tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47166637964374363742024-03-05T22:53:59.359-05:00Sarah E. RobinsonWrite. Travel. Taste. Listen. Experience. Love.Sarah E. Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04243473533158461811noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716663796437436374.post-28482853851008045112013-01-31T13:21:00.002-05:002013-02-04T09:25:58.995-05:00Memories Anyone? I found the coolest thing!<br />
My young adult novel, The Memory Box, centers around sixteen-year old, Cassie Harris, and her love of collecting memories.<br />
<br />
The other day, while strolling through Target, I found these really cool journals called SMASH books from K&Company. And I know my main character, Cassie, would absolutely ADORE these.<br />
<br />
I'll give you a video to show you what they're all about...<br />
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So...can you see how more organized and creative Cassie could have been if she had a few of these? Rather than an old wooden box? Oh the possibilities!<br />
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Each colored book has a different theme (travel, city/industrial, romantic, flowers, etc). There are small, medium, and large books. And there are a bunch of accessories. These are just a few:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqvT-aKD9z57R0F7WIdfdk8qF-Kg2OPlqlLGFTgN7ICYF9E7vzMZXcpPLihNfDcpbzkOQTAkAF_svoNMGcbK4Yar-KA3_BbJHDSgmMtUVysdIy3RJj4CmLorSEGBg5MMiux5FNaDEgeo/s1600/smash+acces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqvT-aKD9z57R0F7WIdfdk8qF-Kg2OPlqlLGFTgN7ICYF9E7vzMZXcpPLihNfDcpbzkOQTAkAF_svoNMGcbK4Yar-KA3_BbJHDSgmMtUVysdIy3RJj4CmLorSEGBg5MMiux5FNaDEgeo/s320/smash+acces.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5O73YTcdJpyPF09zMNmq4A1zW1YcuT0d4mYsu9B7mzWOInz8nITs8OJ1AKNQ3XXwmY_u1GeQmBa8D69wshY3wjNJA8vX2fcDN-OFFqZRDV-ApUhv0coXaio4acwbFvuu9aeDHIvc1Ww/s1600/smash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5O73YTcdJpyPF09zMNmq4A1zW1YcuT0d4mYsu9B7mzWOInz8nITs8OJ1AKNQ3XXwmY_u1GeQmBa8D69wshY3wjNJA8vX2fcDN-OFFqZRDV-ApUhv0coXaio4acwbFvuu9aeDHIvc1Ww/s320/smash.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<br />
Anyway, I resisted buying one for myself, (only because I don't have the time right now to put it together), but I bought one for my daughter and am letting her start her own memory box/book. I can't wait to see how it turns out! Sarah E. Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04243473533158461811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716663796437436374.post-24603006499646419482013-01-17T12:08:00.001-05:002013-01-17T12:30:39.100-05:00Advice I need to follow...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRClW7Ab0S72aLp6ji-lpPm-CbRM-Yew-fXnSOEhmMOSiCqh3_K6HffNUkGjrHOmhgHHWBVRw68W4cv9wOjAaXb6xv01PnhoUfealOiCnAyytGc1W75NXr15_yijH61iEKv5IMlZkZNY/s1600/keep+calm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRClW7Ab0S72aLp6ji-lpPm-CbRM-Yew-fXnSOEhmMOSiCqh3_K6HffNUkGjrHOmhgHHWBVRw68W4cv9wOjAaXb6xv01PnhoUfealOiCnAyytGc1W75NXr15_yijH61iEKv5IMlZkZNY/s320/keep+calm.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
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<br />
I think I am definitely over-thinking book two. <br />
<br />
I can't get started. I can't keep momentum. And when I do, I'm easily distracted. <br />
<br />
I don't like being distracted.<br />
<br />
I know I have a lot going on in my life right now, but that hasn't stopped me before. <br />
<br />
And I really don't like excuses. <br />
<br />
I know once I'm a few chapters in, I'll be fine. I have a rough draft and an outline to guide me. I have a million words, sentences, and scenes that are fighting to get out of my head, but I think I'm totally psyching myself out.<br />
<br />
And I really really don't like being psyched out. <br />
<br />
I know this will pass, but for now, I need to "calm down and write something".Sarah E. Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04243473533158461811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716663796437436374.post-60917865801199384452013-01-15T12:38:00.000-05:002013-01-15T21:32:34.495-05:00Truth: I Hated ReadingI read this the other day... <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhA9j84o0QMPrFozHez9cmpWe1mTetbe9BO_n_yCxaeJPQ8FjD8tv9rChY16tsJrf1Y-Lf6XoFrMgZP5ZSR6rvFh-pVCvtqrozdAmtfDK16KCvuqGq75XDZBtloZYe7ajtuTgkQLMmP8/s1600/fav+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhA9j84o0QMPrFozHez9cmpWe1mTetbe9BO_n_yCxaeJPQ8FjD8tv9rChY16tsJrf1Y-Lf6XoFrMgZP5ZSR6rvFh-pVCvtqrozdAmtfDK16KCvuqGq75XDZBtloZYe7ajtuTgkQLMmP8/s320/fav+book.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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And I couldn't help but think how true it is.<br />
<br />
From a person who reads over 100 books a year, you'd be surprised to learn that when I was a kid I hated to read. <br />
<br />
HATED. IT.<br />
<br />
I hated it so much that in sixth grade, I took the lower grade on a book report just so I didn't have to finish the whole book. My time was better spent building tree forts and playing street hockey with the boys.<br />
<br />
I really don't remember being required to read in my seventh and eighth grade English classes. (Well, we might have been but obviously they weren't good enough to remember.) But we wrote a lot, and because of that, I aced those classes easily.<br />
<br />
In ninth grade, we were required to read two books and I hated them both, again I took the bad grade to get out of the assignments. By that time, I would have rathered hung out with my girlfriends at the mall and played different types of games with the boys.<br />
<br />
After that, I went to an unconventional high school that didn't require reading, so I didn't.<br />
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But I think there was more than just not finding the right book, it also took me settling down. Sitting still for long lengths of time just didn't interest me as a kid. Now that I'm an adult, it's one of my favorite things to do.<br />
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So if you're a parent or teacher and worry about your children not being readers, give them time or at least give them a book that they'll enjoy.Sarah E. Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04243473533158461811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716663796437436374.post-90292691902452183582013-01-07T11:43:00.000-05:002013-01-07T12:04:18.079-05:007,000th Day of Love<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Today, January 7<sup>th</sup>,
marks the 7,000<sup>th</sup> day that I’ve loved my husband. Which basically means,
