Re-write, Extend, and Re-releases of "HACKED, HUNTED, and HOOKED"

Sometimes you think you've checked a project off your list and can move on, just to discover that maybe it's not quite done.

Not too long ago, I released a series of Novellas (If you missed the buzz about those when they were new, check it out here!) Writing short books isn't typically my thing, but I took it on as a fun, growth challenge. And, to my surprise (and excitement!) they were very well received. In fact, they hit the Best-seller's list in virtually no time flat.

And then the reader requests started coming... and they created an itch in me that I knew I had to scratch. Samantha's story was one of my favorite that I'd ever written and I felt that in order to really do it justice, I needed to fill in the meat. The stories, simply put, were just too short and too lacking in detail.

So, I beefed them up. As in, they doubled in length.

The best part? The story didn't change, it just became richer. Yay! Because Samantha's wit and vulnerability definitely deserved more page time. I absolutely love her character.

The complete NEW Novels release officially in February of 2018, but I'm already buzzing about them. Even the covers got a fresh new look (though keeping in line with the originals).

Hooray for new books. And hooray for the readers who support me in this crazy passion of mine. Ton's of love to you guys!

Keeper of the Plains - Inspiration for a new story

A couple of years ago I visited the "Keeper of the Plains Plaza" in Wichita. The power in that place was so real it stayed with me for days and ultimately inspired me to write one of the most beautiful chapters I've ever imagined. Desperately wanting to share a piece of my experience with my readers, I tried to "force" the scene into a couple different projects. It didn't work. It needed a home of its own... and now, after stewing for a bit, I think I've found it! - I don't know how long it will take to finish this book (it's got a few other projects in front of it), but at least it has a home now...and it's a beautiful one!

The Secret of Secrets novella series - From Concept to BEST SELLER!!

In the fall of 2014 I attended a writing retreat in the mountains above Heber, Utah. I did a bunch of writing, made some great new friends, and took advantage of the opportunity to learn from others. Near the end of the conference, mention was made of a new anthology endeavor that was on the horizon.  

At first I didn't think much of it. The idea of writing a novelette (a story about 1/3 the length of a typical novel) didn't really appeal to me. I tend to be a wordy writer - often having to edit out a serious amount of text from a typical manuscript to get it to an acceptable novel length. But I stewed on the idea. Could I do it? Would it be fun? Was it worth a try? 

In the following days I went on a road trip where I introduced the idea to my hubby. Not knowing how serious to take it, we brainstormed some ideas. By the time we reached our destination we'd brainstormed a pretty decent outline for a story about an awkward, computer geek girl, with a seemingly boring job with the NSA. 

After returning home from our trip, I pulled out my laptop and started writing. Before long Samantha Perry came to life. Within weeks I had written my complete novelette, HACKED. It was soon after accepted for publication by the Sweet and Sassy Anthology group for their "Secret Identities Collection".

But there was a hitch. There was more to Sam's story. And so, I kept writing. 

As it turns out, writing within the guidelines of a shorter format was a great exercise for me. I needed to do this project more than I ever imagined. Not only did I love exploring Samantha's introverted, awkward, sassy character, but I learned so much about telling a story without a bazillion unnecessary words. I saw measurable improvement in my craft... and I fell in love with Samantha, the man she knew as Seth, the idea of halibut fishing (read the series and you'll understand), and some beautiful parts of the United States. 

HACKED proceeded HUNTED, then shortly afterward HOOKED came to fruition. And all three books are now available on kindle and in paperback. They are short and sweet and sooooo much fun. 

And the best part? Within days of its release, HACKED hit #2 on the best seller list. HUNTED and HOOKED followed suit with their releases. Apparently readers are really liking the fast paced, quick, in-and-out of a story they can read in a day! Wow, am I ever grateful that I took the challenge and brainstormed that first story. 

To find out what the buzz is all about, visit www.stephanieworlton.com .

