.

And that, my friends, is the healthiest way to be.

**Random thinking concluded. Carry on.**

A Little Bit of Brain Vomit

During a recent discussion with some friends, I realized something. People—no matter what we have in common—all have different needs. Some of those needs are similar, food, water, shelter, love. But everything else is absolutely unique for each individual. We need different things out of relationships, different things out of our jobs or careers, different things from our children or spouses or other people in our lives.

In the same vein of thought, each person in our life needs something different from us. Even down to our children. The needs of one child might be completely different from another, whether you have four, or seven, or twelve. Because we are all individuals. So very different.

And yet.

Each one of us has a purpose. A reason why we’re here on earth. An ultimate goal that extends far beyond what we could ever see, even if we lived to be 150 years old.

Unfortunately, we don’t usually know what that purpose is. Nor do we know the purpose for other people in our lives. We’re all just there for each other.

*Sigh*

I don’t even think we always know what we want out of life, let alone our life purpose. But that’s okay, isn’t it? Because that’s what life’s about. Right?

Well. That’s what I think. It’s about figuring out where we want to be, then making goals and reaching for them. It’s about bettering not only ourselves, but those around us too. It’s about learning how to love and be loved, and how to appreciate and make use of all the billions of trillions of different types of love we experience in life.

It’s about using all those types of love to fill needs. To be of service to others and to make the world a better place.

You know what I mean? Yeah. I think you do. Okay. Off my profound soapbox of brain vomit now. Carry on.

10 Things That Make Me Happy

My good friend, and fellow author Joyce DiPastena, who is so gracious and kind, gave me this fun new award. Isn’t it cute? To earn the privilege of displaying this button on my blog, I have to first list ten things that make me happy, and then pass the award on to ten bloggy friends. Yay! I love thinking about things that make me happy. So, here goes, in no particular order:

1. Spending time with my family—even if we’re all just sitting around doing nothing more than being home together.

2.Music.

3.Great books that leave me thinking about the characters for weeks after I’ve finished reading them.

4.Making someone else smile.

5.SUNSHINE!

6.The ocean.

7.Watching my children excel at something they love, like playing guitar, piano, basketball, or soccer.

8.Traveling.

9.My husband.

10.Writing a great scene or book—and typing the final words on the final page.

Wow, I could keep going with that. What fun. Thanks again, Joyce! And now, I shall pass this happy-making award on to ten bloggy friends. (I’m going to try to think of people I haven’t nominated in a while for this one.)

1. Carolyn Vawdrey, who is always smiling, every time I see her, without fail. She’s like bottled sunshine.

2. Elana Johnson who recently blogged about the importance of recognizing the small successes in life, and made me really evaluate happiness on a daily, hourly level.

3. Karen Hoover, who I don’t see nearly enough of, but who has found a way to combine so many things, and use them in her writing. For instance, she plays the flute beautifully. Go figure.

4. Elizabeth Mueller, who never fails to say uplifting, happy things on Facebook and Twitter, even when it’s snowing.

5. Suzette Saxton who has come to almost as many of my book-signings as my parents, and whose blonde, curly haired daughters remind me of someone who made me happy when I was young.

6. David J. West, who has a book coming out next week, Heroes of the Fallen, which I am very excited to read. (Congratulations, David.)

7. Frank Cole, who’s Hashbrown Winters books make my youngest son and I laugh like loons. Plus, he’s just an all around nice guy. And his blog is fun to read, too.

8. Heather Justesen who writes deep, thoughtful romance, but always manages to make me laugh through my tears in just the right places.

9. Russ Beck, who is such a great husband to my friend and co-author Cindy, and who comes to every, single signing ready to carry boxes, pass out bookmarks, and play the part of cabana boy every time we need something.

10. Kimberly Job, who had a different last name when I met her, but who is now far more happy than I’ve ever seen her thanks to the new one she now bears.

Okay, that’s ten. There are lots of other people I could mention, but I’ll catch you all the next time around. =) Have a good weekend everyone. And don’t forget to come back here and tell me when you post the ten things that make you happy that go along with this award.

Until next week, write on.

Things I Love, End of the Week: I Love My Family

What else did you expect?

There is no better feeling than being a part of a family. Even on days when I'm frustrated or angry, I wouldn't give up my family for anything.I'm not just talking about my husband and kids, although, I love them more than anything and anyone in the world and they are the center of my world. I'm also talking about my whole extended family.


