Happy Monday, Friends!

I know it's been ages since I've posted a blog here, but time gets away, you know? Not to mention the fact that my blog titles don't seem to be showing up on my homepage, leading me to believe that something is very, very effed up and that nobody would ever know if I've posted or not anyway.

BUT, today I'm blogging regardless because I wanted to let you know that my second blog for b5media has officially launched. TeenStyleLounge gives you the scoop on all the tips and tricks necessary to navigating teendom. There's also plenty in there for old farts, too, so be sure to stop by and say "Hi". Send your friends, daughters, nieces, neighbors, babysitters, old locker partner's best friend's brother's dental hygienist's little sisters, etc. ;)

Also, be sure to watch for a bulletin on an EXCITING contest involving one of my favorite teen authors ev-ah! Details coming soon.

Thanks in advance for visiting!

Liberty

Here's the link: http://www.teenstylelounge.com

Hey all!

Right now, I know there are a TON of my writer friends that are setting off on their New Novel roads, and I'm no exception. Not sure what's prompting this sudden movement in everyone, but it's great to have company!

As you already know, my co-author and I have begun our YA novel and now that she's back from her jet-setting adventures, that should resume right quick. Yay.

I've also started what's lovingly been dubbed my Indie YA--one I'm writing myself. It seems to be flowing well and I'm already in love with the characters. Another Yay.

I am most definitely digging my new blogging jobs (you HAVE visited Snarkstress, right? Right?) but I must say that fiction is my first love. There is just something about living with your characters day in and day out that gives you a whole other perspective on your own world. It's one of the most invigorating things I've experienced and I really feel like "myself" when I'm writing fiction (which is pretty funny, since it's such an inverse, no?)

So how about you? If you're a writer, what are you working on right now? What is your favorite part about starting a new project? Are you a plot writer or a character writer? If you're a nonfiction writer, what are your favorite types of projects?

Have fun with this...inquiring minds want to know! ;)

Happy Friday, Friends!

So much to tell you, but just a quick blurb here for the shameless self-promotion of my new Fashion Critic blog for b5media: The Snarkstress.

Please stop by and visit. Leave a comment there or here and let me know your thoughts. I'm having a blast writing it, and I hope you'll have as much fun reading it.

Stop by today and tell all your friends!

http://www.snarkstress.com

Have a great weekend!

Hey all! Hope your summer's the best ever so far.

Well, it totally pains me to post this, but last week I was dealt the most crushing rejection of this entire submission process. And I still find myself boo-hooing over it. Still.

Wah.

OK, so rejection is no surprise to anyone who writes and throws their work out to the vicious dogs of the publishing world. Happens all the time. And most of the time, it's no biggie. But for me, this time, it was a total killer.

Now, let me be clear and say that I've submitted my work to some fabulous agents and I'd be beyond thrilled to work with any of the ones that are still reading my work. Truly.

BUT, I had somehow developed a really scary girl crush on one of these fine agents (settle down, guys). I'm not sure why, but the demeanor of this one was so similar to mine, I thought for sure she was THE ONE. And her rejection makes me weep still today because it was SO POSITIVE.

Things like "You're a total talent," "Fun and truly well-written," and "My offer to take a look at any of your future work definitely still stands" peppered this rejection email. It would almost have been easier if she would've said "Girl, this sux. Now please, FOAD and leave me alone." But that sooo wasn't the case.

What's funny is that it wasn't until later that night that this all sunk in. I just spent the day figuring that Girl Crush Agent would be tops on my list for my YA project queries and that I at least had an open door with her when the time came.

But, man, then it suddenly hit. She rejected MY STORY. My beloved story that I threw my heart and soul into for close to a year. The characters that I love--they weren't enough for her. It's devastating, really. It's honestly and truly like setting your child out on the sidewalk and everyone that comes by tells you s/he's ugly or not quite right. It hurts that bad.

That rejection still hurts today, a week later. Of course, I am totally excited about the future, but it still is hard to take.

But, hey, nobody ever said getting published was easy, now did they?

Onward, my friends. Onward.

Is it Wednesday already? Seriously? Jeez, where did the week go? Oh yeah, the kids are in Vacation Bible School this week--THAT'S why the days are flying by! ;-)

Welp, I am now taking volunteers for somebody to scrape me off the ceiling because I have been affixed there for a few days now. Why is that? Well, thank you for asking--how kind of you.

My lovely co-author and I have begun our new YA project, and let me tell you, if things keep going as beautifully as they currently are, this bugger will be thrust out into the world on time, in a blaze of glory. It's killer, it's fun, it's SO gonna get repped and sold! Can't wait.

AND...if that's not enough, I got word last night that my blog for b5 media, Snarkstress, will be officially launching on August 1. Yes, that's August 1st, people, so mark your calendars. What is that, a Wednesday? Hmm, looks like Wednesdays are pretty notable for 'ol Liberty. Cool. Anyway, scribble that date on every available surface within viewing range, but don't be surprised if you get multiple bulletins as I draw near to launch time. ;-) Thanks way in advance for your support.

Finally, I am sitting down to write my independent YA while my co-author jets off to Europe with her honey for a couple weeks and leaves me here feeling bewildered (I hope she brings me back some chocolate, ahem). I'll make use of our collaborative hiatus to get crackin' on my WIP--another home runner, for sure.

