Thankful Thursday

March 31, 2011March 31, 20118 Comments

Oasis for YA knows that the surest way to get good things in life is to be thankful for what you have. So why not encourage a group thankful-fest once a week in which we all send out good energy and hope to get some back in return? Plus, participating in Thankful Thursday is a great way to connect with other writers.

Here are the rules:
1. Do your own blog post on what you’re thankful for today. It doesn’t have to be book or publishing related (but it can be!).
2. Be sure to grab our badge and include it in your post.
3. Post a link to your blog in the comments here so that others can find you.
4. Go forth and share your gratitude! (And when friending new blogs, be sure to let them know you found them because of their participation in the meme.)This week I’ve lots to be thankful for. In the words of the fabulous Andy Cohen, Here’s What:

1) Last week I entered Brenda Drake’s Show Me the Voice! blogfest/contest. There were well over 100 entrants, yet somehow the first 250 words of my YA ghost story Where Poppies Bloom was awarded third place! I’m very thankful to the judges, especially lovely literary agent Natalie Fischer who’s going to critique my query letter. (Pardon me for tooting my own horn on this one, but yeah… I’m excited!)

2) My husband is at Ranger School. If you’re unfamiliar, Ranger school is an intense 2 month Army training school that is often referred to as a cross between boot camp and a concentration camp. I don’t use that comparison lightly. Ranger School is all about pushing participants to their physical and mental limits. Very little sleep (outdoors, in the rain), very little food (MREs), mind games, and miles and miles of walking with a hundred pound ruck sack. No fun! What, you might ask, does Ranger School have to do with being thankful? Well, I’ve been getting letters from my husband! Like, the old-fashioned paper and pen kind of letters. Plus, every night I get to write to him. It’s a little retro and a lot inconvenient, but there’s something so romantic about opening the mailbox and finding mail from someone you love.

3. This POST from Hannah Moskowitz about making a playlist for your WIP. Rules to write by. 🙂

4. Fellow writer/blogger Caroline Tung Richmond, and her recent mention of the online indie clothing site ModCloth. Cute clothes alert! I placed an order yesterday, which included this adorable dress (I plan to wear it to my husband’s graduation from Ranger School):

5. If you follow me on Twitter you might know that my daughter (three-and-a-half) had one of her teeth knocked out the other day. She was climbing up the ladder of one of those inflatable bouncy slides, slipped, and somehow nailed her tooth at the perfect angle to take it out. Needless to say, I was SO sad! Her new tooth won’t grow in for about two years, plus she was bleeding and worried that our dogs wouldn’t love her anymore because her tooth was missing. Ugh… heartbreak! Still, I’m thankful. It could have been worse. There could have been broken bones or a neck injury or any other number of tragedies. Plus, she’s still cute as can be, even with a missing tooth.

What do you have to be thankful for today?

Tuesday Tunes: I May Hate Myself in the Morning…

February 21, 20111 Comment

My favorite songs are those with an underlying sense of longing. While Lee Ann Womack’s I May Hate Myself in the Morning is a bit of an oldie (2005), it’s got that wistful “I love you but I’ll never have you” feeling I love. Lee Ann is gorgeous, and the video is fabulous. Here it is, with lyrics below.

Ain’t it just like one of us
To pick up the phone and call after a couple drinks
Say how ya been I’ve been wondering if maybe you’ve been thinking ’bout me
And somewhere in the conversation
An ole familiar invitation always arrives
I may hate myself in the morning
But I’m gonna love you tonight

Everyone’s known someone that they just can’t help but want
Even though we just can’t make it work out
Well the want to lingers on
So once again we wind up in each other’s arms pretending that it’s right
I may hate myself in the morning
But I’m gonna love you tonight

I know it’s wrong
But it ain’t easy moving on
So why can’t two friends
Remember the good times once again

Tomorrow when I wake up I’ll be feeling a little guilty, a little sad
Thinking how it used to be before everything went bad
I guess that’s what is
In lonely late night calls like this that we try to find
I may hate myself in the morning but I’m gonna love you tonight

I may hate myself in the morning but I’m gonna love you tonight

*Lyrics by Odie Blackmon

Tuesday Tunes: Give In To Me

January 18, 2011January 18, 20112 Comments

Okay. New favorite song alert!

