Some of you may have noticed...

That I have switched DD2 Foxproof and DD3 Awaiting. In the process of plot revision I realized that Foxproof happened too soon, and Awaiting needed to happen before any reader knew much about Dalton T. Fox. So i changed the order of the books and then realized that Awaiting which centers around Lyris Standing needed to be from her POV, so not only did I change the order but the POV of DD2. I was a little surprised but pleased with the changes. It will be a good thing, I know it in my gut, and if living with Noble in my head for so long has taught me anything, it is to trust your gut.


I have also fleshed out the spiritual side of the yoga that Noble uses in his world and changed some of the names and created my own Center Points (chakras).

Did you know I am a writer?

I heard a joke a while ago that when you are a writer you have to let everyone know so you can talk about your books with them....
"I'd like a quarterpounder with cheese and did you know I'm a writer?" was how it went.

Well everyone around me knows that I write, I don't do it on purpose but I end up telling everyone. Well today it might have paid off. My biological mom has read the first few chapters of my work in progress and loves it. Well she has a friend who is a publisher for a small publishing co. in Ut. He mainly deals with non fiction, but my mom told him about my MS and how much she liked it. He asked her when she could get him a copy of it.

So here I go today to the Post Office with a 334 pg. printed copy of my MS now polished till it shines! (dont even ask me how stupid my printer was being last night!)

I am taking a deep breath and walking out the door as soon as I hit send.

Wish me luck!!!

One more thing...

This Christmas vacation I am spending my time polishing my MS and then at the begining of the year I will be sending it to agents and publishers. Yes I am sweating. This is really going out on a limb for me.

For those who commented and helped me with my query pitch THANK YOU!

I have decided that #1a was the best one for my query.

SO....Here is the winning pitch.

1a)
For years Commander Antony Danick's destiny has laid dormant. All his life, he has trained and worked for the Corps, becoming their most renowned assassin. But, having grown discontent with serving under Derek Jensen's thumb, Antony fakes his death and changes his name and appearance, awaking Destiny's untold prophecy. Now Caledonia's prophet is growing old, and his tenure is coming to an end. Surely Destiny has chosen the least likely person to succeed him in leading the people. A reformed assassin as the new prophet? Only Destiny knows what lays in store for the people of Caledonia with the former Corps sniper at the helm.

Michelle

I probably wont be on for a few days.

But untill I am MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

Lots of love for all of you!
Michelle and Noble

I am a slider...

What is a slider you say? A slider is a person that, with thier own personal energy, effects electrical things. I can't wear a watch it falls out of time. I can't keep my cell phione in my pocket, I drain the battery. In my bag is fine. And... I turn on and off the streetlights around me. That is where I have the most influence. Now I know that when I am mad I influence them more.

Case in point. Friday evening I found out my 15 yo had done some really stupid things and I was pissed. That evening when my DH and I went out to dinner all of the street lights were turning on and off around me. I laughed after I noticed the first 10 or so. The lights proceded to go on or off the whole time I was out, but my mood lightened at the revelation that when I am mad it happens more.

Still... My DH doesnt belive me and I assume that it is because he is a sceptic and a realist, oh well.

So if you see the street lights going on and off alot it might be safe to assume that I am not happy. :)

Nows you're chance to vote!!!!!

Ask me to write a 400 pg novel and I'd do it willingly. Ask me to summarize that book in an attractive paragraph to sell it to an agent and I'd rather die. It is query time, and after what Jessica said (At Bookends LLC)I have worked on the pitch(s) for a week. This is what I have come up with so far, five seperate pitches. Read them and tell me if any of them work. If none work, or if there are phrases in each of them that combined will work better. If any of you can do better I'll eternaly owe you something. (There is a small gift for anyone who can write a better one.) So read and post away. Please give me the reasons you like one over the others if you can...

(I have revised the paragraphs. So if you think that the post seems to be changing... it is. :) )


1)
For years Commander Antony Danick's destiny has laid dormant. All his life, he has trained and worked for the Corps, becoming their most renowned assassin. But, having grown discontent with serving under Derek Jensen's thumb, Antony fakes his death and changes his name and appearance, awaking Destiny's untold prophecy. For over a century now, a dark entity has threatened Antony's ancestors and only those that have faithfully followed the prophet of their land have lived in the face of this relentless power. Now Caledonia's prophet is growing old, and his tenure is coming to an end. Surely Destiny has chosen the least likely person to succeed him in leading the people. A reformed assassin as the new prophet? Only Destiny knows what lays in store for the people of Caledonia with the former Corps sniper at the helm.

1a)
For years Commander Antony Danick's destiny has laid dormant. All his life, he has trained and worked for the Corps, becoming their most renowned assassin. But, having grown discontent with serving under Derek Jensen's thumb, Antony fakes his death and changes his name and appearance, awaking Destiny's untold prophecy. Now Caledonia's prophet is growing old, and his tenure is coming to an end. Surely Destiny has chosen the least likely person to succeed him in leading the people. A reformed assassin as the new prophet? Only Destiny knows what lays in store for the people of Caledonia with the former Corps sniper at the helm.

2)
Sori Katsu's tenure as the Prophet of Caledonia is coming to an end, and destiny has chosen the least likely individual to succeed him. All Corps assassin Antony Danic wants to do is to have a quiet normal existence away from his commander Derek Jensen and his former life. He becomes Noble Standing, by faking his death. This decision, sets in motion the plan that destiny has had for him since before he was born. But a former assassin as a religious leader? Only Destiny knows what lays in store for the people of Caledonia with the former Corps sniper at the helm.

3)
As one mans desire for a normal quiet life takes him from Antony Danic the corps assassin, to Noble Standing teacher, he catches Destiny's attention. Sori Katsu's tenure as Prophet is coming to an end. Enemies of the church have repeatedly tried to kill this quiet leader of the Caledonian religion; one of these days they might succeed. It seems that Destiny has chosen the least likely individual to take Katsu's position. A Prophet with a gun? Not even Destiny knows what lays in store for the people of Caledonia with the former Corps hit man at the helm.

4)
Antony Danic, The Corps’ most renowned Sniper and munitions expert, has the perfect job. Or does he? Destiny definitely has other plans for him. He fakes his death to get out from under his Commanders thumb. Changing his name to Noble Standing, and his looks to keep his former identity dead. Caledonia’s Prophet is growing old and his tenure is coming to an end. Surely Destiny has chosen the least likely individual to succeed him. A reformed assassin as the new prophet? Only destiny knows what is in store for the people of Caledonia with a former Corps sniper at the helm.


Michelle

Revelation...

Sometimes hindsight is 20/20... this is one of those times.

