Saturday, February 25, 2012

My very first blog post . . .

I’ve always been the type that likes to beat to my own drum. Not sure why, but I hate being a "groupie."  It took me forever to join Facebook, I refused to go see Twilight on opening night, and you’ll never see me use acronyms like LOL or TTYL.  So it's super foreign for me to think that I'm really doing this. I'm writing my very first blog post.  Ah, what the heck, LM**... haha

On that note, I'm not really a swearer, (in my writing or in real life).  Okay, once when I was pregnant my husband made the mistake of asking me how I felt, and I told him precisely what I felt like; there was only one word.  But generally there are other words. And I like to use those more. 

You might call me a goody-two-shoes.  But in my world I think I’m sort of edgy.

On the subject of intelligence (sorry, my thoughts tend to skip around), I’m psycho about editing.  I have a hard time reading anything with typos.  I’ve been known to take a red pen to the newspaper.  That said, I’m sure there are several mistakes in my book, so I’m already eating my words. 

My disclaimer: Did you know that the huamn barin wlil uednrsatnd txets eevn if all letetrs are wirtetn in the wrnog oderr (bukisa.com/how-you-can-read-over-typos-a-strange-twist-of-the-human-brain)  Kinda cool, huh?  

So anyway, this blog will not be edited.  Sort of like my journal - if you saw it you’d think I didn’t pass fifth grade English class. 

I grew up in Foster City, California, my dad passed away when I was in high school, my mom bounced a lot of checks trying to care for 6 kids. (She’s gonna kill me for saying that.  But she’s the best mom in the whole world.  Love ya, Mom!)  My family is all over the place; I have sisters, brothers, steps, halfs, we’re one very extended, big happy fam.

In reference to the last line of the previous paragraph, you might suspect (and you'd be right) that I’m a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. You know, Mitt Romney, Stephenie Meyer,  Steve Young, Donny and Marie, David Archuleta, Motab, Christian, LDS or Mormon as some call us.  And if you’re not savvy to the 21st century or you’re one of those who believes that shows like Big Love are indicative of reality, I’m here to set the record straight.  I’m the most normal, earthy, laugh-out-loud type of person you’ll ever know.  I have one husband, and even if he wanted more wives, it’s against the law – duh.  And though I talk about it casually, what I believe is what defines me; it’s literally who I am.  I wouldn’t say I’m religious or spiritual, because doing so somehow seems to undermine the value of my beliefs in the world’s eyes.  I don’t talk faith, I talk life, and to my knowledge, they’re synonymous.

I love movies. My favorite is The Sound of Music. Yeah, yeah, pretty vanilla, I know. Yet it's a comedy, a drama, a passionate romance, and a musical all in one (I do fast forward the “Climb Every Mountain” song).  But what more could you ask for in an escape?  I’m a dreamer.  I have to say, contrary to most of the human population, I hated The Dark Knight.  I left the theater feeling dark and depressed.  If I wanted that, I would watch the news.  Movies are there to take me to better places.  If it doesn’t do that, I don’t care how awesome the acting (LOVE Christian Bale, though) or the scenery or the story or the redeeming value, it will never be a favorite.

I also love to read. I used to read a lot of philosophy.  That was my college major for a quick second, and then I took an epistemology class, and that cured that.  But I still love C.S. Lewis.  I’m a historical romance lover; really, I’m an any-time-period romance lover.  Ironic, since I’m not really a romantic person; I don’t do sappy very well.  Recently, I loved The Hunger Games.  I guess you could say my favorite reads fall into the young adult category.  Maybe that’s why I chose that as my book audience.  There’s something about “firsts” that make those years magical.  First looks, first kisses, those special, thrilling moments, I can’t get enough of that junk!  I also like fantasy, adventure and sci-fi.

I love playing sports.  Recently I played in an indoor co-ed soccer league, I play in a women's volleyball league, I love to snow and water ski, I try to golf, if I were a guy I'd play football for sure, and I love to watch sports on TV almost as much as Kyle (my husband).  I'm sort of tomboyish, a blue jeans kind of gal, been a city girl my whole life, but I’m a country girl by heart.  I grew up playing soccer and climbing trees.  But I will say that my toenails are always painted.  I can easily tap in to the inner girly in me.  

I love people who can carry on an intelligent conversation on any subject.  I believe it’s called being “well-rounded”. I also love a good sense of humor.  Being around funny people is the best, isn’t it?  Witt - it’s awesome!

I’m, I’m, I’m.  This is all about me.  Was I supposed to do that?  The truth is, on the outside I’m an extrovert, but on the inside I’m an introvert (did that make sense?).  Said simply, I wear my emotions on my sleeves, but I'm also a very private person.  So you can understand why I'm all over the place.  Also foreign to me is not writing a book necessarily, but sharing it with others.  It’s a very exposed feeling to have strangers literally reading my thoughts.

But if you’re reading this blog, you’ve perhaps already read the teaser for my new novel, REFLECTION.  I hope you liked it, and I hope you like the book.  If I had to overview REFLECTION in a few words, I would say it’s a sweet, spicy college romance with a twist.  

You can buy the ebook on Amazon and Barnes & Noble for $2.99. 

Phew.

Thanks for letting me share a little of me, with you!

That was actually really therapeutic.  Maybe I’ll like this blog-thing after all . . .