New Horizons.

“We all have possibilities we don’t know about. We can do things we don’t even dream we can do.”
~Dale Carnegie

So … I meant to post last week, truly, I did. But then I got derailed – by a book people have been raving about for over a year, by a story so compelling it was impossible to stop reading, by characters so full of courage and heart that you can’t help being inspired by their journey. If you’ve seen my twitter commentary lately, you’ll know that I’m talking about THE HUNGER GAMES. Nearly every minute that wasn’t spent working was spent flying through this novel. I may or may not have even entertained the idea of reading a few pages while out to lunch on Friday, as we were waiting for our meal to arrive. That would’ve been totally normal and acceptable, right? After starting CATCHING FIRE yesterday, it’s already obvious that it’s going to be every bit as addicting. It’s a true talent to hook readers from the first page, but Suzanne Collins accomplishes that with ease. She makes it seem effortless.

My enthusiastic reaction to these books (seriously – if you haven’t read them yet, do yourself a favor and jump into the world of Katniss, Peeta, Gale, and the others) has been met with surprise by some people. First, those who can’t believe it’s taken me this long to discover them. Second, those who can’t believe I’d actually enjoy a story like the one Suzanne paints in this trilogy. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting to, not in the slightest. It was curiosity that initially drew me in, not a fervent interest in the actual plot. So many people have offered glowing recommendations of these novels – including others who normally trend toward a very different kind of book – that inquisition eventually took over. What is it about this story that captures the imagination and attention of such a plethora of people? What is it that’s so intriguing? How can a tale woven with threads of such violence be enjoyable to read? How can you not cringe at the idea of teenagers dueling to the death while the whole country is forced to watch?

I did cringe. Several times. There were passages I chose to skim quickly and others that made me misty-eyed. Isn’t that the sign of good writing, though? That it makes us feel? That it makes us understand, empathize, ponder, consider? That it transports us into a world the author’s created and makes it seem like we’re there right alongside the characters? Perhaps even more than all of that, though, good writing takes these characters and ties them into our thoughts. Even when I wasn’t reading, I found myself wondering about Katniss. About Peeta. About the main characters, the secondary ones, the minor ones. A week ago, if someone had said that I’d speed through the book and pounce on its follow-up the instant it showed up on my Nook, I’d probably have laughed. Now I am glad, so glad, that I decided to give this story a try. It is so far from the genres I normally read that it wasn’t even on my radar for a long time. But just as we’re always looking for ways to stretch ourselves as writers, we should do the same as readers. We should be open to possibilities, because that’s when possibilities open themselves up to us.

It’s funny how life and serendipity work: I’ve found the exact same lesson shining through to the forefront in my writing the past several days. Friday and Saturday were spent working on the most difficult, emotionally-draining chapter I’ve ever had to write. Breaking my MC’s heart broke mine in the process. Destroying her life was torturous. I’ve known these scenes were coming since the planning stages – have been dreading them and their aftermath for the cast of characters – but I never expected to have such a visceral response to writing them. I literally couldn’t stop shaking afterwards. Yet, at the same time, it was also an awesome experience, because I could feel myself growing as a writer with each word. A few years ago, I never would have dared to write a chapter like that. I wouldn’t have trusted myself to tackle it and I wouldn’t have felt comfortable putting any character, much less one who has become like a friend over the course of three novels, into such distress. But she will be stronger for it. And you know what I learned this week? So am I.

It’s intimidating sometimes, to take the path less traveled and immerse ourselves in the unknown. It’d be so much easier to stick with the familiar. But if we don’t push the boundaries, how can we break them down? How can we reach new horizons? How can we find the possibilities and the dreams that we didn’t even know were burning inside us, just waiting for their sparks to be unleashed? Sometimes stepping beyond the comfort zone is a beautiful thing.

With that said – I’m diving back in to CATCHING FIRE now. There goes the rest of my day…

Some Kind of Wonderful.

“We may not have the storybook ending, but we will have some kind of wonderful. I promise you that.”
~Matt Winters, via Barbara Freethy in Some Kind of Wonderful

I have always been traditional when it comes to reading books – give me one I can hold in my hand, one whose pages I can flip and whose smell (you know, that fresh, delicious new novel smell) can tickle the air as the words tickle my mind. But when I was given a Nook earlier this year, my opinion changed. Why not try this eReader thing? I’m so glad I did, because otherwise, Barbara’s Some Kind of Wonderful may never have found its way into my orbit. And this story is worth reading. The journey is worth going on, right along with the characters … and speaking of those characters, they’re the type who draw you in, who make you ponder, who cause you to feel. If I had to describe this novel in one word, that’s what it’d be: feel. You feel for the characters, all of them. You feel for their struggles, for their decisions, for their challenges and triumphs. You feel all their possibilities and are inspired to imagine the same for yourself.

