It's Time

by Cheri Chesley

I hope everyone had a beautiful Christmas filled with the true spirit of the season. My family had one of the best we've had in a while, and it really meant a lot. I want to say thank you to all my extended network of friends and family who post beautiful and meaningful messages online for me to read and glean a little vicarious Christmas spirit. I appreciate it.

It's also time that I say goodbye, at least to being a regular fixture here at Writing Fortress. Starting in the new year, I am devoting more time to writing stories and less time to writing blog posts. Not that I don't love it, but I've managed to fill my plate with so many blog post assignments I'm not being the prolific writer I need to be. Besides, after a year of posting almost every day in various blogs, I'm running out of things to say.

Cedar Fort has brought on a lot of new writing talent in the last year, and I'm sure one of them will happily fill my spot for Writing Fortress. You will get a fresh, unique perspective to this blog--which is always a good thing.

As for me, I hope to bring my readers more stories, both as published novels and e-books. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to blog for you. And I will miss the comments and often useful advice given me here.

Thanks for sharing this journey with me.
Cheri

Registration Opens Dec 1

by Cheri Chesley

Are you as excited as I am for the upcoming LDStorymakers' Conference? Well, why not? ;)

There have been a number of updates to the Conference's Facebook page, but I want to share some of the highlights with you today.

Here's the tentative SCHEDULE. Not everything is set in stone yet, but it still looks incredibly exciting. And educational. Look at all those breakout sessions. Imagine the learning!

Find out about BOOT CAMP, an intensive, extra course where you can get real hands on feedback from published pros.

Sign up for a PITCH SESSION. Pitch your polished novel to an agent or editor.

Check out the new (as far as I know) RESERVED CLASSES for those writers who have the basics but never want to stop learning--and moving forward.

Click HERE for dates, times, location and all the other pertinent details.

I love the Storymakers' conferences, even though I haven't had good luck with them. The first one I ever attended I could only go the second day. Felt a little lost. The second one I attended, I was still recovering from a serious illness and didn't make it through the first day--didn't even attempt the second. Last year, I had too much going on that month and couldn't even get there.

And now, well, I've moved 1200 miles away.

But I still want to go. It's that good. Not sure how it's all going to work out, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to try. Conference weekend is always packed full of great fun, great learning and extremely fun people. Authors are the best!

Hope to see you in May!

An Authors' Reality

by Cheri Chesley

This weekend has been an enlightening one, and I can blame/credit Facebook for that. I have the privilege of being friends with many authors in various states of publication and/or success--from National and International bestsellers to people still waiting to break in to publishing, or even those not so interested in publishing so much as sharing their stories or poems with friends and family. It's a blessed life.

And a cursed one. This weekend, several of my author friends have posted how their feelings of doubt about their abilities as writers have surged. These are established and even award winning writers. They have the chops. From the outside we question how they can doubt themselves or their abilities. They're proven successes.

But doubt and being a writer go hand in hand. It's the curse of art, I believe, or any artistic pursuit. We lack a standard by which we can measure success. Truly, success can be defined in different ways. Publishing a book. Getting the book contract. Having more than one book published. But, in truth, most of us just want to get better with each book. We crave the growth that comes with the process of writing. That is success.

It pains me to hear how my writer friends struggle. I know, from experience, that the doubt never really goes away. Right now I have what I think is the best manuscript I've ever written of to beta readers, and I know they're going to find problems with it. I want them to--so I can fix it, but, at the same time, I want to have the perfect book. Which I know is a pipe dream, but it doesn't stop me from striving for it.

To my friends who struggle with the process--and with their own doubts--I want to say that only you can define your personal success. As long as you are doing what you love, and doing your "Very best" as Gordon B. Hinckley would have said, you don't need to sweat the rest.

Recently, a friend asked if I could be anything I wanted or do anything I wanted in this world, what would it be. After some thought, I had to say I would be and do exactly what I'm doing now. I get to stay home and be here when my kids need me--which, after years of working, is such a blessing. And I get to write. I'm not the fastest or most prolific writer out there, but I'm steady. This has been my dream for so long, and I'm living it.

What would you be?

The Girl

Alison got into the shower late. Mom was shopping, Dad was watching the younger kids. Ali heard the screaming, but she put it all down to Dad's roughhousing--until she stepped out of the bathroom and got the shock of her young life.