Interesting detail. I'm the oldest of seven biological siblings. I have two sisters and four brothers, and since my parents are divorced and both remarried, I also have four step-siblings. Both sisters and one brother are all married with kids--a total of five. Then my husband is one of the youngest of five. All married, all with three or more kids.

And that's just the beginning. Add in aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents--well, I have one large family. You can imagine how overwhelming family gatherings can be on this level. But it's also wonderful, and fun, and there is so much love there.

Case in point. I had my very first book launch party in December. We held it at a local Barnes and Noble, and spent quite a lot of time spreading the word. (Hm. I think I blogged about this earlier.) Anyway, even though I'd been spreading the word, I really had no idea that everyone--I mean EVERYONE--in my family was coming. We had at least a hundred people that night. Easily. And they were there for me. To support me. To buy my book. To show their love.

I had family there from both Hawaii and France (coincidental timing, I hope) as well as Southern Utah and Northern Utah. People drove for hours to get there. For me.It's not just impressive, it's touching. I love them.

And my girls, the ones I mentioned last week. I love having them in my life. In many ways, they're family too, even though we aren't related by blood.

And then there's my little family. My husband--who bought me sterling silver fairy earrings for Valentine's Day--and my children, who, with their father, are the best part of my life. Every night before he goes to bed, my nine-year-old climbs up on my bed and calls me to come sit with him for a nightly snuggle. He calls me Love. My twelve-year-old daughter will text me at random during the day, just to say hi and tell me she loves me. My fourteen-year-old daughter raids my closet and borrows my makeup and hair supplies--right before she puts on her tie-die shirt and mismatched socks to go play soccer. When I walk in the door from being gone, my sixteen-year-old son puts his arm around me and tells me he loves me. Every day. Just because it's true.

And as I write this blog, I can hear my husband doing the dishes downstairs so I don't have to. And in a little while, he'll bring me a drink so I don't have to go down and get it myself. That's real love.

There's something so special about being part of a family. And I'm sorry if I've gushed a bit, but it's Valentine's Day, so I figure I'm entitled.

Today's the day. Go call the important people in your life, your family--be they blood related or just bonded by love--and tell them how much you love them. Today you have a good excuse. Well, you know, if you think you need one. Which you shouldn't.

Happy Valentines Day, everyone!

A Party Made of Wicked Awesomeness

And Other Random Things

In case you have forgotten or didn’t already know, Thursday is my day to blog over at LDS Writer’s Blogck. My post today is about a writer’s journey being an uphill climb. I posted some great pictures with it, so if you have a minute, click here to check it out. You won’t be sorry, promise.

Also, last week I attended a party made of wicked awesomeness, and I’ve been so overwhelmed with getting back into the groove after my vacation with the family, that I’ve been remiss in blogging about it. Which is totally my bad, since I really, truly had a fabulous time and was so excited that when the list of authors was put together, my name ended up on it. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Suzzette and Elana put it together, Elana being the party planning goddess of the Sith Lord Variety (find the explanation of the Sith Lord thing on Elana’s post here), and Suz being the hostess who rearranged her entire house just so we could all hang together. (She must have a very buff furniture-moving-type husband who didn’t mind that his wife kicked him out of the house for the night.) Those two are da’ bomb, I tell ya!

I had a fab time hanging with some authors I already know, and meeting a bunch more who will now expand my ever-growing circle of writing comrades. Plus, there was food. And prizes. And games that had us all laughing until we cried. So. Much. Fun.

Check us out, toasting to our own awesomeness with sparkling cider.

Right to left, standing:L.T. Elliot, Mary Campbell, Me (in the pink sweat shirt), Alaina Evans, Elana Johnson, Angie Lofthouse, Carolyn Vawdrey, Michelle Argyle, Suzzette Saxton, Windy Aphayrath.

Kneeling:Jenn Wilks, Tess Hilmo, Ali Cross, Natalie Whipple

You’ll notice that every one of these ladies has that something special glowing in her eyes, that little spark that says, “I’m going to be big someday.” And I know it’s absolutely true. So check out all their blogs and websites, and become a follower and all that jazz. You know how writers love fans and followers.

Wait. Somehow, that statement makes me sound like the Pied Piper. Yikes. But I’m not. I promise.

Cue creepy Star Wars-type music.

*Waves hand in a half circular motion.* You will become a follower.

End music.

Anyhoo… on my personal writing journey, another hurdle has been jumped. The Sharp Edge of a Knife went to press today. Should be available sometime around January 31st. Yahoo! Excited, nervous, excited, nervous, happy. I think. Now I should probably get to the part where I plan my launch party. That will be my major task for Friday. That, and finishing up the Sharp Edge website.