Directors Notes - The story behind the story - All the Finer Things

The Story Behind the Story

I sat up with a shock. The morning sun had yet to pierce my room, yet as my eyes flung open I could feel the sweat forming on the back of my neck. Hyperventilation squeezed at my chest. I could see her face. Feel her pain. And, as the rain pelted her windshield, I could feel the love she had for her child.

What I wondered about was her love for herself.

I sat in the darkness of my room processing it all for a minute. Eventually my heartbeat slowed to a normal pace but not before I’d logged onto my laptop. Furiously my fingers began to rap at the keyboard.

Before sunrise, the character of Megan Hamilton was given life.

The abuse Megan suffered was only the start of her problem. Mistakenly she’d calculated the riches and possessions in her life as the measure of her worth. She defined her value by the price-tag on her jeans, the car she owned, and even the number of shoes in her closet.

It didn’t take long to realize that I’d met Megan. She’s the trendy girl at the mall, the beautiful young mother at the park, the perfect lady at church. Maybe you’ve met her a time or two too. Maybe she’s your neighbor. Maybe she’s your best friend. Maybe she’s you. From the outside Megan had everything. With a perfect husband, a flawless figure, and seemingly everything money could buy, how could her life be anything but rosy?

The truth of the matter is, I think every woman - to one degree or another – has a little bit of Megan inside her. Somehow we’ve gotten the idea that money, or fame, or whatever our personal vice is will bring happiness. Sadly we often set our sights on things that we think will make us happy when, in fact, real peace and joy have nothing to do with the quantity or quality of “things” we manage to gather.

And that’s why I had to tell Megan’s story.

I’ve witnessed the horror of physical and mental abuse in the lives of women that I love. And it’s not always a spouse or a loved-one that deals that abuse. Often women are their own biggest oppressors. But I’ve also witnessed the strength and the beauty in those women as they’ve conquered their fears and moved past the oppression.

I couldn’t wait to introduce Megan to the people that would help her get to that place of peace, joy, and self-love. I wrote All the Finer Things for me, for you… and for every woman out there fighting to find the beauty within herself and the value of the simplest joys in life.

Stephanie Worlton is the author of All the Finer Things and Hope's Journey. She lives in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains where she enjoys frequent opportunities to observe nature and feed her creative spirit. She spends her days designing, building, painting, drawing, landscaping, and snuggling with her dogs. She has her own collection of power tools, a plethora of camera equipment, and a passion for shoes. All the Finer Things is her third published work.To learn more about Stephanie and her other books, please visit her website.

Four years. Four books. For the love of writing. - Happy Book Anniversary!

Four years ago today a door I never imagined existed swung open. At the time it seemed like a surreal dream... a dream I'd never dreamed to dream nor imagined to imagine. But it was real. Print on paper. Tangible. Real.

On July 11, 2011 my debut novel, Hope's Journey, was officially released to the world.

I remember agonizing over the details of my publishing contract. Writing wasn't something I'd ever pictured myself doing. I knew nothing of the business. But there I was, contract in hand. And, before I knew it, production was under way. A magical whirlwind blew through that open door and "poof" there was a book. My book.

Though words are my thing and I seem to have millions of them continuously fighting for stage time, there are no words to describe what its like seeing your name on the cover of a book for the very first time. Unbelievable doesn't begin to cover the range of emotions.  In fact, when I got my proof copy, I sat alone in my living room, gripping the binding tenderly. It was mine. And it was beautiful.

Little did I know that Hope's Journey would be the beginning of a life journey I never anticipated or planned for. Doors have been opened. Friendships have been made. Much learning has taken place. And, somehow I managed to add three other titles to my portfolio.

Four books in four years. Are you kidding me?
No, seriously, are you kidding me? Some days it still seems unreal. But if this is a dream, please don't pinch me. I'm just barely getting my feet wet. I've still got much to learn, many more friends to make, and a whole bunch of words still waiting for prime real-estate on a page.

