The Cost of Getting What You Want
19 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: Timeless Tales
Hello! I squeezed in time for letter writing!
This is probably the last post on this site you’ll see for a long time. I’m cutting back on my projects, starting with the ones I’m already not updating, like this one. I can’t stand blogs that just stop posting and leave their readers hanging, so I’m respectfully telling you that shouldn’t bother checking this page for a while. I’m not shutting down, but it’s very unlikely you’ll hear from me for a long time, probably months.
If you want to be sure you get my next post, whenever that is, sign up for the email subscription on the right. —->
OR better yet, I’ll still be posting on Diamondandtoads.com, so just sign up for those updates.
Oh, how very wrong I was!
Let’s take stock, shall we? Right now, I have this blog, my Diamonds and Toads blog, which requires me to keep up with both Once Upon a Time and Grimm, I’m trying to start Timeless Tales, and I’m part of a writing critique group. Those are the biggest things. And what do I have time for? Ummmm, cleaning my room, but only sometimes–wait, that isn’t on the list?
I have to cut back. I’m struggling at the job–I keep making mistakes and things keep falling through the cracks, and it’s happening at a rate that I find unacceptable. My memory has been failing me, which is partially due to short-term stress and information overload, but it’s also because I’m not getting enough sleep. I can’t control the former, but I can do something about the latter. Thanks to the fast pace of the job, I rarely feel tired, but even though I’m feeling fine, it’s causing me to forget things. This isn’t a job I can cruise through on auto-pilot.
So I’ve committed myself to a laptop-shutdown time of 10 pm in hopes that it will result in an earlier bedtime. This will carry throughout the weekend because I don’t want to negate the benefits of sleeping in on those days. I am NOT happy about this. I have so little free time already, I hate robbing myself of even more of it. But we will give it a month and see how it goes.
Here’s some good news, though. My good friend David has just started a blog of his own and it’s about board games! And not plain old Scrabble and Risk, either. David has introduced me to so many fantastic games since I’ve known him. You should totally check it out: http://bitsofboardgames.blogspot.com/
Well, it’s 9:50 pm, so you know what that means! I’ll see you sometime in the future!
ARCs and My New Groove
27 Nov 2011 2 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: advanced reading copy, ARC, cinder, Despicable Me, Gru, marissa meyer, New job
Half of you are probably dying to hear about my new job and the other half are dying for me to talk about writing/reading stuff again, so I’m going to try and please both sides today. The job stuff will come last since my last three posts were “about my life” type things.
Part 1: …
I’ve been sitting on some news for a few weeks, but I think I’m ready to share it now. Look at what I have, guys!
That’s right! It’s an ARC (Advanced Reading Copy) of a book called Cinder by debut author Marissa Meyer. And it’s mine! All mine!
The book officially comes out in January, but I get to read it now.
Marissa is a longtime follower of Diamonds and Toads and when she sent me an email asking if I’d like to review her book for the blog, I couldn’t say “YesYesYes!” fast enough! I won’t give you too much detail here because I’ll be interviewing Marissa about her book on Diamonds and Toads sometime in December. I’ll just say that Cinder is a sci-fi retelling of Cinderella where the main character is a cyborg. And yes, it’s as awesome as it sounds. I’m currently about 75% through reading it and it’s really good! Best part is that it’s going to become a trilogy. Definitely keep an eye out for it when it comes out.
Part 2: My New Groove
Alright, so I’ll be honest, the first two weeks of my new job were overwhelming. My boss is a very popular guy and very in demand for interviews and meetings, so I really had to hit the ground running, which was difficult when I wasn’t familiar with Mac, which is what our office uses. I’m a pretty confident person, but I honestly had a day or two when I wasn’t sure if I could learn it all fast enough. Thank goodness, I’m finally getting the hang of it now–I’m still making more mistakes than I’d like, but at least I think managing it all is possible.
Working full time hours has been a huge shock to me. I’ve done it before, of course, but I definitely got a bad case of whiplash coming off of a summer of empty days to a job that goes 8:45 am – 6:00 pm. And a few times, I’ve stayed later than necessary because I was woefully behind on my task list and didn’t want to leave until I felt like I’d done something useful that day.
