Monday, March 31, 2014

The Author-Mom Chronicles #1 - What it is...

Like I need one more distraction to add to my life. But here it is... said distraction.

I am going to start a regularly occurring "column" here on my author blog called, The Author-Mom Chronicles. Mostly because I just need to have things in writing to process them and writing in a journal takes too much time.

*And also because I thought it might be a welcome distraction for other authors, regardless of where they are on this writer journey, who just want to see that they're not the only ones pulling their hair out during the day when no one is home to see it...or some of you might do it with an audience like I do.

So, here's the VERY FIRST installment of The Author-Mom Chronicles...enjoy!
(dammit, I wish I didn't have to go back and fix so many typos)

Today starts a few new additions to my work day/work week.
I am going to start adding exercise to my daily routine. I've done this off and on and been at a variety of levels of go-get-em but over the last 6 or 7 years I have lost all interest in doing anything active. I chase my youngest, I'm up at 6:30 playing hockey, basketball, catch, soccer in my driveway most mornings but as far as doing exercise for MOI, that hasn't happened in a long time.

Typically, after I get my kiddos all off to school, I have three of those kinds of people (ages 16, 15, 8), I sit down on the couch and do some social media stuff...I wish I could say that it is connected to the marketing of my "brand" but it is not...it is mindless surfing for the sole purpose of looking into the lives of over 4,000 people on my facebook friends lists. Then I move onto Twitter, Instagram & Pinterest to waste more time. I justify doing this as my "down time" after what is typically a chaotic morning with an 8 year old who has been my biggest challenge in life...well, probably not, but he's a challenge.

So, I added MyFitnessPal to my many apps on my iPhone and today I started a diet...something else I haven't done in years. Mostly because I'm vegetarian, sometimes more vegan and mostly gluten free when I feel like it and I take meds for anxiety and depression which has a weight loss side effect. But, apparently eating 1/2 a bag of peanut M&Ms, a grilled cheese (on my non-vegan days), a bag of chips and a whole lot of diet pepsi sort of counteracts that weight loss thing. Shit.

I have my first BIG signing June 7th in Philadelphia and I wanna be HOT. Yeah, it's shallow but I have always had body image issues...I won't bore you with the deep-seeded issues that come from career dieter parents but I'm one of those girls who always hates the way she looks in pictures. Except at the height of my fight with Bulimia...then I loved the way I looked...for the most part. But that eating disorder thing takes way more energy than I was willing to put out for a long period of time so it was simply a years worth of dabbling with the evil ED (eating disorder).

So, today I started a new friendship with MyFitnessPal and I guess it's worth a shot at convincing myself to put it all out there in the name of accountability.
(I say "So..." a lot)

Instead of getting the kids on their buses and then chilling on the couch as though I deserve some "veg" time, I'm going to lace up my sneakers and take the dog for a walk. I might mix it up a bit on rainy days with some cool strength training ideas I find on Pinterest (which I will search for during another one of my well-deserved veg moments time specifically carved out for returning phone calls & emails, making appointments, etc.

So, there you go. (I said "So," again)
I'm far from perfect at this anal schedule thing but I have a husband who should have a degree in Anal Retentive Behavior...he clips his nails every Monday...I kid you not. We've been married for 20 years and every Monday I can expect the clip-clip sound coming from the bathroom as he gets himself ready for work. But, the man has never overdrawn a bank account, forgotten an appointment, gained excess weight, stopped exercising, or lost his marbles. I've spent the last 20 years being jealous of all he can do and keep in his mind at one time...I figure it's time for me to try this gig.

Kids on bus
Walk dog/exersize
Blog abt my life as an Author-Mom
Write novels
Kids off bus
Remember all the appointments I forgot to make, things I didn't pick up from the grocery store, people I never called/emailed back, tickets I didn't buy, permissions slips I forgot to sign
Be Mom Taxi
Make dinner
Fall into bed with my perfectly anal husband

Yep, sounds about right.
Now, stop your yapping and let me get off here...I have a novel to write!
(disclaimer: these posts will never be proofread)

Monday, March 24, 2014

Above the Noise is on Goodreads





Alright, peeps! You can now head over to GOODREADS and put Calon on your TBR shelf!! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21539688-above-the-noise

The In Too Deep series is very close to my heart. Not only is it because I, myself, was also in an emotionally abusive relationship like Gracie but it's my debut series!

I hope you'll enjoy all the hype that is coming your way for Above the Noise...book 3 of the In Too Deep series. I'm pretty excited!

So, here's the synopsis of Calon & Becki's story that only took me 900 years to perfect...and I'll probably still change it around from time to time.

But first, a picture...

 
“What’s here…” Calon patted his chest, “Becki, what’s here is bigger than anything I’ve ever felt. And it’s clear to me now that finding Gracie was proof there is something bigger than me orchestrating my steps so you would cross my path.”

Becki Mowry’s journalism expertise keeps her busy as she spends her waking hours filling a calendar with gigs and public appearances for up and coming band, Alternate Tragedy. Radio interviews and TV spots result in sold out concerts and rowdy groupies hot for her lead singer boyfriend, Calon Ridge. But, as fame would have it, their time in the limelight also brings ulterior motives and false accusations. The rug is pulled out from under the band when they must make a decision they never dreamed they’d be faced with.

In this third book of the In Too Deep series, Becki and Calon struggle to find balance as they navigate their intense relationship while living amid the rock world’s nocturnal chaos. When life’s unexpected obstacles come out of nowhere, they focus on finding their own private solace Above the Noise.

NOW GO!
Add Calon to your TBR shelf! You won't be sorry. This is one rock star you won't forget anytime soon.