Almost There...

Greetings Loyal Readers,

It is June 23rd, 2016 and in just two short days, I will be running the Binder Park Zoo's Cheetah Chase 5K for the third time. 
The first year I ran it, I felt like a rock star. I finished in 48 minutes and was feeling pumped. 
The second year, I was FREEZING. It was raining the entire race and it was so cold that I basically walked and shivered the whole way. My bestie, Ashleigh, who has run it with me every time was with me on that race. 
This year ... well, I am going to be completely honest and admit that I had gained a lot of weight, so I am not feeling ultimately very confident about this race. Still, I think I am going to have a ton of fun. As long as I don't look at my finish time as a failure and as a success to have just FINISHED the race, I think that will help too. 
It really reminded me though that I do have to be better at watching my weight and taking better care of myself. 
I joined WeightWatchers again and I am going to try extra hard to make this stick. You never know... maybe by the fourth time running the 5K, I will beat my time for sure. 

All I am asking for are your prayers and good wishes as I attempt this feat again. It may be only 3.1 miles for some, but it feels like a lifetime when you are actually doing it. 

Do you want to know my secret to getting through the race without even realizing it? 

Here it is ...

Instead of listening to a psyched up musical playlist, I listen to multiple Adventures in Odyssey episodes. No joke. While I run, I listen to Connie and Eugene bicker, Mr. Whitaker solving moral dilemmas, and encouraging Bible verses at the end of each episode. 
Trust me, I know it sounds odd, but a radio drama is kind of like reading a book, but better because I kind of forget what I'm doing. I'm drawn into the story and forget that I am running at an odd pace outdoors on a gravel path. 
The only thing I KNOW I am going to get distracted by are the animals we catch glimpses of. For example, I always try to get a blurry picture of a cheetah. Yes, it is blurry on purpose. 

I usually add a tagline to the bottom that says 'Caught the Cheetah' or 'Chasing the Cheetah'. 

It's fun. Go with it. 



Oh I just can't wait to see these fuzzy kitties. 

So I bet that you are also DYING to know what I am reading right now. As of last week, I told you that I was reading Dreamtime: A True Story That Hasn't Happened Yet by Alan J Martin. It's still true now. The book is kind of long and really deep. Ayin and his friends Jiles, Talus, and Dove wake up on this mountain in a different world. They are summoned to fix the problems that have arisen. Ayin is a reluctant hero. A nomad. He is guilt-ridden after the death of his friend Sawm and now, with the burden of this whole world on his shoulders, he has to save the mysterious Tree of Dreams before it destroys all of creation ... even his own world. 

Ayin also has a bit of a temper. If he feels like he is caged up for too long, he immediately charges out regardless of the danger to his own self. It makes him very headstrong and along those same lines, makes me want to yell at him to get back to where it's safe. Needless to say, he never listens. 
I highly recommend this book if you want a high fantasy adventure. 

The other book that I just started is Soundless by Richelle Mead. I had read her entire Vampire Academy series and loved it. This book is way different than her vampire lore. 

For as long as Fei can remember, there has been no sound in her village, where rocky terrain and frequent avalanches prevent residents from self-sustaining. Fei and her people are at the mercy of a zipline that carries food up the treacherous cliffs from Beiguo, a mysterious faraway kingdom. 
 
When villagers begin to lose their sight, deliveries from the zipline shrink and many go hungry. Fei’s home, the people she loves, and her entire existence is plunged into crisis, under threat of darkness and starvation.
 
But soon Fei is awoken in the night by a searing noise, and sound becomes her weapon.

Ever since I read that, I was entranced by the prospect of this book. At first, I was wondering how Richelle wrote a book that has no speaking. Was it all description from one girl's point of view? Was it all the girl's thoughts? Nothing could have prepared me for what actually is happening in her village. And no, I am not giving away any spoilers.

That is all I am giving you right now. You'll have to wait in suspense for the next edition of Books, Tea, and Overactive Imagination. As always, I remain your faithful writer...