he’s aggravated the crap out of me at least 7,000 times. Probably made me cry
7,000 tears of frustration (mostly because I’m a big cry baby). But has also said I'm
sorry 14,000 times, has said "I love you" at least 21,000 times, has
kissed me more than 70,000 times, and has made me laugh well over 100,000. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I've enjoyed every second of
those 7,000 days with him (that's 604,800,000 seconds). Even when he holds me down and tickles me so bad that
I pray for a third hand to scratch his eyeballs out. Or when he puts on scary
masks and jumps out of closets. Or when he puts me in wrestling moves where my
face is in my ass and tells me to get out of it. He makes me crazy. Drives me
insane. But also melts my heart and still gives me butterflies after all these years. I’m not saying it’s easy, but if you really love someone, with your
whole heart and soul, it's not so hard either.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I love you babe! Here’s to
7,000 more.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Sarah E. Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04243473533158461811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716663796437436374.post-30132782694346880922013-01-04T14:45:00.002-05:002013-01-04T16:13:08.868-05:00My 2012 Favorite Books of the Year...<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Young Adult<o:p></o:p></u></b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u>Laugh Out Loud Funny / Great Characters<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<br />
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1)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Catching <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jordan</st1:place></st1:country-region> by
Miranda Kenneally <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9888775-catching-jordan" target="_blank">Description</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
(movie rights optioned) <br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
2)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anna and the
French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6936382-anna-and-the-french-kiss" target="_blank">Description</a><br />
</div>
<u>Drama, Romance & Swoon Worthy Boys<o:p></o:p></u><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
1)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Vincent Boys (#1) by Abbi Glines <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12900174-the-vincent-boys" target="_blank">Description</a> </div>
<br />
2)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Vincent
Brothers (#2) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> by </span>Abbi Glines <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13369678-the-vincent-brothers" target="_blank">Description</a><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u>Books that kick you in the heart and punch you in the
brain...but you still love them anyway<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
1)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopeless by
Colleen Hoover <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15717943-hopeless" target="_blank">Description</a> <br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
2)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Fault in Our
Stars by John Green <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11870085-the-fault-in-our-stars" target="_blank">Description</a> </div>
(movie rights optioned)<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
3)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Sea</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Tranquility</st1:placename></st1:place>
by Katja Millay <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16151178-the-sea-of-tranquility" target="_blank">Description</a><o:p> </o:p></div>
<u><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></o:p></u><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u>Books that have ALL OF THE ABOVE<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
1)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Slammed (#1) by Colleen Hoover <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13372690-slammed" target="_blank">Description</a> </div>
<br />
2)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Point of Retreat (#2)
by Colleen Hoover <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13496084-point-of-retreat" target="_blank">Description</a> <br />
(both movie rights optioned) <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u></u></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>New Adult (College
Aged Characters/More Mature Content)<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u>Drama, Romance & Swoon Worthy Boys<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
1) Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11505797-beautiful-disaster" target="_blank">Description</a></div>
(movie rights optioned) <br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
2) The Sea Breeze Series by Abbi Glines </div>
#1 - Breathe <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11479285-breathe" target="_blank">Description</a><br />
#2 - Because of Low <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13146214-because-of-low" target="_blank">Description</a><br />
#3 - While it Lasts <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13496738-while-it-lasts" target="_blank">Description</a><br />
#4 - Just for Now <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15778138-just-for-now" target="_blank">Description</a><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Adult Series (R
Rated)<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u>Chocolate Lovers Series by Tara Sivec<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
#1 - Seduction and Snacks <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15704001-seduction-and-snacks" target="_blank">Description</a></div>
#2 - Futures and Frostings <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15769463-futures-and-frosting" target="_blank">Description</a><br />
#3 - Troubles and Treats <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16107588-troubles-and-treats" target="_blank">Description</a><o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This series is not for the faint of heart but they could
quite possibly be the funniest books you’ll ever read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are crude, rude, and at times, over the
