Beginnings

Happy New Year! 2013 roared in, in many unexpected ways for me. Here’s a picture of the New Year’s Day hike I took with my husband in Big Sur on the Skinner Trail, at Devil’s Peak.

Happy New Year from Big Sur, CA

I have a love of surprises. On the drive down to Big Sur we saw whales spouting in the ocean, a huge pod that seemed to stretch the length of the coast as far as our eyes could see. On the drive to the trail head a bobcat jumped into some bushes at the side of the road. The hike went from an elevation of 2000 ft to 4500 ft. Here in California on the coastal ranges we didn’t expect to be hiking in snow, but that’s what we found. Our dog had never seen snow before and he delighted in it.

Joy!

This year finds me beginning the writing of a new novel and beginning an inward journey as well. I want to share some quotes that inspire me in these promising days of 2013:

“He who bends to himself a joy

Doth the wingèd life destroy.

But he who kisses the joy as it flies

Lives in Eternity’s sunrise.”

- Blake

And Carrie Bradshaw from Sex in the City on relationships:

“There are those that open you up to the exotic. Those that are old and familiar. Those that bring up lots of questions. Those that bring you somewhere unexpected. Those that bring you far from where you started. But the most exciting challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you find someone who loves the you you love––well, that’s just fabulous.”

Are there any quotes that have inspired you in this new year? I’d love to know what they are.

What I’m listening to: Queen’s One Vision

YA Indie Carnival Resolutions: What’s Your Title for 2012?

I don’t usually make Resolutions. Do you? A really great writer and friend of mine Dee White, author of Letters to Leonardo, wrote to me this week and told me that she’s given a title to her 2012, The Year of Possibilities. This inspired me. [go check out Dee’s blog to find out why that’s no surprise, the gal’s full of inspiration!]. I mean, I’m a writer, right? When the resolution boiled down to a title it suddenly didn’t seem so convoluted anymore. So I noodled on it. And here’s my title for 2012:

The Year of Just Do It

For me, it means so many things. Freedom, most of all. And I got started about a week ago. I just put up the first Audiobook chapter of 13 ON HALLOWEEN on my website. And, I’m writing the story I’ve wanted to write for about ten years now. That’s exciting. See, there were SO MANY reasons I didn’t put pen to paper before.

Research! Yes, I need to do so much more research [as if eight years + wasn’t enough]. Done.

Formatting! How can I possibly format such a sweeping epic? Done.

But I can’t write that! How can I write a historical novel when all I really write are stories to entertain and have needed relatively little research by comparison? Over it.

This also means that I am free to:

Work-out and not feel guilty I’m not writing

Write and not feel guilty I’m not working out

BBQ every day of the week

Eat more ice cream [I got an ice cream maker for Xmas! squeeee! Got any great recipes?]

What’s your title for 2012? Wishing you a very prosperous, healthy & HAPPY NEW YEAR! See you back at the carnival January 13!

Check out the other carnis resolutions for 2012! Here!

Thankful Thursday! Free 13 on Halloween Audiobook :)

I unwrapped some pretty amazing presents under the tree this year. Ones that really blew me away. But, this one I can actually SHARE with you:) My daughter recorded 13 ON HALLOWEEN’s Audiobook. So, for the first 12 days of the New Year, if you feel like curling up by the fire and listening to a story, instead of reading one, click here, and I’ll have a new chapter of 13 ON HALLOWEEN up every day starting New Year Day! SQUUEE! HAPPY NEW YEAR! Thanks for your support:) You are why I write!