It's Finally Here!

And it's here. I've finally finished my book trailer. I've edited and edited and now it's ready to be seen by human eyes. Considering that this is my first try at this, I'd love for some comments on what other think. Check it out and let me know!

News and Updates: 2013

Okay, here's the deal. I'd like to get back on the blogging train and maybe update on a more regular basis. Hmm, maybe I'll make that my New Year's resolution.

Anyway, I've decided to make this announcement official. 2013 will definitely be a year of great changes and wonderful new things people! First on the agenda is my upcoming book, NAKED AS WE CAME, which is coming to you all in April 2013. So I'm super excited about that lovely news.

Also, if you haven't checked out the beautiful new cover, please do. I'm sure it's plastered all over my author's page. I'm like a proud mother doting over it. Please, please give it a look and tell me what you think. I personally think that the designer did a splendid job. Her name is Najla Qamber of the Inkspell Publishing team.

If her name sounds even remotely familiar you'll know that she's the designer who did Sarah Dalton's "The Blemished" cover which I loved at first sight. When I was in the process of searching for a designer for my YA sci-fi, I had to look her up to see if she could give my book a face and she did not fail me.

Another thing I'm happy to announce is the Naked As We Came website that is currently in the works. Once done, I will have a preview screenshot available as well as full access very, very soon. So be on the look out for it. I'm currently on twitter with the user name @rozkae. So feel free to drop by, talk to me or follow me. No pressure. I promise.

And on a final note, I am really happy to be jumping headfirst into this journey because my road to publication has been a long and tiring uphill struggle. To see it finally coming true, almost brings tears to my eyes. I've never been more grateful about anything in my entire life. I am looking forward to 2013 and everything it has to offer.

Until then, I will be updating this blog as much as possible with all the juicy details about my book and sometimes I'll stop in just to talk. Bear with me people and please never feel like you can't comment on something you think I need to improve or just to say hey.

I will respond to all comments good or bad. I'm open for constructive criticism or just some old fashion conversation. So, happy New Years world. I hope that you've had a great holiday and I wish you all well on the eve of this beautiful new year.

For Your Viewing Pleasure!

Okay, this blog post will only consist of one thing. I just had to drop by and squeal about how much I love this first draft cover of my debut indie publication. Right now, it's not very high quality because it just a first draft, but I cannot wait for the finished product. I initially wanted to wait for the finished product for the cover reveal, but this gorgeous little gem refused to stay hidden. I just received it from my designer and fell madly in love at first sight. What do you think?

Hidden Gems That I Wish I'd Discovered Sooner

Time to get a little off subject. Okay, maybe not. There are no rules to this blog. This is a democracy! So the other day while procrastinating on homework, I caught myself channel surfing. This is a pastime of mine that I haven't practiced since I found Netflix and Hulu so it was nice to fall back on old habits. Anyway, eventually this session of channel surfing welcomed me into a world of wonder. Seriously, it was pure euphoria. I've never been a major television whore, but after what I've seen I wish I'd sat up and listened to some of the reviews critics have been spewing about today's television programming.

It used to be that I'd lost hope for today's programming. After all, I'm a 90's baby who grew up watching reruns of classics like I Love Lucy, Leave it to Beaver, Three's Company, Gillian's Island, Green Acres and The Andy Griffin Show. Since shows like Jersey Shore and Teen Mom have leaked from the airwaves, I've limited myself to independent films and foreign TV shows. (No offense to anyone who likes Jersey Shore or Teen Mom by the way. They just aren't my taste. Sorry!)

But as I skimmed my Directv schedule, I realized just how bias I've been to modern television and for that I apologize for not sitting up and taking notice. Shows like Breaking Bad and Mad Men have shown my the error of my ways. Four years ago, I'd never imagine myself watching a show about a meth dealing chemistry teacher with cancer, but this show reeled me in and refused to let go. I was literally hooked by the second episode and refused to leave it alone.

Although I'll probably forever be a picky person in terms of TV, I'm vowing to myself to  at least give more attention to cable TV.

Book Covers That Rock!

Okay, so I haven't blogged in a while and I don't like the sound of that. I know I'm a terrible updater. Sue me for it later. Right now, I'd like to share something near and dear to me: book covers. Yes people. One thing I love more than a good book is an even better book cover. I know they say not to judge a book by it's cover, but I've been guilty of that crime more than once. Since I'm currently, in the cover designing process of my own publishing journey, I'd like to share a few books covers that have snagged me into reading that book.

 

I love the mystery in this cover. I love how it says a lot and yet also says nothing at all. Nothing about this cover tells me anything about the book, but I like that ambiguity. It makes me want more. 