Give In To Me is from the movie Country Strong (which I have STILL not seen… boo!) and is sung by Faith Hill on the soundtrack. While her version is lovely, I like the movie version so much more. It’s a perfect duet. Garrett Hedlund and Leighton Meester sing it with so much heart and emotion. And really, I’m gonna start a fire/You’re gonna feel the heat/I’m gonna burn for you/You’re gonna melt for me ? Yeah. Love.

Here’s the Country Strong clip, with lyrics below:

I’m gonna wear you down
I’m gonna make you see
I’m gonna get to you
You’re gonna
Give in to me

I’m gonna start a fire
You’re gonna feel the heat
I’m gonna burn for you
You’re gonna melt for me

Come on, Come on in to my arms
Come on, Come on
Give in to me

You’re gonna take my hand
Whisper the sweetest words
And if you’re ever sad
I’ll make you laugh
I’ll chase the hurt

My heart is set on you
I don’t want no one else
And if you don’t want me
I guess I’ll be all by myself

Come on, Come on, into my arms
Come on, Come on
Give in to me

I’ll use my eyes to draw you in
Until I’m under your skin
I’ll use my lips
I”ll use my arms
Come on, Come on
Give in to me

Give in to me

*Lyrics by: Billy Falcon, Rose Falcon and Elisha Hoffman

Critique Update & A Tuesday Christmas Tune

December 21, 20101 Comment

In case you’ve been waiting with bated breath for an update on my last post (the whole fear of critique thing), here it is:

Mentor’s critique of my manuscript was AMAZING!

Seriously! Flattering enough to remain motivating, but full of valuable feedback that’s forcing me to take a critical look at a few flawed aspects of the story. She pointed out plenty of things she loved, and, conversely, some problem areas that I myself was unsure of. She contributed some really awesome ideas for how to address the issues. Plus, she pointed out little symbloism/motif things that I sprinkled throughout, wondering if they were right and enough. What a relief to know that they are AND that they’re doing their job. Oh, and she loved the ending–yay!

So, today I’m going to begin my revision and I can honestly say I’m excited about it.

I have the time to begin revising today because… I’m done Christmas shopping AND wrapping gifts! I don’t think I can properly express how happy I am about this. At the risk of sound Grinch-like, this is not my favorite time of year. I always feel so rushed and stressed and like I’m not spending equal or enough time with family and friends. Not only do we have Christmas Eve and Christmas Day festivities, but my parents’ anniversary and my husband’s birthday also fall during the next few days. Needless to say, it’s a busy time. So, the somewhat mundane tasks of gift buying and wrapping are items I check from my To-Do list with a flourish. Now, I feel like I can relax a bit and actually enjoy myself.

In that spirit, I leave you with a Tuesday Tune. And, it’s not a country song! It’s my favorite Christmas song, Oh Holy Night. While I think Mariah Carey does it best, Eric Cartman’s version always makes me laugh. 🙂

Tuesday Tunes: Free

November 16, 2010November 16, 2010

I love Zac Brown Band. They’re like the cool, irreverant bad asses of country music. And their songs rock. Rumor is has it, Zac Brown is touring with Kenny Chesney next summer which is like, a dream come true concert for me. Here’s Free, with lyrics below.

So we live out in our old van
Travel all across this land
Me and you

We’ll end up hand in hand
Somewhere down on the sand
Just me and you

Just as free
Free as we’ll ever be
Just as free
Free as we’ll ever be

We’ll drive until the city lights
Dissolve into a country sky
Just me and you

Lay underneath the harvest moon
Do all the things that lovers do
Just me and you

Just as free
Free as we’ll ever be
Just as free
Free as we’ll ever be
and ever —- be

No we don’t have a lot of money
No we don’t have a lot of money
All we need is love

We’re free as we’ll ever be
Just as free
Free as we’ll ever be

So we’ll live out in our old van
Travel all across this land
Me and you

Tuesday Tunes – If I Die Young

November 2, 2010November 2, 20105 Comments

The Band Perry is a fairly new group out of East Tennessee. There first big hit, If I Die Young, was written by lead singer Kimberly Perry for their debut album. This song is thought-provoking, haunting, and moving–all the things I want my WIP, Where Poppies Bloom to be. If I Die Young is a constant on my play list these days. Here’s the video, and below are the lyrics in full.