What would you do if a mother abandoned her baby on your doorstep? That’s the question asked of investigative reporter Matt Winters – and, in turn, of his neighbor, designer and bridal shop owner Caitlyn Devereaux. Ever since a childhood that was rough on a good day, painful and scarring on most, Matt has tried to close the door on his past. But those scars? They may fade, but the bruises remain. And when he realizes that this little sweetheart left for him to take care of isn’t a stranger? That she’s actually his niece, the daughter of his sister Sarah – who he hasn’t seen since they were placed in separate foster care situations over thirteen years before – well, that’s when Matt realizes the past can’t always be shut away. As he enlists Caitlyn’s help to watch over baby Emily, she begins to learn the same lesson. Burying the wounds only makes them hurt worse. With Matt and Emily, though, she lets her wounds start to heal. She lets her soul start to heal.

Together, Matt, Caitlyn, and Emily become their own kind of family. When the baby makes her presence known with a middle-of-the-night screaming fit, they take her up on their apartment building’s roof, steering by the stars. When it becomes clear that Sarah’s not coming back for her daughter, at least not anytime soon, they tackle a baby store, complete with tiny outfits, massive stuffed animals, and all the warm fuzzies that come from buying so much for someone so little. Emily may be tiny, but she quickly fills a large – and important – part of their hearts. As we watch this beautiful love story unfold, not just between Emily and her caretakers, but between those caretakers themselves, we also learn about Sarah. Her life has been difficult, filled with roads she regrets taking and mistakes she’s worried will define her. Through her burgeoning friendship with Reverend Jonathan Mitchell, we discover all she’s gone through – and, in the process, we see the ways in which a mother’s love prevails. It protects, it preserves, it prides.

This is a story about overcoming obstacles. It’s a story about reconciling who you were with who you are – and, most importantly, who you hope to be. The past can be difficult to confront, and when that happens, the future becomes intimidating. Matt’s afraid to put down roots for fear of growing something real and then losing it. Caitlyn’s afraid to let herself love for fear of falling too hard, opening herself up too much, and being unable to have the one thing she wants most dearly in the world. Sarah’s afraid of history repeating itself and making the same mistakes with Emily that own her mother did so many years before. Jonathan’s afraid of being unable to follow in his father’s footsteps, worried that his prints are too small to measure up. But, as their journeys take them down new paths, unchartered ones, they all come to learn a lesson everyone should take to heart: when the sky is darkest, the stars are twinkling extra brightly. And the past? It can’t stop us from creating a beautiful future.

This is a feel-good book. It’s a fairytale come to life. Yes, the timeline is really fast. Yes, the revelations all come at the same time. No, it probably wouldn’t ever happen like that in real life. But that’s what we’re looking for in a great book sometimes – an escape, a joy, a happily-ever-after, the best kind of wonderful.

Tuesday’s Tunes: Valentine’s Edition.

“Mama, you taught me to do the right things,
So now you have to let your baby fly.
You’ve given me everything that I will need,
To make it through this crazy thing called life.”
~Carrie Underwood, “Mama’s Song”

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! Whether you’re celebrating with a husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, little dear heart, or your family and friends, I wish you all a day – and every day – filled with sunshine, smiles, laughter, and love. May your hearts always be overflowing with happiness and may life’s miracles strike a resonant chord. Speaking of which … for today’s Tuesday’s Tunes, I thought it’d be fun to feature two of my favorite love-related songs.

“Save The Last Dance For Me” – Michael Buble: There’s something a little bit magical about this song – maybe it’s the melody, the lyrics, the feel-good vibe that surrounds you as you listen. Maybe it’s all three. Maybe it’s more. Whatever the case, there’s a reason this is played so frequently at weddings. When you find someone who makes you feel like you’re floating, who makes you believe that fairytales aren’t just for storybooks, who better to share the music with, right?

“Mama’s Song” – Carrie Underwood: Love isn’t just about soulmates. It’s about family and friends, about all the people we adore and all the bonds we weave into beautiful tapestries. Carrie’s gorgeous song explores the relationship between a new bride and groom and also the unconditional connection between a mother and daughter. It’s one that many people can’t put into words, but she so eloquently sets it to music. Times change, we all grow up and spread our wings, and through it all, the people we love most want nothing more than for us to fly.

What’s your favorite Valentine’s song?

Know vs. Don’t vs. Want.

“Before you begin to write a sentence, imagine the scene you want to paint with your words. Imagine that you are the character and feel what the character feels. Smell what the character smells, and hear with that character’s ears. For an instant, before you begin to write, see and feel what you want the reader to see and feel.”
~Othello Bach

Last week, I had the pleasure of spending a couple days in New Jersey with my friend Christina, her husband Tom, and their beautiful daughter Jane. It’s hard to believe that sweet baby girl is almost ten months old – she was just born! Where does the time go? She is so full of personality now, so charming, vibrant, and eager to explore every single thing about her world. We read stories (because this honorary aunt couldn’t resist buying her some books!), played out in a fresh coating of snow, walked and walked and walked even more (seriously – how is she old enough now to be able to cruise around only holding on to someone’s hand?), and, my favorite part, shared lots of snuggles. Pretty sure my heart melted when she scooted over, cuddled against my chest, and gave me a kiss. Love, love, love that little honey.

