“If you can’t believe in miracles, then believe in yourself. When you want something bad enough, let that drive push you to make it happen. Sometimes you’ll run into brick walls that are put there to test you. Find a way around them and stay focused on your dream. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
― Isabel Lopez, Isabel's Hand-Me-Down Dreams
This past week my students read (well, it was from www.storylineonline.net which is an amazing site!) a book titled "Thank You Mr. Falker" by Patricia Polacco. I love that they were interested in it. At the end of the book, I explained to them that some people have a hard time with reading just like the main character did (and the main character is actually the author! Spoiler Alert...sorry!!). I explained to them that my mother was/is dyslexic and that you can learn to overcome things. You don't necessarily overcome dyslexia, but you learn to deal with it and you learn ways to control your mind, if you will. I don't know if they got what I was saying, but I do know that they were listening to it all.
We all have our different ways of going about things. My mother's dyslexia was extreme and it caused her teachers to think she just couldn't learn or was "dumb"... until she found a teacher that helped her (very similar to the book I talked about above). It is amazing what you can accomplish when you have someone in your life that believes in you.
We all have our different ways of going about things. My mother's dyslexia was extreme and it caused her teachers to think she just couldn't learn or was "dumb"... until she found a teacher that helped her (very similar to the book I talked about above). It is amazing what you can accomplish when you have someone in your life that believes in you.
My mother overcame a lot and she has always taught me to just "go for it". Life will be scary sometimes, but getting through those tough times makes the person that you are. I have my own dyslexic tendencies, but I am also a synesthete. I am open about it with some people, and with others, well..I just don't even mention it. I am proud that I think differently than others. So, if you are reading my blog for the first time, then feel special that you now know I have ticker-tape synesthesia and possibly another one or two types (still researching that). I mention that because I am different. I am fine with that. Sometimes being different gives us the power to move on. My way of "moving on" is to push myself to do what I want with my life. I love being a teacher but I would love to have the time to write full time. That is the goal I am working towards.
I don't really believe in failure. If you try, then you are a success.
I don't really believe in failure. If you try, then you are a success.
My goodreads giveaway just ended. AND I am so excited to send out free books to the four people that won. There is just something so special to know that four different households will soon have MY book. I realize it is only four (and yes, there are more households that have my books due to sales and free ebook promotions) but holding my book and mailing it off...I don't know how to explain that feeling. It is more than I had a year ago and I feel blessed.
I am getting closer and closer to the end of my next book, but I need to put it in hyperdrive....because my goal (and yes, I must always have one or nothing will get done except for soap operas being watched) is to write the sequel. That needs to start in November during NaNoWriMo. National Novel Writing Month give me those extra goals to work towards; that extra push to go far and beyond what I normally do.
Here is another preview of what the cover might look like. I am not done with this book, yet, but sometimes working backwards helps me. Sometimes "writing in reverse" is exactly what I need.
The last idea for this cover had a tattooed hand of a man. I love LOVE that one; however, I am changing that because it gives the wrong impression on my main character. Oh, don't get me wrong, my main character is a bad guy and he did have the word "HATE" tattooed on his hand, but I have changed his look a bit. He is still tattooed because well...I like tattoos and well...why not??!! But I changed his career and he needs to look the part (at least the part that you can see at work! hint, hint!)
I hope you enjoyed the sneak peek into my next book. If you didn't win a free book of Stories After Dark...it is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Click on "Books" above or the link below. :)
http://www.amazon.com/Stories-After-Dark-Jessica-Warren/dp/1497501202
Here is another preview of what the cover might look like. I am not done with this book, yet, but sometimes working backwards helps me. Sometimes "writing in reverse" is exactly what I need.
The last idea for this cover had a tattooed hand of a man. I love LOVE that one; however, I am changing that because it gives the wrong impression on my main character. Oh, don't get me wrong, my main character is a bad guy and he did have the word "HATE" tattooed on his hand, but I have changed his look a bit. He is still tattooed because well...I like tattoos and well...why not??!! But I changed his career and he needs to look the part (at least the part that you can see at work! hint, hint!)
I hope you enjoyed the sneak peek into my next book. If you didn't win a free book of Stories After Dark...it is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Click on "Books" above or the link below. :)
http://www.amazon.com/Stories-After-Dark-Jessica-Warren/dp/1497501202