In my plan for the New Year, I’ve decided that if I plan one major task each day, maybe I’ll accomplish that one thing and then a few smaller ones. So far, it’s kind of working. Who knew?

The Let's Be Friends Award

Oh my goodness. After a day that was busy in the extreme, I finally sat down to check my email. Lo and behold, my good friend Joyce DiPastena had sent me a sweet email informing me that she has just awarded me a "Let's Be Friends Award."

That made me smile. It also made my day.

So, I clicked the link and visited her blog to read more. Here's what I learned:

"Blogs that receive the Let’s Be Friends Award are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers."

Let me first just say that I am completely flattered, and truly honored to have been given such a thoughtful gift. Thank you, Joyce. I'm so glad to have you as a friend.

Now to pass the honor on. I'm going to follow Joyce's example and give the award to my most diligent commenters:

Cindy Beck

L.T. Elliott

Connie Hall

Danyelle Ferguson

Rachelle Christensen

Christine Bryant

Ali Cross

David J. West

Thank you all, for being good friends who support me in my writing journey by actually reading what I have to say--and then leaving comments so I know you were here. There is nothing more gratifying to a writer than to have little reminders that someone is reading their words. But then, you all know that, don't you?

Work or Recreation?

By Nichole Giles (Well, who else would it be by?)

This weekend I had the privilege and opportunity to attend another writer’s conference. This one was for the League of Utah Writers. I try to go to as many conferences as I can (you know, if time and budget both allow) because I am of the opinion that I need to learn all I can, and network, and all that good stuff. Plus, it’s fun.

It was held in Midway, Utah, which—if you’ve never been there—is a tiny mountain town, surrounded by trees, and grass, and gorgeous mountains. The view was absolutely stunning with the colors beginning to change and the sky going from clear, to cloudy, to rainy, and then clear again. But the most awesome part—aside from the uber-informative classes that will definitely help me hone my writing skills—was hanging out with so many awesome, incredibly talented authors.

Anyway, as a group of us were hanging out, we got into a discussion about movies, and the merits of watching them to see how the plots progress, and to notice dialogue and things. I have to admit, most of the movies that came up for discussions I either never saw or saw so long ago that I have about zero recollection of details. But the point is that we made the conclusion (or at least, James Dashner did, and then convinced us all to subscribe to his way of thinking) that seeing movies is as important a part of our job as reading books.

(In the picture: Taffy Lovell, Me, Richard Paul Evans, Connie Hall.)

Seriously, after the discussion, I decided James is absolutely right. I should totally see more movies. In fact, I should make a point to watch old movies when I can, too. (Remind me to ask my accountant if there’s any way I can deduct the price of movie tickets…)

(In the picture: James Dashner, Clint Johnson.)

What other people do in their off time for entertainment is actually part of what we do as artists and writers. I love that thought! And you know what else? Going to conferences where we can sit (or stand) around having intelligent conversations about the merits of this movie or that, or this book or that and why this worked but that didn’t is also part of our job. (I did know that, by the way.)

(In this picture: Rachelle Christensen, Connie Hall, Me.)

The problem I’m having is that it just doesn’t feel like work. Not that writing always does either, but at least that requires my butt being in a chair and my computer on (or notebook open) and concentrating for blocks of time. Hanging out chatting with friends (who also happen to be authors/agents/editors) feels more like recreation, just like seeing movies.

So the question begs to be asked: Can there be a more rewarding, fulfilling, awesome career on the planet?

Hm. I’m thinking no. No way, no how. I’ll take my rejections and run with them (and by the way, I’m accumulating quite the collection) because this is definitely where I want to be, what I want to be doing. It’s my dream career. How ever did I—lowly housewife and mother—get so lucky?

(In this picture: Heather Moore and Richard Paul Evans.)

For your enjoyment, a few pictures of some of my author friends at this conference. (Somehow, I failed to get a picture of all of us together, and didn’t get one of Eric Swedin, and a few others who were also our conference buddies. My bad, and now I’m sorry. Catch you all next time, guys! And just for clarification--I don't personally know Richard Paul Evans, but I did meet him and can testify that he is genuine, kind, and extremely smart.)

Crazy Eights Tag

By Nichole Giles

My wacky friend Ali has caught me—she was it in another game of blogger-tag. Apparently, no matter how fast I run, someone always catches up with me. Or maybe I just get tired too quickly. Either way, I’m now “it.”

