Push Back Synopsis #1...

Okay my lovelies,

Here is my first blurb for the new book:

 

It's been eight years since Kale disappeared under her stepfather's nose, and in that time she and her husband Adam have made a home and started a family, though not in the way they had expected.

 

The promise of the little girl with green eyes is still a dream, but they face an even greater challenge when Kale's stepfather decides to proceed with his deadly intentions.   

Afraid to face him directly Kale and her family attempt to derail his scheme from the shadows, but when her future is threatened she finally understands what it means to lose everything and decides to push back.

 

Enjoy!

 

P.S. Any feedback would be super-duper appreciated. I'm getting excited!!!

PUSH BACK...

So whilst my little family and I were out of town for a wedding I managed to get an abundance of work done on the new book. To the tune of approximately 5,000 words. It was A-MA-ZING!

With that monumental accomplishment I began to feel that I really can meet my January 13th deadline. All that loomed bleakly over my head after that was the cover art, but for whatever reason our trip was the catalyst for moving things along, and the idea for the cover magically came to my mind.

When I presented the idea to Mr. D. he was less than thrilled, but only because he was hoping I would change my mind on the title. Once he made his peace with the fact that yes - however good, bad, indifferent or corny it may be I'm am sticking with the title he was more agreeable.

SO, without further ado I present to you, my darlings, the cover of my second book:

There Are Days...

When I am exceedingly, and unabashedly productive. They are also far and few between so I take them where I can get them.

Today was one of those days, and I shall dream of today's successes through the night.

Firstly, I got up. In the morning. Sometimes that is a big deal all by itself. After that I did that whole mom/teachery thing. Always a barrel of monkeys.

Now for the good stuff. I collaborated with my cover girl (not the makeup) on the cover for my second book, and it looks A-MAZ-ING. So happy.

After that I reviewed the corrections made by my first draft editor (I shall call her Eagle-Eyes Jerome, and she shall be my eagle eyes), and corrected all the "holes" to "wholes" and added a bunch of "s's" which are my achilles heel. AND THEN, I worked on the book.

I completed over 1,500 hundred words which equates to roughly five pages which, added to the 4,000 words over the last four days, comes to an entire chapter. Holla!

Somebody help me, I'm on fire!

And the neat-o cherry on top of this day o'productiveness? Cast thine eyes to the top right of this page. See that? It's my countdown widget. It's counting down the days until my book's release. And I can look at it without feeling a heavy sense of doom.

One final unrelated note: my son left his coat at my gramma's house over Thanksgiving. Realizing it would probably fit his own son before we got it back, she mailed it to us (so sweet). We got the box today, and it took twenty minutes to open. Every available corner was ducktaped into oblivion. We pretty much destroyed the box in our effort to get to the jacket, and you know what? The ducktape still remains intact. The box, not so much.

Let the Countdown Begin...

They (don't ask me who "they" are) say that when a person makes a goal that person should tell everyone they've ever met about said goal as it encourages accountability. A body is more likely to complete a goal if a lot of people know about it. So, you know, if you succeed they (your friends) can say "yay!"

On the flip side if you fail they can frown, and shake their heads in disapproval.

"That's neat, Random Pants," I hear you all saying, "but what's your point?" Well hold on Impatient! I'm gettin' there.

I registered for my Spring classes this week (come back! I promise I'm not off on a tangent) so my free time is quickly slipping away. Thus, I've made a goal (see, it all comes together). My plan is to have the sequel to Push (Push Back - save your snickers) published by January 13, 2013 - the day before my classes start. That gives me roughly fifty three days (at the time of this post) to complete, edit, and proof my book, and I think I can do it. I'm so confident, in fact, that I'm foolishly posting it here as a declaration to the world. Or to however many people actually read my blog.

I was looking for a countdown widget, but could only find a Mother's Day or World Cup countdown. It was weird. I could continue to search for a widget, but that would cut into my writing time, and nobody wants that. So, unless somebody wants to help me out (hint, hint) you'll all just have to keep count on your fingers.

One last item of business - the word of the day.

Bamboozled.

Courtesy of my buddy C.C.

You're welcome.

Everyone's A Critic...

I must have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, because this thing is tickin' me off more than it really should. However, I plan to run with it.

I am a novice at all this publishy/promoty type stuff, and as such I'm learning as I go. I realize not everyone is going to appreciate my work, some may even think it's garbage, so I've already set to work on growing me some thicker skin. I just never thought I'd get rude comments about...my own review of my own book.

What fresh aggravation is this?! You've taken time out of your busy schedule to comment...on my review?

Huh.

That was just so unnecessary. Have you read my book? I think not, else why would you spend time commenting on the review. If it bothers you that much, don't read it. I'll never know. Tell all your friends your contention over my glowing self-review. Once again I'll never, ever know.

If it "makes you nervous. Very nervous." to see that I've starred my work into outer space, move on. You won't be the only person who doesn't read it, but you will be the only person who get's a blog post devoted entirely to you, rude thing.

So, I guess there's that. Yay for you!

Now I'm gonna go build a bridge, and get over it.

Ask D.P. Davidson...

Questions like: Where can I get a copy of Push for my very owns?

