Bookish Weekend!

This weekend was filled with activities of the bookish sort!

On Saturday, my family and I headed out to the LA Times Festival of Books on the USC campus. It's a HUGE event! I signed at the Mysterious Galaxy bookstore booth. My kids enjoyed the childrens' stage and authors present. I was able to hang out with my friend Gretchen and meet up with old family friends who brought their girls to the MG booth to meet Ridley Pearson.

With the "Tumbler" (Batmobile)

On Sunday, we went to the Young Authors' Faire after church. The YAF was held at the MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana. It is put on by the OC Dept. of Education. I presented with Sarah Skilton at the YA Author Panel. Sarah is so sweet and fun to hang out with! Her YA contemporary novel is about a girl, Imogen, who is a black belt in Tai Kwon Do. Barnes and Noble hosted us and they have autographed copies of my books and Sarah's books at their location across the street from the MainPlace Mall!

Sarah Skilton, author of BRUISED

Me, talking about writing

Reading from THE SEVENTH BLESSING

Presenting at the YA Author Panel with Sarah Skilton, author of BRUISED

We read excerpts from our books and then we had volunteers from the audience perform in a "Readers' Theatre" from a scene from THE HIDDEN BLESSING. The kids did a wonderful job!

Signing at the Barnes and Noble table in the mall

Representing TLT Publishing!
(Bookmarks for TLT, CONSUMED, DARTBOARD, THE CHOSEN HISTORIAN)

Crowd at the Young Authors' Faire

It was a busy weekend but also filled with fun. Thank you to everyone who came out to these events!

Melissa-ish Monday: Signing in San Diego

Melissa-ish Monday

Signing in San Diego

My husband and I went down to San Diego on Saturday for my signing at Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore. I was able to meet the lovely Stacey Jay, author of JULIET IMMORTAL and ROMEO REDEEMED. We were able to talk about books and writing, which is always wonderful. I signed copies of THE SEVENTH BLESSING and THE HIDDEN BLESSING and there are copies available at Mysterious Galaxy for purchase! (Order online here or call them at  (858) 268-4747 )

I'll also be at the Mysterious Galaxy booth (#368) at the LA Times Festival of Books on Saturday, April 20 at 2:30 p.m.

Melissa-ish Monday: Word Count

Melissa-ish Monday

"Word Count"

I'm back to working on my YA contemp now that I'm done with Book 3 in my fantasy series. Yay! I'm trying to keep myself accountable to write every day. It's a difficult thing to do. I have a lot of other things on my plate (being a wife, mom, volunteer, substitute teacher...) and taking the time to write sometimes feels like I'm stealing time and attention away from those other things. BUT I'm making myself do it. What do this mean? Well, maybe not playing Candy Crush for twenty minutes and using that time to write. Not being lost on the interwebz looking for cool Tumblr posts. Not staring out the window, thinking about the plot in the story. Just writing. I read somewhere that if you can just write four pages a day, that would equal about 1,000 words a day. That's 30,000 words in a month (okay, take off the weekends and you still have about 22,000 words!) In three months, you'd have a novel. It's similar to the NaNoWriMo challenge but not so crazy.

So, here I am being accountable. Current word count for YA contemp novel: 38,070. Each week I'll give my current word count. (I'm keeping track in an Excel spreadsheet so I can see when I'm most productive. Keeping track of times and where I'm writing will help that. Example: Starbucks - 9-10 a.m. 900 words., Home office - 8-9 p.m. 1,200 words.) <---- made up situation

How about you? Do you keep track of how many words you write? Does it matter to you?

Melissa-ish Monday: Birthday

Saturday was my birthday! Yay! But I was sick. Boo! I decided I didn't want to spend all day in bed so I pulled up my socks and took some more cold medicine and we went out to dinner. :-) The hubs and I went to Downtown Disney and ate at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen restaurant. Good food, like always. We were able to sit right by a window and here was our view!

The Lego Store and right in front is a HUGE figure of Prince Phillip battling Maleficent as a dragon. Best seat ever!

Not my best birthday ever, being sick and all, but it's still better than my 9th birthday when I woke up with the stomach flu. 'Nuf said.

