So...I did it! I FINALLY got the the end of my WIP Dream Weaver (still a working title). It  needs revisions, but who cares, it says THE END! And it feels good. I was hoping to finish it days ago, but life, rather allergies, got in the way. Went to bed at 9 last night because my eyes were so bad I couldn't keep them open. Then I woke up around 2:30 and couldn't go back to sleep after trying to for an hour. I played around on my iPhone for a bit, but then thought "what the heck. No better time to write." So I did. Right now it sits just over 57K. I hope to add 3000 to 4000 more words (well, maybe more because I'm sure I'll end up deleting a bunch too). I'm aiming for around 60K.


Next plan is to read a book I've been recommended, "Self-Editing for Fiction Writers". Then I'll get to revisions. I also won a 50 page critique from an editor/author over the summer and should hear back from that at the beginning of November. That will come in handy (though I've already made changes to the beginning since I sent it...). I really can't wait to make it sparkle and shine.


Thanks to everyone who has encouraged me along the way. It's a long process, but well worth the wait.


Also..special thanks to my INCREDIBLE critique-rs! (Also known as Team Mason!) Keriann, Jamie H, Jamie M, Jess and Melanie! Y'all rock more than I can say!

Tune In Tuesday {16} - HEY YOU GUYS!

Tune In Tuesday is a fun weekly post hosted by Ginger at GReads.  It's a great way to see what kind of music other people are loving.  I’ve seen these around and just had to join in the fun.

Welcome to Soundtrack edition of Tune In Tuesday! The month of October we'll be posting our favorite soundtracks from movies, musicals and TV shows! This is the last week, so I'm sad to see it go!


I wasn't sure what to use for the last week of soundtrack edition because there are SO MANY GOOD ONES! But, after seeing a tweet by Katelyn I just KNEW!

KatelynTorrey Katelyn Torrey Goonies, Goonies, Goonies! I Love this movie like no other!!!!!!!!!!
MandieBaxter Mandie Baxter @
@KatelynTorrey Goonies never say die! It's our time down here. Fiddy dollar bills! We'll all b-flat. Rocky road? Baby ruth? HEY YOU GUYS!
MandieBaxter Mandie Baxter @
@KatelynTorrey Mama, you've been bad. No pen. No write. No sign. Uou klutz! Pinchers of peril! Does Brad wear braces? Follow then size fives.

So...yeah, now you know my pick! The Goonies is one of the best movies OF ALL TIME! I love, love, LOVE it! I can't even count how many times I watched it growing up. And yes, I know all the lines. Here are two songs from the soundtrack and the trailer. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

The Goonies 'R' Good Enough - Cyndi Lauper

I Got Nothing - Bangles

The Goonies Trailer

TGIF {12}

TGIF is a fun post created by Ginger at GReads.  It’s to recap what you’ve posted about through the week and then Ginger asks a fun question.


Friday, Oct. 21st - Book Blogs That Make You Smile: Pick 5 book blogs you visit often & think others should, too.


OH! I love this question and it's EASY! I'm doing this alphabetically because no one is better than the other (click on name for twitter feed and blog name for blog link).


1. Ashley from Books from Blah to Basically Amazing - Ashley's blog name says it all. She's not afraid to post a review, good or bad. She's always honest and her reviews read like she's sitting right there with you telling you about the book. If I need a rec, she's one of my go to bloggers. But beware, if you agree to read one of her favorites, she will hold you to it! I don't mind though, sometimes I need the push. (Note to Ashley:  no, I haven't finished a certain book, still been super busy! But if I don't read it before vacation next month, it's the first on the list! I don't care what is out then.)


2. Ginger at GReads! - Ginger is the newest blogger I've gotten to know and I'm so glad! Between books, TV shows and music there's never a dull moment in our conversations. She has introduced me to some amazing books, and there are still many more I haven't had the chance to read! I walk through the book store and a book catches my eye and I'll think "OH! G said that was a good one." She's also gotten me addicted to the awesome band SafetySuit. If you haven't heard them, check 'em out. Texas Forever! 


3. Jamie from Writers Write, Right? - Not only is Jamie a writer (and on of my awesome critique partners) but he blogs about books, too! His Waiting on Wednesday posts always have me running over to goodreads and adding to my pile. This past Saturday he proved what a book fan he is by driving over 3 hours to go to a Jennifer Echols book signing! Since I couldn't make it (was in the SAME town but for a writers workshop) he brought along books for me (and Ginger) to get signed! How awesome is that?! 


4. Katelyn at Katelyn's Blog! - My dear friend Katelyn, one of the nicest people on twitter EVER! She's the first book blogger that befriended me on twitter (we bonded over our hatred of packing...we are good procrastinators). My TBR pile doubled not long after meeting her. Her way with words makes every book look great. I add 99% of her reviewed books onto my TBR list, but I never mind because I know they'll be great. It may take me ten years to get through, but it'll be worth it. She's also gotten me addicted to a few bands, We The Kings (her favorite) and Artist vs Poet.


5. Melanie from A New Kind of Ordinary - Another one of my awesome critique partners, the TBR Thursday meme she created is always FILLED with incredible books (I bought 2 right away after reading it a few weeks ago). She's such a great friend and I can't wait for everyone to get a chance to read her contemporary book, Breathe, due out in November 11, 2011. It's amazing, just like her. She also introduced me to one of my new favorite (although canceled) shows, Firefly!


