once upon a time #PitchMAS edition

I was just thinking about how far my writing has come in the last year. I have always loved writing. I have an insanely vivid imagination. I easily can lose myself in book after book. A couple of years ago I started writing my first novel, but couldn't get it to click. I was finishing school and writing quite a bit for my degree while I was pregnant with Archer. One of my professors suggested I think about writing fiction while we were discussing my thesis. So I dusted off the story I had previously shelved and got to it. Roughly three weeks later I had finished my first novel. I wrote day in and day out. I was completely obsessed, especially during nap time. I polished and finished that first one and proudly gave it out to family. Then I wrote my second novel, in the month of February of this year. I decided that same month to go to New York and attend a writing conference, which was set for April. I polished my novel and edited the crap out of it. But I didn't actually write the closing chapter until I was on the plane on my way to New York. I have since revised the first chapter, because it was never quite right... a few cuts here and rewrites there and now I love it. Now I find myself full of ideas. I am writing the second book in the Thalassa series. I am writing a YA contemporary fantasy, I am writing a YA contemporary and I am trying my hand at a New Adult romance. I jump from story to story, completely losing myself in the worlds and characters. It is crazy how much the story plays out in my head like a movie. I don't know when it happened, but it did. I am grateful for my husband who fosters my creativity and doesn't think I am absolutely insane when I run out of the room in the middle of a movie when I get an idea for a story. I am grateful for my sister who is always my first beta-reader, editor, and cheerleader. My Mom reads everything too and has always supported me in chasing my dreams. I am also finding myself falling in love with the writing community. Everyone I have met or connected with has been kind, respectful, funny, and just the right amount of geek to make me sure I would be friends with them if I ever had the chance. Writing has become a part of me, when I'm not writing- thoughts about plotting and character development about the story are on my mind during my daily routine. I still don't know if I will get an agent, but I am hoping it is more of a question of when... not if. I take writing like I take most things in my life, giving my whole self to it. With that said there was a Twitter pitch party called pitchmas this weekend- in 35 words or less you had the chance to hook agents on your book and they would respond to you if they wanted a query about your book and pages. I had four people interested. It was so freaking cool and who knows maybe one of them will be my agent soul mate. Hahaha but really! Well back to writing. Happy Weekend all.

Xo,
Kelli

work in progress #wip

So I am just over 46k words into my wip. I have been working on it since the first week of February. I was worried to take on such a different project from my first manuscript. This one goes in a completely different direction and I am constantly researching. My sister Nikki, aka my mock editor, is always sending me ideas and I have a secret board on Pinterest where I put the pictures that inspire my writing. I have sent out queries and guys it is so hard to sell yourself in a three paragraph email. I want to show these lit agents my passion and my drive. I want them to see the belief in my eyes and know that writing and telling my stories means so much to me. One of the authors I follow on Twitter said, if you don't tell your stories, no one will. I truly hope I find someone to represent me, I am trying to get an agent, but I live in Utah and they live in New York and LA. I am anxious to go to the Writer's Digest Conference next month, where I will get a sit down with agents from the city. When my thoughts wander throughout the day I practice my pitch. How do I put into ninety seconds what I have poured my imagination into for the last forty five days? Hi, I'm Kelli. Um... I think you should read my manuscript and take me on as a client and then we can sell my book to Harper Collins, okay? Cool. *Then we shake on it.* I have day dreams, is it silly for a twenty six year old to day dream- I don't care if it is, I want to be successful. I want to get published, I want to see my name on the front of a hardcover book and see my words in print and on the shelves and B+N. So I keep writing, with help from my husband and sister and encouragement from the same and my Mom. I have read that your family isn't a good place to test your manuscript, because they don't want to hurt your feelings... but my sister tells it like it is. Her and I have big dreams for my current wip. One day guys, one day I will have my series on shelves and you will say hey remember that one time Kelli posted about how she wanted to be successful... well she did it.

Xo,
Kelli

Two Book Reviews

the Indigo Spell: 

This is the third in this series.

It is a spin off from the Vampire Academy novels,

so if you liked those you will love these.

I liked the first two books, but I really loved the third one.

Sydney is an alchemist that helps to cover the tracks of the supernatural kind from the human world. 