I hope you all have a splendid week!

Melissa-ish Monday - What To Write Next? edition

So. I have a conundrum. I've finished round one edits for Book 2 in the Tales of Gymandrol series.

What do I work on next??

I have the following projects:
-Middle grade (MG) book about a girl, contemporary setting - 10 pages written
-Young Adult (YA) book about a guy, contemporary setting - outline somewhat written
-General fiction (possibly "chick lit") about a 20-something after her engagement is broken off - 15 pages written
-Book 3 in the Tales of Gymandrol series - 80 pages written

Chris said I should work on Book 3 so I can get it out of my head. BUT! I'm kinda thinking I want to work on something other than fantasy for a short time. I was able to finish a young reader's book this month and it was so much fun to do something radically different than YA fantasy. It also made me realize how much I love so many different genres of books. Not only to read but also to write.

And for NaNoWriMo, you're not supposed to work on anything that you've already written. So...it might be the YA guy story. Or...I might have some new lightning bolt idea between now and November 1!

That's it for this Melissa-ish Monday. What are you planning on writing for NaNoWriMo?

Happy writing!

Melissa-ish Monday - Painting Edition

 One of the things I like to do in my free time is paint. Fine painting, not room painting. Since I don't have a lot of free time (and the little that I do is spent writing), I don't have much opportunity to paint. BUT I managed to carve out a little time to finally finish this painting!

The next one I need to finish is a watercolor that I started about a year ago. I worked on it about two months ago and I really want to get back to it. It needs some finishing touches (outlining and such).

I'm also exciting to start subbing again. I have my first job of the school year tomorrow and it will be great (High School History classes FTW!). I hope you all have a happy week!

Melissa-ish Monday - Favorite ("Kid") Books!

This post has been writing itself in my brain for quite a while now. I often have people ask me to recommend books, especially for their kids. (I read a lot. And I read "kid" books.) Quite a few of my favorite books are Middle Grade (MG) and Young Adult (YA) books. I've never reviewed a book on my blog because that's kinda strange for me as an author to review someone else's book. I'm sure other authors do it but...I just can't right now. I do have a Goodreads, though, and I do "star" the books I've read. I have to use Goodreads to keep track of all the books I read and I haven't found a way to add a book to GR and not "star" it. I wish the star ratings were a bit different...but that's a rant for another post. I'm a big fan of series and I think a lot of kids are, too.

Favorite books!

These are books that are appropriate for younger readers for MG and older readers for YA. (Well, depending on your kid and their reading level and interest.) Please use "parental discretion" when helping your kids pick books. It really bothers me when parents have NO idea what their kids are reading. Especially when the book has..."bedroom scenes" and bad language and...weird situations in it. Ask your kids what they're reading. You're the parent, you can grill 'em. ;)

MG Books
(Age 8+ for most books. Older readers will also like these books.)

-The Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer - I own this series because I love it. A young mastermind, the fairy underworld, magic, mystery...it's all here. Such intricate plot twists and details. Love it! Set in present day.

-The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks - I own a few of the books in this series. They are all interesting. Set in present day. A boy receives a special cupboard that makes his plastic action figures come to life. History is referenced in this book. Very cool for young readers.

-The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis - Does anyone not know about Aslan and the world of Narnia?? Seven books. Amazing. Read them. I own this set, too. :)

-The Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder - One of my very first favorite book series. I love these books and I finally bought the series at a library used book sale. Score! Life in the pioneer days.

-Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordian - I own this set. Set in present day. Acquaints readers with the myths of the Greek gods and goddesses. (Possibly on the border of MG/YA.) Exciting stories, some violence, no language and no...I'll call them "bedroom scenes" for this post.

YA Books
(12+ for most books on this list.)

-The Christy Miller series by Robin Jones Gunn - a contemporary Christian fiction series focused on a girl named Christy. I really, really love these books, even as an adult. I own the first 6 books.

-The Sierra Jensen series by Robin Jones Gunn - a friend of Christy Miller who has her own series! I own all 12 of these books.

-The Katie Weldon series by Robin Jones Gunn - a friend of Christy Miller, college years. I own books 2 & 3.