I turned a MS into Penguin/Amazon, a few months ago. I feel that it is a good MS and worthy of consideration for publication. However, a few weeks ago I picked up a book called the Yoga Bible from the library. There is a wealth of information in it about the spiritual side of Yoga. As I was reading the book I had an apostrophy. I have created a spiritual side of the training that my agents recieve. It's been like an accidental foreshadowing, the stuff that I read afterwards and say COOL! I did that?

Now my brain is churning, I am wanting to flesh out the small snippets of where Noble is training Lyris and add some of this "spiritual stuff" to deepen the story and characters. Add some internal dialogue from Lyris to give the reader more insight to her character. And create a "sprirtual/martial arts system" much like fantasy writers create a magic system or SF writers world build.

So my desire is now one of two things; that my MS doesnt make it into the finals so I can re-work it, or that if it makes it into the final round, that I have a willing editor that will let me deepen the MS and make it better. WHEW! that isn't much to ask is it? GRIN!

Michelle

I think she liked it....

Jessica an agent at Bookends LLC offered to critique anyones query pitch for free. So of course I jumped on. A free critique? anyone who didnt was crazy. As #65 I have waited for weeks for her to get to mine. Checking the blog everyday to see when it would be up. I knew that I was in the next five for a few days and have been going crazy...
This morning I checked and sure enough there was my name and my Pitch. I'll post it here:

Dominion Day 106,000 word SF novel

There’s got to be more to life than being a high paid assassin.
I mean, I am taking peoples lives. That can’t be the best thing.
Even if the pay is good, it doesn’t make up for living around Commander Jensen.
I could resign…
If I resigned, Jensen would still be a thorn in my side.
However, if he thought I was dead....

Antony Danic, the Corps most renowned sniper, and munitions expert has the perfect job. Or does he? Destiny has other plans for him. He fakes his death to get out from under his commander’s thumb. Changing his name and his looks to keep his former identity dead. As Noble Standing, he begins to make decisions that change him from the coarse devil may care bad boy, to the honorable good guy that the prophecies foretell about him.

One man begins to find and fulfill his destiny.

Another case of a pitch turned query letter. Much too long. I would skip the opening lines altogether. They don't endear me to your work. The paragraph beginning with Antony Danic is good. Much better, anyway, and that’s really your pitch. Of course you also need to rewrite that last sentence. Now that he’s changed his name and looks, what is his conflict? It seems to me that’s already solved by the beginning of the book. He hated his job so he quit. What happens next? Oh, and skip your final line. Too vague.

So I have to tweak it a little, big deal. She liked it and I am happy.
Michelle

NaNoWriMo

I totally dropped the ball. I signed up but didnt think that moving would take the ENTIRE month of November. So those of you who wrote even just a word, I salute you and I am jealous. Next year I will write my 50,000 words. I was hoping to finish my vampire story. Poor Dacias is waiting for his story to be told. I have a goal to finish it by the begining of the new year. Sigh like i said before I hate moving.....

Of course...

As you know we have moved and I am now unpacking my life. I became concerned when with only three boxes left (MY DH's boxes) I hadn't found the case of CD's one of the movers left but also a box of christmas decorations that I was particulary fond of. I found the CD case last night in a box that had camping stuff in it.

I couldnt sleep last night worried about the stupid box. So this morning I, just incase, looked in the LAST BOX, and guess what? It was there! I feel so stupid. it was just a box of decotrations. Sheesh.

I hate moving.....

Last night....

20 years ago on November 27 1987, my Dh and I went on our frst date. it has been a fun interesting strugling 20 years I wont bore you with my dating and early marrige stories.

However, Happy Anniversary love.
Michelle

Birds of a feather....

You Are Midnight

You are more than a little eccentric, and you're apt to keep very unusual habits. Whether you're a nightowl, living in a commune, or taking a vow of silence - you like to experiment with your lifestyle. Expressing your individuality is important to you, and you often lie awake in bed thinking about the world and your place in it. You enjoy staying home, but that doesn't mean you're a hermit. You also appreciate quality time with family and close friends.

What Time Of Day Are You?

I saw this on Shannas blog and thought I 'd take it. Interesting that we are the same. LOL!

Did I say plot restructure?

I meant book restructure... I have realized the 9 months that Awaiting happens in is too short of a time to build up Foxproof. Since Foxproof, Doninion Day and Awaiting happen at the same time. So now the structure will be Doninion Day, Awaiting then Foxproof and then Prophecy Rising. which happens 8-9 years after Awaiting. Thereby giving enough time for all of the things that happen in Foxproof to occur. Whew I am glad I had this apostrophy before I started to rewrite either Awaiting or Foxproof. It saved me alot of worry in the future. So now to change some scenes and start rewriting Awaiting which is where my gut kept pushing me in the first place.....

Some of you may have wondered....

whether the guys in my shower actually moved with me or stayed to haunt the new residents of my old house. Well after this morning i can assure you that they are here. Noble has packed his wife 17 kids and his huge house, not to mention the entire JFF world and transplanted the world of Altine/Caledonia in Castle Dale UT. I spent the entire time I was in the bathroom totally restructuring my series. But that is a subject for another post. Any ways I am glad to have Noble here with me Castle Dale would be rather boring...

I am Home!

We made it. After three hours in the car with three kids three birds a trutle and my houseplants we are in Castle Dale. I am still up to my knees in boxes but my office is unpacked, and I can manuver around my bedroom w/o triping most of the time. MY family room and garage are another story. LOL I miss all of my friends but I know that this is the right thing for us to do. We have had brownies or cookies delivered every night we have lived here so far. The neighbors are great and the house is beautiful.

My DH has found that even the well paying jobs have some glitches and that he isnt going to be happy every moment. (silly boy I could have told him that a long time ago.)

I have found a chiropractor that not only does muscle testing, but sells the supplements that I use and love. This is going to be a good move for all of us.

I am hoping to get some writing done soon. I made it to the official contest level in the Penguin/Amazon contest, and I am psyched. Now to wait untill Jan 15 to see if I made it to the top 100.

Now to get my kids registered for school...

I guess this is it...

we are moving. the packers are coming in today. and my desktop might be gone by today. so for all of you who frequent my blog, adieu, for a week and i'll post when we safely make it to castle dale. i will miss you and look forward to bloging more often.

A little funny.....

I was sitting on the floor folding clothes while two of my kids were playing like the laundry basket was a boat. My 1 yo was bored and got out of the boat and walked away. My 6 yo looked at him and said
"Oh look, Noble can walk on water." The Noble in my head that lives in my shower startled and shook his head.
"I can't walk on water and no, I don't have a God complex." I think my Noble (who is a Prophet in my book)has a guilty concience.

Rural Utah...

It is official! We close on a house in Castle Dale UT on the 31 of OCT. I'm getting a bit nervous, I have never lived anywhere so rural or far away from Salt Lake. It is so rural that there are no mail men, you have to have a Post Office box to get your mail.