 

I've never been an uber fan of science fiction, but this book could change my mind just by looking at the cover. I'm hooked. The "almost kiss" does a perfect job of expanding on the juicy romance element oozing out from the pages. The typography is perfect. The starry background is breathtaking and little paragraph beneath is a perfect teaser. I love it! I love it! I LOVE it!

 

My background in Graphic Design makes it impossible for me to ignore good Photoshop when I see it. This book cover is an excellent example of that. I love the fusing of rose petals and the girl. It makes me wonder how this effect would look on a model if it were a dress in a fashion show. For that alone, I'm starstruck. Kudos to the designer who went to work on this beautiful little gem. Seriously guys, congrats! You really deserve it.

Okay, I might be a bit bias on this cover because I loved this book so freaking much. Aside from that, what can I say that hasn't already been said about this? That dress is gorgeous. The typography is beautiful and the overall design is swoothworthy. I'm obsessed. I have literally considered making this cover my computer desktop background.

This cover needs no words, but here are a few that popped into my head the first time I saw it: Wow. Beautiful. Stunning. Gorgeous. Amazing. And after this mini breakdown, I went out and bought and devoured this book like it was a delicious little snack. In fact, I love it so much, the rest of the series deserves to be in this entry. So for your pleasure (and mine) Here are the other Hush Hush saga books. 

 

Those are my top five favorite, but I just don't have it in me to stop there. Here are few covers that totally deserve some honorable mention.

So that's my two cents. Can't wait to hear yours!

Everything I Need to Know I Learned From My Dog

Let me start by saying that I don't know who originally came up with this idea nor do I know how old it is, but I found it so clever and cute that I had to bring it up in a blog post of my own. Without further ado, allow me to start this blog post off with a picture.

This here is my dog, Dakota. Yeah, I know he's cute. In fact, he's so cute that I'm gonna allow a few more seconds to admire this handsome beast starting...now.

Okay, now with that out of the way, it's time for business. Anyway, in the years that I've had Dakota, I've learnt quite a few things about life because of him. Here is an article on the internet that I found that accurately spells it all out. Again, I do not own any of this article and I did not write any of it. I'm merely using it for entertainment purposes. Enjoy!

Here is a  list of things I learnt about life from my dog.

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy. 

When it's in your interest, practice obedience.

Let others know when they've invaded your territory.

Take naps and stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting, when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout ... run right back and make friends.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

Song Quote For The Day: "Keep Your Feet On The Ground, When Your Head's In The Clouds"

Here are two things I'd like to share about myself.

One: I love words and I admire anyone who knows how to cleverly use them.

Two: I'm a bona fide music geek. 

These two things coincide. Here's how. I love ALL kinds of music from any and every genre. Music to me is like food for the soul. It's been a godsend to me for years and I honestly don't think I could've gotten through half of the things I've been through in my life without it. My favorite songs consist of carefully crafted tunes with lyrics deep enough to give me a feeling of pure euphoria. Maybe that was a little too melodramatic sounding, but it's true.

I also love a good song with relatable lyrics. In fact, for every song I've fallen in love with over the years, there's at least one line that can't be ignored. So for today's song quote, I've picked out something from a Paramore song called Brick By Boring Brick:

"Keep your feet on the ground, when your head's in the clouds"

This is a line that I seriously considered getting tattooed on my arm at one point. The first time I heard it, I couldn't help, but laugh because it sounded like something I needed to hear. I spend most days with my head "in the clouds." I'm a perpetual dreamer. I like to believe that if you work hard enough, you'll get anywhere you want to be regardless of what anyone else has to say. That's not to say that you should ignore reality. I'll never tell anyone to give up on something they want for the sake of convenience, but sooner or later, commonsense has to kick in. 

This is where "keeping your feet on the ground" comes in at. You're free to dream so long as you remember that there will always be bills to pay and responsibilities to tend to. Nothing irks me more than a person who throws all caution to the wind on a whim. Be smart people. Pursue everything with an open heart, but a clear head. If you want that lottery ticket, buy it. Just make sure you don't spend the whole month's rent on lottery tickets. The odds aren't in your favor on that front, but hell, nothing's wrong with a little recreational gambling, right?

Anyway, this quote alone isn't the only reason I hold this Paramore song so near and dear to me. To me, the whole song is genius. It tells a story that I think anyone can relate to and never fails to remind me of what's most important. For that, Brick By Boring Brick will forever have a place on my playlist as well as my heart. 

Bonus:  I couldn't resist dropping a link to this song. Read the lyrics and tell me what you think this song is trying to say.