Eterna...

So this was an interesting week. One of those productive/nonproductive weeks that happen every once in a while (or all the time, depending on who you are - I tend to be of the all the time variety, but I digress).

Anyway, on the nonproductive side, I spent every day at the chiropractor because my spine is drifting to the right. It's true, I saw the x-ray. It's pretty horrifying. Spine's aren't meant to travel that way. So I have to get that worked out. I thought I felt like I was walking sideways. Now I know it's true. That took a chunk of time out of every day, but I'll take it over the alternative (hint: it involves a wheelchair).

Wow, I am off in Tangentville today.

Anyway, (again) I have a piano recital next Saturday that I should be practicing for, but that is covered in the nonproductive area. I know what you're thinking - where does she get productive?

Don't rush me!

My deadline for the new book is June 25th which, for those of you without a calendar, is just over seven weeks away. The book has made it through the first edit, and I have it out to my trusted first draft readers now. I'll be embarking on the second edit this week, but the big news is...

The cover is done! And it looks amazing. I just hope the book lives up to the cover. I've also written up a first draft of the synopsis, so now I can work on cleaning that up too.

Want to see the awesome cover?

Here it is:

Amazing I know. The photograph was taken by Clara Jerome, my brother's sister in law, and the cover was created by Sadie Talbot and myself. I just want to say a heartfelt thank you to both of these women for making this amazing cover possible.

As you were.

When Banging Your Head Against The Keyboard No Longer Helps...

I was making my daily visit to cracked.com when I saw the article entitled "5 Tips For Punching Writer's Block In The Face". I have been blocked for a bit now so I decided to read the article.

Let me just be clear. While I enjoy the articles on this site, they tend to "work blue," and quite often will dabble in the other colors of the rainbow as well. Therefore one must be very careful what articles one reads. Consider yourselves warned.

Now back to the article. The first point was to know what you write, which is a good policy, but the second one really got my attention. # 2: Accept that you're going to write garbage.

That hit the spot.

As most writer know, there are stages of the writing process. It goes like this:

Stage 1: Wherein the writer decides "I am a terrible writer".
Stage 2: Writer becomes more confidant as his work progresses, and decides "I'm a pretty good writer."
Stage 3: Writer becomes even more happy with his work, seeing the story (or article, whatever the case may be) really come to life, and declares "I am a GREAT writer."

Until Stage 4: Wherein the writer returns to the scene of the crime with clearer eyes and realizes "I am a terrible writer." End scene.

It's a vicious cycle I tell you. One that was nicely summed up in a meme my friend Joy (a fellow writer) posted not too long ago.

It is amazing how one can find inspiration in the most random and unlikely places. I've been stuck in the realm of "meh" (or stage 4 if you will) trying to find my mojo so I can finish my book and meet my goal when I happen upon the push (ha!) that I need. From a comedy website, of all places.

I guess this is one instance of the mountain coming to Mohammed. I wasn't going to the right places for help, so the help came to me. Which kind of makes me a moron, but is also kind of a testimony builder.

Also, I never said I wasn't a moron. At any rate, I feel my motivation picking up so I gotta go. I've got a book to finish ya'll.

Have a fab day!

International Best-Selling Author...

Just kidding! It's only me, D.P. Davidson. I may not be an international best seller, but I do have an international fan. Only one, but it's a start.

At any rate, because I am an international, er, seller, I had an opportunity to send a set of my books internationally. To India. That was an experience. An ongoing experience. See, what had happened was...

I sent the package through the U.S. mail, but because it was international, I had to fill out paperwork that would send it through customs. Also, the address in question went something like this: "On Morris street, behind the bungalows to the left, apartment with the red door, India." I'm serious. My reader told me to put the address on the envelope exactly the way it was written.

That was last month, March 13th.

My sweet reader (almost) received the package two days ago. I say almost because the postman put it in her hands, and then snatched it back! He said it hadn't gone through customs. So even though she had it in her hands he took it away again. I want to know how he managed to have it if it hadn't gone through customs.

My poor friend was in a panic. She emailed me to ask about the customs paperwork. She spent hours on the phone trying to speak to someone so she could get her books. She was given several different numbers until she placed a call where no one bothered to pick up. Now she's written a letter to the customs office. She wants those books, darn it! And I'm pretty inspired by her commitment.

I really hope she gets them.

In other news, I went to my first book club wherein the book the clubbers chose to read and discuss was my very own Push Back. It was so awesome! I really enjoyed hearing the feedback these lovely women had to share. They expressed attachment to the characters, and the story which made my day because I love my characters, and want to share their story.