I keep moving to smaller and smaller places... SLC, Logan, Provo, (I know that Provo is bigger than Logan but I'm listing them in order) Tooele and now Castle Dale. If we move again we will live in a place with 300 people in the entire town! I like cities. I like shoping malls. I dont like small towns. Sigh, I might get alot of writing done since there will be no place to go.

Michelle

Noble in full color...

I am a fan of graphic novels. I like anime artwork. I like that form of reading. It is a nice break from the text heavy reading that can strain my eyes and like I said I like art too. I have a number of Elfquest graphic novels that I cherish because you cant get them anymore in that format.

I was looking at my Childrens Book of the Month Club catalogue and saw that one of my favorite YA books has been made into a graphic novel. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer. It is a rioutous romp of a book and a thoroughly enjoyable read, and now it is fully illustrated.

I was intrigued. I had read that Twilight was going to be made into a movie, and it made me think, Dominion Day on Film. Yes I could see my Noble on the big screen, AKA Kiefer Sutherland w/long blonde hair. (Oh be still my beating heart.) But a graphic novel? I hadn't thought about it, but now the thought is very apealing. I wonder if it is picked up by a publisher if I could negotiate a graphic novel out of it with real Japanese anime artists. HMMMMMMM it is worth a try ehe?

So...some of you have heard of my shower...

You know the one where Noble and the rest of my MALE main characters live. Well I was showering Monday morning when Shina appeared in my shower. Shina is Nobles' small shoulder dragon. She is about 5 ft. long muzzle to tail, and has a wing span of about 3-4 ft. I showered as I watched Shina play in the water and clean herself. Needless to say I was basically kicked out when Shina was joined by her mate. I was done anyway, but man sometimes I think that my characters have taken over....

Okay my final word count....

I joined the BIAM club and I knew it would be a bad time, (moving selling house...) but do I regret it? No way! I got some awesome writing done because I was challenged.

I ended on the 9 of Oct. with 19,510 words. More than 15 chapters and 70 pages of some good writing. The story had fleshed out nicely. Now I'll be the first to admit that I hit a wall and I'm stuck but it is okay. It'll come to me. I was scares to do it at first but I'll do it again and hopefully I'll have more to write on Dacias' story while he waits impatiently in my head. Thanks Tristi I found that yes I can work under pressure.

Long time no post....

We are in the process of moving. I am a very busy mom and wife right now. So please have patience with me for a few weeks and then I'll be back on again. I'll try to post sooner than that but I cant guarantee it.

Michelle

How this all began.....

I thought some of you might be interested in how dominion day got started. So I thought I'd post the story behind the story. Here it goes...

The story behind Dominion Day

The original version of Dominion Day was written while I was in high school. It was 189 pg. of hand written yuck (and I was so proud of it…) there’s even a chapter in green ink written while I was on Nyquil. Lovely I tell you.
I wrote a second version out of high school a few years later while the story had played around in my head for a while. I had stronger characters by then and a better idea of what I wanted and left it somewhere in the middle. I suppose it was to raise my children or just the end of a mania episode. I don’t remember. At this time it was a two book series. A present the problem, and a solve the problem.
So… many years later, my oldest was 13 at the time, I was waiting for Harry Potter # 6 to come out and had read everything in my house at least twice. I pulled out my old bag and folder of manuscripts and started to read them to pass time. When I came across my book idea (21 pages) about Tsien’s. As I read it I thought, I could go so much farther with this now. So I sat down at the old desktop and started to type; now mind you I was a much slower typist then, almost 2-3 years ago. And pounded out a 101 page book.
As I sat at the computer looking at the last page that said “The End” I had an epiphany: I could work on more of my old ideas. So I pulled out the manuscript that was at the time a separate manuscript from Dominion Day. It became “Foxproof” Dominion Day 2. Dalton was, in the original scenes, Basile’s housekeeper and seducer. (BLUSH) So I started to write it and as usual I got a little distracted and pulled out my post high school version of Dominion Day. And started on it too. When I’d get bored with “DD1” I’d work on “Foxproof”. And wrote a sequel to “The Tsien’s” that I just spliced together and combined it into one book.
When “Dominion Day” looked like it’d take off I went out into my garage and found the old high school manuscript and lots of other nifty stuff I forgotten I had. The H S manuscript is complete minus three pages that I can’t find at all, hmmmm.
Using the two versions I started to really get into Dominion Day while adding a third distraction “Creek Road” I work better while I have distractions to dabble in. Well about two thirds of the way through Dominion Day My main character takes A Major Diversion, and the book suddenly opened up. (Chpt. 25 for all those interested. The Ordination.)
I started to work on “Prophecy Rising” (DD2 at the time) while finishing up “Dominion Day” (DD1), and “Foxproof”. It was then that I thought it would be cool if Dalton met Noble and would end up on the same team. So I wrote the scene for “Foxproof” (the new DD2) and copied and pasted it to “Dominion Day” and altered it a little. Then the scene was set for when Dalton moves to Altine and becomes part of Delta Group. So as “Prophecy Rising” (the new DD3) started to flesh out Dalton became an integral part of Noble’s life. Interestingly the scene with Gloria/Natalie and Jason in the chemical lab was a dream I had in high school.
I wrote “P R” and for a few days felt satisfied, but then wrote an addendum -- evidently the characters in my head had decided that there was more story to tell. So after about ten addenda’s “Arrival” became a book of its own. It was about this time that I met my writer friend Paulette. And my writing started to change and evolve.
So, I’m writing “Arrival” and I get to the part where Noble sees some boys in a vision, and a scene explodes in my head I immediately pull down a blank page and started book #5 “Destined”. I finished “Destined” #5 before finishing “P R” #3 and “Arrival” #4. After #5 was finished I had to go back and finish #3 & 4. As I’m writing the last of 3 & 4, ideas for #6 “Guardian War” were forming in my head concluding the story and building on the world building that Paulette and I had done for story ideas. I went back and wrote “From Ashes” an addendum to #4. As Noble my MC was telling me story’s about his childhood and teenage years.
With DD #1-5 written and #6 mulling as well as the prequel in my head. I find out about a conference that Paulette and I scramble to go to and after taking the classes especially the plot and outlining one that Paulette took we start talking restructuring our books. So now I took pieces out of DD1 and placed them in #3 and split #3 into two books, so now there is DD #1-7. Adding in “Awaiting” the new #3. You should have seen me, I had every chapter laid out on my gigantic table. I pulled them one by one into the new books and punched holes in them and placed #1, 3 & 4 into binders so I can look at them while I type using an old cook book holder behind my laptop, Which I finally talked my dear hubby into. (Tha laptop not the cook book holder that was a wedding present but I digress.)
I start to rewrite DD1 after being so pumped by the conference and with just 8 chapters left I get stuck on a chapter and succumb to the voices in my head and write 5 chapters of “Guardian Wars” DD6 now DD7.
The story is on paper now. I have sent it to a line editor. I am now ready to finish DD1 and start rewriting DD2 “Foxproof”. I get my edits back and decide that DD2 Foxproof can wait as I fine-tune DD1. Besides I still haven’t finished the restructure of books 2, 3, 4,.
So… I have differentiating opinions about chapter 27, all of my readers say it has to be rewritten. One says there is no resolution but I say there is, it is just in #3 so after arguing with my friend and line editor, I move it to book #3 and rewrite Chapter 27, and tweak 26 and 28 to follow current story line. I take the scene out that everyone loves to argue about (the rape scene) in Ch. 15. I fix all of the edits both from my friend and the ones that the computer insists are there; and then send it out to my readers again.
Now I wait for it to come back so I can polish it and print the first three chapters of it to send to the publishers. My next assignment is to write a querry and synopsis. Eek! Now that is really intimidating.

