Believe It or Not and #ROW80

One of the best things about becoming a writer is interacting with other writers. Published ones. With actual books.
I found romance author Tawna Fenske’s blog, Don’t Pet Me, I’m Writing, some time ago. When I start my blog reading, her site is often the first I click onto. I’m sure to find something interesting, helpful, or downright hilarious.
When I clicked one day last week, I found Tawna’s post on Share Your Flutters. She was sharing things that make her feel giddy, including opening up a box full of her second novel, Believe It or Not, which releases on March 6. In the comments section, readers were invited to share their own flutter moments with an opportunity to win a signed copy of Believe It or Not.

Here was my entry:

I’m not at my fluttierest at the moment, having been diagnosed with mononucleosis (the “kissing disease” which means I can’t kiss for a while! Ugh). But here’s the list from the sick patient’s perspective:

* My adolescent son comes in every day to ask if I’m feeling better and gives me a hug. Flutter. (Note: I have two sons, both of whom have been fabulous, but all that the older one has done for me would have required too much explanation.)

* My sister sent me a box of chicken soup mixes purchased from Soups Online. Flutter.

* My husband does double duty as hard worker by day and Superdad by night, then crawls into bed to be my much-needed body heater. Double flutter.

* I love my current WIP. When I give others the elevator pitch, it piques interest. Yeah, me. Will flutter when published and opening my own boatload box of books.

Thanks for sharing yours, Tawna. Congrats on the book. Looking forward to reading it!

The next post from Tawna Fenske was On Kissing and the Hardest Parts, in which she awarded me a signed copy of Believe It or Not! It was not a random drawing but what I wrote that got me the prize. Be sure to click on the post to see what she said. I read her debut novel, Making Waves, and enjoyed it. (I just checked and the Kindle ebook edition is currently $1.79.) Making Waves is a nominee for “best contemporary romance” in the RT Book Reviews 2011 Reviewers’ Choice Awards. I’m looking forward to delving into her second novel, just as soon as Believe It or Not arrives on my doorstep with Ms. Fenske’s lovely signature. Thanks, Tawna!
Now I believe my ROW80 update comes next:

• Finish editing Grace & Fire mystery novel and send to reader. Check. Finished on January 19.
• Write 2,500 1,500 words per week on young adult novel, Sharing Hunter.  1,242 words, all on one day. I had planned to log some words today after a short nap. But my “short nap” turned into 3 1/2 hours of “dead to the world.”
• Blog twice a week on Amaze-ing Words Wednesday and Deep-Fried Friday, and check-in with ROW80 updates twice a week. Check. Posted Getting in Last Words and My Old Poetry and ROW80 on Wednesday and What Buffy the Vampire Slayer Taught Me on Friday.
• Comment on at least 10 15 blogs per week (not counting ROW80 update comments). Check. Commented on a total of 30 last week.
• Read one writing craft book. Check. Finished On Writing by Stephen King. For those of you asking what I thought of On Writing, I didn’t get as much out of it as others have. There were some gems in there, but quite a bit of the book covered King himself and his writing. I’m not a big King fan, though.
• Read five eight fiction books. 7 down, starting The Scorch Trials (sequel to The Maze Runner) by James Dashner.
• Exercise three times per week.
• Read through Writer’s Digest magazine issue. No progress on this goal this week. *slaps own hand*

So what has made you flutter this week? How are your goals coming along?
As always, wish my fellow ROW80ers the best by clicking HERE!