Author Pics II

I mentioned a few posts ago that my oldest son, Braeden, recently got his senior portraits taken, and since I was in need of an updated author photo, we made a day of it. It turned out to be great for both of us, because having a big camera aimed at you for large chunks of time as you hear *click* *click* *click* repeatedly is a little unnerving, and we fed off each other's antics, got some genuine smiles in, and a few laughs, too. Which happens a lot with my son, who has my sense of humor but is much quicker on the draw.

See that smile? I'm up on the hill jumping around, waving my arms.
That smile is for me. It says, "Man, my mom is weird AND awesome."

He makes this face a lot.

Braeden is a pretty quiet kid, but if he decides to talk, he will talk and talk and talk.
I love being the recipient of this.

This is my favorite. It reminds me of when he was little and would ask for a cookie
or something and just wait quietly with this look on his face
and of course I would say YES BECAUSE LOOK AT THIS FACE.

It was a really good day with my son, who will soon be moving on to big, grown-up world things. 

I try not to think about it because when I do a chunk of broken cement gets lodged in my throat and everything goes watery.

So now I have some new author photos. I need to decide which photo to send to my publisher for the back of my books and since you all were such great helpers a few years back, I'm asking again. 

What do you think?

#1

#2

#3

#4

And to move things along, I'll put everyone who votes into a drawing for my book OF GRACE AND CHOCOLATE, which you may want for yourself, OR to give as one of the best Christmas presents ever. Just sayin'. I'll draw names on Wednesday, December 12th at 10pm.

Thanks for the help!

Okay, it was requested that I post the B&Ws since that is what my publisher uses. I'm kinda getting tired of seeing my face, but I'm thankful for all the help!

#1

#2

#3 

#4 

And since some of you wanted to see this cropped...
#5

OKAY, TELL ME WHAT TO DO.
:)

If OF GRACE AND CHOCOLATE Had a Soundtrack

Brad Arnold, lead vocalist & lyricist for 3 Doors Down

Some people have asked if I write to music. I don't, unless it's instrumental and very soft in the background. I'm a lyrics girl and I find myself distracted by the words of songs if I'm trying to write. Really easily. It's like being distracted by bacon. That easy.

But, being a lyrics girl, as I'm writing a story and I'm doing dishes, working out, driving my car, I catch songs that resonate with what I'm working on. So when I come across a song or two that work really well with a character, scene, a choice, a mood, I add it to that book's Playlist.

I was sewing today, working on the last bridesmaid dress for the wedding, and pulled up my Playlist for OF GRACE AND CHOCOLATE. I tweaked it a little, moved a couple songs around, and I think it does a pretty good job of capturing the novel. Wanna listen? Here you go. Afterward, I'll tell you why I chose each song, if you're interested. *may be spoilers, though I'll try to be careful*

CLICK: OF GRACE AND CHOCOLATE PLAYLIST

Times Like These, Foo Fighters. This song is a great summation for the whole novel.