Michelle

September 29...

It snowed here in Tooele. it is the earliest in my 30+ years of rmemebering that it has snowed so early/ the wind blew like crazyt here yesterday hearalding the storm and then my DH and i were awakened to the children yelling about snow on the lawn.... I tell you the weather gets crazier every year. (DH and I saw a tornado on the way to St George 2 weeks ago.) there were three tornados in the tooele Valey last month that i heard of. I looked at these strange greenish yellow clouds and i said lok those look like tornado clouds. and sure enough they were... weird weather for sure.

Michelle

I love yard sales.

My neighbor has yard sales regularly. He goes to storage unit auctions and bids on them then sales the wares from inside them. He has had some awesome stuff. Last time I spent about 40 bucks but came home with curtains dishes silverware a huge cooking pan and other things. This time I got a whole box of stuff for my DD birthday for under 10 dollars. Brand new things I might add. One of the things I'm going to miss the most is his yard sales. Sigh at least I got to go one last time...

Michelle

I have had an apostrophe.....

Actually it was an epithany, but I like the play on words. I was talking to Karen as she droped me off today after the teen writers workshop. Both of us have had an awful week. Each having some serious problems and having resolved them. She said something about right before conference her life blows up. Right then the thought came to me clearly. That there is something important for my DH and I in the new area where we are moving. So important that the adversary has done his darndest to split us up, and nearly succeded. That is why we have struggled for months now and the feelings have gone from frustration to down right hate. But after hitting my knees and saying just one word "Help". We were able to talk and things although scarred by the events of the last few months look like they are going to be okay.

I wonder when, if ever, I will see this apostrophe come to fruition.

Michelle

I got an award....

Wow I am flattered. I never thought some one would think I was a wonderwoman.
Thanks Karen!!!!!

As for my nominees I choose Paulette and Wendy because they are trying to sell thier homes and living in the whirlwind that I am also caught in. I would nominate all of my writing group but they have allready been chosen.

With much love,
Michelle

middle name tag....

Well Paulette taged me with this middle name tag and she of all pwople know that my middle name is Michelle. however rather than using my first name whicn i detest more than michelle I'll use Michelle...

M for manic, whether it is good or bad i can be very focused on one thing at a time.

I for intelligent at least I think i am...

C for creative.

H For Honor which means alot to me.

E for enthusiasm which i have plenty of.

L for Love which i have for my family anfd friends.

L another one... for loyal to who i love.

E for endurance which i have endured alot.

Well there you go I should have done Christy....

Michelle thanks my BFF for making me reflective this morning.

I have created a monster.....

I signed up for the "write a book in a month," club thingie that Tristi is sponsoring. I made it a goal to write 1-2 hours or one chapter a day. Well I started at 0 and slowly worked to 2,000 then 3 then 6. Today I sat down and wrote about 6,000 words and I'm not done yet! But the scenes were in my head and I had to get them out. I wrote the last few chapters today and I'll spend the rest of the month filling the spaces in between. The book is so cool.

I dont know if Noble my MC of Dominion Day is happy to have a break being the prominent one or is jealous.

LOL I love it when I have days like this!!!!!!

Michelle

Win a Free Book

A few weeks ago my writers group met with James Dashner. He ate lunch with us as he told us about his adventures in writing and publishing. It is an awesome story and inspiring. He is an awesome guy and very funny. He was interested in our work and asked us about it. When I told him I had one book finished he said I should start sending it out and I looked at him like a deer in the headlights and said okay. So Back to James, he has a book coming out in MArch of 08 and is giving them away and I want one so here is my plug for James and the link. Go read his blog, it is an interesting story.


The Dashner Dude: WIN A FREE BOOK

LUW round up

This weekend I went to the league of Utah writers round up. I had a good time. We won a night stay in a deluxe room at the hotel my DH frequents for his old job. It was nice, it had a king size bed, and a garden tub. I met alot of people and I hung out with Gary Hansen alot I talked with him extensively about his own road to self publishing. I met Orson Scott Card and got two books signed one which is a pre release book he dated that one GRIN! I also talked with Cathy Whitbeck, and we exchanged works, her short for my first 3 chapters. It is very good by the way, I am exited to see a revised version. Over lunch on Saturday we discussed my three chapters. I was very pleasantly surprised that there were very few things to change in it, some pages were completely comment free. Which for a writer is an awesome thing. I am getting exited for the deadline for the BIAM to be over cause then I am polishing and sending my baby off. (Well as soon as I have a permanent address.)

I loved the conference, I learned alot, I enjoyed meeting with Katie Day an aditor at Penguin to who I gave a buisness card of my own. I loved seeing Mr. Card, and meeting a guy from Price my soon to be new town. But the small ammount of comments on my three chapters was the most exiting thing. She liked it and wants to read more. I think I'm on the right track.

So untill tomorow when i try to get back into a groove of writing for two hours a day again Good night.

Michelle

sleep...

or lack of it. My toddler has something going on with him; I think it is a stomach flu. He was up untill three last night. He didnt want to nurse, or take a bottle, he just wanted to be held. So after a few hours of holding him I gave him some Tylenol which usually knocks him out. I was desperate by then. He'd lay there and rub his eyes and start dozing off, then when he realized he was falling asleep he'd open his eyes untangle himself from the blanket and stand up and start giving me things from his crib. When his crib was completely empty of his soft toys and animals I turned off the light and left the room shutting the door,(I know mean mom) and went to bed. He cried for a few minutes and fell asleep.

I am exhausted and a bit frustrated. Just because I named my son after my main character who is notriously stubborn, doesnt mean I need two stubborn Noble's in my life. One is enough. It probably serves me right ehe?

Michelle

When God closes a door,

He opens a window. MY DH has accepted a job offer in a town called Huntington UT. it is for a SIGNIFICANT ammout more money.