Like I said, Fun Times, Kids...Fun Times. Ain't life grand? :-D

Drop me a line and let me know what's cooking in your world this summer. I'd love to know!

Holy Kamoly, I just need to let out an excited shriek for a second...Eeeeeeeee! OK, there. Now I feel better.

So what's got my britches burning? Well, in addition to my new Snarkstress blog at b5 media (coming soon), a very, VERY good writer friend of mine (Hi, Jodie!) and I have decided to collaborate on a project together--a super fun and visual YA! We are both still shopping our independent adult fiction novels, but are crazy-giddy about putting our brains and voices together for this YA.

Life is good right now. I am so happy to finally be starting a new project. I've been obsessed in the throes of LOVE, FATE for so long that I feel like I'm finally bursting out of the tightly-woven cocoon I'd created for myself. I feel alive. The proverbial juices are flowing. I feel renewed and anticipatory and all that other cliched stuff. Dammit, I feel great!

I'll be sure to keep you posted on our progress. We hope to have this puppy cranked out by the end of summer. Lofty, but doable. We can ride this wave of exuberance and get 'er done!

Yay for moving forward and yay for new horizons!

Well thank goodness I made that outlandish decision to let success in...cuz guess what? I scored a blogging job I REALLY wanted. And it's even better than I thought! Yay for the power of positive thinking (and working your ass off, of course.)

So...stay tuned because in the next couple weeks, my fashion critic blog "Snarkstress" will be coming to a screen near you. I'll be part of the b5 media network and let me tell you, these people are fab! Be sure to visit the other blogs while mine is gearing up (after that, well, you can still visit the others, but really, at that point, you'll need to make it all about ME! ;-) )

Hope you all had a Happy Fourth. Let's celebrate the freedom and independence that our great country allows. Dreams come true every day in America. :D

Wa-ha-hooey! It came! The book with my PUBLISHED short story "Next Best Thing" came in the mail, and I like, have it in my HANDS! A BOOK! With MY STORY! What a cool thing!

So wow, if I get this excited over a competition collection, imagine when the ARC of my novel comes someday. Can you say Spazz? Steer clear, baby!

NOTE: In case you've missed my other blog posts, "Next Best Thing" placed #21 out of 8,119 entries in the 2007 Writer's Digest Short-Short Story competition and that's why it's been published in this book.

Fun Stuff! Time to bust out a little Kool & the Gang and CELEBRATE! :-D

Would you believe that I have yet to read any of the multitude of "prepare yourself for success" books out there? There's gotta be a gajillion of them, but I like to think I'm savvy enough to get the picture without actually having to flip the pages (yeah, I'm quite savvy, even though I'm blond! ;-o)

So even though I haven't read them, I am 150% on board with the thinking behind these manifestos. Jeez, it only makes sense. The positive activities involved with getting yourself ready for success can't help but drive mucho progress, right?

What would you do to prepare for your dream? If you had to do four different things to help usher in greatness, what would they be?

For me:

1) I'm going to get a little healthier (too much birthday cake and deep fried yummies lately!) and keep my "sexy girlfriend" haircut looking picture-worthy--cause you never know when an author photo might be needed!

2) I'm going to strengthen my writing abilities by blogging and writing more articles. I've applied for some awesome freelance stuff and I hope at least a few of these work out.

3) I'm going to network my little buns off. I've made some AMAZING friends through writing--folks who I really feel are "my people"--and I will maintain and nurture those relationships as well as forge new ones. Support and "been there, done that" anecdotes from fellow writers play such an important role while navigating this somewhat hellacious publication process. I don't know what I would do without my pals.

4) I will continue to dream big. I have high hopes for LOVE, FATE and book #2, which will be the novelization of my award-winning short story. I even have book #3 started, so I am ready at the gates when that two- (or three-) book deal is secured by my someday uber-agent. I will dream of a personal website with scads of hits, personal messages from fans who felt compelled to tell me how my book(s) resonated with them, signings and lattes with fans, contests from my website, signing bookplates and visiting book clubs, my starred review in Publisher's Weekly...yeah, I have some big dreams!

and a bonus...5) I will stay true to myself and my style. I will always be Libby the Mom and Wife in addition to Liberty the Author. I know both of these personas will cohabitate nicely. Can't wait!

So...am I ready for success? Hell yeah! And tomorrow I'll be even more ready. And the next day...and the next day...

How 'bout you? ;-)

Greetings from the Birthday Girl! Thanks to everyone who sent me well-wishes. I love and appreciate you all.

Unfortunately, however, my Undercover Agent (literary, that is) has forgotten to contact me by my self-imposed birthday deadline. I have now officially left "30" behind, and if you'll remember, "30" was supposed to have gone out with a bang (y'know, with an offer of representation for LOVE, FATE. Ahem.) I'm thinking that some assistant probably forgot to flip the page on an agent's personal desk calendar and therefore my would-be agent doesn't yet realize that today is the 25th. Could happen.

Right? ;-)

So, whatever. All this means is that I can start "31" out fresh and full of excitement for what lies ahead. I'm looking forward to making "31" even BETTER than "30".

So agents...flip your calendars and get dialing. I'm waiting! :-D