-The Eragon series by Christopher Paolini - a series about dragons and dragon riders. Mixed reviews on these books. I like the action and the story line but these books are a bit...wordy. And, unfortunately, there is a reference to a "bedroom scene" which makes it awkward to recommend to younger readers. Though they probably wouldn't understand it...Parental discretion here. I own books 1-3.

-The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling - I own all seven books. These are great books. Again, parental discretion here. Younger readers might like the books but there are some very scary elements as the books progress/Harry gets older.

-Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery - I own this series and LOVE these books. I didn't read them until I was an older teen but I think some younger readers would like them as well. Sweet stories about an orphan girl set in Canada in the late 1800s.

-The Frog Princess series by E.D. Baker - This series is SO much fun! A spunky princess, magic, great story lines. Also good for younger readers.

-The Cupcake Queen by Heather Hepler - I bought this book this year because I love the story so much. A great contemporary girl book. No language, no bedroom scenes. Really, really great.

-The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins - For older YA readers! Violence is a major theme running through this dystopian novel. No language, no bedroom scenes. A head spinning, super fast read. One of my new favorites.

-The Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter - This is one of favorite series of books for girls. The main character is spunky and smart. She attends a spy school with other girls and they have lots of adventures. A little bit of romance but it's age appropriate for a 15 year old. (A kiss.) There is a mystery woven through the plots of the books. I own three of these books.

-Heist Society series by Ally Carter - Another great series by Ally Carter. Age appropriate romance (one kiss, I think). Lots of adventure and mystery. Super fun. I own these two books.

-The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan - Follows the Percy Jackson series. Great book.

-The Red Pyramid series by Rick Riordan - Brother and sister series about Egyptian magicians in New York City...and other parts of the world. Fun adventure series.

-The Keys of the Kingdom by Garth Nix - Very different sort of adventure series. Arthur is a great protagonist because he is the unlikely hero.

-Ranger's Apprentice by John Flanagan - Great adventure books for boys (and girls who like good adventure stories). There are ten books in this series. I'm currently on book 7.


I might add to this page as I remember more books that I'd recommend to young readers. I hope this helps parents pick some books for their kids. :) And if you have any recommendations for me, let me know!

Happy reading!

Melissa-ish Monday - Meh

Sorry to take so long in updating this post. I've been a little off my game lately. Not really feeling like writing because I've been so busy with mom/wife/PTA/housework stuff. "Real life" (as my 4 y.o. says) is quite important and is taking precedence over my blogging life. What I need to learn to do is sit down when I have a brilliant (or not-so-brilliant but still entertaining) thought and type it out and save it for a day when I'm too busy to write something. I'll upload my previously written post and voila! No guilt about not blogging.

I'm working on ideas for some writing workshops for middle schoolers right now. Ideas? Let me know. :)

Melissa-ish Monday - Labor Day Edition

Happy Labor Day!

We spent our Labor Day...laboring. Yup, cleaning out the garage, tossing broken stuff, sorting through cupboards, sending old things on to be loved by someone else (otherwise known as The Goodwill Bag). I love organization and it disturbs my brain to have things out of place. Our third bedroom is our office/book room. We have more books than bookshelves which means some books are stacked in plastic bins on the floor. This makes my brain hurt if I look at them. I get distracted from writing because I keep thinking, "If we were to get more shelves, the books would be up off the floor. We really can't fit more shelves into the office. So that's why the books are where they are. Leave it alone and pay attention to what you're writing." (I talk to myself quite frequently. Usually it's in my head, so it's all good.)

The office seems to be the dumping ground for stuff that no one else knows what to do with. Frustrating? Yes. But today I tackled the little piles in the room and I am victorious! Once I find the USB cable for my camera, I can take pictures and post them. My craft closet is looking SO good! I can find things once again. My brain is happy once more. :)

Have a happy week!

Melissa-ish Monday {Aug. 29}

I won an award! 

Mel Fowler gave me a Versatile Blogger award. Thanks Mel!

and Now 7 random facts about me....