I feel pretty calm considering everything that must occur in the next few months. I thought I'd write it out for not only those that are invested in my life but for my self too.
So.... When God closes a door, I have to clean my house to sell it.
He opens a window, it needed to be cleaned anyway.
Door, I lose my job.
Window, more time to write and blog.
Door, move from friends
Window, move away from family.
Door, move from my ward.
Window, church is the same everywhere.
Door, loose writers group.
Window, get DSL and web cam.
Door, No spending money.
Window, DH will have more money,
Door, one hour away from conferences...
Window, only three hours from conferences
Door, Dh gone for a couple of months
Window, DH gone for a couple of months
Door, move to Orangeville
Window, I can be a writer from anywhere.
HMMMMMM looks about sixes.

Michelle

I am officially and absolutely carless.....

I was running errands on Labor day when iwas accellerating around a corner and heard a clunk and my car wouldnt move. The transmission is gone, and we just bought it and still owe close to what we paid for it. *SIGH* some how we'll make it right? I can walk some places....

Michelle

i am submitted....

i wrote an article on depression while i was in the depths of it. it is a raw piece and i think it turned out well. i heard that a author, in a group i am a member of, was compiling a book of profround life changing experiences. i decided to submit my article. i got an email back that i was in the pile for consideration. i am happy, it wasn't a rejection.

Michelle (typing one handed)

Okay for fun here is Nobles birthday...

They definately got these mixed up. This is me and well, the other more NOBLE one is.....my MC.
Michelle ():)

Your Birthdate: June 20

You are a virtual roller coaster of emotions, and most people enjoy the ride. Your mood tends to set the tone of the room, and when you're happy, this is a good thing. When you get in a dark mood, watch out - it's very hard to get you out of it. It's sometimes hard for you to cheer up, and your gloom can be contagious. Your strength: Your warm heart Your weakness: Trouble controlling your emotions Your power color: Black Your power symbol: Musical note Your power month: February

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

You know, this is actually Noble....

I put my birthday in and out came Noble's profile. Although Noble is born in June too. I think they got us mixed up. Well, except maybe the stuborness.....(Halo?)

():) michelle

Your Birthdate: June 4

You have an extraordinary character - moral, responsible, and disciplined. Your sincerely and honesty shine through in almost every situation. Driven and focused, you rarely let your emotions get the better of you. You're level headed and rational. People count on your to look at things objectively. Your strength: Your unwavering loyalty and ethics Your weakness: Your rock solid stubbornness Your power color: Navy blue Your power symbol: Shield Your power month: April

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

I hate writing....

Not really but if I had to say anything today that would be it. With the exception of music and art there is no other occupation that comes to mind where you work and re work and re work etc. and have the possibility of geting paid peanuts. All for years of hard work. If you work a regular job you do the work and it goes away and you get paid. A writer however writes the story edits it sends it out edits it again and again and again....... then there is the synopsis and query. How am I supposed to tell a 500 pg. story in one page?! No offense to anyone that has helped me with my synopsis. There are some awesome ideas and I'm working on them.

Today, writing seems like a curse rather than a blessing.....

Michelle

Busy...

I have been so busy. I have put my book away and am now writing a synopsis and query. It actually looks like I will submit this thing some time before the end of the year which is my goal. I went and bought the extra bright paper and mailing envelopes.

Like Noble when he is ordained as a Patriarch; I should be shaking in my boots but I am not. Like Noble, he assumes that it is natural progression in his ascention in life, and that the spirit is pointing him in the right direction. Same here. There is an internal drive that pushes me forward; that makes me work on this book when I should be hiding. Noble is always ready to take control of the situation and fix things. He has an internal drive to make things right. I guess I have learned something from Noble ehe?

Michelle

energy...

So I went to Yoga today. i haven't been in a long time and boy, am i out of shape. But as soon as i stood in mountain pose with my palms facing each other i felt my energy start to flow. I kept my hands extended for most of the time because it felt so good. I didnt do some of the things b/c i am out of shape but what i did do i could feel it. so now I feel more centered and my Chi thanks me...

now if i can just remember or have the energy to do Tai Chi/Quigong tomorrow.
Michelle

Here we go....

Okay, Spellcheck is done. Grammar check is done. Line edit is applied. Chapter 15, 26,27,28 are revised. I'm putting it away until after my readers have read it, then it is on to submission. Breathe deeply. think distraction. think new book AARRGGHHH!! Dominion Day is one step closer to submitting.
Michelle

Da Da Dum....

Well it is back, my 319 page ms came back from the line editor. It wasnt as bloody as I thought it would be. So now comes the hard part, applying the edit. Wish me luck as I begin to ready my baby for the real trial... submitting.

I have allready cut 19 pgs and I'm sure more cuting and revising is to follow.

I'll keep you updated as I go. I had to cut my dream house chapter *sigh* but it really was over the top cant a girl dream a little?

Michelle

Inspiration....

My MC lives in my shower. No kidding. I have an adult male taking up residence in my one and only bathroom. I get in the shower and come out at the end with a huge idea, revelation, or character development. This morning was no diferent; I know how to end book #7 now. My best friend thought I was crazy. She would tease me relentlessly. If I said I took a shower, she'd ask what Noble and I talked about. Regardless of the teasing, I appreciate the few minuets alone to think about my books.

The teasing changed one day. My friend was visiting my home and used my bathroom. She came out looking pale and confused.
"What" I asked.
"I belive you." she said.
"Belive me?" I asked thoroughly confused.
"Noble lives in your shower," she said.
I laughed, "You belive me now?"
"Yeah and my MC was sitting on the back of the toilet talking to him."

We had a good laugh that day. But I have learned something; don't take things for granted. Like inspiration, even if it is from a guy in your shower.

Michelle

The where and how of inspiration.....

I was thinking about a type of book that I had read recently. Still feeling a buzz from reading The Promise. (Good book, some language and scenes; definately an adult book, but excellent for world building.) When I started to play the what if game. What if.... What if.... was rolling through my head. When I started to get answers, I began to get exited, then it was, okay... if this happens then why? and so on... I sat in the nursing room at church and the book ideas began to roll forth and I wrote them down on a tiny piece of paper as my baby fell asleep. I was so exited, after missing my inspiration and creativity for so long, it has come rushing back. And I am so exited at the change. To be a writer and have no ideas was torture.....

Now armed with a whole new book to distract me from my rewrites which is good (I need to put them down for a while.) I am outlining and developing characters for an awesome book, and all I can say is YES!

Michelle

Sunday thoughts...

A few weeks ago my brother, his wife, two sons, and a tiny newborn daughter flew from Lawrence Kansas to Sandy Utah to visit family. While they were here, they decided to bless the baby in my parents ward. So we gathered together in my parents church and they blessed the baby. It was an awesome blessing; that little girl is going to be special BTW. But what made me think was what happened after. My 4 yo son was sittng with grandma at the opposite end of the bench. In between the talks the primary children got up and sang the "Primary children sang as they walked" song. My 4 yo son and his cousin both stood up on the stand and grinned through out the song. Had they heard the song before? Probably. Did it matter if they stood up there and grinned. Nope. Was it cute? Yes. And the most confirming of all.... Is the church the same everywhere? Yes.