Seeing how she’s blossomed made me think of the baby I wrote about in Dear Ellie. Not having a child of my own yet (oh, but the baby fever!), I did a lot of research for that book about the different milestones, characteristics, and behaviors of infants. It was such fun, and I genuinely loved writing about that little miss and her interactions with the cast of characters. But even as I worked, I couldn’t help wondering sometimes: is this true to form? Having never been in this situation myself, how can I really know how a new mom would react? How an infant would give cues and bond with her parents? It was a dichotomous journey that involved a balance between research, understanding my characters’ personalities, and imagining how/why they would act in certain ways. So whenever I get to spend time with sweet Jane, it’s always interesting to me to see how my fictional Ellie compares.

My conclusion? What every parent already knows: each baby is different. There are similarities, sure, but each little one is their own person. They discover things in their own way, in their own time, and that’s what makes it so special. No two parenting experiences will be the same. No two parenting experiences should be the same. The all-encompassing, high-flying love, though? How your heart opens up in ways you couldn’t understand before, how everything is brighter, deeper, fuller? That seems universal. Even without a baby of my own yet, I get that. All this has me wondering: do we write only what we know, what we’ve experienced and lived? Or do we delve into the unknown and craft stories about things that are unfamiliar, lives that aren’t yet ours?

Personally, I like to incorporate both. With my first manuscript, there was SO MUCH about my main character that I could relate to, and even though I hadn’t ever been in her particular circumstance, her motivations were completely understandable. With my second – and, subsequently, its two sequels – the premise was one I really couldn’t relate to at all, and the main character differed in many ways. Kaitlin can attest to how concerned I was at the outset, worried I wouldn’t be able to do justice to Sofie and her journey. Know what? Writing that book turned out to be one of the most amazing, inspiring experiences of my life. I will forever be grateful that I decided to take a leap of faith and go for it. It’s been more than a year and a half now – two finished manuscripts and one in-progress draft – and the thought of not having this cast of characters take up residence in my head is kinda unfathomable.

Is it helpful to write what we know? Sure. It brings an authenticity to the words, a feeling and emotion that’s inherent. But when we write about what we don’t know, what we want and hope – for our characters and maybe even for ourselves – there’s a magic in that, too. So who says it has to be one or the other? Why not a combination? As much fun as it is to tie-in real-life events in fiction writing, it’s equally enjoyable to create new ones. As much fun as it is for me to set three of my four manuscripts in Atlanta – a city I fell in love with after visiting in 2009 – it was equally enjoyable to make the island of Nantucket, where I’ve never been, an important part of the story, too. As much fun as it is to write what we know, it’s equally enjoyable to explore what our characters know, what they live and what they want. What their dreams, hopes, and ambitions are. And isn’t that what writing’s all about?

Writers – do you gravitate toward what you know, or do you explore different worlds? Readers – do you prefer books that take you on similar journeys to your own life, or ones that transport you somewhere else entirely?

11 Things.

“To dare every day to be irreverent and bold. To dare to preserve the randomness of mind which in children produces strange and wonderful new thoughts and forms. To continually scramble the familiar and bring the old into new juxtaposition.”
~Gordon Webber

After an adrenaline-filled writing week that included one especially frenzied day (flash of inspiration for a scene that doesn’t come into play for another two-hundred pages or so – I never, ever write out of order, but this was positively yelling at me to be told), two new chapters, and a scene yesterday that almost made me cry with happiness for my MC (and with sadness because it’s going to be brutal having to bring her world crashing down), the plan is to actually relax a little this weekend. And what better way than with the “11 Things” survey that’s going around the blogosphere? The lovely Hope and Sylvia both tagged me, and I’m looking forward to answering their questions.

But first, as per the rules, eleven random things about myself:

#1: I am a total early bird – my definition of “sleeping in” on a weekend is 8:30, but truthfully, I’m usually awake somewhere closer to 7:30. In the past fifteen years, there have been less than five times I’ve slept later than 10:00, and those were after events like weddings or concerts.

#2: My nails are always polished. ALWAYS.

#3: My first concert was the Spice Girls, back in 1997. It was before the days of buying tickets online – you had to go to an actual Ticketmaster outlet – so my mom and I camped out in Strawbridges’ parking lot for something like three hours to be at the front of the line. The show sold out in under twenty minutes, and our seats were way up on the second level and across the arena from the stage, but I was beyond excited to be there. And when the group had their reunion tour four years ago? I didn’t think twice about buying third row seats. It was one of the coolest experiences ever.

#4: I purposely set my novels in cities or towns where I’d love to visit or move. It’s such fun to live vicariously through the characters.

#5: There’s a permanent dent on my right shin from an accident five years ago. Being the epitome of grace, I somehow managed to slam right into the plastic sidebar of a suitcase. My skin turned about four different shades of purple, it took weeks before I could walk normally again, and even though the doctor disagreed, I swear it was fractured.

#6: Scarves are my favorite accessory, and my collection of them is a bit out of control.

#7: I never went to summer camp as a child – just wasn’t my cup of tea.

#8: My writing desk is seashore-themed. Along with framed pictures with people who inspire me (family, friends, and my two favorite authors), there’s a lamp with ocean waves and seahorses, a starfish-shaped decorative dish, and a plaque with a seashell and dream quote. Makes me feel like I’m working by the coastline every day.

