Got to Tell you Something

First let me say a MASSIVE thank you to all those who visited my blog while I was away in the USA attending the Pen to Press Writers Conference. I will immediately be getting around to all your blogs tonight, as well as welcoming my new readers. Thank you for joining. You are very important to me. What is a writer without readers anyway? :)

I am now back in the land of OZ. My boys survived nearly two weeks without Mommy, as did the house, my dog and my husband (not necessarily in that order :)

The conference was amazing. I have to say that I was totally unprepared for the response to both my writing and my book. Nothing has happened yet, (and there are no guarantees that anything will) but I had a lot of requests to submit my entire manuscript from both editors and agents. So I am doing a mini happy dance, trying to remember that this writing journey is indeed a long one. Patience and I are getting well acquainted with each other. I'm not going to say we are best friends yet, but we are on solid speaking terms.

Tonight I would like to shout out some amazing people who have helped me grow as both a person and a writer.

Esther. You know who you are. You know what you have done. Thank you. You get that thank you needs to be a bigger word.

Wendy Prior. She has read more versions of my memoir than any person should rightly have had to read. Guys, if you don't follow this girl's blog then go follow her now. Right now. Before she is famous. She writes young adult and has a truly amazing story cooking at the moment. Not to mention a beautiful writing voice. AND she just placed in the top five on Rachelle Gardener's blog for best one line summary of a story. Well done girl! She is one step away from an agent snapping her right up. I will one day be able to say I knew her when...

Deb Shucka and Carrie Wilson Link. Two seriously cool women who have both written their own memories. They run workshops for anyone looking to sharpen their writing skills and I have benefited from both their insight and support.

Karen Walker. Another amazing published memorist who has read my book and given me the benefit of her insight. She is both honest and passionate about life and living well. Her blog is a bright place to be.


Suzanne. For putting cool into writing. And for wading your way through really early drafts of my work and still offering to read for me. Her work is amazing. I can't wait to see her in print. She is one step away people. I am sure many of you already follow her blog. If not, go follow.

There are others who support me and have helped me remember to breath during some really difficult times. Thank you to all of you. Sorry if I have not mentioned you by name. You are no less important. And a huge thank you to you, fellow bloggers. Without who I would have no one to share the ups and downs of writing and no one who appreciates what it means to truly love words. You all make me tear up. Go hug a book people. And send good thoughts my way. I know I am sending them yours. May this be the year for many writing dreams out there to show themselves real. :)

Love Tab

Massive Shout Out

None of us will ever accomplish anything excellent or commanding except when he listens to the whisper that is heard by him alone.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hearing that whisper takes time and then steel determination. When the moon whispers it is nothing more than the glint of small light off the waves of possibility, a thin thread, a path through thorns. No one ever got to the top of anything and said, "Wow, that was easier than I thought it was going to be." The reverse is true. All dreams have a price and it is usually much higher than we ever expected to pay... or ever expected we could pay.

So it is no small thing to discover someone who has heard their dreams and followed.

I am constantly amazed and humbled by the writing talent out here in blogging world and I cannot let this year go by without shouting out some of these wonderful people. The following is not a comprehensive list, just a list of those bloggers I follow or am connected with whose path inspires me to never never stop hoping.

1. Katie Ganshert from her self title blog katieganshert has had a massive end to her year. On November 11th she landed none other than the fabulous literary agent Rachelle Gardner from Word Serve Literary. Check out her post on THE CALL here. Her novel is currently sitting with 'acquisitions people' at a publishing house. I wish her the very best in placing that book and can't wait to hear details of a signed contract with the right publishing house and the books' upcoming release date. She is proof that full time motherhood and teaching cannot stop a writer who wants to :)

2.Elana Johnson also from a self titled blog (maybe I should self title mine?) elanajohnson also ended her year with a bang. She landed literary agent Michelle Anderlman of Lynn C. Franklin Associates in Nov 2009. Congrats and I look forward to details of the books' release date :)

3.Caroline from carolinebyline took a massive leap of faith this year and quit her day job to pursue her love of children's writing. The gamble paid off big time, this year she landed Michelle Humphrey of Sterling Lord Literistic. I wish May.B all the best as she goes on submission. You inspire me girl!

4. K.M. Weildland of WordPlay released yet another fantastic historical novel this year. Behold the Dawn was released Oct 1st 2009. Congrats Katie! All reports are that the book is doing wonderfully. And a special thank you for being the first author who took me up on an offer of an interview when I had like 13 followers :) Keep those books coming girl.

5. Lisa and Laura from Lisa and Laura Write (two sisters who totally crack me up btw. How can you not support anyone who wears pink Ugg boots?) also had a great end to a massive year. In March of this year they signed with the fabulous Catherine Drayton of Inkwell Management. AND then followed that up in Oct by selling their amazing novel 'The Haunting of Pemberly Brown' to Source Books. It will be available for release in Spring 2010! Congrats girls and I can't wait to by the book. Did I mention I was available for a blog tour? :)

6. Sarah from Sarah with a Chance definitely had a chance and proved it by signing with agent Suzie Townsend of Fineprint Lit. Congrats Sarah. The blog break up worked fine then, hey? Oh, and I just got word from the itunes people. They care. Really. They are sending Twizzlers your way :)

7. Karen from Following the Whispers followed her dreams all the way to publication. She release her memoir titled Following the Whispers earlier this year. The book has done very well and placed as a finalist in the New Mexico Book Awards. Karen you are testament to the truth of happiness in spite of pain. Keep on singing! And all the best with that new WIP. And thanks for the mentoring this year. My writing thanks you too :)

8. Erica Vetsch from On The Write Path released another new book this year, The Bartered Bride AND signed with fab agent Rachelle Gardner. Congrats on both the book and that wonderful and very busy agent :)

9. Jody Hedlund from the self titled blog jodyhedlund also signed with Rachelle Gardner from Word Serve Literary. Her historical novel sold to Bethany House in a three book deal, the first of which, The Preacher's Bride, is due for release in 2010. Her blog is an open diary to the world of publication and a wealth of direction and encouragement. Congrats girl and thank you for the open look at the path to publication.