Be Open, Be Loving, Be Yourself
Taryn

An Hourly Reminder

Me, Porcina, and Lamplighter by D.M. Cornish

Hello Everyone,

I promised you a slightly longer post, so here it is... 
Prepare to be amazed! 

This week has been chock full of activity all things considered. I have gotten to work at all three jobs already and it has been keeping me busy. 

Granted, if it was really up to me, I'd be tucked under the covers all day reading a book. Kinda like this .... ------>


And what's wrong with that? You know .. besides the whole lack of productivity thing. UNFORTUNATELY, that's not really a possibility. For two reasons; 1.) Because it's not the responsible thing to do and 2.) I have a FitBit Alta.

It's kinda nice having this new little gadget on me all the time. I like that when I am seated for a while, it vibrates and sends out this little encouraging message to get up and move around. When I am editing at the library, I can only have an hour on the computer before it automatically shuts down to let other patrons have a turn. So around that same time, I am getting a reminder from my FitBit to get up and move. It is also an awesome way to get away from the computer screen for a while, so I don't drive myself crazy simply staring at a blinking cursor all day. 
I think that's actually why I haven't replaced my laptop yet. It's better to go to the library. Forces myself to work, get up and move around, and then work a little more. 

Trust me, this routine is amazing when you are editing and you suddenly wish that you could throw stuff across the room. Then the timer starts to blink that you only have a minute left and you take a deep breath, save, shut everything down and are able to get up and run away from the manuscript for a while. 
Sometimes, I get that way because I'll be correcting one sentence over and over again, unsure over what I originally wanted it to say. 

Perhaps, it's only me. I should really meet more editors and find out what their processes look like. 

I know what other writers do, but not editors. 

Any editors out there who read my blog? Got any helpful advice or hints to make yourself stop the overthinking? (<----Is that a word?) 

Anyways, I should tell you right now that I finished up School For Good And Evil: A World Without Princes and wow, it was good. I love this series because it teaches young readers that friendship is two-way street. You and your friends have to be up front and HONEST with each other. 

So no I really can't wait until book three comes out in paperback, because I really need to know what happens to Sophie and Agatha. 

Meanwhile, I have returned to my own publishing company's stomping grounds, so to speak. I am reading one of our best author's books, 'Dreamtime: A True Story That Hasn't Happened Yet' by Alan J. Martin. 
I will give you an update as soon as I get past chapter three. 

I have to go now. But see? I fulfilled my promise and gave you a longer post. I wish you all well. 

Be Open, Be Loving, Be Yourself
Taryn

Fantastic Sunday (June 12th)

I work at the happiest place on earth.

No, it's not Disney World. It's Barnes and Noble. 

Yesterday, we had the last day of our B-Fest, the National Teen Book Festival. There were games and prizes and lots of activities. I participated in some of the games, because my inner child was screaming at me to take part in the Spelling Bee. 
But yesterday was the day of our Author Panel. We had four authors set next to each other with a small stack of their books in front of them.
All of them were local authors. One was published in the Major Market with HarperTeen. She was Lindsey Klingele with her book The Marked Girl.
Then we had A.C Troyer with her book Terrapin. Wil Radcliffe brought his series The Whisper King and last but not least, Lindsay Mead and her book The Beast. 

Now ... as I am sure that you are aware, I get very starstruck around authors. All authors. If you've written a book, I am your biggest fan. (But not like Kathy Bates in Misery, I promise) 
Naturally, when my bosses told me that I was going to be the one leading the discussion panel, I was squeaking (in a good way) about it. I was absolutely psyched to be a part of the Writer's portion of it, but this just vastly made it better. I stood next to the table and began reading off as many questions as I could come up with on the spot. It was so much fun and very informative. I got a lot of compliments on my leading of it too. So I hope that that made me look good to my bosses.

I even got two of the books signed for myself. 

Yes, mother, I know I have a problem. 

But sadly, I don't have any desire to correct said problem. Oh well. Maybe that means I am growing in my own independence. It's about time. I am almost 30. 

Well, I am going to leave this here for now. I know ... this was short. I promise you'll get a longer blog post later. I PROMISE!! 

Be Open, Be Loving, Be Yourself,
Taryn