#9: I have total baby fever and cannot wait to have a little one of my own someday.

#10: I have a phobia of flying and won’t set foot on an airplane. Cars and trains all the way!

#11: Red pandas and polar bears are my absolute favorite animals. The Philadelphia Zoo has a few of them, and they are seriously the cutest ever.

Now on to Hope’s questions:

#1: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? Airplane phobia notwithstanding, I would love, love, love to visit London. There’s something very compelling about it, and it’d be such fun to see all its famous sights and places. Now, if only a cruise company would offer trans-Atlantic trips…

#2: In 5 years you’ll be… 33. By then, I hope to be a published author, happily married, and a Mama. Nothing would make me happier.

#3: Coffee or tea? Gingerbread lattes all the way! I also need to try Starbucks’ White Chocolate Mocha, because it looks D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!

#4: Celebrity crush? Gotta go with my GHers – Brandon Barash and Jason Thompson are the definition of adorable.

#5: Accomplishment you’re most proud of? Having written three novels in the past two years (working on my fourth now!). Writing is a part of my life that feels as natural as breathing, so it’s easy to take it for granted sometimes, but when I stop and think of where it’s taken me, I can’t help feeling a little proud. No matter where this journey goes or what path it takes, those book-babies have changed me for the better.

#6: Favorite food or restaurant? JoJo’s in Ventnor, NJ. So many special memories of family vacations at the shore include that place, and it’s always a treat to go back now.

#7: What is your guilty pleasure? Does it make me totally lame if I can’t think of any?

#8: Tell something you can find in your purse at any given moment. My wallet, car keys, tissue pack, antibacterial hand sanitizer, lipstick, and a mini writing journal.

#9: Favorite Disney movie? 101 Dalmatians. My mom took me when I was a little girl – it was the first movie I ever saw in a theater – and that will always make it special.

#10: Favorite meal of the day? Dinner.

#11: What language do you wish you spoke? I can speak a bit of Hebrew, but I’d love to be fluent in it.

And Sylvia’s:

#1: What was your first job? I was a consultant at Arcadia’s writing center for three and a half years and enjoyed every minute. If we’re talking post-college jobs, it would be a production assistant at WPVI-TV, Philadelphia’s ABC affiliate.

#2: What’s the best place you’ve traveled to? Atlanta! I spent almost a week there during the summer of 2009 and absolutely fell in love with the city. It has a charm and energy that’s indescribable. Fingers crossed for a return trip sometime soon.

#3: What’s your favorite color? Any shade of turquoise, but especially aquamarine.

#4: What’s your most prized possession? Oh boy, this is hard – not sure I can choose only one! All my pictures, an overflowing box of lunch notes that my mom wrote me every day when I was in school, a blanket Gram was making me before the horror of last year, and autographed books from my favorite authors … yep, definitely impossible to narrow it down.

#5: When’s the last time you danced? It’s probably telling that I have no idea, huh?

#6: What time do you wake up in the morning? 7:00-7:30 during the week and 7:30-8:30 on the weekends.

#7: PC or Mac? Currently a PC, but she’s on her last hurrah and I have my heart set on a Mac for the next laptop.

#8: Share your favorite recipe. I don’t have the recipe typed up, but it’s my Gram’s chicken soup. My mom carries on the tradition now, and it’s seriously my all-time favorite food. So good.

#9: What’s the last thing you bought? This! “Believe in magic” and “Tell stories” right next to each other? Could it be any more perfect?

#10: How did you come up with the name of your blog? I actually didn’t. My awesome friend Amanda created the blog for me as part of a Hanukkah gift a few years ago, and she’s the one who titled it that. I owe her a million, because this blog has become a treasured outlet over the years and has introduced me to some wonderful people. Truly, I can’t imagine not writing it now.

#11. What’s your first memory from childhood? Hmm, I don’t know if it was the first, but I remember my parents taking me to Sesame Place when I was three. I was really shy as a child and wouldn’t go up to Big Bird or Cookie Monster for a picture. My mom had to go with me!

Okay, your turn!

#1: What’s your favorite quote?

#2: Who’s your role model and/or mentor?

#3: How many places have you lived, and where is your favorite?

#4: Have you known for years what you want to name your children, or do you believe that you have to see the baby first before deciding?

#5: What’s your dream job?

#6: What’s your favorite book? Why?

#7: Would you ever consider adopting a child?

#8: Have you met any celebrities?

#9: Give me a tour of your ideal home – where is it, what does it look like, who lives there with you?

#10: Have you ever had an experience (or several) that’s truly defined who you are?

#11: If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be?

Tag, you’re it!

* Caitlin @ Bold Choices & Colossal Dreams

* Caryn @ Caryn Caldwell

* Megan @ here i go with all my thoughts

* Kate @ Kate’s Place

* Lauren @ Perfume and Promises

* Sara @ Travel & Tunes

* Erin @ Travel, Eat, Repeat

* Rachel @ Wordstream

* Kristan @ Writing Dreams Into Reality

* Kaitlin @ Creative Writing Major

* Katie @ Yearnings and Learnings

Okay, this may be the LONGEST BLOG POST EVER. It was super fun, though! Link me to your own 11 Things or leave an answer to some of the questions in the comments section!