So…yeah, it’s a challenge, but it’s worth it. It’s great having a job that is never boring and I always feel needed, that’s for sure! And I’m sure most of my complaints will die down once the first paycheck comes in this week.
There’s a lot that’s fun about the job too. For example, 80% of our mail is screener copies or dvds of movies, which are always exciting to open. My boss is friends with a ton of Hollywood people, so I’ve heard some great stories. Heck, I’ve probably talked to someone who’s worked on a famous movie without even knowing it!
I won’t be posting stories about the office on my blog, by the way. Discretion is very important in this business and I wouldn’t want to get in trouble for saying something I shouldn’t.
Alright, I’m just going to leave you with this clip from Despicable Me to give you a glimpse into how I feel living in a house with so many little kids. I am SUCH a Gru–kids really aren’t my thing, but these kids are really smart and cool, so they’ve won me over. I *really* wanted the scene where Gru reads the Unicorn book to the kids, but I couldn’t find it 
This Week’s Theme Song
15 Nov 2011 Leave a Comment
What will this day be like? I wonder.
What will my future be? I wonder.
It could be so exciting to be out in the world, to be free
My heart should be wildly rejoicing
Oh, what’s the matter with me?
I’ve always longed for adventure
To do the things I’ve never dared
And here I’m facing adventure
Then why am I so scared?
A captain with seven children
What’s so fearsome about that?
Oh, I must stop these doubts, all these worries
If I don’t I just know I’ll turn back.
I must dream of the things I am seeking
I am seeking the courage I lack.
The courage to serve them with reliance
Face my mistakes without defiance.
Show them I’m worthy
And while I show them
I’ll show me
So, let them bring on all their problems
I’ll do better than my best
I have confidence they’ll put me to the test
But I’ll make them see I have confidence in me
Somehow I will impress them
I will be firm but kind
And all those children (Heaven bless them!)
They will look up to me
And mind me with each step I am more certain
Everything will turn out fine
I have confidence the world can all be mine
They’ll have to agree I have confidence in me
I have confidence in sunshine
I have confidence in rain
I have confidence that spring will come again
Besides which you see I have confidence in me
Strength doesn’t lie in numbers
Strength doesn’t lie in wealth
Strength lies in nights of peaceful slumbers
When you wake up — Wake Up!
It tells me all I trust I lead my heart to
All I trust becomes my own
I have confidence in confidence alone
(Oh help!)
I have confidence in confidence alone
Besides which you see I have confidence in me!
Haven’t You Noticed, Suddenly I’m Bright and Breezy…
14 Nov 2011 5 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: relocated, relocation, Tahlia Merrill, yogurtland
I start work tomorrow, but wanted to dash off a post to let you all know what’s going on. Wow, since when did this blog become about my daily life? Ummm, sorry about that! I’ll get back to business as soon as things settle down.
Okay, so this is going to be a sort of FAQ about my life right now:
1. Where are you living?
Answer: Thanks to my parents’ amazing emailing skills, I’m renting a room from a family in Oxnard. I have high-speed internet, a queen-sized bed, lots of closet space, and I’m about 20 minutes from work, so I’m pretty dang content. They have six kids, which will be a huge adjustment for me…oh, wait, actually that isn’t too different from college life 
2. Do you have a car?
Answer: YES! Because the job offer gave me short notice for starting, my generous and incredibly trusting parents have given me their car and will be buying a new-used one when they get back home. I’m sooooo nervous that something bad is going to happen to this car while its under my watch. It’s served us faithfully for many years and I sort of see it as an old friend, so I’d hate to be the person who hurt it. Plus, I do NOT want to have that conversation with my parents EVER!
3. What about Thanksgiving?
Answer: Not sure yet, but probably won’t make it back home considering that I *just* got here. The family I’m staying with goes away for Thanksgiving, so I might enjoy some introvert time OR I might see who’s around at Westmont then, or who knows! I am going to keep my options open on this one.
4. What are you most excited about?
Answer: Honey tasting! There are two places around here that have honey tasting. I’ve been wanting to start this as a hobby, so talk about perfect! Also, I cannot wait to go to Yogurtland again. Even though it’s winter, I have missed it so much, I’ll definitely go this week!
