MUSIC AND BOOKS

A story always begins with an idea, but for me that story won't get written without a soundtrack. I can never start writing until I have the "feeling" of the story just right. That feeling basically sets the mood and foundation of the story and helps me get ideas whenever I'm feeling stuck. For KATE TRIUMPH my "feeling" song was "23" by Blonde Redhead. I knew as soon as I heard it that it would be played over and over again until the beginning was just right.

And as for the rest of the story, here's a list of all the songs that contributed to the making of KATE TRIUMPH: (in alphabetical order)

Amandine "For all the Marbles" 

Animal Collective "My Girls"

Beirut "Elephant Gun"

Blonde Redhead "23"

The Cinematic Orchestra "To Build You A Home"

The Decemberists "The Crane Wife 3"

Feist "1234"

John Mayer "Say"

My Morning Jacket "Touch Me I'm Going to Scream, Pt. 2"

The New Pornographers "The Bleeding Heart Show"

Peter Bjorn and John "Nothing to Worry About"

Silversun Pickups "Lazy Eye"

Stars "Look Up"

Stars "Take Me To The Riot"

Enjoy the music! And I hope you enjoy KATE!

HOW TO MAKE IT THROUGH YOUR BOOK BIRTHDAY

Last Thursday KATE TRIUMPH officially made her debut into the world. There was much joy, some crying and a whole lot of sugar consumed. Like, a lot a lot. I have learned that the only way to make it through a stressful/exciting moment is to eat Nutella straight from the jar.

Here's proof:

This is the big bottle, people, not the small one. It was full on Thursday. A few days later I need to buy more.

And just because a bottle of Nutella doesn't look all that celebratory I visited this place:

And brought some home. (No photo because they didn't last very long)

Now that KATE TRIUMPH is alive and out in the world here is where she is currently residing:

She is very happy there.

OH! And this happened: 

Yes. I totally made the news feed with JK Rowling. Here is the link. No, I won't be visiting her at her castle, but I'd love to visit Scotland. I've always wanted to go there. Like, ALWAYS. 

I hope you all enjoy reading KATE TRIUMPH!! Now off to write the next one. =)

CONFESSIONS OF A DEBUT AUTHOR

On Thursday, October 16th (two days from now!!!) my YA Paranormal debut, KATE TRIUMPH will be out in the world. Two days. Two days is not a very long time. However, the story of how this book came to be a debut is rather long.

I'll give you the short version.

About eight years ago I got the idea that I wanted to write a novel. I've always thought about writing, I'd written countless short stories and such, but never had I attempted to write an entire book. While I was writing it I thought about publishing it. Of course I did. I thought about getting an agent and an editor, and having people buy it and read it. I hoped that it would sell. I remember my husband would try to keep me grounded by telling me how statistically difficult it was to get a book published and I would smile and say, "Yes, but I believe."

And I did. A lot. 

Then one day (not very long after I'd finished writing my second book) it sold. And I thought, this is it. I'm an author.

The road of my debut book had many twists and turns. But eight years later I have a physical copy of my book. And it is real. And I still have hope.

It isn't all that easy writing a book. And it's even less easy selling it. But I'm proud of what I've accomplished, and this Thursday I hope you will all help me welcome KATE into the world. And read it too. =)

THE STORY BEHIND KATE TRIUMPH

There's always a story behind how a book came to be, whether the idea came from something the author witnessed, or heard, or simply imagined.
This story of mine started with a name. I was working on something entirely different, something that was keeping me up until four in the morning. I remember going to bed, listening to the birds waking up and chirping, and thinking how my daughter would be up soon as well. But I couldn't sleep. My mind was still reeling with all the things I had just written and all the things I had yet to write. And then somewhere in the back of my mind came this noise. It was more distracting than the other thoughts and ideas, to the point of annoyance.

Weird, right? Yeah, I know.

But it eventually got louder and louder until I stopped thinking about the other stuff and gave it my complete attention. And there it was. A name. Not just any name, but a strong name.

KATE TRIUMPH.

This name pushed all the other words and ideas right out of my head.

KATE TRIUMPH.

I eventually fell asleep, but I knew a name like that would stick around awhile.

The next morning I told my husband about this name and asked him what he thought it meant. He's used to my weirdness so he didn't roll his eyes or ask me to see someone professionally, instead he thought about the name with me.

I told him with a name like that she had to be a super hero. He told me he agreed, and then for the next few weeks we plotted and brainstormed and eventually decided that with a name like KATE TRIUMPH she'd have to be the daughter of James Bond. Not like the real James Bond, but someone similar to James Bond, someone like Andrew Shore.

And... that is how KATE TRIUMPH came to be.

On October 16th KATE will be out in the world. I hope you all enjoy her like I do. I hope you see her strength and feel her compassion the way I do.

To me, KATE TRIUMPH is a super hero. Her story has yet to give me peace. It grows in my mind even now.

***NEWS FLASH!!***

Coming soon!! KATE TRIUMPH is getting a book trailer!! Check back here for more details!!

Isn't that exciting??!!