Tuesday’s Tunes: Playlist Edition.

“So consider this moment
As defining who you are…”
~Jordin Sparks, “The Cure”

Over the past couple years, I’ve talked a lot on here about how interconnected music and writing often are. It’s why I decided to include “Tuesday’s Tunes” as a regular blog feature and why certain songs will forever strike a particularly resonant chord with me. Ever since I was a child, books have been about more than just the words on the page. They’re about the pictures that authors paint with the words, the feelings they evoke, the roller-coaster we go on along with the characters. As a writer, I feel that even more innately. Like I told Kelly Clarkson, I always put together a playlist for each manuscript: songs that inspire the characters’ journeys, explain their mindsets, and help bring to the forefront – in both them and myself – the feelings swirling through their hearts and souls. I am the kind of writer who needs quiet to work (which can be really annoying sometimes!), but I often listen to these songs before or after drafting certain scenes. And, for me, these melodies will forever be linked with my characters. I love that. I love it a lot.

I thought it’d be fun to share some of those songs with you. To post them all would make this ridiculously long, so the following are the main tunes for each manuscript – their lead singles, so to speak.

“The Cure” – Jordin Sparks: This song not only captures the essence of main character Emily’s journey in my first novel, With a Little Bit of Luck, but it especially relates to the book’s climatic scene, where Emily’s life is changed forever. It’s been nearly two years, but I still remember the evening like it was only yesterday: I wrote the scene so quickly my fingers actually hurt, then sat in silence as I played the song, put myself in Emily’s shoes, and let myself feel what she was feeling. It’ll always be my favorite moment from working on that novel.

“I Wonder” – Kellie Pickler: This song aligns so completely with the heart of what my second novel, Reflections of Me, explores. It’s a story of adoption, of learning to be a mother while you come to understand what it truly means to be a daughter, of finding proof that family is about so much more than DNA. When I first began writing this, I was worried about being able to relate to main character Sofie, having never been in her situation. All it took was one listen to this song to feel not only what Kellie felt, but what Sofie did, too. I will forever be grateful for that, because it made me understand her so completely … and made me understand myself better, too.

“Like My Mother Does” – Lauren Alaina: My third novel, Dear Ellie, is a diary of the first seven months of baby Ellie’s life, told from the perspectives of everyone near and dear to her sweet little heart. It’s about balancing acts, first forays into parenthood, realizations that sometimes the past doesn’t want to stay behind, and a whole host of other topics. More than anything else, though, it’s about Sofie and Ellie. It’s about a mother, a daughter, and the bond they’ll forever share – so what better song to head up its playlist than this one?

“Stronger” – Kelly Clarkson: I knew this song would be indicative of my fourth novel even before I began writing it last week. While the specific lyrics don’t apply to Sofie’s situation this time around, the greater meaning couldn’t be more on-key. Sofie’s going to have to deal with a lot in this book, more than she can imagine, and even though I genuinely feel awful about putting her through so much, I know she can handle it. I know it’ll be worth it for her in the end, and I know she’ll fight her way through it with grace. She’ll stand a little taller and be even stronger.

Has a particular song ever inspired a project you’ve worked on or spoken so perfectly to a point in your life?

Writing Roundup.

“We write every day, we fight every day, we think and scheme and dream a little dream every day. Manuscripts pile up in the kitchen sink, run-on sentences dangle around our necks. We plant purple prose in our gardens and snip the adverbs only to thread them in our hair. We write with no guarantees, no certainties, no promises of what might come and we do it anyway. This is who we are.”
~Tahereh Mafi

Ever since starting my new novel on Tuesday, my thought process has bounced back and forth between “writing-is-the-best-thing-ever-how-have-I-gone-without-it-for-six-months-!!!” and “wow, there is so much to figure out with this new story now that I’m putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) … where to begin?” Those two ideas may seem independent of each other, but as I’ve learned over the past several years, nothing with writing is ever an island. Everything’s connected in some way. In this case? The adrenaline-filled, giddy passion that comes from beginning a new manuscript actually makes me determined to be even more organized, even more thorough, even more resolute. In terms of planning and plotting ahead of time, I’ve always fallen somewhere in the middle: I do character sketches and draw up a loose outline, complete with main messages and a sense of beginning-middle-end, but I very much believe in letting the characters lead the way once the story unfolds. It’s amazing how they know their journey better than anyone – including me! – and can whirl it in entirely new directions.

That said, there are two areas that I try to hold control over, and I’m curious if it’s the same for anyone else.

