Obtainable Goals

Okay, so I taught a class at the first ever Teen Author Boot Camp last weekend. It was loaded with awesome authors and awesome classes and awesome teens! (Special thanks to the people at Writers Cubed who organized the whole thing.)

Kiersten White was the keynote speaker. Besides her mad drawing skillz, she said some really great things.

The one I liked best concerned goals.

She said: Don't make other people your goal.

I've done this. It's not pretty. You can't count yourself unsuccessful because Author X is only 22 and published. Since you're obviously over the age of 22, you'll never be published.

Sounds stupid when you put it like that, right?

I liked this advice a lot, because often I compare myself to other people. They become my goal. And that's not healthy. I can't control what happens to them. I can barely control what happens to me.

What I can control is what I write and how hard I work. So those are the things that need to be focused on when setting goals. How much I write in a day. How many pages I edit. Which story gets my attention. That sort of thing.

So. What are your goals? Are you using other people to make your goals come true?

PARANORMALCY Giveaway

Okay, first off, I know I've been throwing a new book at you every week. Admit it, you like it. Anyway, today's book is PARANORMALCY by Kiersten White. It comes out on Tuesday next, so make sure you pre-order it or go out and buy it. You so won't be sorry.

But to sweeten the deal this time, I'm going to be giving away a copy. Dear Kiersten is coming to Salt Lake in early September (the 11th), and I'm going to her signing!! You can't see how my hands are shaking with excitement right now, but try to imagine it.

So if you leave a comment on this post, you'll be entered to win a signed copy of Paranormalcy!

1. Cover. Dude, if my cover is half as gorgeous as this one, I will cry with relief. And pure joy. I love this cover. Love isn't even a strong enough word for how I feel about this cover.

2. But books aren't all about covers. They're about people. Evie is a such a brilliantly written character. She has flaws. She has emotions. She has power. She has brains. She has it all. If you like compelling characters, you'll like Paranormalcy.

3. Plot. While this book has vampires and faeries and stuff, it's unlike anything else you've read. Trust me. The reason is because it's not about vampires and faeries and stuff. It's about a normal girl who can do something paranormal. And she's not a vampire. Or a faery. Or anything other than a girl who likes a boy. And who hasn't been that person? (Except for all you guys out there. But seriously.) If you like a plot that is fresh and well-paced, you'll like Paranormalcy.

So there. Buy it. Order it. Read it. Love it. I did.

Giveaway winners won't be posted until, IDK, say September 10, and then I'll go to the signing on the 11th. Leave a comment to enter!

And be sure to check out the other Bookanistas and what they've got going down!
Lisa and Laura Roecker spread the love for GRACE
Carolina Valdez-Miller shines a spotlight on PERSONAL DEMONS
Shannon Messenger gushes about MATCHED
Christine Fonseca highly recommends GUARDIAN OF THE GATE
Bethany Wiggins and Suzette Saxton dish about EXTRAORDINARY
Shelli Johannes Wells shares all the BOOKANISTA'S BOOK BUZZ
Myra McEntire shouts out some cover love for CLARITY