It's tough to be a writer

Welcome to the next installation in my Broken Branch Falls Summer Blog Tour!

Today, I'll be at M.J. Fifield's place, discussing the hardships of writing, and how they are definitely worth it! M.J. knows about this firsthand, as she has clawed her way through editing and stifled her self-doubt and came out on top! Her long awaited masterpiece, EFFIGY will be out in less than two weeks!! (July 22) I hope you'll join me as I try to encourage and empathize with fellow writers! (Bonus: MJ inspired me to write an anti-princess story and it needed songs to go with it, like every princess story, so I wrote a few - here's a sample on youtube!)

Thursday, I get to stop by A.K. Morgen's blog. She's a fellow Curiosity Quills author with a cool YA Norse mythology series - The Ragnarok Prophecies (FADE & FALL out now!) And we both have a connection to Arkansas! If you need a laugh on Thursday, come on over and set a spell while I share "You know you live in Arkansas when..." - it'll be a real hoot and a half!

These lovely ladies also have the rafflecopter giveaway for July.

PS - Thanks for being patient with me as I slowly visit everyone commenting, not only here, but at the blog tour hosts as well. It's awesome, but so busy!! I should be caught up by Christmas!

Reasons to celebrate the Fourth of July

4. Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum killed all those aliens for us!
3. There's fireworks!
2. We are free to be as stupid as we want to be, right?
1. Sheena-kay Graham is hosting my BROKEN BRANCH FALLS blog tour today! She gave me some sweet interview questions and we had a lovely chat. If you have time, we'd love for you to join us! (She's been having some computer issues, so it may not be up yet - but she's so sweet and perseverant! She won't give up!)

Thanks, y'all! And have a happy 4th!!

a few years ago we went all out on our street...

ps - I put up a bunch of pictures from my Beastly Release party up on facebook!

Books ARE judged by their covers!

There's so much going on today, I feel like a water balloon and someone forgot to turn off the faucet! Look out! Thar she blows!

Before I get to my IWSG post, I'd like to direct your attention to the fabulous bloggers hosting my Broken Branch Falls blog tour today...

Elizabeth Seckman

She's got my COVER STORY on covers.

And BONUS! We both have books on sale for

99 cents!!

PAST DUE by Elizabeth Seckman

 and

POP TRAVEL by me - happy book bday!

TODAY, I'm also talking with

Bruce Gargoyle

This stony-faced, tough guy wrote a sweet review!

and asked some great interview questions to boot!

I hope you'll check him out!

If you have time, I think you'll enjoy them both! Two totally unique perspectives!

Now, for this month's IWSG, I'd like to address the subject of response...

apparently this is
Portland Headlight!
thanks, MJ!

I feel really bad. With my book just released and trying to keep up with the blog tour, not to mention real life - the crazy baseball schedule which merges into a crazy football schedule, plus all the summer doctor appointments... I've been a horrible responder to all the wonderful commenters!! I'm doing my best to keep track and visit my bootay off every moment I can, but it just doesn't seem like enough. I'll keep plugging away, but in the meantime - thank you all so much for the tremendous support!

My question to you all:

• How do you like your responses? (or how do you respond to others?)
• In the comments?
• As an email?
• or a comment back on your blog?

I hardly ever go back to a blog I commented on to look for a response, unless I asked a question. At one time, I responded in the comments. But, now, I just do my best to visit back and comment. Then, I know you will see it and might smile at another comment on your own blog.

I really appreciate the support and encouragement and - oh, yeah! the entries in my June Giveaway! Here are the winners! (I put them in the order of the prizes they got). Thanks for the boo-coos of entries!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

And since it's July, there must be a new one! I wish I could hug each one of you guys! Thanks so much!
a Rafflecopter giveaway