In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m very excited about the January release of Bumpy Landings! However, mine is not the only book coming out in the next 60 days, and I would be remiss and ungrateful if I didn’t mention a handful of friends who also have books coming out.

(Warning! The way my brain works, I’m probably going to forget someone in this list. If it’s you, please don’t feel offended. Please forgive my Lyme/Senior moment, send me a note, and I will promptly make restitution.)

First out of the gate is Tamara Heiner, who’s book Perilous is out now in ebook format, and came out as a physical book just a few short days ago.

Tamara is published by WiDo, and has just re-re-re-released her book trailer, and I really like the results–very simple, and very effective. Tamara is also having a great give-away to go along with her blog tour, so check her out.

In Andrea Pearson’s interview questions for me, she asked Which authors do you look up to the most?

I was afraid she would ask a question like this. But as I thought about it, I realized I haven’t met a writer I DON’T look up to. There are so many great people working this gig, and I feel honored to be numbered among them.

I started naming names and giving a brief explanation of why I admire these writers, and I realized the answer was far too long for a blog interview answer. So I left the names, but took out the explanations, holding them in reserve for a separate blog post.

This blog post.

The list below is far from complete, and I’ve hesitated more than once to post it because there is no way I can list everyone I admire. But I finally decided to share it as a shout-out to some of the people who have influenced and inspired me along this writing adventure.

I would include Josi Kilpack, Julie Write, and Annette Lyon, because all three of these ladies have reached out to me and given me support and encouragement as I’ve struggled to find my way. They are all very talented writers and are having great success, and yet they seem truly interested in mentoring those just starting out.

I look up to James Dashner. He has an amazing ability to make people feel important, and seeing his recent success is very inspirational.

I admire Tristi Pinkston for the way she has managed to hold on to a wild career that has bounced her around to three different publishers – plus an excellent novel that she published herself when the subject matter made the establishment uncomfortable. Tristi has also been one of my most ardent cheerleaders.

I’ll include the Savage Boys, Jeff and J. Scott, for successfully juggling two writing careers – one inside the LDS market, and the other on the National scene. Also, his decision to become a full-time writer was made for him a while ago under less-than-ideal circumstances, and as far as I can tell he has risen to the challenge. We were very excited to learn that his Far World series is being continued. Yay!

I will also add Robison Wells. I don’t know Rob as well as the others, but I am inspired by the way he handled his transition from part-time writer to graduate student to writer between jobs to writer with a significant multi-book deal. But the thing that really impressed me about Rob was his foresight in creating the Whitney awards. I believe these awards have done and will continue to do great things for the LDS writing community. And when the day comes that I am mercilessly shredded by Rob’s acerbic wit, then I will know that I have truly arrived.

I wrote a lot this week. The story is going well. Blah, blah, blah.

While the rejection letter I got didn’t really surprise or hurt me, it sure did a good job draining my confidence. This was not appreciated, especially during the rough draft phase, where I’ve tried to give myself permission to just write and not worry if what I’ve written is any good.

Bruised confidence will insist it’s trash.

But that’s OK. I’m telling myself it’s OK.

It’s OK.

Nope. I need more than that.

I decided to reach back into history and pull out some of my recent validations. I went to Wal-Mart over lunch and picked up a couple of frames so I could hang my First Chapter Contest awards on the wall, right next to my very first fan art.

There – that helps a lot.

And I really did make progress writing this week. 6723 words, with a total word count jumping to over 30,000 today. When I originally started writing this story, I thought it might only come in at 30,000. But comparing what I’ve written to the outline, I might just hit 65 or even 70,000.

Definitely not Middle Grade any more.

In submission news, I decided to send Delivering Tuberoses to one more beta reader before submitting it again, just to make sure I’m handing in the very best I can.

In honor of back to school time, it’s book blog tour week at Fifteen Minutes of Delusion.

Tomorrow (Monday, August 25) I host Surprise Packages by the Crusty Old Broads.

On Wednesday, August 27, I talk about Don’t You Marry the Mormon Boys by Janet Kay Jensen.

Then on Friday, I will host Far World Water Keep, by J. Scott Savage. As an added bonus, I will be running a contest August 26-28, where you can win your very own copy of this exciting new book, which is not even in stores yet. So tune in.

In addition to questioning my ability to create an interesting story with good characters and satisfying prose, I often wonder if I’m even qualified to write a novel.

While only time and a finished product can answer the first question, I have come upon a quote that really helps with the second.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

—-from A Return to Love, by Marianne Williamson.

I am privileged to host a stop on Rebecca Talley’s Heaven Scent Blog Tour over at Fifteen Minutes of Delusion.

I have posted a blog tour interview with Tristi Pinkston on my other blog.

I decided to post it there, because most of the people who read this either are Ms. Pinkston (Hi, Tristi!) or already know her quite well.

I came across this cool ticker from Writertopia.com, and thought I would try it out for Tristi’s April BIAM.

There’s always time for some more writing. Here are five simple rules for finding a little bit of it.

1. Buy large packs of paper plates, cups and bowls at Costco.

2. Support your neighborhood frozen dinner vendor with a large purchase.

3. Convince your family that since it’s winter and they don’t sweat in their clothes, everything can be worn twice. At least.

4. DVDs and video games are your friends.

5. Christmas is a joyous season that should be celebrated, or at least decorated, through the end of January.

What tips do you follow when it’s time to write?

Actually, there were five winners over at LDSPublisher’s Christmas Story Contest. One of them was me! I’m very excited!

You can read my story here.

Congratulations to the other winners, and everyone who entered the contest. I enjoyed reading the stories.