Wornoutwoman

Lately, I've been asked about the order of which my books should be read, so I thought I'd do a quick post here on my blog. Although I do have four books in a series, it was an accidental series.  When writing Finding Kylie, I honestly had no intention of continuing the journey for the other characters in the book.  I thought I'd release Finding Kylie and see what else came my way as far as storylines. You see - Finding Kylie was my 'what if' in life.  It's been said we should write what we know,  so I did. Only I fictionalized my what if in life. After concluding Finding Kylie with a somewhat open but definite ending, I couldn't fathom putting myself in a position to write a story I wasn't emotionally or spiritually prepared for.  To continue Chastity's story with her father meant stepping into some shoes I wasn't prepared for. That was until I continued to receive emails from readers who were wondering 'what was in John's let...

This past weekend we finally wrapped up the reading for FINDING KYLIE.  Working with these actors at Oklahoma City University School of Theatre was such a unique and amazing experience. For years my writing partner, John Schwab, and I have been working toward the hard read in order to edit our final draft of the screenplay for Finding Kylie. This step was supposed to give us insight on what needed to be tweaked, added, or changed to take our script to the next level. And now that it's over, all I have to say is WOW. The kids did a phenomenal job in portraying the actors and their personalities, quirks, and insecurities.  Thanks to them - we were able to see what worked and what needs to change. Some people have asked me what comes next. Now - we continue work our script from across the globe with the updated edits.  We Skype and FaceTime to discuss potential changes and put the work in. Once the story progresses the way we envision - we'll hit the film ma...

In seven days, the hard read for my first book is happening! If you've not read any of my earlier blogs, the script for Finding Kylie has been funded for a hard read. Film producer, John Schwab, and I have been trying to get to this stage for a long concentrated time  - but the stars hadn't aligned until recently. A nationally renowned drama department has agreed to work with us to do the hard read so that we may see the fruits of our work on stage versus just on paper.  This will allow us to see what truly works 'off the page' and what needs to be tweaked before talking to investors and hitting the film markets. On the 24th, at 2 p.m. CST, I'll be in a theater with a cast, a set director, and director to watch Finding Kylie dramatically unfold. I've tried not to think about it as I'm not the type to really start getting the jitters until right before an event. To get ramped up days in advance is just going to draw your attention from the present, whic...

We're almost 1/2 way there to our goal!  I wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone, who has supported this kickstarter to date.  In two days, we're half way along.  Granted the goal is very minimal, but in seeing how many of you have stepped forward to help - I'm humbled and blessed.  Please share this post with as many people as you can, to spread the word. Click this link - which will take you directly to our kickstarter, where you can read about the project details and back the project..  Please consider giving us a five or two.  Thanks again from John and myself.

Want to win a SIGNED COPY of SAVING GRACE when it releases this summer?? If So — Read Below My goal by the end of July is to have 1,000 likes at my  FaceBook author page , in preparation for the release of SAVING GRACE. To do this – I need YOU to invite your friends to like  my author page .  This is given the fact that you have your own Facebook account.  (If not, set yours up today!) Some may not know how to invite others to a page, so let me step you through it. There are 2 simple steps: 1) Once you go to my  author page , you’ll see a button, below my author profile pic, that says ‘invite your friends to this Page’. (see below?) Click on the button that looks like the one below! 2) Next, your friend's list will pop up, where you can click the button INVITE next to their name. This will invite them to like the page. WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU?  Send your friends a message, letting them know about your desire to...

I met Will Wilson this past summer when I found his page on Facebook for his Indie Book Show . His show centers around up and coming Indie Authors, such as myself and numerous others.  It was an honor to be his guest on his weekly BlogTalkRadio show this past Friday. For anyone that cares to, I'm posting the link here  for your listening enjoyment.  He asks some insightful questions, but be warned as I was having some allergy and breathing problems.  Please excuse me when I sound out of breath. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/indiebooks/2014/11/14/indie-books-show-61

This weekend was the launch for COMING HOME, and I'm still reeling from the number of people that came in from all over the country.  There were people from California, Kansas, Texas, and of course... Oklahoma. Although it was the launch for COMING HOME, I also had my other books for sale.  Finding Kylie has been re-released with a new cover, it was also a highlight of the day. For a few hours, it was non-stop traffic, with about one-hundred and forthy in attendance. The Shave Ice stand and the Egg Roll truck I had on-site were also a plus.  From the free appetizers to door prizes - customers were lining up in support of my big day. After I signed each book, I slipped out from my table for a picture with each new reader.  Here are a few for your enjoyment. Thank you to all of you who drove in for the fun event.  I'm so grateful to you all and blessed by each one of you. I look forward to your reviews coming in.  To...