1: I'm wearing pink flip-flops that my sons gave me for Mother's Day.
2: I like to play video games.
3: I have to have flavored creamer in my coffee but I drink my tea black.
4: Melissa means "honey bee" and I collect bee things.
5: I love to watch "Phineas and Ferb."
6: I'm obsessive about keeping an accurate calendar.
7: I always color inside the lines.


That's about it for this Monday. (My oldest son started school today so it's been a bit busy around here.)

Happy reading everyone!

Melissa-ish Monday - First Book Signing!

Today's question is, "How was the book signing??"

My first book signing was on Saturday and it took place at Book Carnival bookstore in Orange. The owner, Anne, is a wonderful lady. She invited five other authors (plus me) to take place in her first ever multiple author event. Yay! We sat in twos at three tables. We each talked for a few minutes about how we started writing and what our book(s) are about. There were about 50-60 people there. My husband and kids were there, my mom and stepdad came, my sisters, my niece, my mother-in-law, friends from church, friends from my son's school. SO many lovely people! :) I got to meet some new people, give away bookmarks, SIGN BOOKS. Yes, that still feels very weird. In the best way. I have books to sign and people who want to buy them. Surreal.

Short answer to the question above - "Awesome." ;)

Melissa-ish Monday : Celebrate My Book's Birthday

Today's question is: "What are you doing now that your first book has come out?"

Answer: "Celebrate!" :) I baked a cake for my book's "birthday." It was delicious.

But you probably didn't want to hear about me eating cake. (Even if it was rainbow chip.) So, a better answer would be, "Get ready to edit my second book."

Yep, I've already written the second book in The Tales of Gymandrol series. It's been turned in to my publisher and is waiting in the queue to be edited by the wonderful Farrah Penn. Book Two follows where THE SEVENTH BLESSING leaves off. (If you haven't read TSB yet, I don't want to give you a spoiler.)

I'll also be working on Book Three of the series. I have the story outlined and have written the first quarter of it. As time draws closer, I can give more details about it. But not yet. :)

In other-than-writing news, the school year is starting up again in about two weeks so I'll be getting back to my old schedule of transporting kids to school, substitute teaching, volunteering, all that "mom stuff" that I do. I will be having book signings and writing workshops at several schools in the area. I'll keep up with the blogging in the midst of the craziness. That's the plan right now anyway.

Have a fantastic week!

Melissa-ish Monday : Questions!

A new feature that I've started is "Melissa-ish Monday." I'll answer questions about me or (if there aren't any questions), a random fact about myself.

To start off - "What does 'Melissa-ish' mean?"
When I was a summer camp counselor, I was put in charge of the office at our camp site for a day while the camp director was out. Eight hours in a white room, waiting for kids to come in that were in trouble or hurt. Very dull. There were three 8 feet tall by 4 feet wide storage cabinets in the room. Everyone would just throw old craft supplies and sports equipment in the cabinets, slamming the doors to make sure stuff didn't fall out on them. After the first hour I was in the office, I was itching for something to do. My OCD got the better of me and I started emptying out the cabinets. I organized EVERYTHING and labeled every shelf, bin, etc. My camp director came back in the afternoon and just stared at the open cabinets. "Wow. That is very...Melissa-ish." A word was born. :)

Question from a friend: "What scenes do you like to write the most?"
This made me pause a moment because the answer instantly came to my tongue but I didn't know how it would sound. Fight scenes are my favorite to write. Weird, I know. I put myself in the position of the attacker and the defender, actually working out the moves in a physical way.

*Note* Do NOT do this while writing at Starbucks. Or anywhere else in public. It will earn you stares and whispers.

Fight scenes are intense physically and also mentally. The characters have to think about reacting, have to think about how to get out of the fight or how to fight back. It's exhausting as a writer to write from both sides. I have to tap into "the Dark Side" to make the villain laugh maniacally, hurt my protagonist, say horrible things. I hate hurting my protagonist but I have reader friends who have helped me get past this. :) (You know who you are!) In order for the character to grow, they have to go through trials. Sometimes rather painful trials.

Question for you! If you're a writer, what scenes do you like to write? If you're a reader, what are your favorite scenes to read?