Happy Anniversary, Sydney and Alex and Hope.

Wonhundred Word Wednesday: "Don't Peek!"

Wow, this was a tough one to keep down to 100 words. I needed at least 10 times that many to really develop a story. *shrug*  

Today's prompt: "No matter what you hear, no matter how badly you want to, do NOT open your eyes." 

“Jane,” Peter whispered softly in her ear, "No matter what you hear, no matter how badly you want to, do NOT open your eyes."

“But,” she started.

“Just keep your eyes closed and trust me, okay?”

“Okay,” she nodded nervously.

He took her hand and led her quietly through the house. At the base of the stairs he stopped. “Stay here.”

Bang. Thump. Crash.

She held her breath and cinched her eyes tighter. Shattering glass followed a reverberating pop, then another, then… silence.

“Don’t look.” Peter calmed her urge to peek as his hand gently engulfed hers again. “Let’s go.”

Don't forget to visit these other blogs to read their awesome 100 word stories: 

Wendy Knight

Kelly Martin

Alison Woods

Jessica Winn

R.K. Grow

Leah Sanders

Laura Bastian

Jaclyn Weist

Amryn Scott

K.R. Wilburn

Lindzee Armstrong

Katie Larson

Miranda D. Nelson

Angela Schroeder

Ginny Romney

Canda Mortensen

Wonhundred Word Wednesday: A love/mystery two-fer

I slacked off last week on my Wonhundred Word Wednesday post. Sunshine, good friends, and time-out in Moab, Utah tend to have that effect. Rather than backdating a post for last week, however, I'll just do a two-fer this week. I like two-fers. They make me smile. 

Today's prompt: The truth about love is.... 

When he takes my hands in his, time stops.

When he says my name, my knees buckle.

When he looks into my eyes I feel like I’m floating, though my feet never leave the ground.

It’s the strangest of all senses, like you’re in control, but you’re not. It’s crazy butterflies in your chest and confidence in your mind. It’s falling and soaring at the same time. It’s putting all your faith in someone hoping beyond hope that he gives it back. And, when he does… no other truth is as pure, as fulfilling, as all encompassing as love is.

Last week's prompt:  You find a box in the attic that isn't yours. 

I stumbled up the dark stairs. They were steeper than anything built by today’s building codes. I assume in 1894 codes didn’t exist. Neither, apparently, did people with long, gangly legs like mine.

There was no lightswitch at the top. Clearly when electricity had been added, they didn’t think to run it to the attic. I opened the flashlight app on my iPhone. Dust, cobwebs, and a single, handcarved trunk illuminated the space. Curiously, the trunk sat alone in the center of the room as if it’d been deliberately placed there. But by who? For who?

I turned the key.

Don't forget to visit these other blogs to read their awesome 100 word stories: 

Wendy Knight

Kelly Martin

Alison Woods

Jessica Winn

R.K. Grow

Leah Sanders

Laura Bastian

Jaclyn Weist

Amryn Scott

K.R. Wilburn

Lindzee Armstrong

Katie Larson

Miranda D. Nelson

Angela Schroeder

Ginny Romney

Canda Mortensen

If books had soundtracks....

About the time I finished edits for All the Finer Things, Dierks Bently kindly put out the perfect soundtrack for it. Nice of him, right? And without even ever talking to me about it. He must just be psychic*wink*,  or I'm psychic, or we're both... well lets not go there. :)   If only I'd had it during the writing process I could've listened to it over and over for inspiration. As it is, every time it comes up on my playlist, I stop and think about Ammon Carter. This song - particularly the first verse, sums him up pretty perfectly. 

It's just an old beat up truck,

Some say that I should trade up

Now that I got some jangle in my pocket.

But what they don’t understand

Is it's the miles that make a man.

I wouldn’t trade that thing in for a rocket.

What they don’t know is my dad and me–

We drove her out to Tennessee

And she’s still here and now he’s gone

So I hold on.

