Road Trip Wednesday: Best Book of February

It's time for another Road Trip Wednesday, a blog carnival hosted by the lovely ladies of YA Highway.

This week's question:

What was the best book you read in February?

Well, I've been slacking a bit lately, so I only read 2 books in February. I loved both of them!

The Pretty Little Liars series just keeps getting better! There's a new mystery and a new A. I can't get enough of these books. As soon as I finished this one, I wanted to buy the next one for my Nook so I could read it immediately. However, I'm doing a reading challenge in one of my Goodreads groups, so I figured I should probably stick with that.


This one took me awhile to get into at first. However, after about 100 pages I was hooked. Can't wait to find out what happens next!

I really need to find more time to read in March!

Friday Five

1. I really, really hate snow. I hate how everyone on Facebook is talking about how wonderful it is and how beautiful it is. UGH. How annoying. This summer, when it's 100 degrees out and everyone is complaining about how hot it is, I am going to post about how wonderful the heat is and how beautiful it is outside.

But then I'll probably just annoy myself.

2. I start job #3 tomorrow and job #4 on Sunday. I'm dreading it. What have I gotten myself into?? I just don't see how this is all going to work. I need some down time. I need to be able to sleep in and relax and read...

My usual Saturday routine includes going out for coffee and then coming home to watch my 2 favorite shows about twins: Ringer and The Lying Game. I look forward to this every week! It really bothers me that I won't get to do that this Saturday. Or probably ever again. Sigh. Having 4 jobs is no fun.

3. I will pretty much have NO time at all to write. So I don't know what I'm going to do about that. I probably won't have much time to read either, but I will have to find the time.

4. I've always enjoyed talking on the phone and I never mind having to call people. However, job #3 requires me to call A LOT of people and I'm really starting to hate it. Can't I just text or email the person?? No.

5. I tried white chocolate M&M's. They are so good!

Things I love this week

1. Books about cupcakes. Almost as much as I like eating cupcakes. I am currently reading:


I've requested "How to Eat a Cupcake" at the library and as soon as it comes in, I'm first to get it.

2. Tony Lucca. You probably saw him on "The Voice" a couple weeks ago. Team Adam! He's amazing. I've been a fan of Tony Lucca since he was on the Mickey Mouse Club. I loved the show "Malibu Shores," which I'm pretty sure only my sister and I ever watched. I used to be on the Tony Lucca Street Team about 10 years ago. The other day I went through all my cds and found 7 of them. So excited to see how he does on the Voice!



3. Sobe Lifewater. I tried to cut back. I even switched to Propel Zero. It's just not the same.

Friday Five

1. I'm so glad it's Friday! It's been a long week. Unfortunately, I think my big plans for tonight have been canceled. I was supposed to get together for dinner & drinks with some of my SLPA friends. I've been looking forward to this for weeks. So far, three people have bailed. So it looks like I will be heading home to catch up on my DVR shows. I have two episodes of Pretty Little Liars to watch, plus The Lying Game, Parks & Rec and Criminal Minds.

2. Last fall I took a writing class at a local community college called Writing Children's Books (more about that in a future post). Well, I've kept in touch with one person from the class and we are getting together tomorrow. I'm excited to share some more of my work with her, even though I haven't done much writing since our class ended.

3. Thanks to Pinterest, I've decided I NEED a pair of pink ballet flats. Problem is, I can't find any anywhere! The ones in the particular outfit I found are almost $200. Since I doubt I will wear them much, I was hoping to find a cheap pair for around $20 or less. No luck so far.

4. Speaking of Pinterest... I found this:That is definitely on my bucket list. However, I actually think my book would make a much better tv movie on ABC Family. Maybe someday!

5. There's a new reality show starting in April called PUSH GIRLS and I just hope I have the Sundance channel so I can watch it. There are very few reality tv shows I like (Amazing Race, Undercover Boss, America's Next Top Model) but this one sounds really good. Maybe they will have the episodes online or on On Demand.

Have a great weekend!

Road Trip Wednesday

It's time for Road Trip Wednesday, a blog carnival hosted by the lovely ladies of YA Highway.
Today's question:

What words do you absolutely hate? Which ones do you adore?

WORDS I LOVE

disillusionment
starlight


WORDS I HATE

munch
munchkin
kiddo
vomit/vomiting
convoluted

I'm sure there are other words I love & hate, but that's all I can think of right now.

acknowledgments

I watched the Grammy awards last night and the acceptance speeches got me thinking about who I'd thank if I was ever in that position. Aspiring actors talk about how they practice their Oscar acceptance speeches. Well, as an aspiring novelist, I like to think about who I'd thank in the acknowledgments of my future book.