I know I've used the words awesome and amazing quite a few times, but I can't help it, it's true!

Tune In Tuesday {15} - "I say we make a pact"

Tune In Tuesday is a fun weekly post hosted by Ginger at GReads.  It's a great way to see what kind of music other people are loving.  I’ve seen these around and just had to join in the fun.

Welcome to Soundtrack edition of Tune In Tuesday! The month of October we'll be posting our favorite soundtracks from movies, musicals and TV shows!


My soundtrack pick this week is from the 1995 movie Now and Then. I ADORE this movie so much (and can't go wrong with Devon Sawa...swoon!)! I can't even count how many times I've seen it. If you haven't, you must watch it. These are some of my favorites from the soundtrack...though this was hard to narrow down because I love the whole thing.

"Sugar, Sugar"

"Knock Three Times"

"Now and Then"

"Now and Then Trailer"

Now and Then

1. "Sugar, Sugar" - The Archies
2. "Knock Three Times" - Tony Orlando/Dawn
3. "I Want You Back" - Jackson 5
4. "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" - Stevie Wonder
5. "Band of Gold" - Freda Payne
6. "Daydream Believer" - The Monkees
7. "No Matter What" - Badfinger
8. "Hitchin' a Ride" - Vanity Fare
9. "All Right Now" - Free
10. "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" - Supremes/Temptations
11. "I'll Be There" - Jackson 5
12. "Now and Then" - Susanna Hoffs

Tune In Tuesday {14} - Blast from the past!

Tune In Tuesday is a fun weekly post hosted by Ginger at GReads.  It's a great way to see what kind of music other people are loving.  I’ve seen these around and just had to join in the fun.

Welcome to Soundtrack edition of Tune In Tuesday! The month of October we'll be posting our favorite soundtracks from movies, musicals and TV shows!




This week I'm featuring a sound track from one of my favorite movies. I've loved 13 Going on 30 since the first time I saw it. I adore Jennifer Garner and she played this role perfectly. Then there's the music. I'm a huge fan of 80s music and this soundtrack mixes 80s with a little bit of everything else.

1. Head Over Heels
2. Jessie's Girl
3. Burning Down the House
4. Mad About You
5. I Wanna Dance With Somebody - Whitney Houston
6. What I Like About You - Lillix
7. Ice Ice Baby - Vanilla Ice
8. Crazy For You - Madonna
9. Vienna - Billy Joel
10. Why Can't I? - Liz Phair
11. Tainted Love - Soft Cell
12. Love Is A Battlefield - Pat Benatar
13. Will I Ever Make It Home - Ingram Hill

TGIF {11}

TGIF is a fun post created by Ginger at GReads.  It’s to recap what you’ve posted about through the week and then Ginger asks a fun question.


Friday, Oct. 7th - To-Be-Read's: How big is your pile? Which book keeps getting pushed down the stack, but you keep meaning to read it?


Wow...this question makes me want pull my hair out and scream. Also makes me want to laugh. And maybe cry. 


My to be read list is insanely long (you can check my goodreads shelves and see for yourself it's at 128 ish now, but I know there are a lot missing). If I can keep up with the goal I've set this year (50 books a year) it'll take me two and a half years to finish! Although that's just my list...not the actual books I own.

Of these 128 I own75 ish (physical books and a few on my kindle). The one that keeps going up and down is "Blood Red Road" (kindle). I've started it a few times and want to read it, but haven't gotten into it yet. Thought I do hear it's really good. Also at the top of my list is The Uglies (all four), Forbidden, With or Without you (not pictured because it's with a friend), A lot of the books on my TBR list are older books. I try to read books as they are released and then fill the gaps with the books I already own, but I don't catch them all. 

Not pictured (on my kindle):

Story of a Girl - Sara Zarr

The Boyfriend Thief - Shana Norris

I Am Number Four: The Lost Files

Dream Smashers - Angela Carlie

My Blood Approves Series (4 books) - A Hocking

13 Little Blue Envelopes - Maureen Johnson

The Ocean - Mia Castile

I've read Wither, not sure why it's there. That's also the Stephanie Plum Series by Janet Evanovich peaking out behind the first row (these are justsome of the books I have, all are not pictured), I'm only missing 2 or 3 from the series. I want them all before I start.

So what's in your TBR pile?

Tune In Tuesday {13} - Little Shop of Horrors

Tune In Tuesday is a fun weekly post hosted by Ginger at GReads.  It's a great way to see what kind of music other people are loving.  I’ve seen these around and just had to join in the fun.


It's here! Soundtrack edition of Tune In Tuesday! Starting today and going through the month of October we'll be posting our favorite soundtracks from movies, musicals and TV shows!


I've been thinking what I wanted to start off Soundtrack month with (I almost went with Twilight b/c I adore that soundtrack, but figured it would be a popular choice), and after a little chat on Twitter, I figured it out! How many people have seen the musical "Little Shop of Horrors"? If you haven't, you must watch. Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene and Steve Martin! Yes it's odd, it's from the 80s, and you may now think I'm a little crazy for picking it, but I like it!


Here's a brief description and a few videos. 

A nerdish florist finds his chance for success and romance with the help of a giant man-eating plant who demands to be fed.