One Last Post with BIG NEWS!

Hello all!

I’m moving everything to the new website/blog after this, like I told you. So if you want to know what’s going on in my writerly world, go to

http://www.vanessabarger.com

You can subscribe to the updates there and find out more info!

In the meantime I am thrilled to announce that we’ve sold A WHISPERED DARKNESS to Month9Books! Woohoo! Its scheduled to come out in Spring 2014, so mark it down!

Here’s the announcement from Publisher’s Marketplace:

Vanessa

 

I’m so excited to be able to share this one, and I hope that I’ll see you all at the other blog. I’m trying to get more organized, and I think it looks pretty good to boot!

SQUEEE!!!!!

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I’m Migrating!

Okay. So, this won’t be going anywhere for awhile, but I am moving my blog to my website, which I have been debating about for longer than I care to admit. I have a hard time remembering to update things, so hopefully if I only have to keep track of one site, it will be a little easier!

I hope those of you who are following me here will join me over at http://vanessabarger.com (previously vanessabarger.weebly.com)

There could be great news in the future, so be sure to keep an eye out!

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A Few New Year’s Goals….

I heard someone on the radio the other day talk about the fact that everyone makes New Year’s resolutions and then feels bad about not keeping them. So I’ve decided they aren’t resolutions. They’re goals. And I’m only making ones I think I can keep this year.

So here we go – as my captive audience I’m sharing a few with you guys. For real.

The first is to continue to lose weight and get in shape. I managed to lose 20 pounds since July, and drop a pants size. I intend to keep it going. To that effect, I’m joining Gina Lamm and Sidney Bristol in keeping each other motivated. So WOOHOO! Let’s go!

2 – I’m going to outline my novels better, and I plan to finish two more this year. What those will be is still up in the air. Going along with that, I intend to continue keeping a writing journal again. It helps so much, and sometimes I forget that and then look back at the one I had and realize it all over again. So I’ve scrounged all the blank or almost blank journals and set them aside. Once I get going, it doesn’t take long to fill them.

3 – This is one that isn’t quite as big, but I intend on reading and watching more movies, and keeping track of them. I haven’t decided if I’ll review them online, but I will be keeping a reading list and crossing things off as I finish them. I’m even adding it to the blog so you can keep track with me (and make book suggestions – I’m always up for new titles to check out)

There are a few more, but they’re actually more personal than this, and I’m not quite that open on the internet. ;) But hopefully, these are attainable goals, and with some effort, I can keep it up.

What things are you hoping for in 2013? Got any suggestions for me, or book/movie recommendations?

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Because I don’t have anything else to do….

Here’s a question for you lovely readers – I’m having a debate with myself. (This is far more involved than you may think. lol)

I’m not in love with my blog header/website design. I’m thinking about redoing it. Weebly has some great layouts, and I can modify to my heart’s content. But I’m trying to decide whether to go dark, or light. And what exactly to put on that main page.

Right now I can’t afford a true website with design and everything. Someday, when I win the lottery or hit the book sale win, maybe. But for now, I love the weebly site. I just want a change.

So which do you think?

What things do you LOVE in author websites? Wish they had?

What things make you CRAZY? (I can promise you, there will never be an autoplay sound bite. I HATE those things!)

What will make you automatically love them/take a look at their work?

Thanks for the help, everyone I do appreciate it. Spread the word, too. Even if you’ve never read my work, I still want to know what you think of author websites in general.

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Happy 2013!

I must apologize for neglecting the blog for so long. Life has been pretty busy, in some very great ways. :)  

Hopefully this will be my year. Its 2013, and 13 is my lucky number, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed. With some changes in my life, I’m slowly getting back into a new routine, and writing is happening. Slowly but surely.

Cry Havoc is nearly finished. I’d hoped to get it done and sent to Amazin’ Agent before Christmas, but the ending and I are struggling to fight it out. I think i’ve finally won, and it should be finished before February rolls around. *knocks on wood*

The other story, a fantasy, I’d been working on, I got about 10,000 words into and decided I hated it. Not just a little dislike. Oh no, I’m talking full-on disgusting, can’t-even-look-at-you hate it. I found some notes I’d made before starting and decided I liked the other ideas much better. But they’re light years from this one, so I don’t know if its worth it.

Time will tell. What things are you working toward this year? Goals?

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I’m a bit early, but with everything going on right now (work, writing, and life in general) chances are good this is the last post of 2012!

So I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, filled with laughter, good food, good friends, and family. Enjoy it, and remember, Christmas is calorie free. So have the extra cookie!

And of course, Happy New Year! I hope 2013 is filled with amazing things for all of us!

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A teaser from the new WIP….

Here’s a little teaser from the WIP I’m nearly finished with. The goal is to send it to Amazin’ Agent before Christmas. Please, leave a comment and tell me what you think. Enjoy!

********

The culprit throws open the door between the library and study, and I catch a flash of silver and red as the knife disappears into a pocket. Jerking back behind the chair, I press against the furniture, wishing I could disappear into the upholstery. I hear the murderer take two steps in my direction, but voices begin to grow louder from the hallway. The intruder gives a breathy hiss, but it isn’t enough to recognize the voice. My body trembles and I’m afraid my teeth will chatter and give me away.

Risking another glance around the edge of my hiding place, I see the dark silhouette pause, the head scanning the room one more time. I look away, pulling myself into a tighter ball of satin and fear. Then footsteps lead away into the hall the way I came in.

My brain doesn’t want to function. I should get up, run, and find help. But my feet remain tucked beneath me. I think a few people pass by, but I can’t be sure. There’s a low buzzing in my ears, and it’s all I can do to put my head between my knees when I start to see black spots dance before my eyes.

Fear, panic, and denial roll into a heavy lump and lodge beneath my breastbone. This isn’t happening. I’ll wake up in bed, wrinkled and hung over from too many sips of Dad’s drink. I’ll walk into the kitchen, where he’ll give me a cup of coffee and shake his head. And he’ll still be here.

No matter how many times I pinch my arm, I don’t wake up. The nightmare is real. I don’t know how long I sit there before there are shouts, and the door crashes open. Light floods the room, blinding me. I hear people thunder inside, crying and shouting. I hear Uncle Claude sobbing.

Owen, my best friend, finds me. Everyone else is still crowds around the door on the other side of the room. Vultures. Rubberneckers. They make my stomach turn.

Owen crouches next to me, and with one look, knows I’m not all right. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out I’ve seen something I shouldn’t have.

“Rebekka? Are you hurt?” His voice is gentle, but the glare he shoots one of the partygoers who follows him is anything but. “Rebekka, talk to me.”

The effort it takes to shake my head scares me. It’s as if I’m moving through cold oatmeal. Every movement is an effort. His hands are so warm they burn when they smooth over my shoulders. I know I should say something else, but words won’t leave my lips. My sadness and fears beat at my chest, but if I release them, I’ll never get them to stop. Everyone notices us now and crowds around.

“Are you all right?”

“Did you see what happened?”

“Who did it?”

*****

What do you think? :)

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