Memories Anyone? I found the coolest thing!

My young adult novel, The Memory Box, centers around sixteen-year old, Cassie Harris, and her love of collecting memories.

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.

I'll give you a video to show you what they're all about...

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!

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:







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!

Advice I need to follow...

I think I am definitely over-thinking book two.

I can't get started.  I can't keep momentum. And when I do, I'm easily distracted.

I don't like being distracted.

I know I have a lot going on in my life right now, but that hasn't stopped me before.

And I really don't like excuses.

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.

And I really really don't like being psyched out.

I know this will pass, but for now, I need to "calm down and write something".

Truth: I Hated Reading

I read this the other day...

And I couldn't help but think how true it is.

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.

HATED. IT.

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.

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.

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.

After that, I went to an unconventional high school that didn't require reading, so I didn't.

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.

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.

7,000th Day of Love

Today, January 7^th, marks the 7,000^th 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.

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.

I love you babe! Here’s to 7,000 more.

My 2012 Favorite Books of the Year...

Young Adult

Laugh Out Loud Funny / Great Characters

1)  Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally                Description 

     (movie rights optioned)
 

2)  Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins   Description
 

Drama, Romance & Swoon Worthy Boys

1)  The Vincent Boys (#1) by Abbi Glines        Description    

2)  The Vincent Brothers (#2)  by Abbi Glines   Description

Books that kick you in the heart and punch you in the brain...but you still love them anyway

1)  Hopeless by Colleen Hoover                    Description 
 

2)  The Fault in Our Stars by John Green      Description    

      (movie rights optioned)

3)  The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay      Description    

Books that have ALL OF THE ABOVE

1)  Slammed (#1) by Colleen Hoover              Description    

2)  Point of Retreat (#2) by Colleen Hoover    Description    
      (both movie rights optioned)

New Adult (College Aged Characters/More Mature Content)

Drama, Romance & Swoon Worthy Boys

1) Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire    Description

    (movie rights optioned)

2) The Sea Breeze Series by Abbi Glines    

            #1 - Breathe                   Description
            #2 - Because of Low      Description
            #3 - While it Lasts          Description
            #4 - Just for Now           Description

 

Adult Series (R Rated)

Chocolate Lovers Series by Tara Sivec

#1 - Seduction and Snacks     Description

#2 - Futures and Frostings     Description
#3 - Troubles and Treats        Description 

This series is not for the faint of heart but they could quite possibly be the funniest books you’ll ever read. They are crude, rude, and at times, over the top, but if you don’t mind all that, you are in for a TREAT! I love these books.

The Dark Duet Series by CJ Roberts

#1 - Captive in the Dark       Description

#2 - Seduced in the Dark     Description

To be honest, I don’t even know if I could describe these books correctly. They are ONE. BIG. MIND F*CK!  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! 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. But BEWARE they are GRAPHIC and give you a horrifying glimpse into the sex trade business.