It's times like these you learn to live againIt's times like these you give and give againIt's times like these you learn to love againIt's times like these time and time again
And the song isn't about good times. It's about turning points, trials, decisions.
Breathe In, Breath Out, Matt Kearney. Taking things one breath at a time. Jill's very set world is crumbling and she has to do this, learn this.
Hold on, hold tightMake it through another nightAnd everyday, there comes a song with the dawn.
Away From the Sun, 3 Doors Down. This song actually makes an appearance in the book, and the band does as well. It's Scott's ringtone. Jill isn't the only one who's had it rough. I hesitated to put an actual song and band in the book for fear of dating it, but this song is pretty timeless, in my opinion. And later when a concert was needed, I didn't want a made-up band.
I'm over thisI'm tired of living in the darkCan anyone see me down here
It Doesn't Matter, Alison Krauss and Union Station. Jill's mother was an alcoholic. This song is for the tricycle scene. It just is. 
If you've made up your mind to goI won't beg you to stayYou've been in a cageThrow you to the wind, you fly away
It doesn't matter if I cryDon't matter if I bleed
Best of What's Around, Vitamin String Quartet. This reflects Scott's upbeat attempt in asking Jill out. It's a nice break from the more serious tones. I wish I'd found more songs like this for the lighter parts. I'll keep my ears open.
So Long, So Long, Dashboard Confessional. Perfect. Costa Rica. Flashback. Song.
How the girls can turn to ghosts before your eyesAnd the very dreams that led to themAre keeping them from dying
And how the grace with which she walked into your lifeAnd stayed with you in your stepsAnd paced with you a whileFor so long, so long, so long, so long
That I Would Be Good, Alanis Morissette. Introduction to Evie. This song tears at my heart every time, and I think it's what a lot of young girls yearn for.
That I would be loved even when I numb myself.
Your Arms Feel Like Home, 3 Doors Down. Scott and Jill find each other.
I felt so many things this weary soul can’t takeMaybe you just caught me by surprise.
The Only Exception, Paramore. Jill is breaking her own rules.
The Road I'm On, 3 Doors Down. This song reminded me of Trey and Evie.
What you thought was real in lifeHas somehow steered you wrongAnd now you just keep drivin'Tryin' to find where you belong.
Blinding, Florence and the Machine. Evie makes her choice. No more dreaming of the dead as if death itself was undoneNo more crawling like a crow for a boy, for a body in the gardenNo more dreaming like a girl so in love, so in loveNo more dreaming like a girl so in love with the wrong world
It Stops Today, Colbie Caillat. Jill makes her choice. This is such a stark contrast to the above song, but both girls are attempting the same thing: to face their fear.
You can hide from all the pain but it will find you anywayYes I know, now I know
That I can't keep on running.
Plastic Bag, American Beauty Soundtrack. The alley scene. All the movement, the lights, the sound, the terror, all muted and slowed . . . bittersweet.
Better Off Alive, Train. End credits. These guys are lyrics people, too.
Hey, thanks for being interested enough to stick around! I really do love the emotion songs can lend to writing. What do you think?

Book Signing in Tri-Cities Washington

Last night I was happy to be part of Far West Books 30th Anniversary Ladies Night celebration! This is a book store I have visited since my early teens and is located in my hometown of Kennewick, WA. The invitation to do a book signing there on this night made me smile very big.

I arrived 20 minutes early, but the store was already packed! So much so, that I was already set up and signing before the staff even realized I was there. They gave me waves and smiles from their busy counter and we just went with it!
I saw several familiar faces, people from my childhood coming to wish me luck, have me sign their book, take a picture. Some who didn't get the connection until my mom showed up. My sister was great and took a bunch of pictures. I was able to see my future son-in-law's mom, who is a  long-time family friend as well, and it was fun to talk about our kids and the coming wedding. I met a bunch of new people and loved their enthusiasm and willingness to try a new author. My sisters-in-law made me laugh and took more pictures. My mom brought me flowers, even on her birthday. It was a very happy night and I drove back to my sister's house with a smile on my face.

Visiting with my niece and bunk mate, Gracie.

My beautiful sister, Shelli Larson. This girl is one of my biggest blessings. Which is interesting because she's quite petite.

Laughing with my sister-in-law, Jenn Anglesey.

My mom, Debby Anglesey, and my nieces Skylar and Gracie. I finally got to sign my mom's book, and then it left with her friend so she could read it!

Still laughing with my sisters-in-law, Jenn, and Carrie Anglesey. I need a picture of them because they are adorable.

My mom brought me flowers. :)

Gigi Bare, my lovely soon-to-be in-law. Her adorable son is marrying my daughter. We're all pretty happy about it.

"blah blah blah talk talk..."

One of my besties growing up, Mara Floyd Kraus. Love her!

 Thanks so much, Tri-Cities! I hope you love my story!

Home Again...More Proof

It's been an incredible couple of weeks. Along with the launch of Of Grace and Chocolate, the book signings, a couple of interviews, and navigating the freeways of Insanity the Salt Lake valley, I was also swimming the emotional waters of a dear friend's upcoming wedding, the announcement of my own daughter's engagement, and the passing of my husband's grandfather, all while wearing a back-brace as I tried to heal from a back injury I sustained during Christmas break.

O_O

I did use the word incredible, which does mean unreal. Unbelievable. But is used so often as a synonym for wonderful, amazing, fantastic. Which it also was.

Me and the soon-to-be Sherrie Willley

Ready or not...

But, my friend's wedding is tomorrow (best wishes, Sherrie!), my daughter is engaged to a kind, smart, incredibly grounded young man who adores her and we have a great start on wedding plans, my husband's grandfather was 99 years old and had lived a very productive life, and his passing brought a lot of family together to celebrate that life.

