Finally a Sequel

Last year, in March, Amy and I released our first self published book, Tristen and the Magic Shop.  It's a Middle Grade story that was written more for our kids than anything.  As I think we've told you before, they really took an interest in the writing process and the stories we were telling, unfortunately they were too adult for them.  So, to amend the issue we wrote about Tristen.

Well the book was fun to write and the outcome was exactly what we had hoped for, our children enjoyed being able to read something we wrote.  Now, as of Saturday, we are gladly able to say that they are able to read yet another adventure for Tristen, Tristen and the Whining of the Wind.

I am debating on whether we should have another Book Release Blog Party - would anybody be interested?  If so, we can have one later this week or the start of next week.  We could consider this the soft open to the grand opening.

I guess that after looking back from March of 2010 to now and thinking about the way that life is sculpting itself to be, I guess things really do happen for a reason.  I am thankful for all of the friends we have made along the way on the beginning of our writing journey and can't wait to meet the ones that are yet to come.  Thank you for being a part of our lives, our writing, and teaching us so much.  Each of you has inspired us in your own way to keep doing this.

How would we know what a smooth ride feels like, if we've never gone down a bumpy road?

A. Things are Kinda Looking Up!

Mike's heath is doing good thanks to a chiropractor. He has been feeling great! He started a new job that he loves and it is so good to see him happy again.  He is driving himself to work again, which has me worried but he feels his healt issues are behind him and I have to believe he would know that better then anyone.

Cameron's health on the other hand is going through a rough spot. His JRA has flared and now is affecting his hip. This means more test, more Dr.'s visit and maybe even more surgery. He is losing weight again and we are not sure why at the moment. He is already a small kid and really can't afford to lose weight. He is getting the sunking in look back. Its really scary to see this. We thought we had things under control.  His doctors are great though so I know they will get him back on track.

Our writing has kind of taking a back seat. We are still writing just not at the pace we were. The Missing is so far our  top selling book and I am very happy with the reviews we are getting.

So things are looking up with a few bumps along the the way but that is excepted.

M. Rest

Have you ever taken time off, just because you find that instead of writing - you need sleep?

Most of our writing is done by candlelight, much like most of you.  From about 9 to 10 until around 12, is when most of our writing takes place.  You know why kids, work, and just life in general.

Every once and a while though, for about a week or two, we just need to take a break and get some sleep.  Well, the last week or two have been our sleep weeks and I'm thinking that it's time to get back to writing.

How often do you take off from writing?  When you do take off, how long do you allow yourself to rest?  Do you think it helps? - I think it does.

M. Luck!

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to pop by and let you all know.  We haven't been ignoring our blog, instead, life has been back to insane again.  But in a good way.

In the last week, I started at a new position up the road from home and it has made for quite a bit more traveling for us.  If that wasn't enough, we have the kids going to an activity four out of five week nights.  There just hasn't been time to stop in and blog.  Of course, like all things we do in our lives, it is just going to get worse (BETTER), Amy is also starting back at a new/old job.

So here I am, telling you that we are still around and still working on our 4th self published release.  It is just becoming more difficult to hit the blogging.  Not that that's a bad thing, we could use a stint of some good luck.

@maleslie11

That's our twitter tag name, what's yours?

It's pretty funny, but a few years ago, maybe even less then a year ago I was not going to use twitter.  There was no way, no how that I would find myself Tweeting.

Ha, so much for that.  I really enjoy using Twitter, but Amy still isn't too keen with it, but I think it is one of the greatest ways for people to communicate, network, and find great books.

Twitter has become a great source to connect with other authors, readers, reviewers, bloggers, and just about any other crazy or cool person we want to meet.

To use Twitter, you have to use another language - it's like texting, but not quite the same.  Somethings have #tags and everyone is an @something.  Instead of using the word you, you say u.  That way u don't use up the 140 characters that u get when u tweet.  Yeah, imagine that, I say things in 140 characters or less.

If you haven't checked out Twitter, give it a shot.  Our tag is at the top and if you are already on Twitter or if you are going to join, post your tag and we will follow.

LET THE TWEETING BEGIN!!!

Oh and as is customary for all Tweeps, here are some of the people we follow.  Please give them a look and a follow.

@HilyBee
@stuffmikewrites
@paulanthonyspen
@LGSmith12
@WilliamDeen
@susankayequinn
@melcom1
@heidirubymiller
@FuelOnline
@Dearharts
@JamiGrayAuthor
@RickGualtieri
@Raine_Thomas
@ByDennisSheehan
@PaulHenry5
@ePrintedBooks
@ShelleyBuck
@MikeWellsAuthor
@LoriWilsonNBC

That's not everyone, but it's a good start!

HELP!!!

Calling all bloggers, readers, writers, reviewers, and book lovers, we need your help.

As many of you know we have a 9-year-old son and a 7-year-old daughter.  Well, thanks to their wonderful grandma, they both have Kindles.  The problem we are facing is this, our daughter, Abbi is in 2nd grade, but reading at a 5th grade reading level.  She has out grown all of her chapter books and is now tearing through anything she can get her hands on.

We need book recommendations - and fast!  So please get the word out there to all that have read, written, and loved middle grade books, we need some possible downloads.  Traditional or self-published is fine, we are just trying to find books that are written at a level that will keep her attention, but are age appropriate.

If you know anyone, send them our way, if you know a book, please post it in the comment field. 

M. Celebrate the Small Stuff

A dream is nothing more than a step not yet taken.

Writers, above most others, are impossible dreamers.  We daydream and imagine worlds, characters, events, and lives that only exist in our minds and on the paper we write them on.  Have you ever thought of how amazing that is?

There are some people that we have met out there that have asked us, "Wow, how do you guys do that?"

The answer is easy, now that I think about it.  We decided to take that step and allow people to join us in our lives and the stories we tell.  It was always our dream to write, both of us.  Without even realizing it, we've allowed ourselves to become writers.

The other day, on Twitter, we had a writer that was just gettting started ask us a question.  It was the first time we were asked the question and it was a question we've both asked before.  "Do you have any advice for an aspiring writer?"

I had to laugh.  I think that we've asked many of you the same question and now in the driver's seat, I responded with the only answer that made sense.  I told him that he should just keep writing, no matter what.

It was the best advice that we've been given thus far and I figured, (Sorry Cliche Works Here) if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

We still have a long way to go, but today is one of those days where you sit back and reflect on how far we've already gotten.  I still see us as aspiring, sort of, but we aren't aspiring as much as we were aspiring when we started this blog.  Join us as we celebrate the small stuff, do you ever celebrate small accomplishments?