Writerly news

In case you missed it, I've had quite the exciting couple of weeks. First, the local newspaper contacted me and interviewed me about Pity Isn't An Option and it came out last Wednesday (I kinda squee-d about this all over Twitter & the interwebs, not because of the interview, but because beneath the article there was a selection of other dystopian books & mini reviews about them and I thought that was *so* awesome), and on Monday Operation Awesome made kind of a big announcement (to me, anyway)!

Honestly, the latter piece of good news has been hoped for by me for some time. (I'm talking years.) After everything that went on with Lovemuffin, I decided to just concentrate on the writing for a while. Then, I was invited to join Afterglow Book Reviews. And I published Pity Isn't An Option. And the lovely Nazarea Andrews put together a group for us independent authors called Indie Ignites, and I was honored to get to be a part of it. Now, the newspaper. And Operation Awesome. (Did I mention their--I mean our--mascot is an owl? I mean, how great is that?) It's amazing how the Lord takes care of things when you sit back and rest and let Him do everything. Every single one of those opportunities arose, became available. I did not hunt them down. 

Now, I want to make it very clear that I am not bragging about this. What I'm trying to show is that if you stay in the writerly community long enough and get to know people for who they are and cheer them on and do what you've been made to do (uh, WRITE), things DO fall into place. I have a post coming up on the Operation Awesome site soon about stressing yourself out because you're so scared you're going to miss something or get left behind that you run yourself ragged.

It's not worth it, guys.

So many authors say this, and I have to agree with them: Take time to enjoy the process. 

It's worth it in the end, I promise! :)

Have a blessed weekend!

Light 'Em Up: Igniting This Summer's Writing Inspiration

Writers look for (and find) inspiration everywhere, including throughout the artistic and unique melodies and words in music. ST Bende and I are over at the Indie Ignites blog sharing our current writing inspiration (including Fall Out Boy, Of Monsters and Men, and Philip Philips). 

We were trying to keep the post short, but two more current inspirations for me (one sparking ideas in my head for years now) are 

1) Mayday Parade's A Lesson in Romantics album (You Be the Anchor That Keeps My Feet On The Ground, I'll Be The Wings That Keep Your Heart In The Clouds being my absolute favorite song ever and inspiration for If I Speak True a couple years ago -- link)

and 

2) Hillsong United's ZION album (Mercy Mercy, reloaded being one of the ones I can have on a loop and just keep writing forever -- the louder the better -- link)

Whether you too are looking for some writerly inspiration, or simply wanting to enjoy some new songs this summer, I'm sure you find a few you like. :) Check our post out HERE and share some of your current favorite songs with us! See you there!