Nicki Elson's Not-So-Deep Thoughts

'Ello!  If God's plans have aligned with mine, I'm in London right now...most likely sampling the local flavor at cozy British pub.  And I'm raising a pint to Jennifer Lane in celebration of her brand new YA novel, Streamline . I now leave you in her capable hands for a peek into her book and her research process. And look!  She's including a super cool widget where you can enter to win prizes!  Cheers, Jennifer! I’m uber-excited for the release of the YA Romantic Suspense Streamline . Nicki, thanks for being part of the Launch Party in absentia! Seems like Leo Scott has it all: looks, brains, and athletic talent. He’s captain of his high school swim team with a bright future in college and beyond. But Leo has secrets. His mother’s crippling car accident has devastated his family and left Leo to deal with his father’s abuse, battered and alone. Leo’s girlfriend Audrey Rose is poised for her own share of success. As one of Florida’s top high school swimmers,...

My desire to be published stemmed primarily from a perceived need to justify my right to write. Getting published was a way to show that writing wasn't any more of a waste of time than oh, say, golfing, playing poker, or watching endless hours of TV while Brick Breakering.  The ironic thing is, once my book was released to the world, all that glorious writing time I'd justified seemed to disappear amidst the 1001-ways-to-promote-your-book. I'll admit that there have been times when I've resented being published. I often long for the days of fewer distractions.  BUT there seems to be an endless string of happy surprises along the way---cool things that never would've happened if I hadn't come out of my writing closet---that cause me to figuratively slap my ungrateful self and take a moment to bask in the blessing of authorliness. For example... Getting to know other writers via the social networks.  Once in a while I even get to meet them in person---this is...

I've had a recurring 80s sighting during the last few weeks: I know what you're thinking. "But...that's the brand new 2012 Chevy Sonic . How could that be 80s?" Let me explain -- it came with with free satellite radio for three months.  So guess who's been cranking the 1st Wave...and taking pictures of her car radio...   Seriously, does it get any better than new car smell AND 80s new wave?   And now I get to answer some questions about myself after being tagged by The Armchair Squid (a while ago, I know, but "Better late than never" has become my new motto.) 1. What is your dream vacation? Hm, I'll say an extended stay in the Bavarian region of Germany.  Or maybe Tuscany.  Ooh, but what about Key West?  I reject this question - it's too hard. 2. Are you spontaneous or do you like to plan ahead? I'm a planner at heart, but I've become comfortable with winging it. 3. Tell us one thing you want to do but don't da...

First off, thank you, Suze , for posting your IWSG early and thus reminding me!  Y'see, I've not been around the blogs much lately, only in sprinklings, cuz I been hit by the triple whammy (as defined by me): Whammy #1:  New responsibilities at day job + Boss who believes wishing makes it so = It wouldn't be polite to say the combination of words that are the only way to describe it. Whammy #2: Weekends chock full o' family gatherings are glorious and wonderful...and eat up any hope of catching up with blog friends or making progress on draft #2. Whammy #3: The very best kind of whammy I can imagine---a trip overseas at the end of the month WITH my daughter to SEE my sister!!!  Nevertheless, it kicks up the pressure to get all my non-blogging, non-writing shite together. I guess this is my way of saying...not sorry, because I think we all understand that blogging isn't an obligation and can't be a top priority, so how about...I miss you, and I'm so...

Today author Feather Stone sets sail across the blogosphere to let you know more about her fantastic dystopian romance, The Guardian's Wildchild .  I read this book last year...a few times, actually, as I was the developmental editor...and fell in love with Feather's gorgeous writing and the spirit of this story. I've read others' reviews and the consensus seems to be that The Guardian's Wildchild is a refreshingly unique book.  For myself I can say that it's not like anything else I've ever read and even several months later, this story resonates with me. Below is an excerpt of my review on Goodreads, which you can click on to read the whole shebang.  And be sure to stop by Feather's blog today, where our cruise director has lots of fun planned for you.