So thank you to the Fossil Ridge ward book club for your time and kind comments. Because of you, I think I'll keep on keepin' on.

Something Awesome This Way Comes...

Potentially.

I entered a contest for self-published authors this week. So exciting! The grand prize is some monies which is nice, but the awesome part is the vast marketing of the winning book(s). The runners up get less monies, and less marketing, but more marketing than is currently available to me now. So, I entered.

I won't know until October, so I'll forego holding my breath, but some finger crossing and prayers won't hurt so...keep that in mind faithful fans.

Also I was perusing recently posted reviews for my new book, Push Back, when I came upon the most awesome review. I was so stoked! It was the most amazing review to date. I read it three times I was so amazed.

Here's the link in case you're interested: http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A10N3SXIQH0SG7/ref=cm_cr_pr_pdp

In the meantime I continue to work on my next book with the goal of having it published by the end of June 2013. Watch for it!

Today Is A Wonderful Day...

Because it's Tuesday... Right?

No wait. It's Thursday. Po-tay-to, po-tah-to. Anyway, two interesting bits of information.

1. I was recently added to a blog showcasing mormon books and authors, because I am mormon and an author, so I totally qualify (yay!) Anyway, if you or anyone you know would like to read my work, or any other work that generally tells a smut free story (they can be told) here's the place to go: http://www.mormonbooksandauthors.com/search/label/YA

Go take a gander. Then tell all your friends.

2. I had a fan request a set of books who lives in India. Being the awesome fan appreciator that I am, I sent her a set. Heaven help me it cost an arm and a leg. I've sent out no less than twelve sets and all twelve together didn't cost as much as that one package to India. So, until I'm raking in the dough, Ima hafta resort to in country post. Sorry, rest of the world. You can still get it on a kindle/nook/ipad/cell phone.

Anyway, I promise there will not be such a vast span of time before my next post. Pinky promise.

One Month Later...

Wow! Time really flies when you're doing...absolutely nothing.

Well, not nothing so much as not the things I need to be. I've pretty well scrapped success for this semester, and I'm sure one day I'll regret that, but not today.

I have made a goodly amount of progress on my third book, and have almost gotten the cover ready. Yay!

Also, I have also been given the marvelous opportunity to have my books promoted at https://www.facebook.com/MormonBooksandAuthors. They will be on the site by Friday afternoon. It is a vastly valuable resource, and I'm super grateful for the devoted fan from my Facebook page who suggested I check out the site. I am exccedingly grateful for my fans. All three of them. You know who are.

At any rate, this post serves more as an update, thus there is no humor intersperesed as is my usual habit. However, the day is still young. I'm sure something hilarious will happen...

Sorry, Wrong Number. Jerk...

My sweetheart, Mr. D, passed me his cell phone yesterday with a "listen to this." I put the phone to my ear, and my eyes grew wide in horrified surprise as my ears were filled with angry profanities with the occassional word thrown in. Something about her son or job or something. It was hard to filter through the garbage.

So, my sweet husband sends this text to the offensive number: "Not sure who you left 2 messages on this number for but you have the wrong number."

To which she replies: "B*^#@$ quit playing with me. GROW THE F@#$ UP and act like a F&#;$%#$ ADULT! ILL BE UP THERE TO YOUR JOB STUPID A@$ and it ain't gone be nice! Be ready."

My husband is the nicest guy in the world as illustrated by his response: "Seriously dude...check the number...and don't call or text this number again please...we don't use that kind of language. Thank you." Note the "please" and "thank you" this person clearly did not deserve.

She proceeds to call him again and leaves another hate filled threat rant. So I ask for his phone and tell him I will write a text and then hand it back. If he objects to it in any way he didn't need to send it, but writing things down usually makes me feel better even if the letter/text/email/ post never gets sent (thus the reason why I keep a journal).

So I wrote: "For the love! What proof do you need for you to realize the poor bugger (I used another word, but I'm the lesser of the two Davidsons) you're harassing is not at this number. I tried calling you back but your phone goes straight to (user's name here) voicemail."

She called back twice. Mr.D. answered the phone and she hung up both times. She hasn't bothered him since, but here's the dealio - it never occured to her to check the number. Yes, her baby daddy could have been messing with her, but why not check the number, just to be sure. I'm thinking "please" and "thank you" with a comment concerning her lack of language skills should have been an indication she got the number wrong. That or her intended reciever suddenly devolped manners, though which was more likely?

Yeah, that's what I thought.