To the things I believe in

My faith, your love, our freedom

To the things I can count on

To keep me going strong

Wonhundred Word Wednesday: You Know What They Say

It's Wednesday again and you know what that means: I've got 100 words to tell you a story. Since I've got Mother's Day on the mind, today's entry is an ode to Mothers. :)

"You know what they say..." 

“You’re going to get in trouble.” Jackie peered out the clubhouse window.

“Only if you tell on me.” Marcus pulled a lighter out of his pocket. He flipped the ignition switch and watched the flame flicker to life.

“I’m not telling anyone, but you know what they say about mothers?” Jackie crouched down beside her friend. “They say they have superpowers.”

“They’re just ordinary people,” Marcus said. “Exactly like you and me.” The flame danced.

 “Marcus!” His mother’s voice rang from the bottom of the ladder. “I told you not to play with fire.”

“See?” Jackie’s eyes grew wide. “Spider-senses.” 

Don't forget to visit these other blogs to read their awesome stories: 

Wendy Knight

Kelly Martin

Alison Woods

Jessica Winn

R.K. Grow

Leah Sanders

Laura Bastian

Jaclyn Weist

Amryn Scott

K.R. Wilburn

Lindzee Armstrong

Katie Larson

Miranda D. Nelson

Angela Schroeder

Wonhundred Word Wednesday: "Flames"

It's Wednesday (already? Where'd the rest of the week go?) which means it's time for me to join with my author friends in our little challenge we call Wonhundred Word Wednesday. Today's prompt is: 

"I stared at the flames that..." 

"Machine Gun Fire" - Herriman, Utah , October 2010

Here's my story: 

I stared at the flames that rolled over the mountain. Hypnotically they danced and swirled with the changing wind. The flames were getting close. Too close.

I dusted the ash off my face and climbed into the car. Gripping the steering wheel, I took one last mental inventory. Legal documents? Check. Family photos? Check. Computer, dog food, change of clothes? Check. Grandma’s cedar chest? Check.

We were prepared – physically at least.

“Mom,” Olivia mumbled from the backseat. “We can always build a new house, right?”

“Yes.”My hands trembled as I started the car. “At least we still have each other.”

**As a side note: this was a very personal exercise for me. We've had to evacuate our home three different times under threat of wild fire. Gratefully we've always had a home to come back to. We've learned some great lessons about being prepared and about what's really important, but lets be honest: It's never easy to drive away from your home, your memories, and your neighborhood with the prospect of losing it all.  

Don't forget to visit these other blogs to read their 100 word take on "I stared at the flames that" ...

Wendy Knight, Author: www.wendyknightauthor.blogspot.com

Kelly Martin, Author: www.kellymartinbooks.blogspot.com

Alison Woods (Peering Into. . .): http://alisonmillerwoods.wordpress.com/

Jessica Winn, The Distracted Writer:http://thedistractedwriter.com/

R.K. Grow: http://www.rkgtheauthor.com/

Stephanie Worlton's Kreating Krazy blog: http://stephanieworlton.blogspot.com/

Leah Sanders, inklings: http://inklings-leahsanders.blogspot.com/

Laura D. Bastian http://www.lauradbastian.com/

Jaclyn Weist  http://jaclynweist.blogspot.com

Amryn Scott http://wildscottkids.wordpress.com/

K.R. Wilburn  http://www.krwilburn.com/my-blog.html

Lindzee Armstrong/Lydia Winters http://lindzeearmstrong.blogspot.com

Kat!e Larson http://katesnovelidea.blogspot.com

Miranda D. Nelson http://www.mirandadnelson.blogspot.com/

Angela Schroeder http://angelaschroederauthor.blogspot.com/

Wonhundred Word Wednesday: "Would you like fries with that?"

