fresh to death and bound by the shackles of love

First and foremost, it's almost Happy Hunger Games!
I, like most of the world, will be attending the midnight showing of the premiere of The Hunger Games in theaters one week from today! Yay! I finished the first book last month and by far it is one of the best series I've read. I am most willing to put it in the top five right after Harry Potter being #1... yeah it's that good. A close 3rd would still have to be The Wolves of Mercy Falls series (Shiver, Linger, and Forever by Maggie Stiefvater). As for the other two slots it would be a tie between The Twilight Saga and Lucas by Kevin Brooks (Lucas being a single novel).

Since we're on the topic of my current favorite things, I thought it would be nice for you all to know that I have a new obsession with Lana Del Ray. I'm not sure if it's more powerful than the one my fiancé has for her, but I'd say it's pretty darn close. I've been listening to her album non-stop and my favorite singles include Born to Die, Blue Jeans, Video Games, and Dark Paradise. Along side Lana Del Ray I recently purchased the Young the Giant album and it's also to die for. I invested in Julia Stone's new solo debut album as well and even though Angus is currently not a part of it, it's still just as amazing. And I cannot stress how much I am in love with Ed Sheeran's album "+". That my friends will never, NEVER get old. Now last but not least when it comes to songs I have to admit that "How" by Maroon 5 from their album Hands All Over has been played on repeat on my iPod for several weeks now.

So, basically reading and listening to music has been all my life is consumed with at the moment.

Now on to writing...

Yes, I have been writing - no worries about that. Even though the first book is technically finished the additives are taking some time. I decided recently after reading back through my draft copy that some changes needed to be made for the sake of storytelling. It hasn't taken away from any of the original version though, it's only made it better which excites me to the upmost extreme! I made the point that this final version is the one that I'm most enthused about and I truly feel is going to be the one to make it! Once I am 100% happy with the final draft of book 1 (which I have no doubt I will be once it's finished) I will finally be able to put all my efforts into pushing out the 2nd and 3rd volumes. I have a feelings those will take no time to conjure since the brick work of the story will have already been laid in the first installment.

Again I have to thank anyone who has shown support over the past few years and hung in there with me through this long and grueling process. I have no doubt that it'll all be worth it in the end!

M.

Post Book One

After finishing the first installment of my series I realized just how weird it was not to be constantly working on it. I've printed the books entirety out on my printer (I used an whole black ink cartridge to do so) and now I'm in the process of reading through the printed copy and checking for simple mistakes or facts that don't add up - the usual. I've been able to catch more spelling errors by reading a hard copy versus staring at a computer screen. My eyes are a lot happier staring at paper for a while. But other than that I've started work on installment two. I've had random bits and pieces written here or there throughout the years of writing book one so that's sort of given me a boost, but getting it all started is a heck of a challenge.

It was so long ago that I started the first book, so I've forgotten just how hard it is to start from scratch at the very beginning. My biggest obstacle to overcome will be coming up with the plot line and figuring out what order the story is going to take place. All these ideas keep running through my head of what I'd like to do but some things require changing or adding certain aspects of the first book to match it and well that's just going to make things more difficult. I don't think I'll ever be satisfied with the series. I'm always going to want to add more or something incredible will come to me and I'll want to change something I've already written. Writing is my first love and it's something that I've always been addicted to. What am I going to do when the entire series is complete? I wonder how J.K. Rowling managed after Harry Potter was finished? She must have had no idea what to do with herself.

I would be lucky to have what she did and experience those same emotions. I'm still crossing my fingers ; )

it is finished

Ladies and gentlemen I have great news to spread across the land! The first installment of my 3-4 book series is officially completed! I never thought I'd see the day when I was finally satisfied with the results and I could stop editing and making changes. I started writing this book on July 21st 2009 and now two and a half years later I can say it's finally done. It took a lot of self-discipline and determination to set a goal to actually go through with this, but I did it! And I couldn't be more proud and excited for myself! The next step is obviously to start work on the second installment which I've already started in rations. But more importantly I need to crack down on finding an agent to represent me and who likes my work. That will be the real challenge.

I have high hopes for this and I am crossing my fingers that one day my fans will be reading this and get to have a first hand feel of everything I went through to get to where I am. I truly believe this is what I'm meant to do and what I've learned is that the things that are meant to be always find there way in the end.

Thanks for everyone's support throughout the years. I hope I can continue to make you proud.

Meg