Last week I took two of my crew to Peter Piper Pizza for the afternoon. Now, I am not a big fan of that pizza, but the kids like it. They always seem to come back stained up from using their shirts as napkins, and pizza grease is hard to wash out. But despite my complaints, they like going there. They spend stupid amounts of my pay check on the games in record time. When they get within twenty feet of our booth I grab them and force them to eat the exorbitant cardboard pizza. It's either that, or the wander back sad-faced when they're out of tokens.

Now I am on a new low-carb craze, hoping I can jumpstart my weight loss, and pizza is NOT on the menu. So I opted for hot wings. I go and grab a seat by myself with my magazine, drink, and cell in hand, trying to enjoy the little bit of alone time amidst the blinking lights and constant threat that one of my children might be abducted at any moment. The magazine is a must for any mom to carry. A book can be too engaging, and a magazine allows one to glance up when needed. It's hard to get too lost in a magazine article on recovering an old sofa.

Once the food arrived I decide to eat all by my lonesome and let the molten pizza cool off some. It didn't take me long to realize that hot wings wasn't the most glamorous thing to eat, and should probably not be eaten by yourself if you are the self-conscious sort. With every digit covered in spicy sauce, I waved to a friend of mine who walked through the door- a classy moment for sure. It was only after she and her family walked by that I noticed the large drip mark on my white shirt. I rubbed good and hard, but it only got worse as I was using a dirty napkin covered in my own hot wing goo. I totally deserved my seven-year-old's censure when he ran over to the table. His look was one of disgust as he handed me a napkin saying, "You need this more than I do."

I nixed the rest of my errands, and it was a good thing too. Liam completely forgot to mention I still had hot wing sauce on my face. Thanks, dude. I wouldn't have left him like that. But that's what happens when you hang out with little kids. You end up wearing food.

So what did I learn: First of all, no eating hot wings unless I have a drop cloth. Secondly, wearing white when doing so is never a good combination for one so messy. Most importantly, kids will always point out the irony of a situation, but they won't always tell you when you are wearing your lunch like clown make-up.

I finally got a release date for Black Bayou Road- August 28th!!

This book has been over three years in the making. From the first day the idea took shape until now it has been a complicated work in progress. I'm very excited for all of you to finally be able to read it. Stay tuned for a cover reveal later this summer.

It's NaNoWriMo time again, and I'm exhausted at the thought. 50,000 words in one month is a daunting task. Last year was the closest I have ever come to making that goal. I reached 28,000 words between two different projects. I know, I know- that was dumb. I have a hard time picking something and seeing it though til the end. To top it all off, I lost all but 6,ooo words on the manuscripts when my zip drive broke. I had been so wrapped up in writing, when I really should have been wrapped up in SAVING!!

Surprisingly, I wasn't too upset at the loss of so much work. I don't think it was really great stuff. I have been working on Black Bayou Road for so long now, and have changed to story so much, it will probably amount to something vastly different than I had planned. I didn't like the direction I forced myself to go and am starting (almost) fresh. I have done this with the book twice now. It's gotta be a sign. Either this book will flop like my sad Sunday pancakes or soar like I wish it would.

Whatever the outcome I have decided to think of NaNoWriMo  like a moderately loud peanut gallery, occasionally throwing popcorn or raucously clapping when I decide to forego The Voice for the evening and write. I don't think I will make my 50,000-word goal, but you never know. It is November 5th, I have 8,000 words. I have 25 more days to possibly surprise myself.

   I am starting on another project now that I'm done telling Layla's story. Usually after finishing a book I take a while off, but I can't seem to do that. I'm ready for more!! I want to give it time, make those important stops in the bookstores, but my mind is already in creation mode. And the one thing that has me.most excited?!? MY NEW WRITING SUPPLIES!!!
   As you well know I am an English teacher, which may explain why I love love LOVE schoo supplies. I bought myself some new grading pens (I do not grade in red- think it's rude), and I decided to get some new  pens and paper to begin the prewriting and research stage for my next book. I found myself sitting in the middle of the aisle at Wal-Mart, mixing and matching colored pens, post-its and spirals! It was so much fun, I completely forgot my original purpose of getting groceries for the fam.
   So now I have to convince myself my silly thoughts are worth jotting down, that one day that single line I posted on Instagram will give birth to an entire book. Beginning a book is very daunting- every. single. time! The process doesn't get easier. I think the hope is the process gets better.
   This next journey is a personal one, even more so than the last. I only know this book will be a stand alone and I will pursue traditional publication as usual. I dirtied up those new pages tonight. I'm nervous about the introspection and excited about the possibilities.
   And before I say goodnight, I will be headed to a number of schools this fall, as well as Kingsville, Dallas, San Antonio, Corpus, and some new Texas spots this fall. I also have plans to visit some other larger cities up the East Coast. Look for the tour schedule coming soon to my website!
   Thanks for reading and please I'd love to hear feedback from y'all regarding The Lariat.

I laid awake in bed last night with way too much on my mind. And like many writers do, I got up knowing how to exorcise the thoughts running wild in my head. I had to finish The Lariat. I know I have previously said it was finished, but I should have qualified that statement. I should have actually said the first draft was finished- which is huge!  I have recently finished (as of last night) all the revisions to the storyline, and now must enter the third and final stage of editing. 


I am still planning on releasing this book this summer. I want it done as much as you want to read it. But I'm finding myself a little sad as it comes to a close. Layla Justus was not the first character I ever created, but she is special to me. The Beacon was the first book I ever shared with anyone and the first book I ever published. I knew it was going to be THE ONE when I just couldn't leave it alone all those years ago. I was elated when it was finished, but I wasn't so excited while writing The Porter. I had so much physical and emotional pain happening in my life that I felt the overall tone of the book is very bittersweet. Layla rises above her situation, but at a great cost to herself and her loved ones. While writing The Lariat, I have been seeking redemption with myself and with my characters. Like everyone else, there are transition periods within their lives and I have felt this book bring this transition period to a close.  I won't go into weepy details, I was just surprise while looking back how much the overall feel of each book reflects my life, even though I have said numerous times that these books are not about me at all.

As much as I'm ready to write something (anything!!!) different, I guess I'm not just as ready as I though for this ride to be over. I hope you'll pardon my drippy nostalgia. I'll try to get over it quickly.

    My author hat is just one of the many hats that I get to wear.  My writing comes third to being a mom and a teacher.  My obligations to my family and students comes first to writing, and I know all of you can relate. Writing, although fulfilling, is still not my full-time job. As much as it pains me, this also means that you have to wait for all of this to work out so I can release my new book.  I have had a minor problem with my time management and will have to put off the release of The Lariat.  Life gets in the way, right....
   

    I know I'm a week late, but I've been debating something serious- giving up all forms of social media for Lent. It would become cliche, but I am following suit. I believe too much of my time is spent online when I should be writing. So, although I will still be using the computer, I will not be posting, liking, commenting, blogging, or watching television until my book, The Lariat, is finished. It is scheduled to be released on April 24th and the cover will be released on March 6th. Barring those events, I will be using the Lenten season to spend some more time with my kids and the rest of the time writing.
    I'm doing this for many reasons, but ultimately I am worried that I have let social media validate my life and push ideas onto me that are hindering my growth as a writer and an individual.

    When I limit my childrens' exposure to the interwebs their grades improve and their attitudes change. It stands to reason this will happen with me as well.
    So even though I'm a little late with it (and those who know me know that is typical!)- I say better late than never!
 Again, Stay tuned for The Lariat's cover reveal on March 6th and The Lariat's book birthday on April 24th.  Talk to y'all very soon.