A Random Collection of Random Things I Want to Share on a Random Tuesday In January

ADDENDUM! SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!

Since it was officially announced today at the Adventures in YA & Childrens' Publishing blog, I can say it here too: I am privileged to be included among the judges for their Pitch + 250 contest upcoming in February! Please see the rest of the awesome judges panel HERE (which consists of bloggers, authors and agents) and follow the link in that post to the official rules for the contest.

This is a great opportunity for writers! Don't miss it!

_____


If that post title didn't scare you off, then you're just the right person to read this! Excuse me while I hug you. I am addicted to hugging awesome people. This post is what happens when I wake up at 4am for no reason, completely alert, and have way too much time to think before my day has really started.

First, a quote to get you in the mood:

“I hope you're living a life you're proud of,

if you find that you're not,

I hope you have the strength to start all over again.”

— F. Scott Fitzgerald

(source: Eat Sleep Read)

Why yes I did just source link to someone's Facebook page. Because I'm accurate like that.

There are so many things about that quote that struck a chord with me this morning, but mainly, it's made me ask myself, "Am I living a life I'm proud of?" Not getting into details here, but my answer is yes and no. For the "no" part then, I asked, "Do I have the strength to start all over again?" To which I firmly told myself, Hell YES.

I am not one of those people who constantly looks at the past with regret, and concedes that my future is on an unchangeable path toward destruction. No sir, not me. Onward and upward!

So there's that. A bit of philosophy with your morning coffee. Take from it what you will.

In much less vague news, I need to say HOLY CHEESECAKE THANK YOU SO MUCH!

For the second time this month, Twin Sense is not only in the Amazon Top 100 for "Teen Short Stories" but it is also in THE TOP 20. I am floored, you guys. And I'm seriously putting together a Giveaway of Awesome to show just how much I appreciate each and every one of my readers.

Oh but wait there's more...

I honestly don't check my book stats that often. Maybe once per week (is that a lot?). I check my royalty statements even less frequently (about once per month). So it was a nice surprise this morning when I randomly checked my royalty statement (thanks to Musa Publishing for even allowing me the ability to do this whenever the whim strikes me!) and GUESS WHAT?

Twin Sense had sales in the UK in December. It is officially an International Seller!

Why does this make me so happy? Because I've mostly been relying on word-of-mouth to sell my books (you've probably noticed I don't sell sell sell it all the time now that we're past the initial launch, and that I don't have many reviews anywhere). So being able to say that I've had consistent sales every month, and am on a Top 100 list (top 20 even!), and now my book is selling in places I've never been to...

I repeat, I am floored. And I have YOU ALL to thank for it. More hugs!

Now, it's time for something more serious. This article from the Huffington Post is a must read. MUST. It is specifically addressing the male side of things, but, speaking from a female standpoint, I can say with confidence--this applies to both men and women. Please read every word of it.

Before you pass it off as "something I don't need to read because that subject doesn't apply to me" please consider the fact that you are a member of the human race, so by default this subject applies to EVERYONE. You may not be bisexual, or even know anyone who is (yet), and you may not agree with it (which is a whole other discussion) but that doesn't mean bisexuality doesn't exist. I believe the points highlighted in this article are worth serious consideration by pretty much everyone because it may affect you directly at some point, and you really don't want to come across like a total jackass when it does.

Trust me. All it takes is one little match to burn a bridge--don't strike that match unless you're prepared to watch something you love and cherish go up in smoke.

But I don't want to end on a downer, so I bid you farewell on this random Tuesday in January with the first happy song that randomly pops up on my Pandora shuffle. What will it be...what will it be...

Upside Down by Jack Johnson! YES! How perfect is that? I swear it was not planned.

Final random fact: This song always reminds me of the animated Curious George movie (that I may or may not still love watching even though my son has long since moved on it from it).


Happy Random Tuesday!
~Lydia