I have no idea who I'd dedicate it to, but I've thought about who I'd mention in the acknowledgments. First, I'd thank my family of course. My parents, especially my dad, have always been very supportive and encouraging about my writing.

I would also thank my friends who have supported me, read my newspaper articles, and offered encouragement. I would especially like to thank my friend MW, who sent me this quote: "The worst thing you write is still better than the best thing you didn't." I absolutely love it and try to remind myself of it often.

If my book is really published, I'm sure I will have so many people to thank--agent, editor, publisher, publicist, etc. I don't even know. Just everyone who helped make it possible.

I wasn't really into writing when I was in school, so I can't say any of my teachers really stand out except for one of my college instructors. I majored in communications in college and planned to go into public relations (what was I thinking?) and I had to take a news writing class for my major. During class one day, my instructor came up to me and asked if I had an internship lined up yet for the summer. I did not. I was having trouble finding something. Basically I looked into this big binder in the Comm department, applied to the one & only PR internship in my hometown, interviewed for the position and never heard from them again. My instructor told me that he'd get me an internship at the newspaper where he worked. I couldn't believe it! I hadn't even considered writing for a newspaper. I loved it. I interned over the summer, studied abroad in the fall, and returned to the newspaper for my last semester. After graduation, I applied for a position at my hometown newspaper and I've been writing for them ever since. Anyway, the problem is... I completely lost touch with this instructor after graduation and he's not at the school anymore. I never got to tell him how he inspired me to pursue writing as a career!

There are two other people who have been important in my life and I want to thank, but I'm not sure if I can or how I'd do it. I've had friends come and go throughout the years, but these two are different. The first is my best friend from high school. We were best friends throughout high school and college, and for several years after. Then we had a falling out in 2004. We are friends on Facebook and talk every now and then, but I wouldn't really say we are friends. Even now, after all these years, it still makes me sad to think about it. Now that I'm working on a YA book, I can't help but think of her when I think of my own high school experiences. She was there for all of them. When I first decided that I wanted to write a novel, many many years ago, I always pictured her as the best friend in the novel. I still do.

The other person is also an ex-friend of mine. We met through work. He is the reason I am the writer I am today. He was an excellent mentor and I just learned so much from him. He gave me so many opportunities at work and always encouraged me. He made me a better writer and a better person and we became good friends over the years. The last time I talked to him, which was about six years ago, he called to tell me he proposed to his girlfriend. He said he hoped I would attend their wedding. He also told me that he mailed my letter of recommendation (I had applied to go back to school). I never heard from him again. The school never got the letter. Like the other friend I mentioned, he and I are friends on Facebook. I found him on there a couple years ago. He accepted my friend request but never acknowledged any of my wall posts or messages.

I like to think that both of these friends would be honored to be mentioned in the acknowledgments of my book, but I just don't know. I wish I could thank them. But maybe it's better to just move on.

I also like to think of how I'll answer questions such as "What made you decide to write a book?" and "Where do you get your ideas?" I've been practicing my answers for those too. Of course, it would help if I actually, you know, finished writing the book first.

New blog

I decided to start a writing blog.

I've had blogs before, but with this one I plan to focus mostly on my writing journey. I am attempting to write my first YA novel so I thought this would be a good way to meet people, learn new things, and just get involved more online. I'd also love to find a writing group to join or some critique partners if anyone is interested.

My last blog is still around... I used to recap the Sleepover Friends books that I loved reading when I was younger. I even made some of the recipes from the books! It was fun, but I haven't updated in quite awhile.

A little about me... I've been a copywriter for the past 11 1/2 years. I won't be talking about my job, ever. For many reasons, none of which I will go into.

I also write for my hometown's local newspaper. I write about one story every other month or so, and I love it. I have a story in today's paper about the dance show at my old high school. I saw some of it during rehearsal when I was there interviewing the cast, and it was amazing. I can't wait to see it on Friday night.

I am also a licensed speech language pathology assistant, and I will be picking up my first few clients soon. In my free time I watch too much tv and read lots of books. I also enjoy tap dancing, Zumba, traveling (I try to go somewhere new every year), shopping and playing badminton. I own way too much shower gel from Bath & Body Works, I think sea otters are adorable, and I can never turn down a marathon of Criminal Minds on A&E.