Michelle

Editing....

So... Editing, the dreaded writing word. The be all and end all of writing before the query and publishing phaze of being an author.

I am thinking about it alot. Especially since I have just given a hard copy, all 319 pages of my "baby", to a friend and reader that is going to be doing a line edit of my book.

But as a writer in a home of eight where my lap top is within reach of the entire family inspite of the threats. It is not the line edits or plot comments that I worry about. It is the comments from my family that they leave when I have my back turned that get my current attention.

I came home from a church function last year to find that my husband wanted to "help" me with my story line. He took my main character in DD2's wife and "Killed" her. He had her fall off a cliff in a gunfight and get eaten by coyotes. My daughter highlighted all of the times Noble says "absolutely," in pink. Which is joked about as being Noble's favorite color. When I was done with the rewrite I exitedly printed off three copies for my readers. I had one reader call and laughing asked if the "I love you Michelle" comment in the middle of a dialogue was going to stay in the final text. My DH had again "Edited," my work. As I described earlier, just started to write book # 7. My daughter hates where it is going. I came in my writing room to find that she had, in the spirit of MY DH, killed off a main character she didnt like.

Infact... I think the 319 pg hard copy I just sent to the "Editor" still has the I love you Michelle comment in it. I hope she laughs too.

Michelle

Thoughts on writing...(Eclipse)

I took my teenage daughter to wally world and two small LDS book stores in search of Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer. None of them had it. (We live in a SMALL town.) The first little store said that they had turned thier order in late and it would be in tomorrow. He shook his head and asked what the appeal was. My daughter told him how much she and her friends loved it. He said that if he had them yesterday he would have sold a case by now. He also mentioned that he needed to carry the other two books. They were obviously popular.

The other store owner mentioned that he had had eight requests for it today. and didnt even know about it. My daughter gave the same speal that she had given the other owner. Then he asked what was so diferent about the series compared to Leven Thumps. I thought about it for a second and then told him that the main reason to me was that Twilight was more interesting. But more specifically the fact that it seems that Obert Sky forced the middle of the book and that made it hard to read. Obert isnt a bad writer, in fact his first few chapters made me want to throw away my own manuscripts. But it seems he got bored and/or rushed to finish the book. Why didnt he polish the rest of the book like he did the first chapters?

It has made me think since I got home. What makes a good book? What appeals to one reader over another? And even more puzzling, why didnt two LDS book store owners know enough about the Twilight madness to stock the book when the author is LDS and the other two books spent more than 50 weeks on the bestseller lists.

Just thinking....

Michelle

Hands....

What Your Hands Say About You

You are artistic, intuitive, and inspired. You have good people skills. Bold and daring, you're not afraid to change your life if you think it needs an overhaul. Consistent and reliable, you like to count on structure and routine in your life. Your emotions tend to be nervous and potent. Your energy - both positive and negative - deeply impacts your life.

What Do Your Hands Say About You?

Shoping preferences.

I was talking to my SIL last night. She doesnt shop at the big major super store and prefers little localy owned stores. I personally agree with her. I have a friend who's husband was seriously used by the local big store. I dont like thier employee policys. However it is the only major store in the valley. The next closest stores are at least 30 minutes away. I have to buy things there. With six kids and a Surburban I cant go into the next valley for a package of underwear.

That being said, I have found that my local DI is a great place to shop. I have found some awesome deals there. Home decorations and kitchen items galore. Books, dont get me started on the books. I should stay out of that section all together. I have gotten a living room table, curtains, a candle holder, a few centerpieces amongst other things. (My living room looks better all the time.) There are the local yard sales and garage sales too and they are tax free, an added bonus.

So I prefer to shop tax free at the DI or yard sales. But sometimes they just don't have what I need; so I reluctantly go to the big store and shop there too. Maybe if I had more conviction...... or gas was cheaper.... or I didn't have kids to leave at home or take with me.....

Maybe.

Michelle

My one bathroom....

When we were looking for a home. We didnt see the home we live in now, because it has only one bathroom. Yes you heard me right ONE bathroom. And I have six kids. (At least they are mostly boys.) When we were looking at the house I was so impressed with the cleanliness of the home. We liked it immediately with one exception. It's one bathroom. Not only the number of bathrooms vs. the number of family members. But what the previous owners had done in regards to decorating. The bathroom was done in a southwest kokopelli theme. The walls were a sandy ORANGE with a brick RED sponged over it. Then the door frame and the towell holder were PURPLE! The vanity was painted a TEAL GREEN. There was a matching shower curtain wall paper border and tooth brush holder.

All I can say is EWWWWWWWWWW! walking into the bathroom at three o clock in the morning and turning on the light jarred your senses. I hated it and for two years I wished that we could do something about the decor. With relish I threw the shower curtain and tooth brush holder away as soon as I could. Just last year my dear husband painted the bathroom. It took two coats of primer and 2 coats of white. It lookes so much better. However it was still sense jarring at three o clock in the morning LOL. Now it was just PLAIN. so just a few weeks ago I was at a yard sale and found a beautiful floral shower curtain for 50 cents. and two floral pictures at the DI for $2.00 a piece. It looks much better now. It is still so white, but it isnt red orange purple and green.

Michelle

Um yeah something like that....

Your Famous Movie Kiss is from Spiderman

"I have always been standing in your doorway. Isn't it about time somebody saved your life?"

What Famous Movie Kiss Are You?

Did I write?

The answer is yes I wrote. I rewrote the ending of chapter 10 (was 9) and am pleased with it. Shanna you'd be happy. I realized that I had come to a wall and hadn't finished it so what you said was rushed looked rushed but it really was just unfinished. Well it is finished now so the only chapter that is unfinished is 26 (now 27). I am begining to think that I'll just trash the Chapter and start over.

We'll see...
Michelle

What is in a Name?

I was chatting with my writer BFF, and I mentioned that my MC's origional name was Jason. She laughed, of course, it is such a common name. His love interest was named Jennifer. LOL But it had signifigance for me at the time that I named my knight in shining armor that name. Not that the laugh offended me it didnt, I have since chosen a much more apropriate name for him. What it did was start was a chain of thought.

What is in a name? Why do we as writers choose the names for our characters that we do? Do we scour baby name book and credits on TV and movies for ideas like me? Do the names of our characters have meaning? Does it have to look good in print? Or do the names naturally come to us? Do our characters name themselves? Do the characters like thier names? Even during this last rewrite I had written two chapters with my MC's love interest before changing her name again this time to a final and very loved name. The MC's best friend's name I changed halfway through the book and still found at least two times that I missed changing it untill this last rewrite.

