Thursday, January 12, 2012

A Giveaway and A Working Break


Last week, I asked you if you had a plan and I told you mine.  Saturday, I began on my health plan.  By going six days a week at an extreme fitness gym and following their nutrition plan, I can already see a visible difference in me. (I'm not talking about the fact that I'm limping today, LOL.)  I am being really focused.  (Everyone claps...)  

I realized I need to be like this with my writing too. 

Lenny and I working on a picture book.  We chatted about it for quite a while today.  I'm not sure if this is how you partner up to write a book, but this is how we are doing it.  He's writing the first draft and I'm consulting.  Then he'll send it to me.  Then I'll send it back to him and we'll chat.  We'll keep doing that until it is perfect and then we'll send it to some of our great bloggy friends for a critique and more revisions until it's polished and ready to submit.

I read YELLOW STAR by Jennifer Roy.  If you get my Goodreads updates or my tweets you'll know I was blown over by the story and the writing.  It made me waver a bit about the importance of my hf story compared to something so compelling, but thanks to some supportive friends (waves Theresa and Len) I'm back on track and want to finish my hf mg novel, NOT A HOLIDAY.  Lenny has promised to be (on my case) super supportive over the next month so I can get close to having the first draft done.

Soooooo, I'm going to take a working break from blog posting until Valentine's Day.  Then I will give you a full report (accountability is so important) on my progress.  Until then I am giving away three books.  All you have to do is be a follower and leave a comment.

 (Published by Guardian Angel a small press based in St. Louis.)

(a personal favorite )

(a writing craft book)

I hope you are having an amazing month!

Hugs to all... (Be safe if you are driving on icy roads.)

40 comments:

  1. Go you with the exercise!! That is not easy.

    Best of luck with your working break. I hope you get lots done!

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  2. I'm really glad the exercise routine is working out (btw, I laughed when you said that about limping.) And good luck with the writing! Let me know if you need a cheerleader. I'm there for you m'dear! :)

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  3. hi blom! wtg for all that exercise stuff and for getting going on finishing that mg book. for sure im gonna be a cheerleader for you. im working on our pb story and the first drafts coming your way real soon. i hope you get lot and lots done on your break.
    ...hugs from lenny

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  4. Good luck w/ your projects. I'm a follower ;)

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  5. Good for you keeping at the exercise. Since I started working part time again, I exercise only 1-2 times a week. Ugh! I don't feel as healthy.
    Good luck with your manuscripts, Sharon!
    I hate to say, I've taken a longer break from writing than I thought. I really, really will get back to it next week. Really.

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  6. Sounds like you're really on top of things Sharo. I am SO proud of you. Keep up the good work.

    I've got the fitness think under control, I just need to get back on track with my writing. I started by blogging like crazy again ... LOVE the support from our community.

    Tomorrow I hope to jump in an fine tune my ms for ABNA.

    Good luck ... I know you can do it!

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  7. Yay for exercise regimes. I've started one as well, though it doesn't sound as intense as yours. Have a great and productive blogging break.

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  8. You and lovely Len are such a dream team!! Yay!!

    GOOD LUCK with your collaboration!! It's sure to be a WINNER!!

    Enjoy your break - please take care with the extremeness of the exercise!! All the best with your novel and re-writes!! See you soon!!!!

    Take care
    x

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  9. It is wonderful and cute at the same time that yourself and Lenny are writing a book together. Wish you guys the best. I am sure that the book will be an excellent work.

    Great start with excercise. We all need it.

    Enjoy the break and have fun with your book.

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  10. I hope you'll do before and after pics!

    Is the giveaway open for foreigners?

    See you when you come back. :-)

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  11. I think that's a great connection, that writing can be work, that there can be intention and effort towards a goal just like exercise for the body. Best of luck with both your goals! Happy writing!

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  12. I hope your working break is very, very successful!

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  13. Good for you about both the exercise and the writing! I hope your working break is very productive.

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  14. Good luck with the book! I can't wait to hear all the progress on it. ;)

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  15. Hey Sharon,
    An awful lot of positives here. And I really know that working on that picture book with Lenny will be a wonderful experience for you both. Most excellent.
    Enjoy your break and may you embrace all the positive distractions on offer.
    Have a lovely weekend.
    In kindness, Gary :)

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  16. Oh, Sharon, have fun on your writing break!

