First CHANGE UP Reader Reaction and Revision Lessons

I'm in the middle of watching some exciting World Series softball right now on ESPN2. Wow, Florida just hit a walk off grand slam to send the Gators to their first final. Great stuff. 

The fabulous Lauren, a fan of the SCREWBALL series and local high school and ASA softball player, contacted me via MySpace a few months ago to tell me how much she loved SCREWBALL. I love, love, love hearing from readers and Lauren absolutely made my day. A few honest teens help me to authenticate plot, character, and dialogue and Lauren recently volunteered to be part of the crew. After I received my ARCs last Friday, I immediately sent a copy of CHANGE UP Lauren's way to thank her for her help with SCREWBALL 3 and the prequel. 

Here's what she said: 

I got CHANGE UP in the mail today! I got home at like 1 and could not stop reading it! I didn't put it down until I finished five minutes ago. I haven't read a book this great in so long. Ashley never failed to surprise me! (I can't post the rest because it's full of spoilers. :))

Thanks, Lauren!!!!

Recent Revision Lessons: 

1. Grab is my fave word. Recently, I used the word 'grab' 127 times in a 300 page manuscript. That's almost once every two pages. Yikes. Nevertheless, if anyone needs help with using another word besides grab, feel free to email me, since I spent last weekend coming up with one hundred ways to describe scenes without using the word, grab. :)

 

2. I also tend to overuse the word 'seriously'. This particular word I only used 54 times, but sometimes, I used it twice on one page. Then, I realized I overuse this word in real life too. Seriously. :) 

What words do you tend to overuse?? 

Just for Fun: My bud, Justin the Teen Librarian, blogged about this the other day. How many days old are you? Find out here.  

Happy Monday! 

What I'll Be Watching all Weekend...

Full coverage on ESPN, starting today!! :) Yay!!! 

Who am I routing for? Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and/or Michigan - Go East! Until a few years ago, the south and west completely dominated college softball. Since I'm a Jersey girl, I'm cheering for the eastern teams, hoping Florida pulls it off. However, I'm also a huge Coach Candrea fan (I had the pleasure of interviewing him last year and he's amazing) so I'm throwing in one cheer for Arizona. 

What are you doing this weekend? 

Enjoy! :) 

Pretty Tough Tuesday & Tagged for Five

What a great week for College Softball. Check out my College World Series Wrap-Up blog for Pretty Tough here. 

Yay! I've been tagged by Angela.  I love being tagged and I hope my taggies' feel the same way. :) 

Here we go: 

1. The rules of the post are posted at the beginning. 

2. Each player answers the questions about themselves. 

3. At the end of the post, the player tags five people and posts their names, visits their blogs, and leaves them a comment, letting them know they've been tagged, and asking them to read 

the player's blog. 

4. Let the person who tagged you know when you've posted your answer. 

What were you doing five years ago? 

Hmmm.. I was coaching softball, working clinics and camps, and teaching seventh grade at Harrington Middle School in Mount Laurel. My hubby and I lived in Cherry Hill with our two little dogs. When, I first read this question, I thought I was in college five years ago.. Try nine. Urgh. :)

What are five things on your to do list today (not in any particular order)? 

1. Hang out at the beach with Kaci. :)

2. Finish my WIP that's due Friday. Yikes. 

3. Attend a South Jersey Mom magazine meeting tonight.

4. Bake cupcakes with Kaci. 

5. Visit the post office and send Book Adorer her new books. :)

What are five snacks you enjoy? 

Cookies, Rice Krispie treats, gummy bears, Doritoes, and dark chocolate.

What five things would you do if you were a billionaire? 

1. Buy a house on the beach in Stone Harbor. 

2. Spread the wealth - Give some to my mom and dad, brother and sister-in-law, cousin, nieces, and grandmom. 

3. Buy or build a house in Tampa Bay, Florida right next to Derek Jeter. :)

4. Help out kids and families in need. 

5. Buy box seat season tickets to the Yankees, a new wardrobe, a pedicure, and massage.

What are five of your bad habits? 

Yikes.. 

1. I leave water bottles and glasses around the house. 

2. I'm anal about what I eat. I never try new foods.  

3. Tend to stress out easily, but I'm working on that. 

4. I'm a tad bit low on patience.

5. I leave lights on. 

What are five places you have lived? 

1. West Chester, PA

2. Maple Shade, NJ

3. Cape May Court House, NJ

4. Cherry Hill, NJ

5. Philadelphia, PA 

What are five jobs you've had? 

1. Pediatric Registered Nurse

2. First grade teacher

3. Lifeguard

4. Insurance secretary

5. Acme bagger

Five people to Tag:

Alyson Noel

Alexa Young 

Amy Addison 

Kelly Para

Suzanne Young 

And anyone else that wants to complete the Tagged for Five. :) Have a great day! 

Pretty Tough Tuesdays

Today, I'm over at Pretty Tough blogging about the Softball College World Series. I can't wait to watch the series this weekend! :)

Speaking of weekends, I had a great one. Well, besides yesterday when I spent most of the day working. But, on Saturday after the SCREWBALL book signing, I met up with some high school buds in my hometown and celebrated our 'unofficial' thirteenth reunion. We had a great time and it was wonderful to catch up with everyone after so many years. I grew up in a small town in New Jersey and graduated with about one hundred and twenty classmates. Most of us, have known each other since kindergarten, so catching up and seeing everyone's kids, wives, and/or husbands was incredible. Thanks for arranging everything, Amy and Helen! :)

How was your weekend? Anyone out there ever go to a reunion or grow up in a small town? Have a great week! :)

YAY FOR YA MAY GIVEAWAY - Only five more days! The winner will be announced on Sunday, June 1st! :)