“If I Die Young”

If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a, bed of roses
Sink me in the river, at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song

Uh oh, uh oh

Lord make me a rainbow, I’ll shine down on my mother
She’ll know I’m safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh and
Life ain’t always what you think it ought to be, no
Ain’t even grey, but she buries her baby

The sharp knife of a short life, well
I’ve had, just enough time

If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a, bed of roses
Sink me in the river, at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song

The sharp knife of a short life, well
I’ve had, just enough time

And I’ll be wearing white, when I come into your kingdom
I’m as green as the ring on my little, cold finger, I’ve
Never known the lovin’ of a man
But it sure felt nice when he was holding my hand, there’s a
Boy here in town says he’ll, love my forever
Who would have thought forever could be severed by
The sharp knife of a short life, well
I’ve had, just enough time

So put on your best boys and I’ll wear my pearls
What I never did is done

A penny for my thoughts, oh no, I’ll sell them for a dollar
They’re worth so much more after I’m a goner
And maybe then you’ll hear the words I been singin’
Funny when your dead how people start listenin’

If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a, bed of roses
Sink me in the river, at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song

Uh oh (uh, oh)
The ballad of a dove Go with peace and love
Gather up your tears, keep ’em in your pocket
Save them for a time when your really gonna need them, oh

The sharp knife of a short life, well
I’ve had, just enough time

So put on your best boys and I’ll wear my pearls

*Written by Kimberly Perry

What about you? Any songs that have been particularly moving or inspirational lately?

And for your viewing pleasure, my cutie pie, Claire, as Dorothy, and me as Hermione Granger on Halloween 🙂

Tuesday Tunes – Already Gone

October 19, 2010October 19, 2010

Sugarland is one of my favorite groups. Jennifer Nettles has the most beautiful, twangy country voices around, plus, she’s gorgeous. The lyrics to this song tell the story of a failed relationship. They’re honest and romantic and raw. My favorite? But his dark eyes dared me with danger, and sparks fly like flame to a paper…

Here are the lyrics, written by Kristian Bush, Jennifer Nettles and Bobby Pinson, in their entirety:

My Mama mapped out the road that she knows
Which hands you shake and which hands you hold
In my hand-me-down Mercury, ready to roll
She knew that I had to go
And hang out, make lots of noise
And lay out late with a boy
Make the mistakes that she made ’cause she knew all along

I was already gone
Life is a runaway train you can’t wait to jump on

They say the first time won’t ever last
But that didn’t stop me the first time he laughed
All my friends tried to warn me the day that we met
“Girl, don’t you lose your heart yet”
But his dark eyes dared me with danger
And sparks fly like flame to a paper
Fire in his touch burning me up, but still I held on
‘Cause I was already gone
Life is a runaway train you can’t wait to jump on

The last time I saw him, we packed up my things
And he smiled like the first time he told me his name
And we cried with each other
We split the blame for the parts that we couldn’t change
Pictures, dishes and socks
It’s our whole life down to one box
There he was waving goodbye on the front porch alone

But I was already gone
Hang out, make lots of noise
And lay out late with a boy
Make the mistakes that she made, life is a runaway train

My mama mapped out the road that she knows
Which hands to shake, which hands you hold
In my hand-me-down Mercury
Life is a runaway train you can’t wait to jump on.

Tuesday Tunes – Travelin’ Soldier

October 5, 2010October 4, 2010

Say what you will about the Dixie Chicks and their… um, political statements, but I love their music and I absolutely adore this song. As an Army wife whose husband has endured three long deployments, it hits particularly close to home. Plus, these lyrics have the beginning threads of a young adult novel snaking through them. Here’s a live performance, with lyrics below.

“Travelin’ Soldier”

Two days past eighteen
He was waiting for the bus in his army green
Sat down in a booth in a cafe there
Gave his order to a girl with a bow in her hair
He’s a little shy so she gives him a smile
And he said would you mind sittin’ down for a while
And talking to me,
I’m feeling a little low
She said I’m off in an hour and I know where we can go

So they went down and they sat on the pier
He said I bet you got a boyfriend but I don’t care
I got no one to send a letter to
Would you mind if I sent one back here to you

I cried
Never gonna hold the hand of another guy
Too young for him they told her
Waitin’ for the love of a travelin’ soldier
Our love will never end
Waitin’ for the soldier to come back again
Never more to be alone when the letter said
A soldier’s coming home

So the letters came from an army camp
In California then Vietnam
And he told her of his heart
It might be love and all of the things he was so scared of
He said when it’s getting kinda rough over here
I think of that day sittin’ down at the pier
And I close my eyes and see your pretty smile
Don’t worry but I won’t be able to write for awhile