Last week, I was bemoaning that I'd miss this. Not anymore!
MUST TRY Blackberry Lemon Mint Tart frozen yogurt!
5. OMG, you’re near Westmont now–VISIT US!!!
Answer: All in good time, my pretties. All in good time. 
6. Can I visit you???
Answer: Yes as long as it’s on a weekend or after work during the week! Just send me a text/facebook message/etc. and we’ll work something out. The family has said I can have friends over, but if you plan to stay for a while, I might suggest we go to a coffee shop so we don’t bug them.
Oh, and as a post-script, I’d just like to rave about my parents one more time. Seriously, they’ve been my heroes this weekend. We’re all naturally a bunch of slow moving, fussy homebodies, so I wasn’t sure if we could pull this move off at all, considering how much everything had to be thrown together at the last minute. My parents were troopers above and beyond the call of duty. I’ve had to relocate a bunch of times since I started college and every time has been painful and often had me in hysterics because of the stress. This time, despite the fact that we had the hardest circumstances to work around, it went relatively smoothly. So for their repeated acts of parental courage this weekend, in the face of trying times, they get a shiny medal of valor. Although, we definitely were on each others nerves a lot this weekend because of the stress.
Flash, Bang, Alacazam!
11 Nov 2011 2 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: employment, job, movieguide
Timothy Zahn will have to wait because I have landed a job–the real kind where you work in an office and have a boss and everything! And just when I was starting to worry about making a living off of the webzine I’m starting!
I’d intended on writing a lengthy and detailed post about the circumstances and the future, but I’m afraid I simply do not have time right now. Because, you see, the job is in Camarillo and I live a good seven hours north in Sacramento, so I am relocating…this weekend because I start work on Monday! GAHHHHH! Life just went from zero to sixty in less than a week! (Note to self: Do your readers a favor and lay off on the exclamation points.) It’s a good thing I’ve been a good girl these past months with keeping a regular sleep schedule and eating healthily because these next few weeks are going to be crazy! (Dangit, did it again…)
I’m going to be the new administrative assistant for Movieguide, a Christian company that helps families make informed choices in their entertainment. I was actually quite familiar with the company before applying because I grew up reading their magazine, which gave me a lot of respect for them. I’ve always been fascinated by the effect of the media on our minds and culture, but I’ll write more about that another time.
Needless to say, we are in full “Let’s get down to business to defeat the Huns” mode over here. Yesterday, when I found out, I called a bunch of my relatives to let them know that I will soon be a respectable member of society. And then I proceeded to make SIX lists: Housing, transportation, packing, budget, general to-do, and questions to get answered. I have triumphantly unsubscribed from the million job searching emails that have been clogging up my inbox for months.
I wish I could celebrate more thoroughly here, but I am in the throws of packing and there isn’t much time for me to get everything done. So far, everything is going unusually well. I can’t be sure yet, but I *think* I’ve found a place to stay in the area and much of my stuff is still in boxes in storage, so it’s easy to retrieve.
I’ve received an overwhelming amount of support from my parents on this, so a big thank-you to them for being willing to drop everything and help me figure this move out. It was also amazing to see how many of my friends and family on facebook sent me extremely enthusiastic congratulations about this. Seriously, my facebook peeps know how agonizing unemployment has been for me, and I’m sure they’re very relieved they won’t have to hear any more of my “I feel so useless” rants.
Note: Not sure how, but I’m still going to be launching Timeless Tales Magazine in December, but I’m going to give myself permission to not think about HOW until next Saturday. Luckily, we’ve done the biggest chunk of the work already, so my hope is that it won’t be too hard. Hey, maybe I can actually pay my wonderful web designer friend some money for his work now! That would make me pretty happy
Sorry about the lack of pictures in this post! I’m seriously dashing this off as fast as I can because I need to keep packing.
