I'm Back!
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| Conner, Cole, Carter, Caleb, Chad, and me |
That's the family and me (I'm the girl with her eyes closed). That shot was taken by some nice lady who offered to snap our pic as we were saying farewell to our beloved sand and surf. I agreed, though I was in my comfy travel home wear, no make up, and my hair was styled by wind ad humidity.
And yes, we are very white for having just spent two weeks surf side. It's called factor 70 and this cancer phobe bathes the family in it.
So, let's catch up real quick....
My mom married her online boyfriend, Frank. My friends have gotten a great lot of fun teasing me about coming from a "broken home" and joining the world of step parents and step brothers and sisters- do I have some? Uh yeah, but not sure how many! Never asked. Anyhow. Frank seems nice. He didn't come off the plane carrying an ax to chop my mother up, so it was all good.
Bella's Point got a new release date, moved from July 1st to July 15th. I'm planning a blog challenge (no Gary, I won't call it a hop, just so you don't hate me!!) to celebrate the release, but I'll tell you more about that next week. Still getting my ducks in their little rows, making sure they have all their feathers in order before I let you know the deets.
**A very special thanks to Mark Koopmans for stepping in for me while I was away. If you didn't catch his Fairy Fails, you need read them now HERE!
Misha Gericke and Beth Fred host a monthly blog hop that's meant to support each other and keep ourselves looking forward and staying on track.
The last Friday of each month, tell the hop members how you've done- like a Weight Watchers weigh in. Time to put the cookies down and tell us how well you've done.
1. Decide what to do to launch Bella's Point...suggestions in the comments is greatly appreciated ;)
I get a check for this one! I do have a plan...now to plan the plan!!
2. Get Bella edited...remind editor to edit...just joking. He's a pro, he'll remember.
Okay, so this is sort of funny...checked in with my editor and time had gotten away from him. He was in the middle of a move, with young kids and a toddler...so, release date is pushed back two weeks. Better done well than done quickly.
3. Get ready for vacation. Two weeks at the beach!!! Woot woot. Might even beg Dixie Browning (my retired novel writing hero) to get a picture with me.
I didn't bug the lady. I kept wanting to, but totally chickened out. Maybe next year....
4. Do some promos for Past Due while on the Outer Banks and while it is on sale.
I get another check!! Sold 16 paperback copies while on the island, placed rack cards at stores and rest stops, and kept looking for places to advertise my 0.99 sale.
*Please pause a moment for more shameless self-promotion. For those of you who got it- THANK YOU!!!
For those who haven't...what are you waiting for? ;)
Buy it HERE!
5. Add some exercise to my life. Graduation pics glaringly prove that my eight hour days on the computer are catching up with me!! I am naturally sedentary, so this will be a challenge!
Score half a point for me. Being active at the beach is so easy and felt so good. Now that I am back home? Well, we'll see how next week goes.
6. Break down the plot of Defying Reason. Must do this to make sure the story makes sense and every character has an arc (is that what you call a beginning and an ending?)
It's stewing in my brain. Made some notes...think I am headed in the right direction.
7. Start thinking about what to do on Cherries, the collab with that-Tammy Theriault. I am the weakest link here. I can't wrap my brain around a story until it starts to paint a plot picture in head and so far, this story looks a bit like a Picasso. But it's a great premise with such wonderful promise, so I have to start thinking it out.
Still a fail. Sigh.
For July:
1. Launch Bella's Point
2. Stay sane
3. Move more
4. Start polishing up Flip My Heart
5. Draft out new story in my head and find a title, right now going with Swept Away
I get a check for this one! I do have a plan...now to plan the plan!!
2. Get Bella edited...remind editor to edit...just joking. He's a pro, he'll remember.
Okay, so this is sort of funny...checked in with my editor and time had gotten away from him. He was in the middle of a move, with young kids and a toddler...so, release date is pushed back two weeks. Better done well than done quickly.
3. Get ready for vacation. Two weeks at the beach!!! Woot woot. Might even beg Dixie Browning (my retired novel writing hero) to get a picture with me.
I didn't bug the lady. I kept wanting to, but totally chickened out. Maybe next year....
4. Do some promos for Past Due while on the Outer Banks and while it is on sale.
I get another check!! Sold 16 paperback copies while on the island, placed rack cards at stores and rest stops, and kept looking for places to advertise my 0.99 sale.
*Please pause a moment for more shameless self-promotion. For those of you who got it- THANK YOU!!!
For those who haven't...what are you waiting for? ;)
Buy it HERE!
5. Add some exercise to my life. Graduation pics glaringly prove that my eight hour days on the computer are catching up with me!! I am naturally sedentary, so this will be a challenge!
Score half a point for me. Being active at the beach is so easy and felt so good. Now that I am back home? Well, we'll see how next week goes.
6. Break down the plot of Defying Reason. Must do this to make sure the story makes sense and every character has an arc (is that what you call a beginning and an ending?)
It's stewing in my brain. Made some notes...think I am headed in the right direction.
7. Start thinking about what to do on Cherries, the collab with that-Tammy Theriault. I am the weakest link here. I can't wrap my brain around a story until it starts to paint a plot picture in head and so far, this story looks a bit like a Picasso. But it's a great premise with such wonderful promise, so I have to start thinking it out.