My nephews and my own two gumballs after the funeral.

And the book signings were fun, full of anxiety and laughter and lots and lots of smiles. I got to see so many friends, my time in Salt Lake was adventurous and rewarding, and the food was wonderful, amazing, fantastic.

Ruth's Diner. Thai Village. Bombay House, anyone? *my mouth just watered*

Marion Jensen, me, and Robison Wells talking shop. And eating butter, apparently...with ketchup...

...at Ruth's Diner up Emigration Canyon.

My signing table at Spanish Fork Seagull Books. A dozen people came in while I was there. I sold 3 books. I'm calling it a success.

Pretty.

Carrie Moeaki and Leah who was half that size last time I saw them!

This happy customer bought FIVE books!

Meet my cousin, Jill Hammond, my main character's namesake, who gave one of those books away in a drawing at her book club where I was a guest author!

But before book club she took me to Bombay House for dinnerI WANT SOME NOW.

After all that, I came home to my family who missed me, and friends who treated me to a hometown book signing here in Cody at The Thistle, my favorite gift and book shop. It was such a great turnout the books at the store sold out in the first hour, and the owner bought my stash from home! There were still a couple of people who have to wait until more books arrive. It was a very welcome "welcome home".

Rochelle Slight, the driving force behind the signing, Cathy Okada, whose last name I used for a character in the book, and Carla Parsons, who made me write fiction. THAAAANK YOOOUUUU.

Friends and their daughters enjoying the store.

My friends Brook and Lisa, yay.

Sweet Arlene and Susan. Arlene got the last store copy.

Rebecca and Afton. See? No more books on the table!

Lette, who is SOOO ready to have that baby.

My lovely host, Carol Bell of The Thistle. We had so much fun!

I'm. So. Tired.

And grateful. And happy. Can we do it again?

Being an author is kind of awesome. And scary. Who knew?

Book Launch Pictures: PROOF

It happened! It was fun! I want to do it again!

Before the launch at my friend Sherrie's house. I told her I felt like I was 5 years old and it was the 1st day of kindergarten. I look like it.

Annette Lyon and myself. I am the one laughing. Can you find Annette's book behind us?

We stole an interlude to take a picture. Sarah and I at our book launch! Have some chocolate! Win a prize! Thank you so much, Sarah! It was perfect.

My cousin Katie came. I haven't seen her for... 10-15 years? Holy smack. She was so great to come! This is her daughter Quincy who clearly doesn't know why strange people are trying to get her to smile.

I'm pretty sure I have a picture of me somewhere as a 3 year old looking just like this. Only I'm wearing a purple dress and my hair is longer.

This is Howard Tayler trying to figure out my camera.

These are dear friends from high school, some I haven't seen since I graduated! Thanks for coming, Heather, Debbie (who I thought was her sister, Terri, at first oops, Marci, Me, LeAnn, and Danny!

These are some of the chatty tables. Love chatty tables.

Aubrey Mace, who I met for the first time, Shanda Cottam, Heather Moore, Howard Tayler, and Sheila Staley. So fun to see them all!

Becca Wilhite, who I also met for the first time, and Sheila Staley! Yay!!!

We didn't have much time to take pictures, but I was able to snap these few. And my camera was on the wrong setting. HA! Howard wasn't the only one with camera issues. I was sad I didn't get a picture of others who came: Robison Wells and his wife Erin (YES IT HAPPENED), my cousin Heidi who I haven't seen since college, Jordan McCollum, another first-time meet-in-real-life, TJ Bronley, his wife Mary, and Sarah Simonsen, and Karen Amsden (except I think she took pictures so SEND THEM TO ME KAREN) (please), and Kate Palmer, Stacie Larson, and lots of others and it was fun and happy and kind of a blur and I really liked it. A lot.

These are my next two events here in Utah, so if you wanted to come Saturday but couldn't make it, try one of these! I'll be so happy to see you! Just look at these pics!

January 17, 4:30-6:00 pm 
Spanish Fork Seagull Book
1052 North Main Street 
Spanish Fork, UT 84660
(801) 798-0401


January 19, 5:30-7:00 pm 
Provo University Parkway Seagull Book
2250 N University Pkwy 
Provo, Utah 84604
(801) 377-5265