So…

In Ali’s exact words:

Here be Da Rules:

1. Mention the person who tagged you.

2. Complete the list of 8's.

3. Tag 8 other bloggers.

4. Tell them they have been tagged.

And here are my answers:

Eight Things I Look Forward To:

1. Getting a big book deal
2. Visiting my sister next week
3. Sightseeing in Texas while we’re there
4. Summer sunshine
5. Paying off our debt—someday
6. The Nickelback concert in August
7. A weekend with my “home-girls”
8. Hanging out at the pool all summer

Eight Things I Did Yesterday:

1. Took my husband to have surgery
2. Finished “Wings” by Aprilynne Pike (So good!)
3. Checked my email
4. Drove the carpool
5. Picked up prescriptions
6. Drove my kids to piano and guitar lessons
7. Dishes
8. Laundry

Eight Things I Wish I Could Do:

1. Go to Hawaii
2. Live by the ocean
3. Finish a book more quickly
4. Find an agent
5. Get a book contract
6. Get rid of my headaches (Forever!)
7. Play the guitar
8. Hire a housekeeper

Eight Shows I Watch:

1. 24
2. Prison Break (except now it’s done forever! Boo hoo.)
3. Heroes
4. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
5. The food network
6. The news (boring, huh?)
7. Seinfeld reruns
8. Um, I don’t watch much TV because I’d rather read or write. Sorry, I could only think of seven.

Eight Friends I’m Tagging:

1. Cindy Beck
2. Connie Hall
3. Darvell Hunt
4. Rebecca Talley
5. Rebecca Shelley
6. Keith Fisher
7. Kim Thompson
8. Tristi Pinkston

There you have it, folks! Crazy eights. See you in a couple of days for a review of "Wings."

May Writing Challenge: An Influential Woman (or a few)

By Nichole Giles

My friend Christine is brilliant. Every month she issues killer writing challenges that not only help hone our skills as writers, but make us reach down inside ourselves to scrape the feelings embedded in our hearts.

This month, the challenge is especially hard because I’m supposed to write about a woman who has affected my life for the better—or who has greatly influenced me—but who is not related to me by adoption or blood. Meaning I am not allowed to write about my mother, stepmother, grandmothers, sisters, daughters or…any of the many women who are most prominent in my life.

I considered not taking the challenge because, if I can’t write about those people who will I write about? But then I got thinking. (That’ll do it every time!) There are so many women in my life, I could write hundreds of thousands of words and still not cover all of them. The trouble choosing which one to write about.

Last week, I posted an article about friendship, and mentioned a group of women friends who keep me going through life—and have done so for thirteen years or more. These women are an important part of my life, and I love them as sisters. I look forward to our monthly nights out the way I look forward to holidays. And our weekends away…well, something not to be missed!

Each of these women has a different personality, a different life situation, and a different background. Our differences, as much as our similarities, keep us close.

For instance, I know that Jennifer will offer me a remedy when I’m sick, worry about me when I’m hurt, or pick up my kids in an emergency. She’s also an expert listener. Lori, on the other hand, will drop whatever she’s doing to go to a movie with me, will offer sympathy when life throws me a curveball, and offer her wisdom and experience. Tiffany will listen, offer insightful advice, has a mountain of patience, and is quick to read whatever I send her (which is important to an aspiring author). Raylene is the idea woman who always has a recipe, a brilliant party idea, and keeps us laughing no matter what’s going on in my life or hers. Mitzi is a warm shoulder, and a woman who has shown me that it is possible to start over again when things are worse than you ever thought life could be.

But if you’re a regular reader, you know all of that from my recent blog, Buckets of Friends.

So I’ve decided today to blog about some other women in my life—ones I have contact with every day and who have cheered me when I’m down, lifted me to greater heights, and encouraged me in my writing. These women have been there to point out my minor type-o’s, my major plot problems, misspellings, repetition, formatting issues, and about every other problem a writer can face. Not to mention rejections.

They’ve worried about me when I’m off-line for a long period of time, they know the names of my children, my husband, my dogs—they know the names of all my main characters, where I’ve been published, and what I’m marketing now. They’ve read all my work—even short articles and blogs—and always offer assistance whenever I need it.

It’s possible that without these women I might someday be a good writer—someday far in the future. But because of them, and with their help, I’ve progressed exponentially. And yes, I have been published—thanks to their unfailing help.

I owe a debt of gratitude to Cindy Beck, Connie Hall, Rachelle Christensen, Tristi Pinkston, Heather Justesen, Kim Thompson, Christine Bryant, Danyelle Ferguson, Ali Cross, and Karen Hoover.