It's been a very long journey to get my rights back for my first book, Finding Kylie.   I first was published in 2008, by a publisher that will not be named as I'm ready to move on, as it was not a good union due to the fact that I NEVER received a dime in seven years ... not one red cent ...  After checking my mailbox for the contractually required royalty checks, which never came, I finally reached out to which my publisher kept saying 'your check is in the mail.'   By the third time I called to receive the same empty promises - my reply was, "Hmmm. The books I ordered from you seemed to get to my house just fine... so why isn't your check for my royalties?" At that point, I was verbally threatened by the publisher, as I 'hadn't been blogging about her other authors'.  My response was - "The contract I signed did not say one word about blogging about your other authors, and my royalties have nothing to do with it either...

This week has been very productive.  Not only did I get the final cover signed off on - for COMING HOME, but I also got the mock cover finished for the re-release of FINDING KYLIE, which will be available next month as well.  This way - I can have a few copies of FINDING KYLIE available at my book launch party for COMING HOME. Speaking of COMING HOME - I woke up today to an email from a writer, who gave a very positive review. It was published in Blogcritics magazine and the Seattle pi. You can see Blogcritics review  here and the Seattle pi review  here  -- but if you don't want to read the whole thing, then let me post the best part for your convenience: " Coming Home   is really about Anne and her ability to come to terms with the things that have shaped her past: the death of her parents, the inability to live in the elite world of her grandparents, the failed relationships, and, most of all, the alienation of her little sister Grace. But...

Loving meeting new contacts, and hearing the speakers.  At #OWFI14 right now, and some sessions are standing room only.

So in the last four years, I've been involved in two writing projects - co-writing the screenplay of Finding Kylie, and the sequel, Facing Redemption. To keep up to date with any of my current events, it's best to check here on my FB page . Currently, my writing partner, film producer, John Schwab, is currently casting for the hard read of Finding Kylie.  Let me explain what a hard read is so there's no confusion... Although the script is in front of some influential filmmakers, it is not sold... yet.  A hard read is just as is sounds. We're casting actors to read the script for our own purposes, to make sure the story does what we feel it will do - not just on paper but fleshed out with real people. So when I say we're casting for the hard read - this will be for our purposes only. Call it a learning curve to see if the script lives up to the potential we know it has.  Since John lives in the UK, I will skype in for the hard read, which he will also t...

During the process of writing 'Finding Kylie' I got a lot of rejection letters.  No one wants to look at you unless you're a well-known name.  No one wants to read anything you send no matter if it's in the correct format or not.  So you jump through hoops to keep submitting in the perfect forms per each agency or pub house, and in the end, you get a form letter telling you 'Even though you've got a great talent - you're just not right for our organization.' Translation? I didn't even look at what you sent, but I did file it in the trash ... right after my assistant looked at the return address to be able to address this form letter. I was encouraged at each rejection letter - as that meant that was one more time I was closer to my yes .  I've saved each one.  So that when I have my own name in the industry, I can politely write them back and say thank you for the amazing encouragement.  And I mean that last statement with utmost sincerity!...

I, for one, love the smell of a real book. I love the way it feels, and how the pages turn. And some days I just sit and look at my bookshelf, in love with the way they look lined up in order. Everything from the cover design to the layout inside is appealing to me. However, in this new digital age, I have to say that I'm very intrigued by having Kindle. They are the same size to read as a real book. It's as if the pages are just scanned and inserted inside. Even though I will still be a book lover at heart, I love how easy it is to just download a book and read in an instant. Finding Kylie, my book, is also available on Kindle. I would encourage any of you to try out this amazing technology. Most smartphones or iPhones even have a Kindle app that allows you to download. For those of you, who don't have time to go to a bookstore - download my book and let me know what you think.

