I've Been Tagged By Diane Gillette

1.  Where is your favorite writing spot and why? 

I have this fabulous roll top desk in my bedroom. My laptop occupies the place of prestige there. But if I could, and I lived by the beach or a stream in the mountains that's where I'd write. There is just something about the sound of water that is soooooo inspiring.
2.  What author/book first made you want to write?  

I've always loved to write--ever since I was a preschooler and saw my mother's handwriting, that's what I wanted to do. When I started school and discovered that my mother's handwriting was actually words I knew I wanted to create words as well. But the first actual book that made me want to write was probably Paddington the Bear. I wanted to create my own stories.
3.  If you could no longer write, what would your creative outlet be?

Paint or draw. There are so many artists in my family. It's something I've never explored. But some day!!!! 
4.  Music or silence when you write?  

Music inspires me...but when I'm actually in the throes of drafting...silence.
5.  What is your writing goal for 2012?  

To finish drafting at least three of the novels I'm 3/4 of the way through.
6.  What pushes you out of your writing comfort zone?  

Revising. I hate going back and looking at what I thought was pure brilliance to discover that it's...well, not brilliant.
7.  Where do you go when you need to escape for a while?  

I love to take a drive up to the mountains for the day or even a couple of days, but if I can only get away for a short while, I love to go to Jamba Juice and get a Chocolate Moo'd (And if you've never had one or heard of it, it's a chocolate smoothie! DELISH!
8.  Which series are you eagerly anticipating the newest release for? (If you aren't addicted to any series right now, then what new book by a favorite author are you waiting for?)  

I loved the Fablehaven series by Branden Mull so I'm waiting for him to finish his Beyonders series. I haven't read the first one for good reason--it's a cliff hanger and I hate not being able to pick up the next book. I don't like waiting...I'm very impatient.
9.  What's your favorite online resource for writers?  

Blogs! I love checking out what other writers have to say about writing. That's why this campaign is going to be such a blessing.
10.  Do you read any literary magazines? If so, which ones? 

No, mostly I read what I write and maybe a book or two on writing.
11.  What's something that made you smile today?   

Finding that I have been tagged!

Here are my questions:

1. What is your first memory of writing or reading?

2. If you could be a character in a book, which one and why?

3. An unexpected package has just arrived for you. What do you hope is inside?

4. Which would you rather lose your hearing or your vision? Why?

5. If you could travel to anywhere in the world where would you go? What would you do?

6. If you could be a bug, which one would you choose?

7. When you're in your writing "zone" do you like to snack? If so what's your favorite?

8. Where is your favorite place to write?

9. What is one thing you would change about yesterday. 

10. You've been given a million dollars. What is the first thing you would do with it? (You can't put it in the bank)

11. If you were give three wishes what you wish for? (No wishing for more wishes. One other warning, be careful what you wish for. It didn't turn out so well for the fisherman's wife.)

And now for my tags--

Theresa Sneed (She's not on this list, but she's my bffaeae)

Melissa 
Yvie Gonya

Book Reviews

I'm reading books faster than I can review them. I guess that's a good thing in some ways. Recently I read The Sapphire Flute by Karen Hoover. Karen tells the story of two young women caught up in defending their home planet against the dark magi who would like to see the world destroyed. The point of view switches between two young women who struggle to find their place in the world. At first I had a hard time figuring out which was which and how they tied together. Ember is a white magi, (one hasn't been seen on the Rasann in 3000 years). Kayla is the keeper of the sapphire flute, destined to heal their world. I found that as I was reading the points of view of the two girls I couldn't wait to get to the end of each chapter to find out what the other one was up to. Hoover tells an engaging story of self discovery and healing. For a beginning author, she did a wonderful job of 
creating believable characters. My frustration with the book was that it ended with a huge cliff-hanger. I guess I'll just have to read the next book to learn more about their quests.Nice job, Karen! 
You can download The Sapphire Flute on your Kindle or ebook reader. There are also several soft cover copies available as well.

Karen Hoover

The next book I finished was Hang 'Em High by Tristi Pinkston. Ida Mae Babbitt is at it again with her novice detective skills. This time Sister Babbitt, ex-Relief Society President is sluething out a horse murderer on her son's dude ranch, where no one is above suspicion, even her son. When Keith's prize horse is found dead outside his stall and near a bucket of poisoned grain accusations start flying. Leave it to Ida Mae to get to the bottom of the mystery. Once again, Tristi tells a hilarious tale of intrigue mingled with lots of rompin' good fun. Not only will you laugh at Ida Mae's antics, you will feel deeply touched as mother and son are reunited after years of estrangement. If you haven't read her other books in this series you can purchase them all here.

Tristi Pinkston