Research: This has been necessary to varying degrees in my different novels – sometimes it’s enough to draw on my own experiences with people and places, sometimes there are specific terms and processes to educate myself on, sometimes I have to trust that even though I haven’t lived through the same situations as my characters, being able to relate to them on an emotional level is just as important. And sometimes, like with my current manuscript, it’s a combination of everything. This book has required more research than any of my previous ones: pregnancy progression, adoption rules and regulations, the speech patterns and development of a three-year-old, and so much more. I devoted two weeks to research before diving in, and even though my hands were itching to type, type, type, it was still a really awesome way to learn so much about so many things. Want to know what happens in the eighth week of pregnancy? I’m your gal. Want to know what happens in a home visit for prospective adoptive couples? I have three pages of notes that can fill you in. Want to know how many words are in a three-year-old’s vocabulary? A four-year-old’s? Take a guess and then I’ll tell you what the experts say. Even with all the research though, only five days into writing the new book, I am sure of this: it is not the same for everyone. Just like real people (that feels strange to say, because after spending a year and a half with these characters, they seem so real to me), our characters are unique. Statistics, benchmarks, and data are a guideline that help shape their experiences, but more than that, they shape them. Pregnancy is not just about how the baby grows physically – it’s also about how the mother grows emotionally. Adoption is not just about which forms have to be filed – it’s also about choosing your family and being the missing piece to each other’s puzzle. Three-year-olds are not just about developmental milestones – they’re also about playing make-believe, kissing away their mamas’ tears, building a castle out of Play-Doh, and accidentally ruining a two-hundred-dollar collector doll by helping her swim in the bathtub. Research is important, but it’s what our characters do with the research that matters most.

Schedule: This is more my curiosity than anything else, but fellow writers, I’m wondering what your work schedule is like. With my first manuscript, I’d work for four days straight, then take a day off to plot the next few chapters, then jump back into writing. With my second manuscript, I literally wrote every single morning that it was humanly possible. That book was the best and most magical writing experience I’ve ever had, and it was seriously an effort to pry myself away from the computer. In the two months it took me to do the first draft, I skipped writing only two days – when we left for our shore vacation and when we came home. Even while we were at the beach, I woke up with the sun to squeeze in writing time while everyone was asleep. With my third manuscript, I worked Monday – Friday and gave myself the weekends to plan, send out queries for the previous book, and (occasionally) take a break. Now, with the fourth manuscript, I find myself using a different approach yet again. It generally takes me two days to write a chapter (sidenote: it was so strange at first, going back to regular chapter format after writing the previous book completely in diary-style), so the plan is to write for six days, take two days off for planning, lots of querying, and time to (maybe) relax, and then leap back in again. It’s funny – and really interesting – to me to consider how different the scheduling has gone for each story. It’s fitting, though, I think, because the writing process is never the same. Each manuscript is special in its own way; each spins its own web. I learn so much from each one and I’m glad that they’ve all taught me different things. It’s exciting and invigorating.

Perhaps this quote by Walter Benjamin best sums it up: “Work on a good piece of writing proceeds on three levels: a musical one, where it is composed; an architectural one, where it is constructed; and finally, a textile one, where it is woven.”

Here’s to striking resonant chords, building sturdy foundations, and weaving beautiful tapestries.

Blank Page.

“Whatever you do or dream you can do – begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it.”
~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

GUESS WHO WROTE THE FIRST CHAPTER OF HER NEW BOOK THIS MORNING?

If your answer involves someone who is so seriously overjoyed about this new beginning that she feels the need to shout about it in all capital letters, then you’d be correct. I am so, so, sooooo excited, y’all. After spending the better part of the past two weeks researching, brainstorming, and plotting out plans for the new manuscript – which will be the third and (likely) final story about Sofie’s journey – today was finally the day I’ve been looking forward to for forever. Okay, actually it’s been more like six months, but when writing is akin to a heartbeat for you, half a year feels so very much longer.

So sitting down at the computer this morning? Skimming the last pages of this manuscript’s prequel, shuffling through my writing journal, mulling over the (tentative) ending I decided on for the new book yesterday? It made me want to dance a jig. And opening up a new Word document, staring at the blank page and letting myself be inspired by all the possibilities that can fill it? It may or may not have made me actually clap in glee. After almost a year and a half with these characters – spanning two novels, over six hundred pages, and countless moments in their lives – they have become like friends to me. They’ve become, in a way, my family. I am so excited to go along on this next journey of theirs, to be part of their ups and downs, their setbacks and successes, their tears and triumphs. It honestly fills me up in a way words cannot describe.

This is why I write. Sure, it will always be my dream and my active goal to have my books published, and to that end, I’m still on the query trail and still adding to my agent database all the time. But when it comes down to it, this is why I fell in love with the craft. It’s feeling so energized, so invigorated, that you jump out of bed while the morning air is still quiet, unable to wait even a few minutes longer to dive back into your characters’ world. It’s feeling pride in your heart as you watch them grow. It’s feeling that constant pull towards them, even when you’re technically not supposed to be working anymore. It’s feeling so lucky because that work … well, it’s not really work at all. It’s a work of heart. It’s magic.

Will the love affair ever fade as the days and weeks go by? Will the whimsy I’m swept up in now spin in a different direction? I think it’s impossible to feel that unadulterated joy all the time – writing is a challenging craft for everyone, and that’s a good thing, because it keeps us pushing ourselves further, higher, deeper. Sure, there’ll be days when the words don’t flow easily. There’ll be roadblocks that seem to throw the story off-course and questions along the way. Mine for today: which format should the new manuscript take? My first two were written in first-person, present tense. My third was written in a combination of first and second person, past tense (aka: diary style). And while the game plan for the new novel was to return to present tense, I found myself slipping back into past as I was writing this morning. It may be force of habit or maybe something is telling me that this is the way the story should be told. I’m still not certain, but I’m excited to see what happens. Fellow writers: do you have a format preference?

