I know that my Redeemer lives!

Apostles testify that He lives. How grateful I am to know of this truth.

This is the true reason for Easter.

The Face in the Mirror May Not Be Your Own

Have you ever walked past a mirror, caught your reflection and startled yourself? Or have you ever gazed into your eyes and wondered about yourself? All right, maybe you haven’t, but being the weird writer I am, I talk to my reflection from time to time. (Only when no one’s around because they might think I’m crazy—Oh, wait, I am crazy!—I’m  a writer!)

Sometimes I play my characters to see what their expression might be if they were surprised, or angry, or jealous or any other myriad or emotions. Then as I’m looking at my expression I try and think about what my stomach feels like in that moment. What happens to my head, my feet, my chest, my lungs, my hands, my head. What thoughts run through my head, what phrases escape my mouth? I do this with my various characters.

I dash off to my computer and recreate my “scene” with the mirror. It’s amazing how quickly I can nail my characters down. 

You try it, but only when everyone is out of the house. You wouldn’t want to get caught in your insanity. I’ve been doing this for years. But if you tell anyone, I’ll deny it!

The People in My Head--or I'm not crazy--really

I have this darling character, okay, I have several darling characters, okay and some not so darling. But hey, they're mine...all mine. They pester me. They taunt me. They whine, and complain and demand my attention. "Write about me next."
"No, you had your turn."
"She's done with you, it's seriously my time!"
I lie in bed--and each torments me with their stories. There's the abused wife suffering from the loss of her premature baby, the pyschotic shrink, the cowboy and his cadillac, the teenager who doesn't know she's adopted. Sometimes it's my elven child and her dragon who haunt me while I'm drifting off to sleep. Let's not under-estimate the villany of the wizard who would make her his bride in order to take her powers. Then there's man with the mysterious past come to heal a broken family.

So where do these people come from? My head, of course. Do any of you fellow writer have that same problem? Certainly, you do. That's what makes us writers. So what do you do when you have more than one story screaming to be written? I'd love to hear how you decide who gets your attention.

I'm glad my characters don't shut up, though, otherwise I'd have nothing to write about. So put me in a padded cell...

...just let me have my laptop, please!

Monday-Or only 7 of them left!

I hate Mondays. I really do! (Especially after I've stayed up way too late reading a good book). But here it is again, Monday. Luckily there are only 7 of them left before my book comes out and before my darlings head off for their summer romps, forgetting everything they've learned for the last 29 Mondays.
Of course the closer to summer, the crazier my Mondays get. The more excited I get.

I vote we skip Mondays all together. (That just makes it closer to my book release.)

So what will the next 7 Mondays Bring? Since I'm so new at this whole publishing world, I'm feeling a bit clueless. I know editing happens-lots of it, an ISBN number, a cover, a blurb on the back of the book. A few pre-reviews, setting up my book launch, signings, oh, and don't forget SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION!

And with that said, my dear readers, please follow me, check back with me to see how I'm doing/holding up. And most of all, have fun with me as I giggle like a little girl on Christmas morning!

New Beginning!

And so begins my journey as a soon to be published author! I've signed my contract, met with my editor, Linda Mullineaux and my marketing director Amy Orton, both incredible women. I get butterflies in my tummy (I really do) when I daydream about my book cover. I can hardly wait to see how amazing it is. If you've looked at the covers already done by Walnutsprings Press, you know what I mean! Incredible!

I hope you will come back frequently, leave a comment--virtual pats on the back are always welcome.

To my family:

Thanks for your support, love and encouragement.

Betsy Love
LDS Author