She is currently on assignment protecting a Moroi vampire, who is royalty.

She begins to question her loyalty to the alchemists and tries to figure out who she is,

not to mention doing the completely forbidden, falling in love with a vampire.

Great series.

If you liked VA,

read it.

Next:

Oh. My. Gosh.

This book was phenomenal. 

I can't even begin to tell you how great I thought it was.

How to even describe it.

A portion of society has become psychologically advanced,

they have to separate themselves from normal people and stay within a compound.

Each person manifests a different skill, erasing memories, seeing the future, telekinetic, lie detecting.

Addison's gift is divergence, she can she what will happen if she makes choices.

She can search and figure out her best option.

Her parents suddenly decide to divorce and Addison needs to search to find who she is meant to be with. It is a unique style of writing and I really liked the story line.

Okay,

That's all for now. 

I need a new book. 

Open to Suggestions. 

xo,

Kelli

anticipating (books, books, books.)

This week two books come out.
I am really excited.
I also have a essay test for my Religion in America class.
Which doesn't sound like as much fun as reading my two new books.
(I pre-ordered them, book nerd status right here.)
Also I am reading Article 5 right now.
I will review it when I am finished.
According to Megan VB over at Guilty Pleasure Reading
the book is about a dystopian society, which is the trend right now.
I know some people get wishy washy about book trends,
but they come in waves and I embrace them.
I am not a book snob, I love all books! :) hahaha
The books that come out on Tuesday are:

Okay really though I am also writing.
Goal=4 chapters this week and finish my current chapter.
My sister Nikki/mock editor is quite enjoying the new project.

Xo,
Kelli

my daily to do list

Right now I feel like my life is kind of a mess, but it is an organized mess. So it works.
My days are full of little bits of random pieces, trying to cram all the minutes together to make hours.

I usually get up around eight ish, depending on Archer. Change, dress, and feed him.
Then he has play time and I eat. I usually try to pick up on my writing in the morning, even if it's only a paragraph. So I don't loose any flow. Although it is extremely hard to write with a maniac crawler, so sometimes that is reserved for nap time only.
I play with Arch and try to read for class or for pleasure when he is happy to play independently.

Nap time is the real work time... dishes, laundry, homework, papers, novel writing, reading, social networking blah blah. All things computer related since apparently Archer likes to eat my Macbook.

During the afternoon we try to get out of the house and even if we just go for a drive or to lunch we get out.

Nap time two... repeat of nap time one, although I sometimes watch Ellen in lieu of doing my homework.

Dinner time, bath time, wind down play time, book time, bed time.

Make dinner for the hubs.

More homework, reading for school, writing.

Tivo in bed.

Repeat.

This is what my day looks like. Except I am taking 18 credits and have class on Tues/Thurs. But you know... it's fine. I am so happy with my life and where I am at right now. It is such a nice feeling to be content and happy.

Xo,
Kelli

all in a days work

feeling pretty freaking productive today.

and honestly I think this story is even better than the last.

Xo,

Kelli

finished.

Well I finished my first draft of my manuscript! 

But from what I understand the writing is the easier part. 

So, what now you may ask.

I've been sending out Query letters to Literary Agents. 

Who knew the process could be so brutal.

Once you send out a letter you may or may not hear back in the next 4-12 weeks.

So... I wrote a book. 

Next step get someone to take a chance on this girl.

Xo,

Kelli

writing

Have I always been a writer? Maybe. Do I love to put anything down on paper? Absolutely. I have always loved to write down anything that comes to my mind. So why not a novel? It is in the works... am I nervous about it?? Hell yes I am. It takes a lot to put myself out there and try to jump into the literary world. (Which is a brutal world.) Would I like to get published? YES, in my wildest dreams. I know it will be a very very long road. But I am hoping my story will win over the heart of just one agent and it can get told. Lindsay Cummings is a YA author, she is doing a giveaway for a review of a body of work. It would be amazing to win, she has a deal with the same publishing house that put out the Divergent series.  (OMG, right?!!!) So Lindsay, if you read this from my blog stalking (all in love of course) I would love to hear your thoughts on my work!!

Okay I did it. I admitted my secret.

And my heart is beating about one million miles a minute.

Xo,
Kelli