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overachieving in 2012

February 10, 2012 in Baby, Family, Happy by Tristina | 15 comments

Last Christmas, when we were faced with some fairly huge decisions regarding Stephen’s job and our future, he and I made four resolutions for 2012:

1. Get Stephen a new, stable job

2. Find a place of our own to live

3. Get me closer to publishing a book

4. Have another baby

Just four things. But Four Big Things.

 

1. Get Stephen a new, stable job

Stephen got in touch with a recruiter here in St. Louis and through him, plus some of his own digging around, secured a handful of interviews with some large and small companies. Every single one of them resulted in a job offer.

Yep, every single one. This is me being extremely proud of my husband.

He accepted one of them and will be working for a company here in town as part of a new department they are starting. The pay is awesome, the benefits will be fantastic once they kick in after the 3 month contract period, and he noted that everyone wore jeans to work when he was there for his interview. Win.

He starts Monday the 13th.

 

2. Find a place of our own to live

We are looking! Now that he has a job and we know what part of town it’s in, we’re looking in the surrounding areas for a place to rent. We’re hoping to find something in the next month or two and be out of my parents’ house by April. It’d be nice to celebrate Olivia’s second birthday in a home of her own.

 

3. Get me closer to publishing a book

The Book is finished. It has been read (or is in the process of being read) by beta readers. I am going through one last time applying feedback from readers and my own tweaks. I will be starting next week submitting it to agents. Fingers crossed, prayers, etc. This is the next biggest step and extremely stressful. I have to convince someone I’m worth taking on as a client because then they have to fall in love with my book and sell it to publishers.

 

4. Have another baby

I’ll turn this one over to Olivia:

Guess What

I'm going to be a Big Sister

In September.

[grin]

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SHATTER ME Winner!

November 21, 2011 in Happy, Review by Tristina | No comments

*drum roll*

And the winner of Tahereh Mafi’s debut book, SHATTER ME, is….

Congratulations, Jennie!!

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six years

September 25, 2011 in Book Writing, Happy by Tristina | 20 comments

Six years ago, I came up with an idea for a story. I’ve written before here about my internal struggle with writing. So, six years ago, in the midst of all the self-doubt, I filed that idea away in a computer document and moved on.

So it sat for six years.

Occasionally, something would happen or someone would say something or I would read a book or see a movie that would bring that idea back to the surface. I would turn it over and over, examining its tiny, brittle surface. Then, I would hear those same disparaging words again and put it away with a sigh.

For six years, the cycle repeated. Except, each time it would crest the surface a bit larger and a bit more detailed. Less brittle. The characters, two in particular, started to talk to me constantly. I reasoned with them, telling them I wasn’t ready – I’m not good enough – it’s not the right time – I have no time to give you guys. And they relented…for a time.

That twinge? Has grown into an obsession. I think about this tale all day long. I dream it. I wake up in the morning thinking about it. My characters will not shut the hell up. And? I don’t want them to.

I am writing, you guys, really writing. And I’m enjoying it. And to hell with my college professors who told me I could never do it.

My characters deserve to have their story told and they have trusted me with it.

Earlier today, someone told me they were proud of me. Inspired by me. Excited for me. My heart swelled and I nearly cried. Why? Because that is exactly what I needed to hear.

I am not leaving here. I debated taking an official break but then decided not to leave you hanging. My blog posts may still be far between and now interspersed with conversations on writing or what I’m doing but I will still blog about Olivia and our family. The big events. Holidays, pregnancies, moving, debt relief, new pets, etc.

If you feel so inclined, shoot me some karma, motivation, good juju, prayers, reiki, chants, hums, whatever it is you do. I need all I can get.

Where is this going? I have no clue. Sure, I have a whole helluvalotta “what if” swirling around in my head but the reality? I have a story to tell. What happens after that is up to fate.

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