Under Review

Jan 16, 2013 by

Under Review

I’m new to the Twitter game. As a new author, I’ve been told by everyone, how important it is to develop a Twitter following, follow others relevant to your profession, and live even more extensively online. (Seemingly impossible for an extroverted personality like me who already has such an inept and cowardly filter.) “Show your personality, Nicole. Just be you … in 140 characters.” Sigh. Since the past two weeks have found me on bed rest, nursing an angry back, I figured I’d use the time to tweet, read tweets, retweet, search other authors who tweet and follow them, and hang out with celebrities I’d never hang out with in real life. Suddenly I find my twitter feed full of other authors, book agents, publishing personalities, and —scariest of all— book reviewers. Admittedly, the...

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Beyond the Boundaries

Jan 12, 2013 by

Beyond the Boundaries

I was walking downtown the other day and came across this: By “came across” I mean nearly tripped over. There, in the middle of the sidewalk, protruded the robust roots of a very tall, very confident tree. Its age was betrayed by the cement buckling on top of it. Clearly, when this tree was first planted, it must have been more agreeable with its surroundings. I imagine that at one point in its life it behaved and lived peacefully within the 4×6 plot of land it had been given. But then, it just kept growing—spreading wider, reaching higher, living freer—until its boundaries became more of a suggestion than a rule. Its pursuits undoubtedly spurred on by Seattle’s abundant rain and occasional sunshine. I’m feeling a little bit like that tree these days. I’m growing...

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What Say You, People?

Jan 10, 2013 by

What Say You, People?

Hey friends! In need your help. Don’t worry, it’s not painful. Promise. I’ve narrowed the picture I’ll use for the book cover of my debut novel, Charis: Journey to Pandora’s Jar (published soon by Booktrope), down to two favorite possibilities. Can you weigh in and help me choose which one to use? Here we go. Option 1: Option...

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