10. Carrie or CKHB as she is better known from Heim Binas Fiction has out on request a full manuscript, and she is currently doing deals with the universe for the agent to offer representation and later for a book deal. Carrie is an honest, tell-it-like-it-is blogger who never ceases to get me thinking. I wish you all the very best with both the agent and the universe. Please let me know if you need ideas for tattoo designs :)

I am also aware of two other bloggers and friends who have request for full manuscripts currently sitting with the agents of their dreams. Though I am not at liberty to name these people, can I just say I admire both of you (I think you know who you are) and I am chatting with The Big Guy on your behalves :)

All the best and I can't wait to shout both of you out in the VERY near future.

If I follow your blog, but I missed your great news this year I apologize. Please, please list yourselves in the comments section.

So What about you? What is your claim to fame for the 2009 year? And don't say you don't have one. If you managed to keep writing this year and have not yet trashed your dreams or pulled all your hair out then THAT COUNTS! :) Let me know what you got up to!

PS- please forgive me if I am absent from some blogs this month. Things are a little crazy with packing and moving into a new house by the 23d of DEC with two small children under foot, but I am trying to visit as many blogs as I can :)

[image]

Shout Out Some Loving

50 Followers Today!

Today I am sending out the love. I had another post planned, but I cannot pass up an opportunity to thank my followers. I am very new to the writing world; kinda fresh from the oven. Blogger enticed me with it's promise of a space all of my own to publish my thoughts on, well, books, bubs and writing. My first post went up on June 17, 2009 and since then I have been honoured and more than a little humbled by a growing following of talented writers and loyal friends. I would like to say a huge thank you. I now have 50 amazing followers!

So here's my SHOUT OUT to pass on the lovin'. Here, in no particular order, are ten blogs that I like to haunt regularly. I'm going to include the links, just in case I stuff up and can't post working links to their blogs.

1. Katie Ganshert.

Blog: 'Katie Ganshert'.

Katie writes amazingly insightful posts about all things 'writing' and that bub of hers is adorable! One of my fav posts is this one titled 'Scars'http://katieganshert.blogspot.com/2009/08/scars.html

2.Suzanne.

Blog: 'Tales of Extraordinary Ordinariness'.

I think, I laugh, I cry. All the markings of a talented writer/blogger. Okay, I haven't cried yet. But her post 'Words Castles' definitely prompted something a little watery in my eye.

3.Karen Walker. Blog: 'karen... following the whispers.' Karen is the author of a memoir titled 'Following the Whispers' and her posts are often like a warm hug. One of my favorites is 'Fear of Failure.' http://karenfollowing the whispers.blogspot.com/2009/08/fear-of-failure.html

4.Carrie, better known as ckbh.

Blog: 'Heim Binas Fiction'

Carrie writes with raw grit and often posts something that fires the cogs inside my head. Her post 'Telling the Truth' will get you thinking. http://heimbinasfiction.blogspot.com/2009/07/telling-truth/html

5.Dan. L. Hays

Blog: 'Thoughts Along the Road to Healing'

Really got me with his post 'A Conversation with Dad.' http://danlhays.blogspot.com/2009/08/conversation-with-dad.html

6.Jeannie Campbell

Blog: 'The Character Therapist'

As she says, 'licensed therapist by day, writer by night.'

If your fictional characters need their heads read or you just need some professional insights into character motivation and plot feasibility this is the couch...um..blog.

http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com/

7. Megan

Blog: 'Megan Rebekah Blogs'

Laugh out loud post 'Wanted: New Plan.'

http://meganrebekahblogs.blogspot.com/2009/08/wanted-new-plan.html

8. Jody Hedlund

Blog: 'On the Path.'

This post should be apart of some sort of bible for bloggers.

'Ten Common Blogging Mistakes' (Part 1 & 2)

http://jodyhedlund.blogspot.com/2009/08/ten-common-blogging-mistakes-part-1.html

9. Erica Vetsch

Blog: 'On the Write Path'

While you may prefer death by chocolate, this post 'Death by Synopsis' is so worth the read.

http://onthewritepath.blogspot.com/2009/07/death-by-synopsis.html

10. Stephanie Farris

Blog: 'Steph in the City'

Loved her post, 'How NOT to Get your Book Published.'

http://steph5741.blogspot.com/2009/08/how-to-not-get-your-book-published.html

And there are more...

There are so many others who write blogs far worthier than mine. So thanks for the following. A special thanks to Shelly (who doesn't blog), but has tirelessly supported me in this blogging endeavour. She was my very first follower (even beating my husband to the follow button) and for a while there, my sole comment leaver. Your support matters girl. :)