Why do parents name their children what they do? Do we allways like the names we are given and if not would our parents dislike the thought that we don't like our names. If we don't like our names would we change them? Or not, rather than offend our parents? Do we as parents like the names we give our children? Do we years in the future regret naming them what we did? Would we be offended if our children changed thier names?

If we are writers would this lead us to seek out a pseudoname and use it. Would that name have signifigant meaning or just sound cool. I wonder. So do the aforementioned Jennifer and Jason.

Thoughtfully, Michelle

Today is Friday...

My writing day... so what am I doing blogging? Well I was checking my email and then my blog. I decided that I had time to work on my blog. I added the updates of my own books, and changed some elements. I hope you like it.

A little about my works:

Noble my co-author is actually the main character in my Dominion Day series. (and my youngest sons name so you dont get confused) He has been the character in this book wether by a diferent name or looks for 20 years. I wrote the origional first first draft in high school; I was SO proud of the 189 pg hand written story. I origionally had plans for a book and a sequel a ONE BOOK sequel. But partway through the first book my MC got religion... then it became a five book series and then I added one more #6 the last one because the story wouldn't leave me alone. (Geez who let these people into my head anyways.) last March I restructured #2-4 and added one more book so now it is seven books.

I hope to keep you at least updated on the progress of my books. Without spoiling them for those that are anxiously awaiting the releasal of them in published form. (chuckle) I am sure my progress will increase now that I am feeling better and I have the most TOTALLY ROCKING WRITING GROUP EVER. (love you guys.... really.) Well that is a little about me; now to the real reason I have vowed never to work on Fridays I am going to write.

Michelle

World Breastfeeding Month

August is World Breastfeeding Month. More specificaly the first through the seventh. This is the month that we, as lactation support people, focus on Breastfeeding and have an excuse to promote it in public. I am planning a celebration baby shower for the breastfeeding women in the community on the last Saturday of the month. So if you were breastfed, or have breastfed, or have a spouse family member that breastfeeds thank them. And give the nursing mother in the store or mall that you pass this month a smile and know that they are giving thier children the "Gold Standard" of infant feeding.

Michelle

So.... what is your theme song?

Your Theme Song is Back in Black by AC/DC

"Back in black, I hit the sack, I've been too long, I'm glad to be back" Things sometimes get really crazy for you, and sometimes you have to get away from all the chaos. But each time you stage your comeback, it's even better than the last!

What's Your Theme Song?

LOL I say this is pretty perfect.

Who is your inner Muse?

Your Inner Muse is Urania

You are most like this muse of astronomy. Your head is in the stars, and you look to the future. You give off a heavenly, mysterious vibe. And you're not too bad at predicting the future.

What Muse Are You?

My trip...

MY DD and I along with my infant son flew in a plane to Phoenix Arizona. Our purpose was to see a natruopath for various ailments. The plane ride there was calm and uneventfull. Noble, my baby, was well mannered and slept most of the time. We got a tour of Phoenix and Glendale to my daughters delight. Glendale is the home of Stephenie Meyers the author of Twilight and New Moon and soon to be released Eclipse. She used all of my NEW batteries taking pictures of the area. When I down load them I'll post a few palm trees.

The real reason of our visit was to get me some help, after 6 pregnancies 3 miscarriages and an unwanted c-section I was feeling a little hormonally imbalanced and dealing with some baby blues. The doctor tested me and perscribed some suplements and within 40 minuets of the first dose I was allready feeling better. Like some one had lifted the fog that I had been looking through for a while.

The weather was agreeable it was nowhere near 122 like it had been the week before. Infact it rained on Saturday evening, causing us to leave the pool early at the doc's home. The following day it was only 105. I feel like it was my HF telling me I was in the right place doing the right thing. I want to publically thank my best friend for helping find out what was wrong with me, offering a solution, and arranging for help. And to her, and her husband for a wonderfull weekend in the land of the sun.

The flight home was another story. Noble wasnt feeling well and was grumpy. We survived it and I dont think everyone on the plane hated me by the end of the flight. I am happy to be feeling better, and my kids I am sure, are enjoying a non weepy mom.

Michelle

Tagged again...

This is my second time being tagged, but hey who can complain?

Drum roll please…

Four jobs I've had:
1. Bagger for Skaggs Alpha-Beta
2. Waitress
3. Hairdresser
4. Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

Four places I've lived:
1. Sandy UT
2. Logan UT/Bear Lake UT at Camp Hunt
3. Provo UT
4. Tooele UT

Four Favorite TV Shows:
I don’t watch TV now, but I used to… Here are my past favorites
1. X Files
2. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
3. Charmed
4. Angel
Think there is a theme? LOL

Four Favorite Foods:
1. Cheesecake
2. Pizza
3. Fish any kind but trout
4. Chinese food

Four websites I Frequent:
1. My Gmail.com accounts
2. My blog
3. My family.com
4. Orson Scott Card’s Website

Four Bloggers I Tag Next:
1. Life of a Story Engineer
2. Chocolate Daydreams
3. My Favorite Things
4. The Write Blocks

TA DA!!!!!!!! That’s all for now…. =)

I am a Chimera....

You Are a Chimera

You are very outgoing and well connected to many people. Incredibly devoted to your family and friends, you find purpose in nurturing others. You are rarely alone, and you do best in the company of others. You are incredibly expressive, and people are sometimes overwhelmed by your strong emotions.

What Mythological Creature Are You?

Look out Edward Elric...

Michelle

I'm back.

It was a whirlwind 48 hr. trip to Phoenix and back, truely not enough time to do anything but run around. But I had so much fun! My BFF and I stayed up till 3 talking until we couldnt keep our eyes open. I visited the natruopath and was very pleased with him and the treatments perscribed. I'll write a seperate post on that some tiime. We are all home safe and tired. The baby is sick, he was exposed to a cold on Friday. We drained the batteries on the camera taking so many pictures of the city that Stephenie Meyer (Author of Twilight and New Moon, )lives in.

I have either found out that I am alergic to Arizona, or flying gives me massive headaches. i think it is the latter. now how to fly and not suffer the headache......
Michelle

What color blue are you?

You Are Indigo

Of all the shades of blue, you are the most funky, unique, and independent. Expressing yourself and taking a leap of faith has always been easy for you.

What Color Blue Are You?

nuff said...
Michelle

I need to dejunk....

I have helped two friends move this last year. And both times I am reminded that if I ever move that I have at least as much stuff as they have. So I need to dejunk. I am motivated! However when your friend offers you a perfectly good treadmil regardless of your dejunking motivation you take it and find a spot for it in your home. So I now have a treadmil. WooHoo! i have wanted one for a while, it is too cold here in Utah in the wintertime to go walking at 6:00 in the morning. As much as I admit I hate exercise I enjoyed walking, it gave me energy. And gave me time to work on my writing. So i am going to clean it off and plug it in today and give myself some time to work on my plotlines for books 2-4.