Still a fail. Sigh.
For July:
1. Launch Bella's Point
2. Stay sane
3. Move more
4. Start polishing up Flip My Heart
5. Draft out new story in my head and find a title, right now going with Swept Away
Now, let's see if I accomplish my goals next month! Need a group to keep you on track?
Join us HERE!
Join us HERE!
Wow, and I thought I was the only juggling an insane number of projects at a time! Glad you enjoyed your trip!
ReplyDeleteI thin k an insane amount of projects is par for the writer course!
DeleteWelcome back, glad a fun trip was had. And damn, lots to do at your pad.
ReplyDeleteI keep thinking at some point there will be leisure time....
DeleteGlad you're back! Dragon was ready to kick you.
ReplyDeleteYou need a tour stop for your book, you got it.
Dragon fire at your rear is the best way to keep a body moving forward. And thanks for the offer, I would never turn down a chance to visit the ninja zone!
DeleteHey Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteYou should have an "I'm Back" Blog Fest! :) Interesting to note that Bella's Point has got that new release date. Has this been officially sanctioned by the warden? Yes, ignore me.
Delighted your trip was good. Exciting news about your Mother marrying Frank. Online romance!
You just had to make note of one of those blog hops!
All the best with everything, Elizabeth! :)
Gary
Bella had to serve extra time for bad behavior, LOL.
DeleteMy mother definitely shocked my family, not me of course. I think I may be the one who knows what to expect from her.
It's NOT a hop, it's a challenge ;)
Oh, good for keeping your fam in sunscreen! I went to Disneyland and people thought I was crazy for my wild "PUT IT ON AGAIN!" mantra. But my complexion is pasty, so I'm totally behind the spf 70 (I usually stay with the lower stuff and just put it on more often).
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your goals for July. You can do it!
The red head had a mole removed before we left for the beach and it came back abnormal (not cancerous, just abnormal), so you see, you can never be too careful. We even make him wear swim shirts all his life and still he has issues.
DeleteWelcome back! Sounds like you've got a busy time ahead of you. Hope you succeed with all your goals (especially #2).
ReplyDeleteThanks Loni! Days are always busy, but on the bright side, I am never bored.
DeleteGlad you had fun on your trip, and that your new step-dad wasn't an ax murderer! ;-) Good job on getting most of your goals accomplished, as well! Good job!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm good with scoring an 80%
DeleteYAY for vacation. I need to plan one for us...I think we're going in September, but I don't know if it'll be for a whole week.
ReplyDeleteVacations are so important, so you should definitely plan one.
Deletewhen you do your blog 'not hop' ... you know I'm there for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mac! I'd love to have you!!
DeleteIt's when my plot looks like Picasso that I start writing!!
ReplyDeleteGreat to have you back, and congrats to the newly-weds :-)
But I'm not quite skilled enough to understand the beauty of a Picasso. LOL. It's good to be back here too, though I would love to blog from a cabana on the beach!
DeleteLooks like you and your family had a lot of fun, all of you are smiling. Congratulations with your mom getting married and with all the progress you have made.
ReplyDeleteThanks Murees! I'll pass along the congrats :)
DeleteWelcome back and happy to hear you had a good time! If you need any help with your release, I'd be happy to host you. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Christine!! You are totally awesome :)
DeleteSeems to me you definitely achieved more than you didn't achieve. So let's count it as a win overall, shall we? :)
ReplyDeleteI live pretty close to the beach, but still wouldn't mind a vacation AT the beach. ha.
how do I love thee!! mark did a fab job! I tried commenting but it kept kicking it out...I think it was my internet on my phone. I gave up. I was cracking up crazy though! you get kudos points for a sweet and beautiful family and achieving more then you thought. don't rush our cherries our of the Picasso phase just yet...or they'll pop! oh my gosh...that was insanely revealing. hahahaha... you didn't fail in that area at all. you went back and polished spots remember? you polished your cherry...your hubs will be so proud heheehe...okay. no more bad puns
ReplyDeleteLooking good! Sorry to hear about your book release being postponed, but maybe it's for the best?
ReplyDeleteWonderful that you're back, but more wonderful that you had a great break with your family. Congrats on the blended family!
ReplyDeletePale but safe and having fun. You go Liz and keep moving towards your goals.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! Loved reading this update . . . glad your mom didn't marry an ax murderer :-)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great vacation and congrats on the latest release date.
ReplyDeleteYou all have such a perfect sun color! Looks/sounds like you had tons of fun. And yay to meeting most of your goals. I'm totally impressed that you were advertising while you were there. Go get them ;)
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had an awesome time. And Yay! on the release date and all other happy news!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun and productive trip! No judgment on the paleness. I'm so white I bet the reflective rays from my skin could melt snow.
ReplyDeleteI know a few people who would appreciate Past Due and I'd be more than happy to pass it along to them.
Welcome back and congrats to your mother.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to get your next book.
Listen, Miss Modest, you rock that wind-blown hairstyle. It sets off that smile perfectly.
ReplyDeleteOoh, can't wait for the launch of Bella's Point! I want to help! Me! Me! :)
ReplyDelete