Authonomy

I have been reading a lot lately. You all know about my long list of books on my nightstand and the 100 books in a year goal, but there's also the internet. Wow I wish I could count blog reading and research toward my goal, but alas it is not to be. After much research into the e-reader I found the answer to my questions. The biggest of which is that the books simply aren't much cheaper than going to the book store. Even with it's conveniences it just isn't cost effective to shell out the upfront to get the e-reader. I'd have to buy well over a 700 books to make it a cheaper option! Now if they came out with an itunes style store where all ebooks were $3 - $5 it would be great! I'd rush out an buy an ereader tomorrow (in theory, I'd actually have to save for a month or two to afford one).Maybe I tunes themselves can get into the e-book biz. That would be great for me. Already have an itunes account....of course all my lovely giftcard money I got at Christmas has been used on new music....I hate that my birthday isn't until November. Hey valentine's is coming up...maybe I can ask for itunes card, is that romantic enough?
The other item I have been reading about and researching this week has been a site called: Authonomy. Don't ask me how to say it, It changes each time I try. I actually heard about it a few months ago on my favorite Literary Agent Blog. Really people if you have any interest in Literary publishing or it's world you should check out Nathan Bransford's blog ( http://nathanbransford.blogspot.com/ ). And not just because my sister thinks he's cute.
A few months ago he mentioned Authonomy ( http://www.authonomy.com/ ). I as usual was curious and went to check it out. I sent off a link to my fellow family authors and waited to see what they think. My brother was the only one who really had too much of an opinion about it all. He was worried (as always) about first north American publishing rights and a publishers chance to screw you over in a contract. Of course this is assuming that I could ever get a publisher to give me the time of day! Since this has yet to happen I begin to weigh the downsides, and it's seeming less and less. So off I go to the site to check it out again. Now it's run by Harper Collins, though I think other companies might be checking it out a little too. It's also a great way to build a platform and honestly aren't I a sucker for a new way to waste time online? Did I ever really stand a chance of resisting? As a final kicker Harper Collins is British isn't it? Wouldn't that mean I hadn't given up north American pub rights but British rights? How does that work with the internet? Does it go by who owns the site or who reads the site?
Well I now have a profile on the site with the first three chapter of My first novel up on it. I have the novel complete, but am still a little weary of putting the whole thing on there. Maybe I'll change my mind in time.
In theory this site is a place for readers and writers alike to find the best new material out there, bypassing the old system of querys and agents to get what the people want published. I pretty sure that Harper Collins actually has a much different plan for this site (thus my hesitation for putting the whole book up) but for now we'll work on that assumption. SO anyone who likes to read should head over and check out the site. Register for a profile and look around at all the books. There's over 3,000 on there now and I'm sure something for everyone. Just be a little careful, some of it isn't appropriate for everyone (it's marked so just keep an eye out). I would love you all to read my book and see how it's doing. The idea is that people can read it and leave feedback or comments and then they rate their top five favorite books. Once your book has enough people rating it highly then you go on the editors desk were a Harper Collins editor will read and critique it for you. Yea! So please check out mybook ( http://www.authonomy.com/ViewBook.aspx?bookid=5760 ) and let me know what you think.
Also check out the site some and let me know what you think about the whole site. For you fellow authors out there it could be a useful site for you too!

Sickness and books, or is it book sickness?

I hate being sick. It seems to never fully go away anymore. It lasts until it gets so bad I go to the doctor then I get a short term fix. I truely hate my sinuses. Why did God create sinuses in the first place, I mean really we have enough parts on us that can be broken already don't we?
On another note: The weather is much better. I am so glad that I can look out my window and the yard is no longer covered in ice. Makes it easier to, I don't know, drive.
I have been keeping up with my reading. I have just finished the first three in the Shopaholic series. Seriously funny stuff. I have an awful cough and I keep laughing so hard it throws me into a coughing fit! I am currently reading Shopaholic and sister. It's a must read for woman. Kinda like princess diaries, but way more grownup and much more believable.
My current total for this year is sitting at 10 books. At this rate I shouldn't have any problem reading 100 books this year. I still have 3 Jane Austin books sitting on my nightstand and at least two others waiting to be purchased.
One of my favorite blogs is written by a literary agent. I started reading it back when I thought I stood a chance of getting an agent myself (And yes this particular agent wasted no time in rejecting me). I did enjoy his style of mixing literary news with normal life things like the Bachelor and Lost. This week there has been ongoing discussions of the Sony Reader/Kindle verses Paper books. Now I have been looking into an e-reader for a while now. I love the concept and even looked into just downloading the reader app for my IPhone, but usually price or usability has stopped me. Once I began reading through all the comments though I got a new thought. Are the e-books cheaper to download than to buy in the store? It makes sense that they would be but I never reallyt hought too much about it. Does anyone know the answer to this? If it's only a couple bucks per book I could save tons fromt he books I buy at the bookstore. Not to mention all the hasty trips I make to books-a-million or Barnes and Nobel because I finished my book and it's part of a series. Yes I'm crazy enough that if I finish it and the next one is avaiable and I don't have it on hand I tend to rush out and get it. More than once I've been up with a sick kid and wishing the book store was open at 2am. I've even taken a sleepy baby to walmart int he middle of the night to see if they carry the book I want (no was the answer that time).
What are your thoughts on paper book verse ebooks? I don't think I'll ever fully give up paper books, but think of the shelf space you'd save...it does have it's upsides. Seriously though, I think the price will have to come down a bit before I partake.