A year later, Ali and her mom are starting over--again. She hasn't yet recovered from the dark turn her life has taken, and doesn't know if she ever will. Then there's that pesky little detail--she's seen the face of a murderer and doesn't know if he will let her live long enough to graduate high school.

Honestly, all I did was take a shower today and this story hit me. What would this do to a young girl? How would she pull out of it? What are the immediate after-effects? By the time I get to bed tonight, I'll have a rough draft of the details all ironed out.

As if I don't have enough to do, writing-wise. Lately, my strong suit has been ideas. I've been getting them in spades--some good, others not so much--but they don't stop coming. I take notes and put them aside. If the story seems strong enough, I'll pick it up at a later date. There are some details that might change, but that standard life-or-death struggle is something that readers never seem to tire of.

What is your writing strength? Are you a plotter? A pantser? Do you love the idea stage, or the rough draft stage, but hate editing? Or are you one of those amazing people who loves the editing stage? Come on, don't be shy. :) Share!

A Story Inspired

Today, an incredibly beautiful and talented young lady turns twenty years old. I first met her shortly before she turned four--she caught my eye when I saw her bouncing down the aisle in my sacrament meeting. Twice. I next saw her dancing circles around my mom and some guy in the foyer.

I married the guy. :)

But I saw her first.

Someday, I'm going to write a picture book about the love a stepmom can have for a child. The kind of love that doesn't lessen the love either of her parents feel for her; it's just another person who loves her. It's called I Saw You First. It's funny to me how sometimes the title of a story comes to me first. For this one, I have the title and the first couple of lines. It's going to be a poem I turn into a book. Rhyming and all that. Which, in large part, is why it's not written yet.

I receive story inspirations in different ways. Sometimes, an entire plot will sit down in my mind and not move until I write it down. Other times, like the above situation, it's the title that hits me first, but with a meaning I can't set aside. And, occasionally, a character will come to me with a story so powerful it can't be ignored. Though I doubt we've ever talked about it, I'm sure every writer has similar experiences. I don't know anyone who is always inspired the same way for every story they write.

It's my firm belief that the Lord speaks to each of us in ways He knows we will hear. The inspiration I receive at different times is what will actually impact me in those moments--and, as I stated before, it's not always the same thing. He knows me. And He speaks to me, but not the same way He speaks to you.

How are you inspired?

Laughter is the Best Medicine

by Cheri Chesley

Right now I'm watching 3 grown men try to fit a couch out the doorway. I promise, I am not laughing. No, really.

Today I had to take my daughter to the dentist to have some fillings put in. At this dentist, they give kids nitrous oxide, or "happy gas," to help them relax. My daughter was nervous about the whole experience, so we went ahead with the gas first to give her a chance to settle down before anything got started. They also have TV's in the ceiling, headphones, and the patient gets the remote. Spongebob was just starting.

"I love this show!" my daughter exclaimed.

Within just a few minutes, she was in la-la land with a capital LA! "Spongebob!" she yelled. "Spongebob! I'm here!"

Of course I have video. What kind of a mom do you take me for? lol

Packing to move is stressful. Today, I experienced my daughter's "happy gas" taking the edge off my stress and worry. I haven't laughed so hard in ages. I was still smiling when I wrote the check. Best money I've ever spent.

I did have some slight concern, because her antics had the dentist laughing pretty hard. But it all worked out fine. And fast. Within 20 minutes, she was done. It took her another 45 minutes to come back down to earth. She was the hit of my chiropractor's office. No lie.

What does this have to do with writing? I'm not sure, but it was too funny not to share. Maybe it can serve as a reminder that writing, like life, needs some humor in it.

Signings are More Fun in Groups

Don Carey has already posted about THIS, but I thought I'd share my perspective. :)

Please ignore my goofy smile lol.

This is a pretty sweet group to work with. All of us have stories to share, and a willingness to listen to one another. That can make a long car ride really enjoyable--and it did.

Tamara Heiner is quite a skilled author, and I'm looking forward to her next book. I'm also hoping she will trust her instincts and go with what she knows is good. ;)

Lynn Parsons knows her stuff. I love listening to her, and I know I didn't get 10% of the information she has to offer. It's my hope her book will reach members of the church the world over. It will help a lot of people.