Going back to that love affair – yes, the light will dim every now and then. That’s only natural. But more often that not – and, as was the case with the first two books in Sofie’s story – that glimmer will be there, shimmering with a bold, bright glow. For me, that’s what writing is. It’s filling those blank pages with part of my heart and soul, and, more importantly, parts of my characters’ hearts and souls. And to know I get to do that all over again now? To have this new beginning that’s so full of hope?

No wonder I feel like dancing.

Tuesday’s Tunes: The Stronger Tour.

“This is not my surrender
I’m not runnin’ for cover
I’m right here
I know you see me
But your words no longer defeat me…”
~Kelly Clarkson, “The War Is Over”

Warning: this post will contain excessive excitement, enthusiasm, elation, and, yes, exclamation points. Because Sunday? It was the BEST. DAY. EVER.

We headed down to Atlantic City around noon and then proceeded to stalk (erm … visit) the Taj Mahal box office for our Meet & Greet passes. First we were told they’d be there at 3:30, then 5:00, then 5:30, then … well, you get the picture. They weren’t brought down until nearly 6:00, but that’s okay because while we were waiting, we got to listen to Kelly’s soundcheck. The doors were closed, but it was still really awesome to hear her and the band practicing – especially because one of the songs was a new addition to the setlist and something we hadn’t heard her perform live before! The passes arrived shortly thereafter, and to say we were thrilled is probably the understatement of the year. Decade. Century. How did we show that? By taking a zillion pictures with our passes, of course.

Our instructions told us to meet by stage right at 7:30 – when the opening act started – but we got there fifteen minutes early, just in case, and were met by the head of Kelly’s security, who checked our passes and separated us according to group. I love that they save the fanclub meet and greet for last because it means you get more time with Kelly. They took us backstage (literally behind the stage – we saw the dressing rooms, catering, band area – SO NEAT!) and Kelly’s security head explained how things would go. Everyone with RCA passes would see Kelly first, then the radio winners, and then us … which meant lots of nervous and excited chatter as we (im)patiently waited our turn. It’s funny: we’ve known for a week – some of us longer – that we had the passes, so you’d think that would be enough time to process it, but standing backstage was still so surreal. It’s like we were floating in a bubble of happiness and the air around us was just fizzing with energy and adrenaline.

I was the first of our group of six to talk with Kelly. I made myself a notecard again, complete with a reminder to actually tell her my name this time (go on and laugh!), but I was (slightly) calmer than the first time four and a half years ago so I decided not to use it … and then forgot to say my name AGAIN. Oops? That’s alright, because I said everything else I wanted to. Before I even got over to her – as soon as she was finished with the person in front of me, actually – she smiled and called over, “Ooh, I love your sweater!” That almost made us all crack up, because I seriously made myself nuts trying to find the perfect outfit. I went to four different stores, had five different possibilities, and didn’t decide until about an hour before we left. Boy, am I super glad I chose that one!! :) I thanked her, she hugged me, and as she pulled back I was instantly struck by how intense and expressive her eyes are. I remember that from before, too – she holds your gaze the entire time you’re talking with her and you can just tell she truly, genuinely cares. She doesn’t do the M&Gs because she has to; she does them because she wants to, honestly and sincerely. The first thing I told her was that I’m a writer and how I build a soundtrack/playlist (though I’m almost certain I got flustered with her two inches away and called it a setlist, but whatever – she knew what I meant) for each book, and that for the one I’m starting now, the main song on that list is her new one, “Stronger.” As soon as she heard about me being a writer, she said “Oh my God, that’s so cool!” and she broke into this huge smile when I mentioned her song being the inspiration for my characters and their upcoming journey. She said that it’s one of her favorite songs and totally empowering to sing – and I know there was something else she said, too, but it is SUCH a blur when you’re up there with her that I cannot for the life of me remember what it is.

The other important thing I wanted to tell her … well, it was more of a thank you than anything, for her song “The Sun Will Rise.” I told her that it was one of the only things that brought true comfort and peace to me after our family went through such a horrible time last year. I swear, I’ll never, ever, ever forget the look on her face – and in her eyes – when I told her what happened with Gram. There was such empathy there as she said she was so sorry, and Mary Kate said she looked really touched by what I’d said. How many celebrities do you find who so fervently and compassionately care about their fans like that? It was just very, very sweet and very, very special. She told me that they were going to sing TSWR that night, but had replaced it with a different one for the acoustic set. We took our picture next – I asked for a hugging one, she said “sure!” and grabbed me – and before it was time to leave, she called out this loud “good luck with your writing!” SO UNBELIEVABLY COOL and something I’ll remember always. And our picture? It is definitely getting framed and hung up immediately!!!!

Marissa was next to meet her, then Sara, Mary Kate, Julie, and Daniel. It was so wonderful to watch them all with her, especially everyone who was meeting her for the first time and having their dream come true. The joy was truly palpable and there are no words to express how elated I am for them that they finally got to have this experience. Seeing them with Kelly made my heart so happy. Seeing all my fabulous friends with her did.