Letters to Dead Writers
08 Nov 2011 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: Famous writers, Writers
To make up for my failure to write a letter this weekend, I wrote a list of authors who I would write charming notes to if they were still alive:
1. Agatha Christie
2. P.G. Wodehouse
3. Madeleine L’Engle
4. Lucy Maud Montgomery
5. C.S. Lewis
6. L. Frank Baum
7. Charlotte Bronte (but only after I’d read more than Jane Eyre)
8. Hans Christian Andersen (although I’d never want to meet him in person)
I’m leaving off Oscar Wilde and Conan Doyle because I don’t think we’d get along very well. Also, Lousia May Alcott gets left off because I’m afraid I could never meet her without strangling her because of the ending of Little Women.
Charming Note #5 = Fail! :(
07 Nov 2011 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: books, Charming Note, christian fiction, CyberQuest, Mars Diaries, sigmund brouwer, Wings of Dawn
So I tried to find Sigmund Brouwer’s address and I failed. Normally you send a letter to the author via their publisher, but it proved impossible for me to track down. He also didn’t have a personal email address listed anywhere and the best I could find was an email for requesting a school visit. Yes, I know I could have tried that, but I’m one of those people who likes to follow the rules and if something says it’s for Purpose X and my purpose is Y, then I feel like I’m breaking some unspoken rule. So for now, his letter will have to wait.
But I’ll still talk about him a little bit here because he’s one of my favorite authors
Sigmund Brouwer
Sigmund Brouwer is a Canadian author of all sorts of Christian fiction. He made it onto my short list of “Contemporary Christian Authors Who Do NOT Suck” that I wrote a year ago. He’s one of the few who have successfully pulled off Christian sci-fi for young adults. A perfect Christian book seamlessly weaves its message into a strong story and compelling character. And for nailing that, I raise my glass to Mr. Brouwer.
Now, there are a lot of his books I’ve never read. He has written books about cowboys, hockey, and preteen boy detectives aren’t really my thing. And it’s been YEARS since I read any of his stuff so my memories of what I most loved are pretty hazy. Definitely time for some re-reading, but here’s my list of favorites:
1. Magnus/Wings of Dawn/Winds of Light series: This book has gone through multiple reprints and title changes. You can either buy the series in eight bite-sized pieces OR you can buy a thick book with the whole story in one place. It’s about Thomas, who leaves the monks he grew up with to reclaim the Earldom of Magnus. He teams up with a knight and a mute girl, but there are plenty of people conspiring against him. Full of mystery, adventure, and ancient cultists!
2. Cyberquest: Again, can be bought as one book, or a series (I’d recommend the complete book to cut down on repetition). This is a post-apocalyptic book that mixes virtual reality, time travel, and a spiritual journey.
3. The Mars Diaries: Set in the near future on Earth’s first colony on Mars. The main character uses a wheelchair and is a virtual reality expert.
Alright, I’ll try to find another author to write before the week is over. I’ll possibly take a look at the writers of my Star Wars novels. Dare I write the great Timothy Zahn?
Charming Note #4: Gail Carson Levine
29 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: books, charming notes, ella enchanted, fairest, fairy tale retellings, fairy tales, fantasy, Gail carson levine, snow, stories, Writing, writing magic, YA, young adult, young adult fiction
Gail Carson Levine
New to the blog? Don’t know what this “Charming Note” thing is? Click here for my introduction to the project.
*deep breath* This is an intimidating one. What do you even say in a letter to a legend of YA fantasy? “Hi, I love your books” seems horribly inadequate. I mean, what girl hasn’t read and loved Ella Enchanted?
Let’s start there, with Ella. My paperback copy has been read and lent so many times that I’ve had to put the hardcover version on my Christmas list! If you want a book with a perfect ending, this is it. It is tense, powerful, and deliciously satisfying. I usually get annoyed by characters who try to play the martyr to “protect” their love, but the stakes are so high in Ella that I could stand 100% beside her decisions in the last scene. For the record, Char is on my short list of favorite fictional men (He even lands above Gilbert Blythe!).
Ah, and you know how I complained a few posts back about nobody publishing books for teens who want to take their writing seriously? Well, Gail Carson Levine proved me wrong! A few years ago, her book Writing Magic came out and it’s specifically targeted at middle schoolers wanting to hone their craft. Fun fact: According to her website, this is the only book of hers that’s been banned–because she advises that writers make their characters suffer! Just another reason to love G.C.L
Her other books (the ones I’ve read at least):
1. The Two Princesses of Bamarre: Possibly the first bittersweet book I ever read. I had to read it twice to fully reconcile myself to the ending because it was so unexpected.