Don Carey is totally fun, and patient. He talked airplanes because my daughter (who came along for the second leg of our trip) wanted to know. And, he and I share a love of the movie Labyrinth, which apparently is not shared by his family--so we made Lynn sit through the soundtrack on the way from Arkansas. Poor Lynn, but she's a good sport! :)

Summer is a difficult time for book signings. Everyone has trips, and all sorts of other plans that interfere with trying to get them into a bookstore to see you. However, I will suggest to all authors that they contact their local Hastings Books and Music stores. Seriously. They have a motto of being your home town bookstore, which is why you don't see them in many big cities. They like to promote local authors, and will do a wonderful job if you give them enough time. We had a twofold problem--we didn't give them enough time and we were up against the biggest garage sale in the world. I'd forgotten, but Duncan, OK does that every year and it's city/county wide.

Still, this was an invaluable experience and I look forward to repeating it.

Team Book Tour: 4 Authors on the Road

Four debut authors. Three book signings. Three states. Twenty-four hours. What a trip!

This past weekend I had an excellent opportunity to take Bumpy Landings on a summer book tour with Tamara Heiner (Perilous), Lynn Parsons (disAbilities in the Gospel), and Cheri Chesley (Peasant Queen).

Tamara and Cheri came to Dallas on Friday, where Lynn and I met them for an evening signing at Moon's LDS Bookstore. Then, bright and early Saturday morning, we drove to Hastings in Duncan, Oklahoma, where Cheri is visiting family. After our morning signing there, we zipped across the state to Springdale, Arkansas and Beehive Mercantile, which is Tamara's hometown bookstore.

The tour was fun and extremely valuable, although maybe not financially profitable. Was a trip this size worth the time, cost, and effort? I think so, if only because of the people met and lessons learned.

As we sat down to breakfast yesterday, we talked about what worked, what didn't, and what advice we would give to someone else planning a similar tour. Here are some of the things we came up with:

• Two of our stores had several months to prepare, although only one actually put together an "event". This was a much better signing.
• One of the stores was a last-minute replacement, with only a week of preparation time. This signing was good, but could have been so much better with a month or more to prepare and promote.
• Signing with other authors is awesome! When the signing is slow, there is good conversation to be had. Travel time conversations are great, and it's nice to split the gas costs.
  
• Two to four authors is a good number. It's not so many that it intimidates customers, and "unknown" authors still get some attention (unlike, perhaps, mega-signings with dozens of other writers).
• Summer is a convenient time for authors to travel, but may not be the most optimum time for bringing in customers. Check with the bookstores to find out when their busy times are.
• Traveling to multiple locations in a day is fun and would seem to be an efficient way to work. However, it forces compromise on the schedule. Our morning Oklahoma signing would have been much better in the early afternoon, but then we would not have had time to make it to the signing in Arkansas.
• This kind of signing is like a business trip, and the planning and coordination need to be professional.
  
• This kind of signing is like a vacation (or writing conference), in that (especially for 4 debut authors) the only thing you can really count on is meeting new people and getting to know the other authors really well. Most vacations don't turn a financial profit, either. The real value is time spent with others, learning and growing.
• Get the word out! Relying on walk-in traffic is courting failure. The most valuable customers are the ones the authors bring in themselves. Also, this kind of book event is an opportunity for you to crow about something. The publicity the tour itself generates may be the most valuable return you get.

Have you done a big multi-store, multi-author tour? What have you seen that works (or didn't work) and what things have you learned from taking your book on the road?

The Least Likely Places

by Cheri Chesley

My daughter--this beautiful creature here--and I were out for a drive Friday and, of course, talking. Really, because getting my kids to stop talking is quite the feat. :) My big van doesn't have a working radio, so we had to (gasp) communicate.

One of her favorite movies right now is How to Train Your Dragon. I tell you this because one of her favorite lines is one Gobber says: "Trolls exist; they steal your socks. But only the left ones. What's up with that?" The first few times I heard that line, I laughed. But now, I'm pretty over it. It got us thinking, though.

Why just left socks? And, if it's trolls stealing your socks, why haven't we seen them?

So we started brain storming. And now, it looks like we're going to write a book together. I'm excited. It's not going to be a long book--maybe it will just be a picture book--but we've solved the mystery of the missing socks.

Her best friend right now is the daughter of my friend who has cancer. My daughter has chosen to name the main character in the book after her friend. How cute is that?

For Better or Worse

I've launched an ebook! :)


Here's a little about the story: Set in Regency England, Genevieve has married Alfred, the man she's loved for years. But the celebration of their reception is tainted by whispers of Alfred's previous bride, Arianne, who died the night she married him. Genevieve wants to live in peace with Alfred, but Arianne has a score to settle.

If you want to check it out, you can do so HERE.