Ice

Update: Jeff has made it home safely. Except for some trouble getting him up the driveway it was slow but uneventful. So prayers work!
As I sit here I hear the distinctive banging and pounding that is usually attributed to tribal drumming. I would be half afraid of a band being in my backyard if it wasn't for the twenty degree temperature and even lower windchill. I might send my dogs out just to be on the safe side, but all four pounds of Dauby would freeze in about a minute.
I love cold days with snow and even sometimes ice. I don't like going out in the ice, but I like being holed up at home with good food and my loved ones. Today has left me with much anxiety though. Jeff left for work at his usual time and made it safe and sound. Getting home has been the hard part. The roads were getting slick by 9am and were downright dangerous by noon. I have called him about twenty times begging him to just come home already. He is such a good worker that he hates leaving early if he can help it. I get that and love him for it. The hard part for me was sitting home with two fussy girls (one of whom is constantly asking for her daddy) and seeing the various wreak and weather reports that keep popping on screen. With no good news on the telley I really wanted my hubby safe.
They finally sent out a notice at his office telling everyone to go home before it gets any worse or risk staying the night. So he is slowly making his way home. I'm scared to death for him since at least half of the trip home is on raised interstate. So please lift a pray for my honey that he makes it safe and sound.
Other than the stress of waiting all my family is fine. We still have electricity (obviously) and rarely lose power in these storms. If we do lose power we have a fireplace and wood handy. I hope everyone else is well prepared and enjoying the day snuggled up at home. Oh and that drumming outside...turns out it's the ice freezing on the roof vents.

Writing again

I finally got around to writing again last night. It was more an issue of getting word working again, which Jeff was finally able to finish yesterday. I lost some of my old files, which stinks, but most are still there. I am now working on a middle grade novel about a boy genius inventor. So I'll get to come up with all kinds of fun little words and gadget names.
Want to help out? If you could invent a gadget or a piece of a gadget what would you call it?
My favorite piece so far is called a montom. Making up things is fun!

Been tagged....

Here we go!

The idea is to copy & paste it into your blog, then highlight the things you have done. The items in bold are things I’ve done in my life. (You’re not supposed to copy the words in italics, I added those.)

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars (does a tent count?)

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland/world

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning (while pregnant! Yuck!)

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch-hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Gotten flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter/plane

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72 . Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book (I've written one though)

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85 Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (Well, I helped)

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

I tag Heather and Aaron.

You tell me:

I'm so glad to see I haven't lost all my readers with my prolonged absence. And if you are new I'd LOVE to have you comment so I can check out your blog(if you have one) and meet you.
It's been great with my diet. All is going smoothly and I'm grieving over the loss of food less and less each day. I'm still leaning the art of eating out and staying on track of everything, but it shouldn't take too long.
I haven't been writing. It's a sad admission. Part of it is due to the lack of word currently operating on my laptop, the other is just laziness I guess. During Nanowrimo I got a great idea and even started it, but I just wasn't in a writing mood. I know that sounds like a cop out, but sometimes it's true. When I'm super stressed or focused on other things it's hard to write for me. I'm not the brilliant writer that my brother and father are. I still struggle with basic grammar often (as most readers should be able to tell). I do love a good story though. And the joy of creating not just a story but characters and lives and new concepts and realities. It's a thrill. I miss that part. I had one of my test readers finish my first story recently. She wanted to know what happens next....That's just what I wanted. I love to read a story so intriguing that you want to know more at the end, even if it's not a series. That has always been my goal. For said friend, I promise to share the story lines of the next three books should I never get around to writing them (because yes, I HAVE thought it all out that far).
Right now I've been in a funk. Life is flowing smoothly along. We have our bumps like anyone else but for the most we are where we want to be doing what we want, so why the funk? That's the question that has been dangling at the back of my mind for a week or so now. I described it to Jeff last night. Back when I was single and everything was great I'd have moments of "man I wish I was getting married" or "wow it'd be cool to be married and having a baby". Not so much because I wanted that in the moment so much as I wanted a change. Something to focus on and work towards. Last night I heard a sweet song on the radio and thought "I wish I was getting married", followed quickly by the thought "Oh wait, I AM married.". It triggered something in my mind that I must need a new goal.
I think all these ramblings can be very confusing to anyone who is not closely acquainted with me and my complicated thought process. If I've lost you by now don't worry, I'm almost done. Glad some of you (Heather) are already used to this.
With the new goal registered I decided that rather than start a new one maybe I should get busy on one I already have and am currently failing. So writing I think it will be. I have been daydreaming about story tidbits and writing whole chunks of stories in my head before falling asleep at night. It's time. So here's to the hope of getting some work done.
Now to decide what to work on. Here's where you come in. If you ever wrote a story what would it be about? And for fun throw out a quick story idea that I could use. Just to get the creative juices flowing.