Michelle

Fly Away...

Bright and early Saturday morning my daughter and my baby and I are going to the airport to catch a plane to Phoenix AZ. I am going to see my best friend in the whole world who had to move away from me :( and to see a naturopath to get myself back in balance. After six kids I am depleted and need to feel normal again. So I am climbing on a big plane for the first time since I was 13. This will be my DD and DS first time on a big plane. It will be an adventure for sure. When i get home I'll let ya'll know how it went. Have a great weekend everyone.

Michelle

When it Rains....

It pours. I was in the middle of working when the clouds that had hung overhead all day decided to let loose with all of the moisture they had been storing. I watched in facination as my two soaked sons raced home on thier bikes and then as my park strip flodded and the garage started to back up with water. One problem my house has is that there are no rain gutters on the front of the house and the water that ran off the house ran directly into the garage. So my 10 year old son and I placed all of the buckets we owned under the edge of the garage's roof. Made a barier on the stairs and bailed the bottom of the stairs out. Moved the canoe under the eaves of the office so the basement wouldnt flood. Then we swept the water out of the garage. There was not one piece of me that wasnt wet, soaking wet. This is the second storm like that in three years. I think it is time to invest in rain gutters and a rain barrel.

Michelle

Harry Potter # 7

After standing in line for at least an hour and four days and many distractions later I am finished with the last book. I am quite pleasantly surprised. It is a good book and she wrapped things up nicely. I was happy to see that it ended well.
HOWEVER, it is not a read for young ones. I will not place any spoilers here as I think that is rude. But I will warn you it is violent, and WAY more than two people die in the book. So just be cautious. I was happy to see that some of my asumptions from Book # 6 were right.

Michelle

Tag...

I have been tagged. and since i dont know that many people i hope i havnt repeated any one to tag. If so sorry. well, with out further adieu here is my list. i hope you enjoy it.

Remove the blog from the top, move all the blogs up one, and add yourself to the bottom.


Musings from an LDS writing mom
LDS Writers Blogck (Connie S. Hall)
ANWA’s Founder & Friends
Write Bravely
Http://cmichellejefferies.blogspot.com

What were you doing ten years ago? We were looking for a house in Provo UT after spending the last four years in Logan Ut. My DH had just graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelors degree in Geology. And had just gotten accepted into the masters degree program at BYU. We had a 35 ½ week preemie in January and were knee deep in physical therapy and occupational therapy at the time. Ten years ago at this time I was probably packing…..

What were you doing one year ago? One year ago I was taking care of a 6 week old baby that had been born with Cranio Systnosis. By an unwanted c-section. There were many hospital visits and doctors appointments ugh I still have nightmares about those first few months of Nobles life.
Five snacks you enjoy: 1. Caramel Dove chocolates 2. Harvest Cheddar Sun Chips 3. Raspberry lime Jamba Juice 4. McD hot fudge sundaes 5. Sugar cookies with frosting and milk
Five songs you know all the lyrics to: 1. Anything by Depeche Mode 2. Move Along by All American Rejects 3. You Could Be Happy by Snow Patrol 4. One Thing by Finger Eleven 5. Anything by Thomas Dolby
Things you would do if you were a millionaire: Get a complete food storage, buy a reliable 15 pg van, buy my DH an airplane, buy a house?
Five bad habits: 1. I hate to exercise 2. Love to sit and write all day 3. Like food too much 4. Shopping too much 5. Collecting too many black bags =)
Five things you like to do: 1. Write 2. Read 3. Yoga 4. Tai chi 5. Shopping at DI
Things you will never wear again: Blue mascara, mini skirt, stiletto heels, My weeding dress, leg warmers, my orange mini skirt and shirt that said wild on it in turquoise blue in big annoying letters.
Five favorite toys: 1. Laptop 2. Printer 3. My iPod 4. My BIG HUGE suburban…teehee 5. My stamps
Five people to tag: 1. The Shady Glade 2. Musing from an LDS writer mom 3. Confessions of a Lifelong Bookworm 4. Ink Splasher 5. Girl in a whirl

Blow Dryers...

20 year old ones for that matter. I was blow drying my bangs because I am, or was trying to grow them out. Occasionally a little flame would shoot out the end of the barrel; I just had to be carefull when using it. So I go to work and come home and look in the mirror as I am washing my hands. I see that my blow dryer burned my bangs. There is a spot of frizzed hair. I am totally embarrased I was at work and no one said anything about it. So I cut the spot out and because it was hilighted it looked totally obvious where I had cut it. So I had to trim my whole bangs. Dangit, I had just gotten them to a length that I was liking, so now I have to start over. And the blow dryer? You ask...It is in the trash.

Michelle

Harry Potter 5

So... last night my husband and I went to dinner and a movie. We went to see HP5, it was good considering it is the longest book she has written so far. This was definately my favorite book. I liked the twists and turns in it. I liked Fred and George's exit although they didn't include the swamp, :( and they didnt have my favorite line where McGonogal asks if Unbridge needs a cough drop. But it was as true to the book as posible without going over 3 hrs long.

One thing I thought was cool was the prieview for The Golden Compass, it looks really cool and left me wondering if it is based off of a book. (Cause I want to read it.)

My opinion, **** 4 stars but I am a real HP fan, and will be standing in line next friday night.

Michelle

how evil are you?

You Are 36% Evil

A bit of evil lurks in your heart, but you hide it well. In some ways, you are the most dangerous kind of evil.

How Evil Are You?

I thought I was a little bit evil; but I am more than one third evil! Ack look out! Maybe that is where those scenes in my book come from......
Michelle

I guess I have to start somewhere....

So this is my first post in my blog. It seems like all hell has combined to keep me from creating this blog. After four attempts I have actually been able to post. My name is Michelle Jefferies. I am a work at home mom of six children; five boys and one girl, ages 1 yr to 15. I work part time for Tooele county WIC as a breastfeeding peer councelor. I help women breastfeed thier babies sucessfully.

That is my calling in life, but my passion is writing. In the last year and a half I have written the first drafts of 1 and a half fantasy stories, and 6 books of a seven book science fiction series. I attended the LDStory makers conference in March and started to rewrite the first book after I attended the conference. I just finished it tuesday the 10 of July. I am so exited about this, I have made my goal. Now I will fine tune a short story I have writen for the LTUE short story contest in Provo in February of next year. Then i will move onto the rewrite of the second book in the series. I expect that the rewriting will go faster as I go about it. We shall see though. My work has definately cut into my writing time, but i can really use the money. Decisions decisions...

So to any one who reads this, welcome... hope you like what you see.

Michelle