Ghost Bride is a short story, only about 2300 words, and is selling for 99 cents. Yeah, I'm really breaking the bank. :) My test readers think it's a fun story, and were surprised by the twist (which, of course, I consider a success).

This is just the beginning. I plan to release more ebooks in the coming months. Happy reading!

Nothin' but Love

I have received the dubious honor of posting on Valentine's Day. I say dubious because, well, I'm not really a fan. To be honest, I think the idea of a day to celebrate love feels artificial and contrived. And I write romance! (for shame)

This Thursday, I celebrate 15 years of marriage to a most wonderful man. Every year he laments the lack of funds that prevent him from lavishing me with expensive flowers and gifts every Mother's Day, anniversary, Valentine's, birthday and Christmas. And every year, I remind him that I have little interest in material things. And, in all fact, were he to surprise me with a gift like a car or a house I would not like it. I do not believe large purchases like that should be made without agreement from both parties.

I'm so ungrateful.

The bitter dissolution of his first marriage taught him many things that he, thankfully, was willing to learn. One is that he will never let an opportunity pass to let someone he loves know how he feels. It has taken a lot of getting used to on my part. "I love you" was not a common phrase in my youth. In fact, I credit the love and attention he lavishes on my children with sparing them the neglect they feel when I have a writing deadline. And, our marriage has taught me a great many things. Most of which I apply in my novels.

People have read The Peasant Queen and some--not all, but some--have really appreciated Prince Jareth. I want to state, publicly, that the deep, abiding, patient kind of love he feels for Krystal is something I know first hand. As readers will learn in The Tyrant King, this love does not prevent them from having faults, but rather gives them a bridge to reconstruct after mistakes.

Bryan has been a marvelous treasure in my life, though he would be the first to deny it. He constantly teases me that he caught me in a moment of weakness and got me to marry him. For all our exterior struggles, we are a solid unit. Our kids can count on it, and I firmly believe they do. And, not for one single day in 15 years have I looked back. I still can't believe it's been 15 years. I remember when I thought that was a long time. It seems but a moment has passed, except for our 5 kids...:)

This is my tribute to love, if not a dedication to a specific day. Enjoy it, though, however you choose to celebrate!

Sidetracked

I'm embarrassingly late getting this posted today. It'd be great if I could tell you all that, somehow, my automatic post just didn't work right or that I'd been on vacation in some south pacific island and had no internet.

But, really, I've been sidetracked.

Sidetracked is not the same as being derailed, though it can feel similar sometimes. For me, being derailed means everything you had prioritized and orderly in your life falls apart. That happened a few months ago, actually. Fortunately, this time I was just sidetracked.

I have this stupid sinus thing going on. It's been driving me crazy for over a week now. And, this morning, I decided to go to the doctor rather than tend to my Monday blog posts. I was going to type up all my blog posts for the week yesterday, but, again, I felt too miserable to sit at the computer.

Pity party over. I hate dwelling on how miserable I feel, the pain I'm in, the symptoms--and all that. So, we're done. Tomorrow I will be feeling much better.

I've also been working really hard on edits for The Tyrant King. In fact, I almost have a full manuscript ready for beta readers. Granted, my work has slacked off considerably in the last few days, but I'm not stopping. No way.

Saturday, I woke up with a fantastic idea for solving a particular plot problem. I'd dreamed the scene the night before. But my kids decided to be incredibly needy Saturday, so I didn't get the writing done I'd planned. Such is life.

I imagine the things that sidetrack me are the things that get each of us in turn. Life happens, so the saying goes. But I'm not going to let that stop me. I'm stubborn that way. :)

Making Headway

It feels good to be making progress again, as a writer. With the craziness of the book launch, signings, and then the holidays, I really fell behind on my editing. But, last week, I edited the first six chapters of The Tyrant King. Yay!

Chapter seven is where it starts getting really hairy. I mean, so far we've had two characters die, but now the attacks start hitting home. My main characters are going to face some direct peril, which is always good in a story, but I'm terribly curious to see how my beta readers react.

I'm doing something a little different this time. I have three beta readers who get the story chapter by chapter and give me feedback. I'd planned to stop at chapter three, but the process has been working for me--and providing accountability if I fall behind--so I'm going to stick with it. I love that my beta readers are patient with me. And it really helps that they are loving the story.

