Book recommendation: THE SELECTION

Time for another stellar book recommendation. I was reluctant to pick this title up when I first heard about it (which was only about a month ago - thanks Cindy Hale for asking me if I'd heard of it!), and for good reason. At least, it was a good reason in my opinion. 

See, a couple of years ago, I started a manuscript titled THE NEXT PRINCESS. I was in such a fairy tale mood at the time that I decided to write my own version of a fairy tale. I created my own country/world that was led by a king and queen, and tradition stated that when their prince came of age, he should take a bride from among the people. In a Bachelor-esque style, lucky girls were picked, seemingly at random (but not really), to participate in this competition. My main character, Caroline, was the poor daughter of a farmer who lived Outside the Wall. Prince James, the royal family, and all prominent members of society lived Inside the Wall. 

Anyway, Caroline and Prince James were playmates as little children. Caroline's father was one of the farmers who delivered produce to the palace, and she'd tag along when her father made deliveries. As time passed and she and the prince grew older, they drifted apart for political reasons (none of which were initiated by James). 

Long story short, they were reunited at the competition, sparks flew, drama flared (what do you expect would happen when you round up a bunch of girls in one place), and of course all ended happy.

That was my story.

So when I read about THE SELECTION, I was SO BUMMED. See for yourself:

 For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

This dystopian version of the US is known as Illea, and when the prince comes of age, the Selection is instituted to pull together 35 girls to compete for the Prince Maxon's hand.

Hey, at least mine wasn't a dystopian...

But seriously...how HAPPY I am that I picked this up! It was fast-paced, the boys were totally dreamy, the antics of girls crazed at obtaining the crowd made me laugh out loud. I found myself waiting to get home from school so I could find out what came next. I haven't read a book like that in a long time. 

So, even though THE NEXT PRINCESS will never see the light of day, I'm extremely happy THE SELECTION did. The next book in the series, THE ELITE, will be out in April, and I also heard that the CW has a pilot episode based on this series. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it makes it to TV. 

To learn more about the series and its author, click here.

Birthdays

In order to raise birthday awareness (mine of course), I'm going to briefly mention one of the BEST birthdays ever. 

I said briefly.

*I was living in Las Vegas doing my student teaching. I only knew one person in the giant city.

Brooke, you totally saved me that semester. I am still indebted to you!

*I was SICK AS A DOG. One of the worst illnesses I'd ever had. And it lasted well over a month.

*Planning a wedding 2000 miles from home and 800 miles from my main squeeze was so emotionally taxing.

*My birthday rolls around, and Mom says she timed her gift to arrive exactly on my birthday. That was the only silver lining of the day.

*I checked the mail. Mom screwed up. No package. Tears ensued.

*I was lonely, poor, and so sick. Now present-less.

*Brooke and her husband took me to dinner on the strip in Vegas. Turns out, that's where my present showed up. Click here to see it all unfold!

Moms and husbands give the best presents! Love you both!

New Manuscript

I can't give away too many details, but here are just a few insights into my next project.

Lila Watson is the most talented Advanced Mind there is, but no one can ever know.

Russell Watson is also an Advanced Mind, but he has nothing on his sister.

When their parents are kidnapped, they have seven days to find them.

Can their Advanced Minds solve this mystery before their week-long deadline without Lila's talents being discovered?

More to come!

Frustration < Hope

I woke up this morning feeling so...

Dejected.

I felt like a failure. I've been trying for THREE YEARS to achieve my dream of getting published, and I'm really not any closer than I was when I started.

Ever feel like that? Not specifically about failing to get an agent to help you impress editors and publishers and make a living doing something you love, but working SO HARD for YEARS and not really getting any closer? But as I was leaving for school this morning, I looked at my sweet husband and told him about my pain (I mean, it wasn't like it was the first time he'd heard it). And he took my hand and he promised me something. He promised me that I would make it. I would be okay.

And I totally believed him.

Because there have been MANY times that I haven't. He's supposed to say that, right? He's my husband. He's supposed to support and love me and make me feel all warm and tingly inside. This time, I knew it wasn't him just playing the role of husband, he was being my husband.

Does that make sense? Hmm...

See, he had to work for three years to get into PT school. Year after year he kept getting rejected, despite high recommendations, the scores to get in, and a great resume. I know many times he wanted to quit and he never did. We spent hundreds, thousands, of dollars on GRE testing, applications, POSTAGE, extra college classes he ended up not needing. You name it, we did it.

But then, one sunny day in May 2012, I was sitting at Dirk's Filet and Vine in Old Cloverdale, tutoring a sophomore in geometry, when he called. He got in. We were moving to Florida.

Holy.Freaking.Moly.

That's the scene that floated across my mind this morning. I don't know how many more rejections it's going to take, but I will make it. I WILL MAKE IT. It may not be with The Acquisition, but I will one day see my name in print.

At least, that's how I was feeling as I went to school this morning.

The feeling faded into oblivion as I engrossed myself in middle school math, smelly yet irresistable 7th grade boys that really want just want to be good, and last week's test that needed grading. Then, just a few minutes ago, I came across an author I hadn't heard of but will certainly be looking into now. Rachel Hawkins.

Her story was (or hopefully will be) my story. From Alabama. Former teacher who just wants to be a writer. I saw a tweet from her today that said she was in her hometown last week and saw something about The Peanut Festival. Naturally, this caught my eye. I clicked on her blog and read her "How I got published" story.

It was JUST what I needed to hear. I felt so inspired, I decided to blog about it. After the blog, I will get back to my writing.

I may or may not get published one day. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? But this I do know: Writing is what makes me happy. Escaping into my own world with characters who become more than friends is sometimes the greatest kind of vacation. Fortunately for me, my spring break is next week. Hello Lila and Russell Watson!

Yes, that is a little clue to my next manuscript.

So thank you ERIC MITCHELL and RACHEL HAWKINS.  You turned a frustrating day into such a hopeful one!