Playlist help.

Thank you to all of those that asked. I am doing very well with my workout/diet. I am learning better ways to cook. I feel like I eat all day to get my calories in. Who knew that watching biggest loser for 6 seasons would help me out so much? I picked up a good tip from the show this week. On it they said that singing while you work out helps your heart rate and breathing so you can workout longer more comfortably. Now while most people wouldn't recommend singing at the gym I'm lucky enough to workout at home. I tried it today and it worked really well. I just need to update my workout playlist on my IPod.
So what music do you like to listen to while working out? Any suggestions would be helpful.

Little minds

Conversation between sophy and I.

S: When is Daddy's birthday?
M: In April
S: When is April?
M: A long time from now.
S: When is your birthday?
M: In November.
S: That's a lot of vember.

Post holidays

Hello all!
I was thinking about posting about New Years and realized I had no pictures from new years, AND I didn't even take my camera out christmas morning. I think I was just enjoying hte moment too much to think about it. The kids were great this year. Lola loved all her toys and had fun playing with them while Sophy finally understood the whole present thing. I think it might have been one of the best years ever.
After christmas we came home for New Years. Jeff's parents came in town for it and my folks were visiting Aaron's family so it was quite a gatering for us. We actually had the get together at my house which was a first. If you would like to see pictures and hear more you can check it out here: http://pogueweeklytimes.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-years-eve-and-night.html My sister in Law wrote all about it on her blog. SHE didn't forget to take pictures.
As with every other person my #1 resolution this year is to lose weight. I'm doing very good with it. How is everyone else doing?

Oh to tell a tale, or read one.

Hello All. We have all survived the holidays around here and are working our way back to a normal pace. I hope to scan and post some holiday pictures of the girls soon, but you know me and promises.... It sure seems like the last two months have just flown by. Of course I think that every january. Theres just so much going on this time of year.
Lately I have been reading a lot more than normal. I have been engrossed in reading new stories. It all stared wiht a call to go buy new books back in november. I responded to the call and not only did I read a few books I've been waiting for but I also re-discovered the joy of roam shelves full of new stories never seen by my eyes before.
Of course publishers have a nasty habit of buying series. Good for them because I fall right in with the "I have to read them all from the first one" type. So I've discovered several new series that I enjoyed.
Here is my list of reading from december until now:
The City of Ember by: Jeanne DuPrau
The People of Sparks by: Jeanne DuPrau
The Prophet of Yonwood by: Jeanne DuPrau
The Diamond of Darkhold by: Jeanne DuPrau
The Warrior Heir by: Cinda Williams Chima
The Wizard Heir by: Cinda Williams Chima
The Dragon Heir by: Cinda Williams Chima
The Frog Princess by: E.D. Baker
Dragon's Breath by: E.D. Baker
Once Upon a Curse by: E.D. Baker
No Place for Magic by: E.D. Baker
The Salamander Spell by: E.D. Baker
The Dragon Princess by: E.D. Baker

Also I read a few in november that I liked. Of those I highly recommend Edymion Spring by: Mattthew Skelton it's very intresting and I loved the story behind the story. I am currently reading all the Jane Austin stories when I realized I had seen the movies and never read the books! How could that have happened? I am on Pride and Preduice right now and have a lovely book called Darcy's Story waiting int he wings, as well as the first 5 of the shopaholic series. With Hunger Games that completes my current nightstand line up. I hope those will keep me busy reading for a while, but who knows. It's sometimes hard for my mind to switch between genres. I love my fantasy worlds of dragons, but oh can Jane Austin write a tale!
I hope to read 100 books in 2009. I will endever to update of my current reading list along the way. We'll see how things go since I also want to write one more story this year too. Which one to choose first?
What good stories have you read lately? I really like YA and Fantasy and anything funny. I am always ont he look out for a new good find. Please let me know so I can check it out. I am thinking of starting a variation of a book club that is for reccomendations. In it the members would read one book a month (whatever story they chose) and then bring it with them to talk about at the meeting. We'd most likely meet at a bookstore coffee house since it'd be close to allt he new books! I figure we'd show up with our book and tell the others about it and if we liked it. We'd keep a log of what has been mentioned and what rating it got. We could add the other members ratings if they choose to read it too. Then we all pick out new books to read. It'd be a fun way to hear about new books and share your experience good or bad about the one you read. If anyone is intrested let me know. I'd love t get it going with and asortment of readers!