One reader, in particular, is troubled by how many small details I had to leave out of The Peasant Queen. What is the main character wearing? What are the details of the room? I'm better at putting those things in now without slowing the pace of the story. I don't have to stop the action to explain how the room looks now, or what the character is wearing--though I don't always have the descriptions right at the front of a scene.

But, this process is all about getting better, right? This is what we do. And some of it we simply have to learn through trial and error.

On to chapter seven!

Signing Books is Fun

Today I'm doing my last book signing of the year. Considering this is the 11th book signing this month, I'm kind of relieved to get a break. My kids are, too. They want me home for a while. But I have to say, I've had a lot of fun.

I've always been a really introverted person, and I thought book signings were going to be a challenge because of it. But, as I write and attend author conferences, I grow, so by the time I reached this critical step in the writing process--book promotion--it's become something I look forward to rather than dread.

I've said it before--the days of the reclusive author who sits in a cabin and pens out a bestseller without every being viewed in public are over. If we want our book to do well, we need to do our part to promote it. But, I think we are all up to the task.

Go get 'em. :)

A Little Christmas Cheer

I'd like to share with you a poem I wrote some years ago to celebrate the Christmas holiday, and the true meaning of the season. This is my own personal rebellion against the insane commercialism that hits us sometime in September and doesn't let up until January 15th or so. ;)

"Jesus Child"
by Cheri Chesley

The star shone high and bright,
in the sky above our heads.
We tried to tend our flocks,
but followed it instead.
How far it led us, we know not.
Nor do we really care.
For we'd have trod a thousand steps
to see who we saw there.
He was so small, this Son of God,
an infant child who lay
in a manger, with Mother dear
on a bed of hay.
His eyes, so bright, just like the star
that shone in Heaven above,
looked on us with approval
as we gazed at him in awe.
Others came, but we were first
this sweet child here to see.
And we knew then, deep in our hearts
our Savior he would be.

December 19, 1994

It's Here!

I had a simply amazing Friday! No wonder it's my favorite day of the week.

Friday morning, my editor emailed me to say my book had arrived in the warehouse (on Thursday, actually). I got the email shortly before 10am. Now, here's my Friday:

I babysit other people's kids during the day. That day, however, two of the kids I was supposed to have didn't come because their dad took the day off. And I had one that I don't normally have--the only one that day.

My kids got out of school at 12:15pm. Early out, because the teachers had training. Fortunately, the child I was tending was one of the teacher's kids, so she said she'd take him when I picked up my kids. That was truly awesome of her.

My husband worked until 5am Friday, so he slept until I woke him up at 10 to tell him the books had arrived. And he insisted we go down and get them. I told him he needed to sleep. He said he wasn't sleeping anymore that day.

So, we packed the kids a lunch, picked them up from school, dropped the baby off to his mom, and headed for Springville. From Tooele.

Ya. I know. But, it's my BOOK! lol

I'll spare you all the details of driving that far with 5 children in a van we're outgrowing, but I will say that I gasped when I saw my book in person. A.Maz.Ing.

We walked out with 25 books, popped open our bottle of sparkling cider, and toasted my success in the Cedar Fort parking lot. That's just how we roll.

And, as of right now, I only have one book left that is not spoken for. Looks like we're going to make another trip to Springville!

Too Many Ideas?

by Cheri Chesley

I feel really blessed to be a member of the Cedar Fort team. I love being able to say I’m a Cedar Fort author, even though getting my second book submitted for possible publication has taken much longer than I had planned. But I’m working on it. :)

As some of you know, through my blog posts and Facebook, I’ve struggled with the second book of my trilogy for some time. I thought it had it all in the bag, but then I realized how lacking in actual plot it turned out to be. Recently, I sorted it out, and now am on my way to editing and submitting book three—which is now book two. I even came up with a really great plot for the new book three.

Coming up with ideas has never been my problem. At the moment, my brain is backlogged with story ideas. That can be as challenging as not having inspiration hit. Why? Because it’s difficult to choose which story to concentrate on and bring to focus.

As I type this, ideas for my trilogy, two YA contemporaries, and two middle grade series are swimming around in my head. It’s moments like these that I truly feel schizophrenic, since the characters speak to me so clearly in my mind it’s almost a challenge to decide which one is speaking loudest.

Time is my other enemy. Sometimes I feel as though I’m racing death, like I’ll never get all my stories out of my head before I’m either too old to write, or I die. When I pray, I pray for focus and energy. Because I always seem to need both.

Good luck to all writers. We need it.

The Wonders of the Human Mind

I had a great many writerly things going through my mind near the end of last week.