One Friday night at a football game
The Lord’s Prayer said and the Anthem sang
A man said folks would you bow your heads
For a list of local Vietnam dead
Crying all alone under the stands
Was a piccolo player in the marching band
And one name read but nobody really cared
But a pretty little girl with a bow in her hair

Lyrics originally by: Bruce Robison

Love these Lyrics – Taylor Swift’s MINE

September 11, 2010September 10, 20103 Comments

Say what you will about Taylor Swift, but I think she’s adorble. I also think she’s an incredibly talented songwriter who writes about what she knows and sing from the bottom of her heart. Plus, she’s cute, polite, wholesome and classy. Her newest song, MINE, is a love story about a couple who faces and overcomes the challenges of a real-life relationship, and it’s excellent. Here’s the video:

And here are the lyrics, written by Taylor Swift:

You were in college, working part-time, waiting tables
Left a small town and never looked back
I was a flight risk, afraid of fallin’
Wondering why we bother with love, if it never lasts

I say, “Can you believe it?”
As we’re lyin’ on the couch
The moment, I can see it
Yes, yes, I can see it now

Do you remember, we were sittin’ there, by the water?
You put your arm around me for the fist time
You made a rebel of a careless man’s careful daughter
You are the best thing that’s ever been mine

Flash forward, and we’re takin’ on the world together
And there’s a drawer of my things at your place
You learn my secrets and figure out why I’m guarded
You say we’ll never make my parents’ mistakes

But we got bills to pay
We got nothin’ figured out
When it was hard to take
Yes, yes

This is what I thought about:

Do you remember all the city lights on the water?
You saw me start to believe for the first time
You made a rebel of a careless man’s careful daughter
You are the best thing that’s ever been mine

And I remember that fight, two-thirty AM
You said everything was slipping right out of our hands
I ran out, crying, and you followed me out into the street

Braced myself for the goodbye, cause that’s all I’ve ever known
Then, you took me by surprise
You said, “I’ll never leave you alone.”

You said, “I remember how we felt, sitting by the water.
And every time I look at you, it’s like the first time.
I fell in love with a careless man’s careful daughter.
She is the best thing that’s ever been mine.”

You made a rebel of a careless man’s careful daughter
You are the best thing that’s ever been mine

Do you believe it?
We’re gonna make it now
And I can see it

I can see it now

Friday Five – Summertime Edition

July 30, 2010July 30, 20101 Comment

1 – First, I have to rave about Jenny Han’s Summer series, of which the first two books I devoured in about 48 hours total. Amazing, amazing, amazing… and an extra amazing because I got to read them under the sun with my feet in my daughter’s kiddie pool!

Seriously, they’re the kind of books you read that make you want to quit writing because they are so beautiful and emotional, but simple and without airs, too. You want to BE the main character, because she’s adorable and has two awesome boys who love her. But at the same time, you’re glad you aren’t her, because she’s flawed and has impossible decisions to make. I can’t stop thinking about the characters and their love triangle that has no good outcome; I have a feeling that at least one of those characters I love is going to be left heartbroken.

2 – I’ve been listening to Kenny Chesney A LOT lately. He’s just so fabulous and has the very best summertime mood music… here’s my favorite:

3 – Summer means a new season of one of my very favorite shows, Project Runway! I think Heidi Klum is so darn fabulous, I love the eccentric cast of designers they always seem to find, and Tim Gunn is my hero! Plus, the challenges are always so imaginative and fun. If you’ve never watched, I highly recommend giving it a shot. Lifetime, 9pm, Thursdays.

4 – Not a huge Zac Efron fan, but I’m dying to see the movie Charlie St. Cloud. From what I’ve seen, this movie looks like the perfect mix of romance, action, and emotion, all mixed up with a bit of a ghost story. Plus, when Zac Efron cries in the trailer, those big blue eyes all filled with tears, my heart just about breaks. Something about a guy torn up by the death of a family member really pulls at my heartstrings.

5 – I think I’m ready for a new WIP! I need something to take my mind of the querying process, and what better than to dive head first into a new project? I think of it sort of like a rebound boyfriend after a bad break-up… I need something new to distract me and keep me busy while I work on distancing myself from the project that previously consumed me. So… my new WIP’s going to be set in the summer time, at a place sort of like this: