My Son's Birthday

My youngest son turned two yesterday! It's really amazing how quickly time flys. Was it really two years ago that I had tears in my eyes while my husband drove me to the hospital for my scheduled c-section? I can still remember so clearly the first time my oldest son met his brother for the first time in the hospital. In fact, I have a picture of that first meeting. The look of wonder as he gazed over the sleeping baby was simply priceless. A perfect moment shared by his mother and his father, who had lifted him up so he could see the newest member of our family.

And now my baby is 2! And he's talking! Full sentences. It's seems like overnight he went from making grunting noises and hand gestures to communicating with complete sentences! I shake my head sometimes to re-adjust my image of him. I have to remind myself daily that he's a toddler now, a little boy, a baby no longer. Well, of course, as all mothers should know my boys will always be my babies. But, you get the idea.

He had a blast at his birthday party even if some of his friends couldn't be here because of the sniffles. Seems this is a sorry time for birthday parties since it's flu season as well. But he didn't seem to mind so much. He still had alot of fun, even being generous enough to allow his older brother to boss him around a bit and even take over opening presents, too! They're so close in age, some people mistake them for twins, and they play with all the same toys that I can't even distinguish what belongs to whom. As long as they don't mind, I guess its fine. I figure I'll have a few years of peace until it begins with no, that's mine! Okay, maybe a few months.

So now my busy days of getting ready for his party are over. Life can get back to normal. Instead of scouring the house at night looking for scotch tape to wrap his presents, I can use that time to get back to my writing. Huh, like now!

Come over and visit!

I've written a post today for the Black Rose Blog about Séances and the Ouija Board. I hope you'll stop by and visit!

Thanks!

More than one book at a time

Usually I stay focused on what I'm reading, something my mom taught me. I'll read one book to the end, even if I feel like tossing it across the room since the ending might just redeem it. Once it's finshed, I'll start another. Within the last three years, I've starting reading two at a time. One fiction and one non-fiction. I found it was easy enough to do, since the storylines never clashed! And I could read the non-fiction book while I watched my kids since I don't need to focus alot on what I'm reading. When I read fiction, I feel like it needs my undivided attention and I reserve that for my reading time AFTER the kids go to bed.

It worked for a while. Now all of a sudden, I'm compelled to start reading two or three other books, as well. Don't know what that's about. And as much as it bothers me since I see it as a distraction, at the same time I'm finding it quite useful. I have one book upstairs, one downstairs, one in my purse for when I leave for work...you get the idea. I think my problem might be that there are sooooo many books I want to read and soooo little time, especially now that I've gone back to work. :-(

Then there's my husband who looks at the hundreds of books on my to-be-read list and says "What happpens if you die before you finish reading all of these?"

:-O

That question horrified me! After yelling at him for uttering such a negative phrase and for even thinking it in his brain, it really got me thinking about my reading choices. There are so many good authors out there with wonderful stories to tell. So many books I need to read. Not want. NEED! Yes, I'm a bookaholic. Maybe I need therapy. But I know I'll go crazy if I don't have a book in some stage of the reading process. And then there are the non-fiction books. Since I never went to college, I feel like I'm self-educating myself with reading so many different subjects. I'm actually learning a great deal about many things my college friends never did. I'm fascinated with so much, it's hard to narrow it down to a favorite, but I do know this...I really enjoy reading.

Working at the Bookstore

As some of you may know, I work in a bookstore. I've worked my way up the corporate ladder, so to speak, going from temporary seasonal clerk, to part-time bookseller, to full-time bookseller, and finally to Assistant Manager. I stopped there. Although I was offered management at another store several times, I couldn't bear to leave where I was so happy. Since I've had my kids, I've given up my full-time job to work part-time again. I'd do it again in a heartbeat because my kids deserve everything I have to give them. But I must admit, I do miss working more hours at the store.

Selling books is truly fun for me. Reading has been my passion since Dr. Seuss and I love that I can help other people find the books they want to read. I enjoy keeping up with the book business, knowing what's hot and what's not.

Having personal contact with customers is exciting. Each person is unique. And, yes, some of them are a real pain at times! But that's part of the retail business, as well. My fellow booksellers and I joke about the customers who come to us and ask, "I was here last week and I saw a red book in the front of the store but it's not there now. I don't remember the title or the author. Can you help me find it?"

Given such specific information, how can we miss? Shockingly, most times we can find it. For me, I get to use my investigative skills as I sniff out that elusive book and the author's name that remains a mystery to our dear customer. I'm always happy to see the surprise and delight on our customer's face as I place that book in their hands.

I'm working more hours this week than I have in the past three years. It's given me a sense of homesickness. After all, the bookstore is like a second home to me. Even if I wasn't working there, I'd be there shopping!

Stolen Contest

A Contest So Hot It Must Be Stolen...


1st Prize: $100 VISA Gift Card
2nd Prize: $20 Barnes & Noble Gift Card
3rd Prize: Autographed copies of the first two Stolen books:
STOLEN FURY & STOLEN HEAT

The Writing Zone

I started a new short story that I’m really excited about today. My goal is for 15,000 words, but I suspect (as with most of my short stories) I’ll exceed that. I try to limit myself but the story and characters sort of take off on their own which I really do enjoy especially when I get into the ‘writing zone’. I absolutely love times like this. All is quiet, the kids are asleep, the phone is turned off, there are no possible distractions and I can allow myself to become completely sucked into my story world. At times like this, the writing is practically done on autopilot. My fingers take flight and I’m thrown into the exciting ride along with my characters who become living, breathing entities. I’m so engrossed in their stories that I don’t even know how long I’ve spent tapping ferociously at the keyboard. Some nights turn into early mornings and I might not go to sleep until 2am or 3am. Unfortunately, my children don’t allow their mommy to sleep in, so the next day I’m usually regretting my writing binge. In the end, of course, it’s worth it. I simply wish I could have more time like that. If I could freeze the hours so I don’t have to go to sleep, I could probably finish a book in a week, or at least, a short story a night.

My New Website

My husband and I have finally finished with my new website. It took a while and I completely understand why people pay to have their sites designed for them, but since I don't have that kind of money yet, we did it all own our own. Check it out and tell me what you think.

Tricia Schneider

Good News

Okay, some of my friends are asking about the 'good news'. No, I'm not pregnant! That's become the first response whenever I say I have news. I'm happy to announce...I'm getting a story published! Yaaayyy! I'm so excited! In fact, I'm still having a hard time believing it. Pinch me, somebody...is this real? It's been hard work juggling my writing with the demands of two little toddlers. I write during naptime and bedtime. I try to sneak some sentences or thoughts in while the two of them are playing with their cars and trucks. Even while I'm getting breakfast, lunch and dinner ready my mind is never too far away from my stories. It's exhausting. But, it's worth it. Now I'm ready for the next step. Working with my editor (hehe! I still can't get over that!) to get my story into the best shape possible. Wish me luck! I'm more nervous now than I was during all those submissions and contests!

Online shopping

I'm doing some online shopping, well, at least browsing. It seems that some things I just can't buy in stores. I found a Disney's Cars diecast car of Lightning McQueen (which my son absolutely loves!) . I'd like to get him some other characters from the movie but the store I bought them in only had three. Where else can I go? Internet. I hate to pay shipping costs but since I can't find them anywhere else and my son is having so much fun with the ones I got him, I suppose it'll be worth it.

And as I'm shopping for one thing, several other items of interest pop up. Visiting Amazon.com I have to take a peak at the book section. Another hour after that and my son wants to know if I found any more Cars. Oh, yeah, back to the toys.

New Ideas

Well, I've finally found a background that speaks to me. What do you think? It took a long time to find it and even longer to install it. For some reason an error code kept popping up but after a day or two I got it working.



I've been working on a new short story idea for the last two days. I love when I get knew ideas. I become obsessed with it for days, daydreaming and then hurrying to my computer or grabbing the nearest pen and paper to write out the scenes unfolding in my mind. It's a powerful time. The formation of a story is one of the best moments for a writer. The characters are being born in your mind. The plot is slowly unfolding. The setting is being formed and molded before your eyes, as well as beneath your pencil.



There is only one bad thing about a new idea. It seems my ideas gravitate to me as I'm writing another story. The more I write, the more ideas I get for other stories. It can be distracting when I'm trying desperately to focus on the current story I'm working on.



But it's worth it because as soon as I'm finished what I'm doing, I get to go play with my new friends.

Something New

So, I've finally decided to write a blog...other than the one I keep on MySpace. This is a big deal for me since I describe myself as being technically challenged. I'm surprised I managed to figure out MySpace so easily. Let me give you a hint, I need my husband's help when sending an attachment for emails. In fact, he helps me with most of everything computer related. Do you know how to defrag your hard-drive? Is that English?



That said, I'm working hard to get this blog up and running, although, I admit...it may be a while. Right now I'm trying to find a really cool background or template, or whatever.