There are more, many more, but these are the women I depend on regularly. Who I have contact daily or weekly, and I’d like to honor them.

Thanks, ladies! You’re the best.

Check out this music video—this one’s for all of you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MJwdY6Y0Hw

I Love...So Many Things. Love Blog: Day 8

Love doesn't make the world go 'round; love is what makes the ride worthwhile. ~Franklin P. Jones

By Nichole Giles

Since today is Sunday, and my crazy week has finally wound to a close, I thought I’d take some time to reflect on a few of the things I’ve mentioned in my recent blog entries. For several days I’ve wanted to write something meaningful, thoughtful, and true. Things I love and that really matter to me.

On Sunday, I mentioned loving sunshine. Sunshine to me is as important as breathing air or drinking water when walking in a desert. I love the feeling of the warmth on my skin, the light through my eyelids, and the natural vitamin B pumping into my blood. There is no substitution, no better feeling than being outside on a sunny day.

I also talked about how much I love snuggles from my kids. I don’t know about you other parents, but there is no better salve for a bruise, no better solution to stitch a broken heart, and no more satisfying solution to the things that go wrong in life—and in the world—than a snuggle from one of my sweet, loving children. For the past several years, it has become a nightly tradition that my youngest son and I snuggle up on my bed together for at least twenty minutes. Neither of us sleeps well if we forget or are unable to have our nightly snuggle. And snuggles aren’t just good for healing what ails you. It’s also a great way to celebrate things that go right and wonderful in life and the world as well. It’s one of the best parts of life. My kids are growing—in fact, my oldest is bigger than me by about half a foot—but the fact that they’re too big for me to pick up and hold in my arms, doesn’t mean I need their snuggles any less. On the contrary. I need them more every single day.

I love the ability to help others because by helping them, I remember to be grateful that I can. There have been times in the past when I’ve needed help, and whatever was needed has been available from the willing service of others. I cannot tell you how wonderful it feels to be able to return the favor, to give of my time and abilities to assist someone else. I am a better person when others allow me to serve them.

My loving wonderful friends are a great source of love for me. I am so, so blessed with a number of wonderful, loving friends all of whom hold a special place in my heart. There are a handful of women I spend a lot of time with, for whom I would do anything, and I trust with my whole heart that they would do anything for me. Friends like that are a rare and special gift from God. Besides them, I have so many writing friends who go out of their way to help me improve and learn, and with whom I share a common bond. I don’t know where I’d be without them. And other friends, in so many capacities, with so many different purposes in my life. I love you all, and thank you.

Freedom and the ability to choose what I believe, is something else for which I’m amazingly grateful, and something I love every day. This one word affects what I wear, how and where I live, and all the other choices those in other circumstances aren’t allowed to make. I get to choose my own life and my destiny. Whatever problems we have in our country, I’m absolutely grateful to live here. I’m proud to be an American.

And then there is my wonderful, loving, sweet, kind, amazing husband who loves me, despite my faults, mood swings, and mistakes. He loves me and never questions the amount of time I spend writing, the lack of time I spend cleaning house or cooking, and my need to spend time with the friends mentioned in the above paragraph. He worries about my needs, my feelings, and my desires, and encourages me to learn how to fly—even though he knows I’ll first have to figure out how to build my own wings. He is the center of my universe, and I am his. I love him with my whole soul.

Yesterday, I was reminded that I love technology. Because frankly, my writing process would take five times as long without it. Also, my laptop alone has spared the lives of possibly hundreds of trees. Did I mention that my husband—er, uh, I mean Santa—gave me my laptop for Christmas to encourage my writing? Yeah, that’s another reason I love it. (and him.) Now, if only it would lose a little weight for those days when I haul it all over town, I’d love it even more. Cell phones, DVD players, gizmos and gadgets and programs…they all have a place in making my life easier. I love those things.

Today, I love my friend Christine, for spearheading this challenge and by doing so making me take the time to think about all the things I truly love in life.

I love all the writing instructors I’ve had through the years, Carol Lynch Williams, Cheri Pray Earl (who taught the class I took only yesterday,) Dave Wolverton, Martine Leavitt, Claudia Mills, B.J. Rowley, and more members of the LDS Storymakers association than I could possibly name in one blog. Thank you all for your brilliant tutelage. Without you, I would have given up writing a long time ago.

Finally, I love my readers. Because of you, I am motivated to keep writing. Even though I’d write anyway, it’s sure a lot more fun to know someone will actually read my thoughts.




Happy Sunday!