Every Wednesday I join with a group of other authors to do a little project called "WonHundred Word Wednesdays." The premise is this: we are assigned a prompt to which we each write a 100 word story, share it, then link to the other authors' blogs so you can read what they came up with.  - I missed out last week because I was out of town so I'm extra excited for today's prompt. "Would you like fries with that?" 

So, without further adieu, 

Here's My Story:  

Mark shifted his eyes across the room. Not much was left after she'd carried out her last box. Ten years drifted into memories almost as quickly as she could say the words.

“Would you like fries with that?” he said, handing over the keys to what used to be their car. Now, like more than half of their accumulated possessions, it was hers.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” she scowled. Greedily, she took the keys then scooped her handbag off the counter. 

Mark handed her the salt shaker and opened the front door. “For your fries,” he nodded. She scowled again. 

Don't forget to visit these other blogs to read their 100 word take on "Would you like fries with that?" ...

Wendy Knight, Author: www.wendyknightauthor.blogspot.com

Kelly Martin, Author: www.kellymartinbooks.blogspot.com

Alison Woods (Peering Into. . .): http://alisonmillerwoods.wordpress.com/

Jessica Winn, The Distracted Writer:http://thedistractedwriter.com/

R.K. Grow: http://www.rkgtheauthor.com/

Stephanie Worlton's Kreating Krazy blog: http://stephanieworlton.blogspot.com/

Leah Sanders, inklings: http://inklings-leahsanders.blogspot.com/

Laura D. Bastian http://www.lauradbastian.com/

Jaclyn Weist  http://jaclynweist.blogspot.com

Amryn Scott http://wildscottkids.wordpress.com/

K.R. Wilburn  http://www.krwilburn.com/my-blog.html

Lindzee Armstrong/Lydia Winters http://lindzeearmstrong.blogspot.com

Kat!e Larson http://katesnovelidea.blogspot.com

Miranda D. Nelson http://www.mirandadnelson.blogspot.com/

Angela Schroeder http://angelaschroederauthor.blogspot.com/

One hundred word story: "That's what happens when you follow your heart."

Every Wednesday I join with a group of other authors to do a little project called "WonHundred Word Wednesdays." The premise is this: we are assigned a prompt to which we each write a 100 word story, share it, then link to the other authors' blogs so you can read what they came up with. 

Today's Prompt: "That's what happens when you follow your heart."

Here's my story: 

“Let’s be sensible here,” Adam melted into serious mode.

"What if I don’t want to be sensible?” she asked. The lump in her throat was suffocating. Or was it the thought of her future?

“Come on Julia. Think with your head not your emotions. All your heart is going to do is get you into trouble.”

“You’re probably right.” She slid the engagement ring off her finger and handed it back to him.

“What are you doing?” his voice was ever calm. “Can we please talk about this?”

“No,” she opened the car door. “It’s time to follow my heart.”

Visit these other blogs to read their 100 word take on "what happens when you follow your heart" ...

Wendy Knight, Author: www.wendyknightauthor.blogspot.com

Kelly Martin, Author: www.kellymartinbooks.blogspot.com

Alison Woods (Peering Into. . .): http://alisonmillerwoods.wordpress.com/

Jessica Winn, the distracted writer:http://thedistractedwriter.com/

R.K. Grow: http://www.rkgtheauthor.com/

Stephanie Worlton's Kreating Krazy blog: http://stephanieworlton.blogspot.com/

Leah Sanders, inklings: http://inklings-leahsanders.blogspot.com/

Laura D. Bastian http://www.lauradbastian.com/

Jaclyn Weist  http://jaclynweist.blogspot.com

Amryn Scott http://wildscottkids.wordpress.com/

K.R. Wilburn  http://www.krwilburn.com/my-blog.html

Lindzee Armstrong/Lydia Winters http://lindzeearmstrong.blogspot.com

Kat!e Larson http://katesnovelidea.blogspot.com

Miranda Nelson http://www.mirandadnelson.blogspot.com/

Party! Party!