top, but if you don’t mind all that, you are in for a TREAT!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love these books.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u>The Dark Duet Series by CJ Roberts<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
#1 - Captive in the Dark <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12513614-captive-in-the-dark" target="_blank">Description</a></div>
#2 - Seduced in the Dark <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13612739-seduced-in-the-dark" target="_blank">Description</a><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
To be honest, I don’t even know if I could describe these
books correctly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are ONE. BIG. MIND
F*CK!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are looking for a book to
mess with your head, doubt your morals, and make you squirm with disgust and
excitement all at the same time, READ THESE BOOKS!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They might not be your cup of tea, you might
not even like them in the end, but you can’t deny that they’ve taken you on an
emotional roller coaster that you needed to buckle in tight to get through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But BEWARE they are GRAPHIC and give you a horrifying glimpse into the
sex trade business.</div>
Sarah E. Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04243473533158461811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716663796437436374.post-63447345538619560692012-09-15T17:11:00.002-04:002012-11-25T08:02:32.041-05:00My Dream Book Cover So, I've been working hard at hardly working on my WIP these past few months. With the kids being home from school for the summer, my time to write and edit has been sparse. BUT, I did have a great day hanging out with my very talented thirteen year old daughter one afternoon. She is a whiz at editing pictures on the computer so I asked her if she could make me a book cover for my contemporary young adult novel, The Memory Box. <br />
<br />
I showed her the print advertisement I'd found and have used as a point of reference for my two characters, Travis and Cassie. She copied it and uploaded it onto her computer. Then we found a cabin on Google images and copied that onto her computer also. <br />
<br />
With a few magical effects and a text box, this is the result of our day:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CAgfFEc5iUTQ3oV8N4YfSSLwSPWjCnBPwWFZJb6jHmDuOSv3Hio1V7YXmCfB9bOH9dSHg6cc8WxGq_bFIg5LdLZbiIOZallGZOtWKmzPZGkO2_fjynlTW9EeGOCGY3ttGiOOWNydKgk/s1600/good+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CAgfFEc5iUTQ3oV8N4YfSSLwSPWjCnBPwWFZJb6jHmDuOSv3Hio1V7YXmCfB9bOH9dSHg6cc8WxGq_bFIg5LdLZbiIOZallGZOtWKmzPZGkO2_fjynlTW9EeGOCGY3ttGiOOWNydKgk/s320/good+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
SQUEEE! I love it! She's amazing, right? It's exactly what I would've envisioned if I were to ever publish my book. I know I probably couldn't use it because these are paid models, but still, a girl can dream...<br />
<br />Sarah E. Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04243473533158461811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716663796437436374.post-5076281704540464132011-12-09T16:25:00.004-05:002011-12-09T21:41:12.745-05:00My Top 5, or 6, or 7 Young Adult Books of 2011Sorry, I tried to pick 5, but couldn't do it.<br />
<br />
Through the Goodreads.com website, I challenged myself to read seventy-five books this year – January through December.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finished, with a few weeks to spare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you scroll down on the left hand side of the screen you can see some of the ones I read.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> First - I’d like to say that although some of these books may have been released in 2011, some were not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not a “released in 2011” list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s MY 2011 list. <br />
Second - I am not a professional book reviewer or blogger. This is a list <strong>I</strong> compiled to share with my readers and linked them to websites for easy access. <br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u><strong>Favorite Young Adult Book of 2011</strong>:</u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Scorpio Races</span>, by Maggie Stiefvater – Magical Realism/Historical Fantasy, Young Adult </div><br />
I absolutely LOVED this book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Best writing, hands down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sitting here trying to think of words to describe it, but can’t get past, Wow!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maggie Stiefvater’s writing drops you right in the middle of Puck and Sean Kendrick’s world - a small island, home to the Scorpio Races - and takes you on an adventure like no other. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> It's like you are right there </span>on top of the white faced cliffs looking down at the beaches of Skarmouth. You are riding Dove down the dirt lane and racing her brother Finn in the family car they named Morris. You <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">feel</i> Sean Kendrick’s love for his horses, especially Corr, you <em>hate</em> Benjamin Malvern and his son Matthew, and you laugh and shake your head at the silly Maud sisters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t say enough good things about this book and I hope hope hope it makes it to the big screen one day. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://maggiestiefvater.com/the-scorpio-races/" target="_blank">Author's Website</a> / <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Scorpio-Races-Maggie-Stiefvater/dp/054522490X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323410192&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Where to Buy</a> / <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=YC1Hw6-q3yM" target="_blank">You Tube Audio Sample & Pics</a><br />
<br />
I also recommend Maggie's Wolves of Mercy Falls Series <br />