Sigh. I really should write these things down.

As a ponder the upcoming release of my first novel (less than 40 days now), my thoughts have turned to my newest project--the second book in the series. Since blogging about it previously, that book has changed. I cut THE WILD QUEEN completely from the trilogy, and am now moving forward with THE TYRANT KING. To complete the trilogy, I added THE LOST PRINCESS. I'm excited, since it promises to be an action packed story.

I worry less about plotting now. A lot of things have started to become second nature. The trouble is, when revisions come along, it's harder now for me to know what to do first. Thank goodness for writers' conferences, because I took heavy notes last time I sat in on a class about revisions.

This week, I'm actually holding a pre-sale booth at the Ben Franklin Academy fundraiser. Wish me luck! :)

This is not a suck-up Post

Even though it may sound like one. :)

I remember the first time I learned of Cedar Fort Publishing’s existence. As a member of the League of Utah Writers I’d received an invitation to the Spring Workshop, which that year would be at Cedar Fort. I remember pitching it to my husband. “A writing workshop at a PUBLISHER’s office!” What could be better?

I’d attended my first LDStorymakers Conference just a week before the workshop. I had a horrible time, but it was largely my own fault. As a practiced writer but still new to networking and the world of other authors, I went with all sorts of silly expectations. Determined not to make the same mistake twice, I went to the Spring Workshop much more spiritually centered. I’d even received a blessing that morning.

When I entered the room and Lyle Mortimer said hello, I had no idea who he was. I said hello rather shyly, and probably blushed, before finding a seat near the middle. Seriously, I think overcoming my initial shyness will be the hardest part of being a published author.

Then Lyle stepped up to pretty much run the show. Since I was at that time in the market for a publisher, I listened intently as he talked about what Cedar Fort looks for in a book and in the author. I noted the highlights of Lee Nelson’s speech when his turn came. I laughed several times when Jessica Day George got up to talk to us about writing, even though she’s not a Cedar Fort author.

I came away from that meeting with a really good feeling about Cedar Fort. And it stuck with me. When I found myself in the position to resubmit my novel, I seriously considered all the LDS publishers. But I kept returning to Cedar Fort. To be honest, I’m still not entirely sure why—even though they’ve decided to take a chance on me and my book—I’ve had such strong feelings about this particular publisher.

It’s probably one of those things that will be clearer down the road.

And for my second post...

I plan to type the whole thing while standing on my head.

Okay, not really. I have sinus problems. But, for a second there, it drew a visual. Didn't it?

There's a great deal going on in my little corner of the world, and I'd like to share it with you. First and foremost, The Peasant Queen has a tentative release date. Provided I make the press deadline of October 15th, my book will be out by December 1, 2010. I can totally make that work. The fun part is, I've already started planning. Is it crazy that I'm looking forward to all the work that's coming? I'm just so ready to start selling this book!

Secondly, I'm currently taking part in a Blog Challenge on my Author Blog. Basically, each day of April, save Sundays, participants post for a specific letter. (Today, Monday April 12th, is for the letter J) Without Sundays, there are 26 days of April which works well with the 26 letters of the alphabet. It has been great fun, and I'm meeting a bunch of new people--Not to mention I'm getting followers and lots of comments on my posts. In return, I visit the other participants' blogs and reciprocate. It's been a blast.

Also on my Author Blog is my ongoing Spring Into Reading contest. I'm doing this jointly with my sister-in-law, Melissa Chesley. When we each reach 100 followers we're doing a drawing and prize giveaway. We have three prize packages--Mystery, Fantasy and Romance--that will include genre specific books (some autographed by the authors) and other fun prizes. Check out her blog HERE to see what she has to say about it. Incidentally, Mel is also participating in the A-Z Blog Challenge, and has come up with some great letter oriented posts. She's got over 80 followers and I've passed 60, so we're well on our way.

There's a great deal going on in my personal life, too. We just moved and I'm still unpacking and organizing the new place. We went to our new ward for the first time. April is a big month for birthdays in my family. I have three kids with birthdays on April 21st. No kidding. My youngest came along as a birthday gift for the (then) five-year-old twins. And this year, for their 11th birthday, the twins have asked to have a friend party, meaning I let them invite friends and we have a party that isn't drenched in family activity. This is the first time I've done that kind of party, believe it or not, and intellectually I believe I should be more nervous about it--but I'm not.

Of course, by my next post, I may have changed my mind. :)