So I haven't posted since October ... wow! I guess blogging has gone to the wayside with all the projects and work I've been doing. But since Oklahoma has been frozen by a blizzard, I thought I'd take a few seconds to communicate to any of you out there, who still read this little blog. Lots of things have happened in three months. A few for starters: * I was asked to become an asst. manager at my work - so that took me from part-time to full time. (hence no blogging) * My own photography company picked up like crazy. (hence no blogging) * more author events to promote the book (still no time for blogging) * Christmas enveloped our schedule, rushing through the few hours I did have. When I wasn't working or with family, I had to get any shopping done which became non-existent in December. Once December started, my hours changed to accommodate all other shoppers, which left me closing my store at 11 pm and home by midnight. So my husband had the fun chor...

In a tough economy, it's hard to sell anything that's not needed. To me, the one thing needed is a good story to take you away from any stress you may have currently in your own life! But it's clear I'm not normal...and not everyone is a reader. At this point, I'm still waiting to know how many copies of Finding Kylie have sold, but I know it's making somewhat of a ripple. I get too many emails from random people, who I have no ties to for it not to have made an impact. Days like these are well worth the wait when I get a wonderful comment from a random stranger sent to me via Facebook or email: Pj Blevins- I just finished your book and it is spectacular. I love books that make me cry! I can so emphasize with Chastity in losing her Mother as I lost mine a year ago. Can't wait to see what happens to her in your next book. Hope it comes out soon. Thank you miss PJ - whoever you are...where ever you are. You and those like you, who take this book to...

I'm getting a lot of creative and funny pictures submitted for my picture challenge I submitted a couple weeks ago. It's amazing to see what my blogger buddies and readers are coming up with. I think the coolest aspect of putting a book out there is the response you receive from readers, who are completely touched and in awe of what you wrote. Now that may change if I started getting a backlash of some sort (knock on wood that I don't). BUT the comments and reviews have humbled me and completely made this process worthwhile. What's amazing me most are the comments or reviews from men! I don't necessarily consider Finding Kylie chick-lit, but I knew it would be catered more toward the female demographic. Little did I know that men of all ages, as there have been some in their eighties and twenties, have thoroughly enjoyed this story too. One of the more recent reviews, from a guy no less, I'll post here. I copied this from Amazon and pasted below:...

I wanted to apologize if it's seemed my posts have been slim lately, but I've had so many things going on in my real life that it's left me with little to no time. Lately, life hasn't been spent enough with my friends and family as much as I'd like, as I think we all tend to hibernate in the winter. Once Spring hits, we'll all be out and about again ( like this picture), life has definitely kept me on my toes. I've been contacted by a production company in London to work with them on some projects, so my mind and time have been very full. The sequel for Finding Kylie is still on, but I'm splitting my time between the two projects. This week I'm speaking at my old University as an 'author' and am not sure I'll have anything interesting to say, but when asked to do these things...you do so wholeheartedly. Next week, I'm driving to Tulsa for the FOX morning show for an interview. They contacted me last week, and it's an h...

The sequel to Finding Kylie is called Facing Redemption. I'm twelve chapters in and am so ready to finish. When writing Finding Kylie, I would dream of different scenes or character traits and wake up, knowing what direction I needed to head with my next chapter. So far with this book, I've not dreamt as much at night but can't stop daydreaming. I need to pull my head out of the clouds and focus on my own life a little more. Lately, it seems all I eat, drink, and sometimes sleep is this sequel. I think mostly because every time I turn around I've been getting emails, phone calls, and questions from readers of 'Finding Kylie' wanting to know 'when the next book will be out.' It's exciting to know they've fallen in love with my characters so much that they're chomping at the bit to have closure on some of the things I've left open-ended with the first book. It means I'm making a difference with my writing. I've impacted ...

I got a really sweet voice mail today from a former co-worker and friend, named Kim. I just had to post it for you all to hear. When I heard her crying at first, I thought something was really wrong and it scared me. Then I listened to the rest of the message and felt so honored at her reaction. Give it a listen! If you've not read the book yet, you can click on my book button on the sidebar of this blog. Scroll down a little and click on the book cover of 'Finding Kylie'! I look forward to your reviews too!