I think the best way I can describe meeting and talking to her is that it feels like a bear hug. Like Mary Kate was saying yesterday – when you’re with her, she makes you feel like you’re the only person she cares about at that time. It’s a really special, genuine quality – and she is so humble and down-to-earth. Marissa, Sara, and Mary Kate talked to her about dancing, teaching, and delivering babies, and her response was “Man … writers, teachers, dancers, nurses … y’all are talented! All I do is sing!” She meant it, too. She’s just so gracious and personable, always treating her fans like friends. And, honestly, I believe that’s how she views everyone. The gratitude and appreciation goes both ways, and that sets her apart from so many others.

As soon as we got back to the arena, we shared a group hug and bounced around in excitement. To be blessed enough to share the M&G experience together was and will forever be such a gift. And the concert! It was FABULOUS, a celebration of her ten-year career (looking forward to the next ten!) that included lots of songs from every album. She even did a song in the audience right from the row behind us! She is so personable and spunky – stopping to chat with people in the audience and teasing the spotlight guy who couldn’t seem to find her for half the show – and she seriously has SO much energy, it’s crazy. I can’t get over how she can sing while twirling, spinning, jumping, and bouncing everywhere. As for us … we danced/jumped/sang so much that we left the casino barely able to walk or speak. Oops? Such a truly fantastic time, though, and I loved getting to experience it together with my family and friends. It made it so very special.

This week’s Tuesday’s Tunes? Concert videos, of course!

“I Forgive You”:

“The War Is Over”:

It’s no secret that Kelly’s been a gigantic inspiration to me for years, and I will be forever grateful for having the opportunity to talk with her again. She’s such a special person, one who truly makes the world better for being in it, and there really are no words for how very much Sunday meant. To be able to thank her for her music, to explain what a chord it strikes, how deep an impact it has, and how strongly it helps give us faith when we need it the most … and to see her reaction to my writing … and just to have a conversation with each other, to be reminded yet again of how graciously and whole-heartedly she cares about her fans, it was truly a treasure to cherish. It was a ray of sunshine, a cloud nine to settle on, and a starburst of hope. It resounded. It resonated. Kelly’s heart is as big as her talent, and we are the luckiest ever to have gotten to experience it again. Some people wait a lifetime for a moment like that.

Why this week rocks:

“Happiness always looks small while you hold it in your hands, but let it go, and you learn at once how big and precious it is.”
~Maxim Gorky

When your week begins like this, it’s not exactly a ringing endorsement for how the next seven days will play out. Luckily, a trip to the Apple store + the return of my multi-colored planning pens + some really exciting news has done more than enough to balance out the computer troubles. So, you may ask, why does this week rock?

Reason #1: Seeing the MacBook Pro in person and getting to explore its features? Made me want to buy one instantly. Despite the insanity of the Apple store (wow, do they need a space that’s double the size), the employees were all so friendly and helpful, and beyond that, the computers are just … awesome. If only I were a millionaire, I’d have snapped one up in a nanosecond. But since that’s not the case, I’m now weighing the OMGIWANTTHISLAPTOP voice in my head with the one that reminds me how much more affordable and reasonable a PC would be. Only … we can’t be reasonable all the time, right?

Reason #2: Who has a Meet & Greet pass for Kelly Clarkson’s concert this Sunday? ME!! I’m so excited I can’t stand it, so I can only imagine how giddy this weekend will be. And even better – my sister and friends have passes, too. To say I’m thrilled for them to meet Kelly for the first time is an understatement. Sharing the news with everyone yesterday was such fun. Is there anything better in this world than being able to make other people happy? I think not. I truly cannot wait to share this experience with them, and of course to talk with Kelly again. She has been such an inspiration over the years and I’m already planning what all I want to tell her this time. Here’s hoping I don’t ramble on for so long that she has to interrupt to ask my name like she did back in 2007. Ha. Really, though, when Kelly Clarkson is the one you’re embarrassing yourself in front of, it’s all good. All great. All SO FANTASTIC THAT YOU WANT TO JUMP UP AND DOWN!! Is it Sunday yet?!

Reason #3: Most people dislike Monday mornings. This week, I was looking forward to it more than words can express. Why, you may ask? Because I FINALLY got to start working on my new novel! Okay, okay, it’s only been six months since I finished writing the first draft of the previous one, but when writing fills you up like nothing else can, six months feels like an eternity. For as awesome a process as editing turned out to be, nothing – nothing – can compare to the adrenaline and hope of beginning a new manuscript. It’s like a new journey just waiting to unfold. A new adventure just waiting to envelop you in its grasp. A new baby just waiting to be born. Sitting down at my desk, swirling out my multi-colored pens like a rainbow of inspiration, it made this pure, innate joy swell inside. Getting started on character sketches, loose outlines, and research? I know it’s work – and challenging work at that – but my goodness, it feels like such a ray of light. There’s so much faith, so much belief, so much love at this stage of the game. And yes, the characters may be like old friends to me by this point, but their story is constantly spinning and creating new threads in their tapestry. So excited to see what they weave.

How has your week been going? Tell me one reason why it rocks!