This Is It

Here we are, another year is almost over. 2012 is coming to a close and 2013 is knocking at the door.

For me, the week between Christmas and New Year has always been a time to reflect on the past year and think about making resolutions for the New Year. To look back at all I have accomplished and to plan for all the things I hope for yet.

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called
Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day." - Edith Lovejoy Pierce, Poet, B. 1904

The end of the year can be a stressful time for many people. Because we’re spending so much time thinking about making resolutions and what we’ve accomplished, sometimes people can’t help but think on all the things they’re behind on too.

How Christmas Anticipation Should Be Utilized in Writing

Christmas is one day of the year that can evoke strong imagery in the minds of many people.

Usually, the portrait is similar in everyone’s minds and contains some variation of the following: white, wintery wonderland-type scenery; trees decked out in sparkles and lights; carols being sung; time with family; bright bows and boxes wrapped in colored paper.

There’s also a feeling that is pretty universal. It’s what keeps people looking forward to this time of the year all year long.

Anticipation.

You know what I’m talking about. It’s waiting for Christmas morning to finally get here, to rip into those gifts that have been protected by the branches of that evergreen tree…until that moment. Then there’s the excitement of what will be found beneath those ribbons and bows, veiled by the wrapping paper. We can’t help but let our imaginations run wild with what we hope may be beneath that paper.

Author Interview with Felicia Tatum

Some people labor for years, trying to capture their book on paper. But for newly published author Felicia Tatum, it took less than a year to dream up an idea (literally!), write, edit, and publish.  

The Twitterspher introduced Felicia and I earlier this year and I was able to watch, through social media, as she rediscovered her passion for writing and traveled along her self-publishing journey. I’ve seen her go through an emotional roller coaster, from the joys of story creation to the frustrations of editing.

On November 30th, Felicia debuted her first novel THE WHITE AURA and I’m excited to share an interview with her about this amazing journey to publication.

Me: Hey Felicia! Thank you so much for coming to my blog today! I’m excited to get to help share your story of publishing your first book. This has to be an exciting time for you!

 

Felicia Tatum: Hi, Amanda! Thanks for having me. It is such an exciting time :) I'm on cloud nine!

The Very Inspiring Blog Award

First off this week, thank you so much to fellow writer and blogger EM Castellan for nominating me for the Very Inspiring Blog Award! EM is a very inspiring person herself. She is currently seeking representation for her YA High Fantasy The Last Queen. I’ve had the pleasure of beta reading some of her work and, let me just say, it is good.

Keep an eye on this writer, folks.

Anyway, as part of accepting this award, I need to share seven things about myself. So, without further ado, here I am:

1)    If you’ve followed my blog for a while (or ever read any of my ‘About Me’ page) you’ll know that I was homeschooled and that I grew up on a farm. It’s a life that I wouldn’t trade for anything.