(<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shiver-Wolves-Mercy-Maggie-Stiefvater/dp/0545123275/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323412510&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Shiver,</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Linger-Wolves-Mercy-Falls-Book/dp/0545123291/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323412593&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Linger,</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Forever-Wolves-Mercy-Falls-Book/dp/0545259088/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323412614&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Forever</a> )</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u><strong>Sweetest Story:</strong></u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The Sky is Everywhere</span>, by Nelson Jandy - Contemporary, Young Adult </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p>This is another Wow! book for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lennie Walker is probably one of the sweetest characters I’ve ever read. Beyond the struggle of dealing with an absent mother and the loss of her big sister and best friend Bailey, Lennie is funny and witty and what you’d call an adorkable hero.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You cannot help but fall in love with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lennie’s story is heart-breaking but there were times when I was laughing hysterically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I recommend this book whole-heartedly. Check out the You Tube Trailer below for some funny snippets of Lennie's personality.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><a href="http://www.theskyiseverywhere.com/" target="_blank">Author's Website</a> / <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sky-Everywhere-Jandy-Nelson/dp/0142417807/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323410708&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Where To Buy</a> / <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yqim02tVu3U" target="_blank">You Tube BookTrailer</a></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p><u><strong>Most Interesting Concept:</strong></u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shatter Me, by Tahereh Mafi –<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dystopian, Young Adult</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Not only am I giving this Most Interesting Concept but I’m also giving it the Most Swoon Worthy and Most Left-Me-Slobbering-For-More award.</div><br />
INSERT: Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal, but The Reestablishment has plans for her. Plans to use her as a weapon. After a lifetime without freedom, she's finally discovering a strength to fight back for the very first time—and to find a future with the one boy she thought she'd lost forever. <br />
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The writing in Shatter Me is nothing you’ve encountered before. So deliciously different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I cannot wait for more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My only complaint is that I have to wait until next year to read book #2 and book #3 won’t hit shelves until 2013.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blah!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not used to waiting for books and it’s not fun.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://www.taherehmafi.com/" target="_blank">Author's Website</a> / <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shatter-Me-Tahereh-Mafi/dp/0062085484" target="_blank">Where To Buy</a> / <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHApCwLkVU0" target="_blank">You Tube Book Trailer</a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p><strong><u>Most Touching</u>:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Willow</st1:city></st1:place>, by Julia Hoban.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Contemporary, Young Adult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><br />
INSERT:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seven months ago, on a rainy March night, sixteen year- old <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Willow</st1:place></st1:city>'s parents died in a horrible car accident. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Willow</st1:place></st1:city> was driving. Now her older brother barely speaks to her, her new classmates know her as the killer orphan girl, and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Willow</st1:place></st1:city> is blocking the pain by secretly cutting herself. But when one boy - one sensitive, soulful boy - discovers <st1:city w:st="on">Willow</st1:city>'s secret, it sparks an intense relationship that turns the "safe" world <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Willow</st1:place></st1:city> has created for herself upside down. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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Need I say more? Great writing. Great read. <br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Willow-Julia-Hoban/dp/0803733569" target="_blank">Where To Buy</a> / <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7zDSg3bRco" target="_blank">You Tube Book Trailer</a><br />
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<u><strong>Best Page Turner:</strong></u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thirteen Reasons Why, by Jay Asher. Contemporary, Young Adult<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">INSERT:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers thirteen cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate and crush who committed suicide two weeks earlier. On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">First of all, this book really gets its hooks into you and doesn’t let go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a page-turner from page one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s concept is different from anything I’ve read and I really enjoyed every page. </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Second, I hope teenagers get a chance to read this book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a perfect example of how your words and actions, which seem so simple at the time, can literally kill the spirit of a person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hannah Baker is another one of my sweet characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A great read and would suggest gifting it to a teen in your life. (That is, after you’ve read it first, carefully, without bending any pages.)</div><br />
<a href="http://www.thirteenreasonswhy.com/" target="_blank">Author's Website</a> / <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thirteen-Reasons-Why-Jay-Asher/dp/1595141715" target="_blank">Where To Buy</a> <br />