I don't know if I've said this before but I think it warrants being said again: Book Baby #3 is out! Whew hoo! Cause for a celebration? Yes. Absolutely, astonishingly, overwhelmingly, YES!

Throw on your red boots and let's party! 

Wait, you don't have fabulous red boots? Well, neither do I, but we can party anyway. 

Don't miss this chance to pick up copies of my books at discounted prices. All three will be available. 

And, if my books aren't draw enough, come experience the fun atmosphere at "The Rim." They've got lots of yummy food choices (you know, just in case you happen to miss lunch) and when it comes to dessert it doesn't get much better than their frozen yogurt with pretty much any topping you can imagine! Check out their website at  http://copperrimcafe.com/

One hundred word story: The Devil's Name is Fred.

In case you missed it, last week I added a fun new feature to my blog. I've joined with a group of other authors to do a little project called "WonHundred Word Wednesdays." The premise is this: each week we will be assigned a prompt. We will each write a 100 word story based on the prompt, share it, then link to the other authors' blogs so you can read what they came up with. 

Today's prompt is: The Devil's name is Fred. 

Here's my story: 

“Hello beautiful!”

“Hi,” I hesitated. Even after all these years there was something appealing about his eyes. Deep, inviting… compelling.

“You remember me, right?”

His smile constrained me to surrender despite my instinct to run. “Um, yah,” I swallowed the ball in my throat. “Of course I do,” I offered a smile.

His eyes of amber pierced mine again. “You haven’t changed a bit,” he baited. “Just as beautiful as always.”

He gently touched my chin. My knees went weak. “Fred,” his name formulated on my tongue.

He winked. Our catastrophic past suddenly blurred. I must be a slow learner.

Visit these other blogs to read their 100 word take on "FRED" ...

Wendy Knight, Author: www.wendyknightauthor.blogspot.com

Kelly Martin, Author: www.kellymartinbooks.blogspot.com

Alison Woods (Peering Into. . .): http://alisonmillerwoods.wordpress.com/

Jessica Winn, the distracted writer:http://thedistractedwriter.com/

R.K. Grow: http://www.rkgtheauthor.com/

Stephanie Worlton's Kreating Krazy blog: http://stephanieworlton.blogspot.com/

Leah Sanders, inklings: http://inklings-leahsanders.blogspot.com/

Laura D. Bastian http://www.lauradbastian.com/

Jaclyn Weist  http://jaclynweist.blogspot.com

Amryn Scott http://wildscottkids.wordpress.com/

K.R. Wilburn  http://www.krwilburn.com/my-blog.html

Lindzee Armstrong/Lydia Winters http://lindzeearmstrong.blogspot.com

Kat!e Larson http://katesnovelidea.blogspot.com

Miranda Nelson http://www.mirandadnelson.blogspot.com/

One hundred word story: A Familiar Face

I'm excited to add a fun new feature to my blog. I've joined with a group of other authors to do a little project called "WonHundred Word Wednesdays." The premise is this: each week we will be assigned a prompt. We will each write a 100 word story based on the prompt, share it, then link to the other authors' blogs so you can read what they came up with. 

Today's prompt is: You are on a crowded subway platform when you see a familiar face..." 

Here's my story: 

A stranger pushes past me, apparently more concerned with his destination than with his manners. Ignoring the insult, I take a deep breath and tuck my purse tightly under my arm. I try to avoid taking the subway whenever possible, especially on days like today when everything has gone wrong.

It was just a job, I remind myself as I shove the pink slip into the trash. The day can’t get worse, I think just as an angry pair of steel blue eyes meet mine. Turning on my heel, I run back up the stairs. How did he find me?

Visit these other blogs and read their 100 word stories...

