Going Clubbing…
So what do I have in common with EL James, Meg Wolitzer & Thomas Hardy? Stop laughing, this is going somewhere people. You see as it now turns out all of our books have been read by the fantastic ladies of the Super “A” Reading and Cultural Society. Now that’s really not their name, it’s just a name I made up, I could also call them The Magnificent Literary 7 or maybe the Lit Spice Girls, I kind of like the ring of that too. Either way they are just great and they were kind enough to break into their regularly scheduled programming to read Through The Lens and invite me to speak at their monthly gathering.
I can’t tell you all how nervous I was, going in for my very first book club chat, but these kind ladies made me feel right at home. Turns out they had all read the book and from the feeling I pick up, liked it. They asked fantastic questions about the characters, motivation, the way I craft a story and touched on some inside industry things, all of which I hope I gave coherent answers too. Hey, you never know with me.
I got a wonderful insight into their reading habits and I was surprised at how many of them read on their phones, oh my poor eyes, but for sure the digital age is here to stay. We talked new and old books, favorite authors and genres and in the end I left with some gorgeous flowers and a magnificent group of 7 new friends. Oh yes, I’m a lucky girl indeed! And next they are on to a book that couldn’t be more of a shift from TTL … To Kill A Mockingbird. Really? Me, the opening act for Harper Lee who woulda thunk it?
All the best,
KMJ
The In Between
Good day lovelies. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday weekend. So now here we are. Right smack in the beginning of the crazy patch between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Time to deck the halls, get your shop on, really all this means is time to WORK.
For some of us it’s all the final week of NanoWrimo. Best of luck to all of you who were doing Nano this month. I hope you are nearing the end of your 50,000 words. I was doing my own “Not quite Nano” which didn’t quite pan out. But that’s ok, I still have this week and I’m not giving up just yet.
What are you doing with your In between time?
All the best,
KMJ
Image fm here
Talking Turkey
Happy Thanksgiving!
It’s always so much fun talking turkey with you all! To all my American peeps have a wonderful Thanksgiving! And wherever you are please remember to take time to enjoy laughter and good old turkey talk with those that you care for and give thanks for all the blessings you have.
All the best,
KMJ
image fm here
Bowling Along!
So this fabulousness happened at bowling yesterday… A lovely woman named Kim brought my book in to be signed! 1st time ever!
That’s me with the shaky hands and the huge grin. The poor women must have thought I was crazy with the way I hugged her, but I couldn’t help myself, I was just so honored that she would 1) order the book and then 2) want me to sign it. What? That is something that I thought was just for other writers. I tell you I just about bowled myself down the lane.
Then shock of all shockers… I got out of my below 100 bowling slump. I must be on a roll for sure. Whee!!
Happy Monday! Did you enter the Wonderland Blog Hop Giveaway this weekend? Great prizes. Go Here and enter. Please don’t miss out!
All the best,
KMJ
Keeping up?
Do you ever feel like you just can’t keep up with it all? I know I sure do. Like the fact that Thanksgiving is in 1 week away. Who the heck went and snuck that one in, in what feel to me is week early? Is it just me feeling this way? Oh my goodness! The stores are already filled with the 12 days of Christmas and I’ve barely taken down my decorations from The Halloween that Sandy forgot. It’s all a hot mish mash of a mess around here. I’m sure my kids will be home in two days to say, what have you been up to mom? And my answer will be just living with the day to day.
All that to say, in between the living with the day to day and to bringing this thing around to being a little bookish as I’m often to do, I have a question: Do you do Goodreads?
Goodreads is a fantastic site for readers and a great place to share books recommendations. I’m on there and have been since way before Through the Lens. I find it a great tool to keep up with what I’m reading and have read since honestly, I can’t remember what I had for dinner 2 nights ago. Go and check it out. I’m hosting my first Goodreads giveaway since Through the Lens is now out in paperback so please feel free to enter if you like. Just click on the link in my sidebar to your right >>>>>> and you’re there!
It’s a fun site and a great way to keep up. Now back to this Thanksgiving deal…Are you ready?