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<u><strong>Favorite Series</strong></u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(This is tough because I have two) – The Summer Series, by Jenny Han and The Perfect Chemistry Series, by Simone Elkeles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are both Contemporary Young Adult books with a strong emphasis on their love stories.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u>The Summer Series consists of</u> : The Summer I turned pretty, It’s Not Summer Without You, and We’ll Always Have Summer.</div><br />
Belly (Isabelle), Steven (brother), Conrad (hot & moody boy) and Jeremiah (sweet and fun boy).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The four of them meet with their two families at a beach house each summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are light and fun books with some serious family issues sprinkled in, and of course a love triangle to top it all off and make it more interesting.<br />
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<a href="http://www.dearjennyhan.com/books.html" target="_blank">Author's Website</a> / <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=the+summer+series&x=0&y=0#/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=jenny+han&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Ajenny+han" target="_blank">Where To Buy</a> / <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1Sq881khIQ" target="_blank">You Tube Book Trailer</a><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u>The Perfect Chemistry Series consists of</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perfect Chemistry, Rules of Attraction, and Chain Reaction.</div><br />
Each book follows the life of a different Fuentes brother as they navigate high school, girls, and their loyalties to their gang.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.simoneelkeles.net/index-web.html" target="_blank">Author's Website</a> / <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_18?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=simone+elkeles+perfect+chemistry+novels&sprefix=simone+elkeles+per&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Asimone+elkeles+perfect+chemistry+novels&ajr=0" target="_blank">Where To Buy</a> <br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u><strong>Other Favorite Authors of the year</strong></u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lisa Schroeder <a href="http://www.lisaschroederbooks.com/" target="_blank">(Website)</a>, Sarah Dessen <a href="http://sarahdessen.com/" target="_blank">(Website)</a>, Sara Bennett-Wealer <a href="http://sarabennettwealer.com/" target="_blank">(Website)</a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u><strong>Books I’m excited to read in 2012</strong></u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crescendo & Silence of the Hush Hush Series by Becca Fitzpatrick, Crossed of the Matched Series by Ally Condie, Divergent by Veronica Roth, Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez, Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson, Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.</div><br />
NOW get reading! I know I will.<br />
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ALSO, I love book recommendations! Pass them along!<br />
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</div>Sarah E. Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04243473533158461811noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716663796437436374.post-58397125390573733882011-11-06T21:53:00.001-05:002011-11-06T21:53:34.517-05:00Professional Procrastinator At WorkI’m still deep in the cavernous trenches of editing, fighting hard to win this battle of words.<o:p> </o:p><br />
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Psht!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who am I kidding?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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This is my day:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
*<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reads email but <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><strong>swears</strong></i> not to open any social media<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sticks to guns</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">* </span>Opens book to start editing</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reads notes & last pages to get back into groove</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">*<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> C</span>hecks facts & researches internet sites, click, click, click...<br />
- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><strong>Somehow</strong></i> ends up on Twitter <br />
- Checks mouse to see if it's possessed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Damn! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">* </span>An hour later, I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><strong>swear</strong></i> I’m not doing that again, but now I’m hungry<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I rationalize - nourished body = stimulated brain.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">* </span>Opens book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><strong>again</strong></i>, reads the last page I edited <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><strong>again</strong></i></div><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">* A</span>rgues with cat<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">* A</span>nswers phone<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">* </span>Ooh! Email alert!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Facebook is telling me it's my turn in Scrabble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel it’s my duty, as an Aunt, to kick my neices asses regularly and show them who’s the Scrabble Queen in the family.<br />
-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> P</span>lays Scrabble for 20 minutes – 10 mins playing & 10 mins giggling because I’m imagining their eyes when they see my 50 point word.<br />
-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But THAT’S IT!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><strong>really</strong></i> swear this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m getting back to work.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">* </span>And that’s when the kids walk through the door from school.<br />
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Must. Stop. Procrastinating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p><br />
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Must Gain Control. Buck Up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sit Down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Write!<br />
