don't call it a come back

...but i came back.

not that i really left. i've still been working toward the same goal, but a myriad--a plethora, even--of things have kept me from blogging about it. i had some computer issues which was pretty much sucksauce. and then i had to travel for work for a bit. and then there was other stuff.

like Comic Con! which was so super fun. i met so many amazing people i'd only previously known through the internets--including some really inspiring authors like tahereh mafi, laini taylor, stephanie perkins, andrea cremer, kiersten white, nathan bransford, and amanda hocking. it was a code fangirl situation. they were all so gracious and sweet, and i'm still a little tingly at the notion that i got to have an actual conversation with the people who have been so inspirational over the past year or so.

i wish i'd gotten some pictures with them, but turns out all i got were me posing with a cheesetastic grin with random people in costumes. and legos.

can you see how terrified i am?

i may have had ulterior motives for this one...

welcome to the gun show.

so yeah. that happened.

also. remember that post where i talked about how ALLL BYYYY MYYYYYSEEEELLLLF i was feeling in my n00b status in the writerly world? well, i fixed that. i wrangled up some of the best women i know--some right where i am, some way ahead, some on the cusp of some REALLY EXCITING THINGS OMG--and we formed White Blank Page. (Ten points if you get the reference.)

i am so lucky to have these other five talented women in my corner. they are endlessly inspiring in their critiques, encouragement, commiseration and ass kicking. having accountability partners and a support system in this process has done wonders not only for my motivation, but my self-esteem. i know they won't let me fail, and more... i know that with them at my side, failure isn't possible.

and i won't even try to lie, seeing my name in the acknowledgments when they all become super famous NYT bestsellers won't hurt my feelings either.

OH! AND!

as a little blogwarming gift, if you will, i am also holding a contest over at White Blank Page to win my signed ARC of Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor. it is amaaaaazing. it's the kind of story--like the classic, epic fantasies before it--that is meant to be enjoyed by many, and for many years to come. and now, YOU can enjoy it more than a month before it hits bookshelves.


all you have to do is comment on this post here, telling me your all-time favorite book and why. and boom. entered. 

please do it. even though giving away my copy makes me a little sad (my friends live in there!) i am also so excited to have the opportunity to share Laini's words with someone else. it's a truly unique and absolutely breathtaking story. 


so, there's that.