2. The Princess Tales series: Is it any wonder I’ll be starting up my own fairy tale rewrite magazine when I was raised on these books? Lighthearted short stories packaged in beautiful hardback covers that only add to the pleasure of reading them.
3. Fairest: Sort of a companion to Ella Enchanted (set in a neighboring world). A Snow White retelling.
It has this fantastic line in it that the prince tells Aza. She’s not considered to be very pretty by most people, but he tells her something along these lines: “Some girls are beautiful like trees or rivers, but you’re beautiful like a mountain. You’re magnificent.” Gah, I wish my book wasn’t in storage because I’m sure the exact wording is much better than that.
4. Ever: I was very excited to see GCL branching out into Greek mythology, and especially the Psyche and Cupid story because it’s probably my favorite myth. However, this book didn’t grab me like I’d hoped, but perhaps it was because I’d set my expectations so incredibly high.
5. Tale of Two Castles: My mom’s read it and said it was good, but alas, it’s still on my to-be-read pile. I’m very excited about it, though! It’s a loose Puss ‘N Boots retelling, which is pretty cool.
Alright, that’s all for now! My next charming note will go to Sigmund Brouwer, a Christian fantasy/sci-fi author. This is my effort not to exclusively write to female YA fantasy writers.
Retreating Forward!
25 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: Writing
I’m back from my writing intensive weekend with my friend Courtney (see previous post). The buzz of inspiration is always a thrill, but when inspiration is mixed with collaboration, it becomes positively addicting!
Also, my favorite writing projects are the ones that requires me to create a Google calendar for the story. Because Guardian Ghost is written in letter form, it’s important to make sure the dates don’t get wacky. If I send a letter across the country by pigeon, it shouldn’t take the same amount of time as if I’d sent it across town.
Anyone else find they write better when they’re reading a really good book or watching some brilliant television show? This weekend, I’ve been watching Downton Abbey and reading A Monstrous Regime of Women (the 2nd Mary Russell/Holmes book by Laurie R. King), which not only share the same time period, but they are full of five-star characters and insights. I find that if I put good writing into my head, my own ideas improve…and the author’s style has been known to creep into my own writing, which is certainly amusing when I’m writing sci-fi and reading Jane Austen!
Create Your Own Writing Retreat
21 Oct 2011 1 Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: guardian ghost, NaNoWriMo, SCBWI, Writing, writing retreat
In a few hours, I’ll be leaving to visit my good friend Courtney for a few days. While I am bringing along a stack of board games and I imagine we’ll have several long talks about life/the universe/everything, our main goal is to help each other with our writing.
Me and Courtney
Courtney is close to self-publishing her first book online and I have been so focused on job hunting and building the Timeless Tales website that I desperately need rewriting time for my own novel. We’re also going to spend a lot of time planning out the ending of Guardian Ghost because I think the story has a lot of promise for publication if we can just finish writing it. I mean, who wouldn’t want to read about a girl who works as a therapist for ghosts? The original rules of our letter game were that we were supposed to finish the story without discussing it, but that was when we were just doing it for fun. Now that we are taking G.G’s future more seriously, we realize that a little planning now might save us a ton of rewriting headaches later.
It’s nice when writing doesn’t have to be a solitary pursuit. It’s even better when you can get that buzz of collaboration without having to pay a ton of money! I also have connected with a wonderful group of SCBWI ladies and once a month we have a large meeting (called a “shmooze”) at a restaurant or someone’s house where we talk about our current projects. And then there are four of us in a critique group who meet more often to give each other feedback on our work. Accountability is a powerful tool for writers.
Speaking of accountability…Who’s doing NaNoWriMo??? Come on, don’t be shy, just admit it and then feel the pressure of our expectations pushing you to actually win this year. This is my post from last year about why I’ve never tried it myself.
This year, if I didn’t have the magazine to plan, I would give NaNo a shot. Alas, I need to stay focused on the magazine, so I have to pass on the opportunity. Maybe next year, though. Best of luck to all my friends who are attempting it this year. I’m rooting for you!