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</div>Sarah E. Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04243473533158461811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716663796437436374.post-40268123112350704292011-10-18T23:56:00.003-04:002011-10-19T00:54:36.877-04:00My Wish For YouVincent Van Gogh, though he is undoubtedly one of the world’s most famous impressionists, never sold a single painting in his thirty-seven years of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">But that didn’t stop him from doing what he loved, creating more than two-thousand artworks in just over a decade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Towards the end of his life he is quoted saying, “As a painter, I will never amount to anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, I am sure of it.”</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/nkvLq0TYiwI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Can you believe someone that talented could even utter those words?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s unfathomable.</div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">This is my wish for you.<br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><a href="http://s280.photobucket.com/albums/kk195/saraherobinson/?action=view&current=dandelion.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="dandelion" border="0" src="http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk195/saraherobinson/dandelion.gif" /></a><br />
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Realize the greatness inside you and become who you were truly meant to be.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">You may feel lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may feel confused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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It's ok. Take your time. </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">But follow your heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obey your intuition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And don’t settle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">If you have a dream, work for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite your fears, fight for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">It won’t be easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It might take months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It might take years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Persevere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the further you go and the closer you get, it will get harder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Challenges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hoops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hurdles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Juggling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Doors will not only be closed, but sometimes slammed in your face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Struggle against it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try harder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Give up and you LOSE!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All your doubters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All your haters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the people whispering and snickering behind your back, Win!</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">This is YOUR dream, Damn It!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Slap self-doubt in the face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kick worry in the gut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Believe in yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have confidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look in the mirror everyday and tell yourself how amazing you are. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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Shake disappointment from your shoulders. Arm yourself. You can do it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have to!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Failure is inconceivable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What did your mother say?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t want to hear any buts.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">If you sincerely love something, you can never give up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your reward and accomplishments will overshadow everything else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The journey will only make you stronger.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ71QR99wrZ9-eqliLgmZQfzk5xt2VumL6ZI1UtwXgDKd8EQ1KyHXXxOQ13wIimqk3rehAwdUaktBaG2N-czf1vq7rX5RJ9kux-cbRqpwXiNr2UtzIPcAHeUE1bmJdB0fh2POLUlLtfuQ/s1600/happiness+doing+what+others+say+you+can%2527t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ71QR99wrZ9-eqliLgmZQfzk5xt2VumL6ZI1UtwXgDKd8EQ1KyHXXxOQ13wIimqk3rehAwdUaktBaG2N-czf1vq7rX5RJ9kux-cbRqpwXiNr2UtzIPcAHeUE1bmJdB0fh2POLUlLtfuQ/s320/happiness+doing+what+others+say+you+can%2527t.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
I have to go now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a date with a mirror.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, she is the sweetest thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She always has such nice things to say about me.<br />
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</div>Sarah E. Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04243473533158461811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716663796437436374.post-57495698937199522512011-10-09T01:14:00.002-04:002011-10-09T01:32:29.695-04:00What do you want from me?I had two concerns when deciding to create this blog.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">First, I had to figure out how to make one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were three problems with that.</div><br />
<span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 1)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>My knowledge of blogs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides reading them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