All the best,
KMJ
P.S. Hint! Hint! Please come back on the weekend for the start of the Crimson Wonderland Blog Hop. HUGE Prizes!! Lots of great things happening starting this weekend with the Crimson Romance authors. Look to your left at the pretty blue square. <<<<<<<
Image fm here
Signed With Love…
Last night I waited impatiently for my DH to come home while the package sat on the table. It was there and I was going crazy! But still, I waited and waited as I was afraid to open it alone. Who knows it may have jumped out and bit me or something. Better to have a bit of back up. Or I might have fainted dead away and I don’t think Jack is one of those wonder dogs, you know, all inclined to dial 911 when things get sticky. More likely than not, he’d use my body as a handy stepping stool to the table where he’d be that much closer to his treats. But I’m now off course as you all know I’m often to be. Let’s get back to where I was waiting. And waiting.
Then finally he came home, looked at me on the couch and said, “you’re still up?”
“I was waiting to open my package. I think my book is here and I don’t want to open it alone.”
He threw down his bag and said, “well what are you waiting for? Open it,”all the while excitedly going for his camera phone. I frowned, because by then I was looking a hot mess but inside I was grinning.
Then it was open. We were wide eyed. There it is. A book. A bit smaller than I thought for all those words I made up. I shrug. Guess it turns out, I really can edit. The cover is smooth and cool to the touch. I flip through. No pages upside down. All seems good. We kissed and hugged and laughed. Yay! My name is on the spine. Holla.
But then there is another package to open. You see I ordered my book to see how it would turn out, but as I was doing that my DH was ordering his own copy and now I had my first book that needed an autograph. And this one was signed with love. So worth the wait.
All the best,
KMJ
P.S. you can get your smooth paper edition of Through the Lens here. Now in 2 handy dandy versions. Pick your pleasure!
Feeling Careless…
…On this cold Tuesday afternoon, but George’s suit and hair are helping me to focus my thoughts. I’m also writing a whole different script for this video in my head all these years later. Way more fun!
All the best,
KMJ
Good Girls Bite
Happy Monday. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Thank you for the well wishes on Through The lens becoming available in print now as well as digital. It really is a dream come true and I can’t wait to hold my copy in my hot little hands. I’ve got mine on order and my fingers are itching with anticipation.
Today I’m over that the wonderful Angela Kay Austin’s Romancing the Pen talking about one of my favorite subjects, Romance heroines with a bit of a strong edge in Good Girls Bite.
Please come on over to Angela’s place and chime in with your opinion and one lucky person will win a digital copy of Through The Lens!
Have a great one.
All the best,
Kwana
image from here
6 Candles…and nothin’
Oh my goodness can I blame it on Sandy? No? If you look for October 25th you’ll see there is no post for that day. Don’t ask me what I was doing or where my head was at, but one thing was sure, it definitely wasn’t where it was supposed to be and that was on Jack. Well, actually it was on Jack because I’m sure I was busy giving him ear drops and eye wipes or whatever we’ve been doing these few weeks, but in the mix of all that and preparing for Sandy I totally forgot my star dog’s 6th birthday. Gah!
Totally and completely forgot. Jack had a total Molly Ringwald, 16 Candles moment.
I didn’t remember until after visiting the fab Ina in Alaska and the super cool Frau’s blogs and seeing their fantastic birthday tributes to their dogs . It was then that my slow mind got to whirring. I’m so sorry Jack. If only you could read and know how sorry I truly am.
He’s hoping your never given Hanukkah gift saved from last year is a good enough consolation prize.
One that as I finish typing this post, has lasted all of 16 minutes before you ripped it to shreds. Oh well, as the DH says, everyday is a birthday for Jack!
Love and Hugs to you my writing guard dog and daily crack up.
KMJ
Forward…
A new storm may be coming but I’m so thrilled today that the storm of the election season has passed. I got 2 wonderful late night happy calls from my first time voter twins with tales from the college campuses and the excitement of the moment when the election was called for The President. I so enjoyed hearing the joy and the expectant optimism in both their voices. What an amazing and proud mama feeling.
(flag pic taken fm my local polling place)
Now I feel energized and ready to move forward to finish up the current book I’m working on (book 2 in my Creative Hearts series). Let’s hope I keep the power through this next storm. But no real worries because either way I’m pushing #Forward no matter what.
All the best,
KMJ
Beautiful First Family image from here and beyond