Wendy Knight, Author: www.wendyknightauthor.blogspot.com

Kelly Martin, Author: www.kellymartinbooks.blogspot.com

Alison Woods (Peering Into. . .): http://alisonmillerwoods.wordpress.com/

Jessica Winn, the distracted writer:http://thedistractedwriter.com/

R.K. Grow: http://www.rkgtheauthor.com/

Stephanie Worlton's Kreating Krazy blog: http://stephanieworlton.blogspot.com/

Leah Sanders, inklings: http://inklings-leahsanders.blogspot.com/

Laura D. Bastian http://www.lauradbastian.com/

Jaclyn Weist  http://jaclynweist.blogspot.com

Amryn Scott http://wildscottkids.wordpress.com/

I'm an AUTHOR, and 7 other things you might not know about me

I consider myself a pretty open book. I don't really harbor any secrets and I'm generally forthcoming when someone asks me a question, so it always catches me off guard when someone I've known for a while doesn't know something pretty major about me... like, for instance, the fact that I write. And, more specifically, that I am a published author.

Crazy, right? I mean, I try not to be that pushy, in-your-face marketer, but I assumed the "author" badge I stapled to my forehead was a pretty good sign. Haha. Just kidding... But really, do they make such a sign? Maybe I should get one. Sharp metal in my forehead sounds more pleasant than marketing.

Anyway, back to the "open book" thing. After a friend said to me the other day, "What? You wrote a book?" (actually, I've got 3 now, but who's counting...), it got me thinking. What else do I assume people know about me but maybe they don't?  I came up with a list of 8 things - and believe me, it was work!

Let's start with the one I already mentioned:
1. I am an author -  I started writing about 6 years ago. I currently have three books published. (Which, for the record is 3 more than I ever thought I would.) I have two novels, Hope's Journey & All the Finer Things.  And one non-fiction, Everything You Need to Know About Girls Camp.

        

2. I love shoes - For clarification, I don't love WEARING shoes so much as I love COLLECTING them. And, for a bare-foot kind of girl, I have quite the collection! My favorites are my boots... or maybe my sandals... or what about those sassy polka-dot pumps? Picking a favorite would be like picking a favorite child. I love them all. However, unlike my children, I'm sure there are many more new shoes in my future. 

3.I love mud! -  I don't mind a little dirt under my nails or caked to my knees... under my own terms, of course. The first place I run when I need to relax is to my garden. The second place is out on my four-wheeler. My daughter and I are known for finding the big mud puddles on our adventures - and for hitting the good ones more than once! There's just something about mud, and sunshine, and fresh air that make this girl happy. Any day outside is a good day. 

4. My biggest fear is drowning... and yet, we own a boat. - Go figure. Actually, if you ask my family, they will tell you that I am quite full of paranoia and anxieties. I'll admit to a few of them:  Atychiphobia (fear of failure), Claustrophobia (fear of suffocation), fear of other people's driving (really, this is a fear of not being in control. Needless to say, I can be a jumpy passenger.)

 5. My favorite smells are fresh-cut wood and wet paint. - New construction is my favorite! What can I say, building is in my blood. 

6. I don't like cheese, hamburgers, fried chicken, or soda pop. -  It's okay, I'm okay with it. And, its not that I won't eat these things (except fried chicken, gag!), I just don't like them. 

7. I met my husband when I was 14 - And only one of us fit the stereotype of a novelist... and it wasn't me. As it turns out, all authors aren't introverts, or quiet, or even intensely thoughtful. Some of them, on the contrary, can be quite extroverted, loud, and opinionated. Surprise! (BTW - my cute hubby technically was published before me but his work is all that technical mumbo-jumbo kind of stuff. He does, however, have an itch to write a novel just waiting to be scratched. Maybe I'll help him along.) 

8. I had 4 kids by the time I was 25 - Since I mentioned my kids up there under the "shoes" heading, I thought it'd be appropriate to share this most shocking tid-bit about them. I'm not shocked about it, but others usually seem to be. We had 4 kids in just under 8 years. Yeah, those were some crazy, sleepless years, but they were worth it. The best part is that by the time I'm 43, I technically could be an empty-nester...