Many writers get caught up on their book dedication. Just like the rest of our story, we want it to be perfect. However, let's be honest, perfection is quite boring and unattainable. I believe that the best alternative is humor and simplicity. 
Last week in my creative writing class, I was told to memorize "Pied Beauty" by Gerard Manley Hopkins. It is a beautiful poem, which highlights the elegance of all things imperfect. If you have not read it before,  it is a poem that I strongly suggest.

On a different note, I have a particular reading tradition. Before beginning any novel, I always read the first and last word of the story. Most of the time, the two words make no sense when they are put together. However, I will occasionally encounter some brief and inspiring message. I encourage you to give it a try. 

The Question of the Day: Do you have any reading traditions?

I'm very excited to announce that I have finished my final draft of editing and I'm now moving forward with a proofread before publishing!! Editing by yourself can be a challenge, but the truth is that nobody knows the story better than you do. I went through quite a journey in the past few months, and it caused me to realize that perfection is unattainable. Instead, I have decided to strive for happiness with my novel and pride in my accomplishments. 
I do not have a finalized release date yet, as I do not want to have the stress of a deadline. However, I will be announcing the release date very soon! Keep posted!

People often ask me if my personal experiences inspire any of the characters or places in my upcoming novel. The answer, honestly, is yes. There are pieces of my life hidden beneath every word. However, very few of the characters in my book are based on people that I know or have met. The identities of those inspiring individuals shall remain a mystery. 
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I have started a small book club with a few of my friends and the first novel that we are reading "The Giver" by Lois Lowry. The movie was defiantly one of my favorites, but I realized that I had never read the book. Nevertheless, as I was wandering through the shelves of my local bookstore, this novel caught my attention.
I started reading it the moment that I got home and was halfway through the pages within the first day. Even though I can be a very fast reader, I have had to refrain myself from finishing this book in just a few days. The first meeting is in two weeks, and I still want the story to be fresh in my mind. I'm sure that any avid reader can relate. 


P.S: Sorry for the inactivity on the blog. Now that I'm finally getting near the release of Fire & Ice: The Elementals, I will be posting more often. 
The question of the day: What is your favorite novel?