Uh, zilch.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>My blogger budget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> To hire a professional.</span></div> I checked my account balance:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>zilch + zilch = zilch squared.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">3)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about very helpful and generous computer savvy friends?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I scoured through my phonebook for hours, searching from A to Z.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
When I got to Z, I found one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His name?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr. Zilch.<br />
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It was all up to me to figure out how this whole crazy blogger thing works. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The blog itself wasn’t hard to set up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You plug in your information and it formats all your data into neat little boxes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s when you want customized layouts and formatting that you’ll feel like this:<br />
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<a href="http://sunglasses.name/"><img alt="name brand sunglasses" src="http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/7948/hulkhogannh5.gif" /></a><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">So, after a whole bunch of research and a lot of trial and error, I finally got it to where I want it, I think.<br />
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Then I felt like this:<br />
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<a href="http://www.squidoo.com/animated-gifs"><img alt="funny animated gif" src="http://sunglasses.name/gif/breakdancer-baby.gif" /></a><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I’m still learning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But all in all, I think it turned out really cute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>*smiles proudly*</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">My second concern was content.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">How do I want to present myself to the internet universe?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do I want to say?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What will you want from me?</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">More research.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More trial and error.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(This is harder than it looks people) My back is still broken from all the break dancing.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">In research, I discovered some writers talk about the craft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some writers advertise their books or upcoming projects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then some talk about their children and pets, including their husbands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I may want to talk about all of that...or none of that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who knows?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can’t this be a what-floats-my-boat kind of blog? *checks header* That's right. This is <em>my</em> blog.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, that’s it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My first executive decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to float my boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And in that decision, you should do the same. We could float boats together. It'll be fun.</span></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Ooh, this blog is like therapy. I always feel so much better after we talk.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg407dMbzD-aZSEVQrl-oFLFwRAnCz7Abyu7tZq5fN5pHtKvimmNGLRmJsBHUS6Mx-oiRhqvNPGjrHBXY7OPEIBjoHD0XDyMSXLbim0rAMJ4vx8zosb1Ah1mPH32fTiYmve52c3soYxAzc/s1600/happy+you+came.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg407dMbzD-aZSEVQrl-oFLFwRAnCz7Abyu7tZq5fN5pHtKvimmNGLRmJsBHUS6Mx-oiRhqvNPGjrHBXY7OPEIBjoHD0XDyMSXLbim0rAMJ4vx8zosb1Ah1mPH32fTiYmve52c3soYxAzc/s320/happy+you+came.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>Have a great week everyone!<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div>Sarah E. Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04243473533158461811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716663796437436374.post-50457066180434481352011-10-03T01:19:00.003-04:002011-10-04T00:34:50.986-04:00Passion vs Addiction<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So...Here I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>*Steps out from behind internet curtain*<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>*Taps keyboard*<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I on?</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Eyes gaze back at me from behind the glow of their screens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Legs shuffle in discomfort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A woman in the back throws me a sympathetic :)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">*Sweats* Geesh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is awkward!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m glad I took Oral Communications in college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">so</i> helping right now.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">*Breathes* So…Hi…*fidgets*…I’m Sarah and I’m an addict.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; mso-spacerun: yes;">“Hi Sarah,” they say in unison.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"My drug of choice is words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">love</i> to write."</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The crowd nods in understanding, compassion dozes in their eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If the first step in the twelve step program is admitting you’re powerless over your addiction, then I surrender.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">*Sits back down*</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is just a quick hello for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be back for the next session.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have so much more to talk about. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promise we will be great friends. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">*Hugs screen goodbye*</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div>Sarah E. Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04243473533158461811noreply@blogger.com0