New cover for The Soul Seekers

Here is the gorgeous new cover for The Soul Seekers. I'm totally in love with it! WiDo did a fantastic job, and hands down to the art department for showing Emma's hippie style and the 'mysterious' boy who could either be William or Jesse. The former cover, though retro cool, had too much of an old-fashioned feel to it, so I'm really happy about the change. This new one is beautiful and dreamy. When I saw it yesterday, let's just say I almost cried.

I have seen the equally gorgeous cover for The Time Seekers, but I'm not sure if I can share yet. Anyway it's nice to give the first book a little mention of its own.

 

So, for today you can judge a book by its cover! I said so.

Take care, and thanks for stopping by!

Coming to grips

I think perhaps I was in shock the other day after finding out my third book had been accepted. I'm one of those people who have trouble believing it when good things happen too easily. Sure, I moan and complain when they don't, but when they do . . . it's just weird. But I am very happy, and again, I look forward to the release.

When I look back at writing the first book, which I've talked about way too much I'm sure, there's a feeling of pure love and happiness that it's all worked out. It was a rough road convincing people a ghost love interest had any real merit. At the time, it was cliché as hell. But to me, it was everything. From the moment I saw "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" on TV in high school, I knew that I'd write about a specter and a human one day. I just didn't know how or when . . . or anything. I just knew. The funny thing is that when you finally allow yourself to believe in an idea, and you give of yourself completely, good things happen. I want all writers to know this. You can be young, or old, or rich, or poor, but if you have a dream, you have everything. And yes, making the dream come true entails a lot of hard work, but mostly I really, really enjoy this whole writing thing. Sometimes it's like I'm not actually working.

That's the key. I never knew how much I loved writing until I succumbed and just did it. All those excuses which kept me from writing the first page of this or that, and the doubts which nagged at me saying, "You don't know how to write. You only think you know. Writers are gifted people and you, my dear, are not gifted." Years went by with this inner dialogue. Then one day the image of a young man sitting alone in a library struck me. I could feel his feelings and hear his thoughts. I experienced such an urgent need to write about him and to save him from that loneliness. So, whatever that was, that bolt of inspiration, it saved me from the doubt. And I wish for all writers to have the same lightning strike of creativity. If it happens, don't let it go to waste. My 1950's ghost boy now appears in three books, and always, in my heart.

Nothing done in earnest will ever be wasted.

So, now I get to say I'm the writer of a trilogy. That's kind of wonderful. My hope is that I'll get to do something which, for some reason, never happened with the first book's release—to have a signing/reading. While I'm not holding my breath, it would be nice to do the proverbial 'author appearance' and relish in the public life of a literary figure. Or not. What I really do best is hang out in comfy clothes and brainstorm.

But really, the proper thing to do is hope for another great idea. And write, and write, and write.

New book, and it's late so I can't think of a proper blog title--you're lucky I can even spell right now . . .

After some crazy email problems, all stemming from my Yahoo account (basically, someone hacking my Yahoo, which sounds terrible), I heard that WiDo will pick up the third book in my novel series about Emma. I'm truly happy and thrilled to know The Love Seekers will come out. I was sort of transfixed into another world the whole time I worked on it, which is a nice treat after struggling so much with other projects. So, yay, this is good news and I can't wait to get things rolling!

But back to that email. I had a bad feeling my messages weren't going out, as all received messages were being erased--and not by me. I had my computer hacked too, and my phone. I'm pretty sure it's still happening. My Facebook goes nuts, it's crazy. It started last spring. The good news is that I've switched to a new service, but as for Facebook, it's not like I have to go on there that much anyway. Too many arguments and annoying misspelled memes. Anyone have similar issues with this stuff?

Hope all is well with all of you in bloggerland! I'm not ready for summer to end yet. I'm the same way every year. I'll be back when it's time for The Time Seekers cover reveal, or hopefully sooner. Until then, much love and rock on!

Here's my latest Flickr activity if you're bored.

Some lovely Kansas flowers

Marching On

It's hard to believe Summer Break is half over. I refuse to accept it! Most of mine has been spent with the kids, watching them swim and taking them to the park. I've also been writing a lot, as usual. I do that in the mornings before they wake up, and then simmer over what will happen in my next writing session throughout the day. As usual, I'm dreading the start of school because it means an empty house. But I'm also looking forward to it . . . because it means an empty house. I always feel guilty about that! The truth is, I write more when the kids are around. My schedule is jacked up, yes, but my heart is in one piece. But, hey, don't tell anyone I said that!

The other day WiDo sent a message to tell me The Time Seekers is about to get a cover. Probably one of the most exciting times for any writer. Seriously, it's like Christmas! A nice reward after all that hard work. It's my first real time travel novel, and to understand the significance of that, you have to know how much I love Jack Finney. LOVE Jack Finney. Then you'll know how much it means, and why I worked so hard to make this book just right. Time will tell if I was actually able to achieve that goal (see what I did there?). Can't wait to see the cover.

Speaking of time, I'm going to step back to the summer of 2009 when I first came up with the idea for The Soul Seekers. Maybe one of the happiest eras of my life. I was completely devoted to the story and the characters: Emma, William and Jesse. I'd always wanted to write, but nothing had ever grabbed me quite like this. I became Emma and I could hear and feel every part of Springvale around me that summer. It was magical. For people who have read the book, I think that joy comes across. And I think it comes through in The Time Seekers, where I continue Emma's life through college and marriage and all the tough decisions in this crazy thing we call life. She goes through a lot, that girl, and I'll admit I have cried at times for what I've put her through. If that makes me weird, so be it. Although, I have a feeling I'm not the only one who gets lost in their characters!

Some of you have been dealing with some wild weather this summer. I hope all is well. Here's to a beautiful rest of the season. Anyone reading anything spectacular right now? I'd love to hear about it.
Peace.

My offspring when I took them on a tour of a small Kansas town. Photographic proof that you can't make both happy at the same time.