    My son would (almost) kill to get his hands on that newest Diary of a Wimpy Kid book. He loves that series!

    Looking forward to your return after <3 Day. :)

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  17. You and Lenny! That will be amazing. Enjoy your break, my dear friend. You are a great writer (and cp)!!! I can't wait to see what you cook up next (and hopefully I get to read it).

    Hugs!

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  18. Good for you and good luck! We'll be here when you get back.

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  19. *takes hat off to you*

    Good luck on your writerly journey. See you on the other side!

    C x

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  20. Great job on the fitness and the writing, Sharon! I'm really wishing you and Lenny well on the picture book, for a productive break for you and your writing.

    Thanks for offering the giveaway. Kit Grady, who illustrated Doggie Day Camp, also illustrated my Animal Sound Mix-up!

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  21. Good for you! If I went into an extreme gym, I'm pretty sure they'd have to cart me out in a wheelbarrow! But... at least I've retaken up walking at least 3 or 4 times a week! :)

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  22. Hi Sharon .. I think that's great - and Lenny will be the bestest at leading, prodding, prompting, generally cheering and writing away happily ...

    Love the three books - but the Elizabeth George one sounds super interesting ..

    I wonder what Lenny will dream up - flapping feathers, ruffling raccoons, warty warthogs ... so looking forward to all your labours and phone bills falling into place!!

    Happy Days and then happy times ahead .. cheers Hilary

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  23. Good luck with your writing! Hope the net month is super-productive for you.

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  24. Good luck with this project. I'll be waiting to read how it turns out.

    All the best!

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  25. That's awesome about your health plan and writing plans. I wish you the best on both.

    What a great giveaway. Have a wonderful week and productive break.

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  26. oh, how awesome! You and Lenny are working on a picture book. I can't wait to see how it comes out--please keep us posted. And best of luck w/your work break! :o) <3

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  27. Congrats on your health goals and working so hard to achieve them. I agree that the same can apply to our writing. I'm in the process of adjusting mine, right now. (So excited to hear about your progress with Lenny!!)

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  28. Good luck with the collaboration!

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  29. Keep up the good work, Sharon! I bet that by Valentine's Day you'll be in great shape to tackle blogging and writing. Sending you lots of inspiration your way. We'll be waiting for an update ;)
    P.S. Hope that limp is nothing serious.

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  30. Good luck finishing, Sharon - I know you can do it!

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  31. Wow, working out six days a week? That is AWESOME!

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  32. I didn't know about the mg grade book problem. Sorry about it. But I'll stay on your case as soon as all this gets worked out here. *sigh* It's very depressing. *deep sigh*

    The book giveaway looks great. I'm in.

    I'm exercising with you, woman! Just returned from my run and jump on the trampoline. That thing hurts my legs! I'll talk to you soon! Love you.

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  33. I'm so happy to see you working on your body and mind. Lots of people say they're doing it--you are! Best of luck as you continue. (I'll miss you.)

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  34. All the best for your working break! You'll be missed!

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  35. Good for you for putting such effort into your exercising! When a person doesn't do it for a long time, they forget how good they feel after it. I am still going strong with keeping my weight off and exercising. Sometimes it gets hard ~ but gosh wearing those 'skinny' jeans feels so good!!! :)

    You go girl!
    xo Catherine

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  36. Great progress on the health plan! I need to be more diligent. Exercising feels good, and I need to remember. Would you believe I had some, ahem, chocolate from England today?

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  37. That is so exciting!!! I absolutely loved this, Sharon, I can't wait to see how the book comes out! : D
    I need to be more resilient on going to the gym as well, so, thanks for the inspiration!

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  38. way to go with pushing yourself to attain higher goals!

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  39. Hi Sharon! That is GREAT about exercise...something that I need to be more intentional about.
    Wish I could say my lack of blogging was due to a mad writing frenzy, but it's not. But, I'm back to reading them and writing a little...praying for clarity and determination during this time of writing for you!
    -MaDonna

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  40. Awesome giveaway! And best of luck with your break! I hope you get tons and tons of writing done.

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