Why you can get one here, dear reader:
http://www.amazon.com/Push-D-P-Davidson/dp/1479344605/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_pap?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1349454172&sr=1-1&keywords=push+d.p.+davidson

Is a preview available?

Absloutely! Right here: https://www.createspace.com/Preview/1110334

Can I get Push as an ebook?

Totally!
Here:
http://www.amazon.com/Push-ebook/dp/B008Z6AM3Q/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1349454172&sr=1-1&keywords=push+d.p.+davidson
Here: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/215210
Here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/push/id555693216?mt=11
And Here:
http://www.diesel-ebooks.com/item/SW00000215210/Davidson-D.-P.-Push/1.html

So many formats! So much excitement! So go read it!

Feel free to pose any other questions you have. I promise, I'll answer them.

Word(s) of the day (thanks to my pal C.C.): cahoots and coup. As in: My pal C.C. and I are in cahoots to raise a coup.

How will you use the words of the day today? Let me know.

A Brief Reminder...

To All My Lovelies:

While Push will be available in paperback very soon (about six days more), you don't have to wait to read it. It is still available as an ebook through Amazon, Smashwords, Apple and Diesel.

http://www.amazon.com/Push-ebook/dp/B008Z6AM3Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1349289338&sr=1-1&keywords=push+d.p.+davidson

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/215210

http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/push/id555693216?mt=11

http://www.diesel-ebooks.com/item/SW00000215210/Davidson-D.-P.-Push/1.html

So enjoy in any format!

Oh right, I forgot to tell you - Push will be available in paperback in about six days. Here's a sneak preview:

https://www.createspace.com/4000891

Say It Ain't So...

I learned a painful truth today - not everyone likes me.

Let me clarify. I have run into a couple of people who don't like me, but it never worried me much. I just figured they 1.) were a big jerk anyway, or 2.) would come to love me once they got to know me.

Evidently number two is not correct.

I know this woman. I like her, we get along, we seem to agree on some things, she's a nice a lady.

She does not like me.

I am thankful that in spite of that fact she has always been civil to me. She's never been unkind, or raised her voice, or been blatantly hateful, but she makes it known that we will never be tight. I had hoped maybe with time she might warm up to me.

Nope.

I'm thinking that's never gonna happen. She made her disregard exceedingly apparent this afternoon. Once again she was not ugly, but I got the message. Have you ever heard "it's not what you say, but how you say it?" That would be incorrect. "Go to hell" in any inflection is still "go to hell."

Now I'm trying not to let it bother me, but frankly, it does. The things she doesn't like about me I cannot change, and I suspect that no matter how friendly we are she will always hold it against me. As a matter of fact I believe that, but for this one thing she would want to be my friend. But like I said, I can't change what she has a problem with.

It's my fault that it bothers me. I let it get to this point. I had hoped that time spent with me might soften her heart, but...

It makes me sad.

Just A Quick Reminder...

I'm giving away five copies of my book Push on Goodreads. Register at here for your chance to win: http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/33682-push

The contest ends Oct. 31, 2012 so hurry and enter for your chance to win!

Good luck!!!

Know What Rhymes With Punctuation...

Aggravation.

If you will direct your eyes to the side bar on the right (other right, goofball) you can read a little about me, like the part where it says I am a writer. This means that I write words that form sentences which morph into paragraphs, and the paragraphs miraculously come together into a little thing I call "a story."

The thing is a story (or anything worth reading, really) also requires punctuation, and that's where things come to a screaming halt - for me.

I spell real good, and I can make good sentences (like them two. See?), but punctuation has me a little beflustered. It's not like the glaringly mispelled word that jumps off the page, screaming for justice, and correction (though sometimes one or two get past my awesome scrutiny, which I'll only catch after I've published the post.)

I'm pretty good with periods because they go at the end of the sentence, but rarely anywhere else. Note I said "rarely" not "never."

I'm also pretty fluent in the placement of question marks. They always land at the end of a sentence, but never anywhere else, like say, the middle. I understand, and am pretty proficient in the usage of quotation marks, and my personal favorite the exclamation point. It's awesome!

But the guy I have a hard time with is the comma. He just seems to show up in the most random places, and I'm not always sure if it's the right places. Like, I use a comma here because...I'm not sure why, but I'm pretty sure one goes there. Also, commas precede buts, and ands, and sos. And sequences, but why? I always understood that a comma was used in those spots to show the sentence was changing direction. Doesn't the presence of the word "but" already indicate a change. What about "and?" Side note: would I place the question mark inside the quotation next to "and" or outside the quotation. It's not a sentence so...Someone help me out here.

I now return to the comma issue.

I remember that a comma is used when two parts of a sentence could be two seperate sentences. However, that is the extent of my recollection, and I used to be really great with grammar. I was a straight up A student. What happened?

I know what happened, but don't get me started.

Anyway, I am a writer, and grammar control is the editors job. If I knew what I was doing an editor would be out of work. I believe that as long as the manuscript I hand over isn't filled with complete grammatical destruction I'm doing pretty well, but I don't want to put the emPHAsis on the wrong syLLAble, so I give my baby off to Mr. D to pretty up. It gives him something to do.

For a long, long time.

Anyhoo, know what else rhymes with punctuation? Procrastination, but I'll write about that later.

Ha!

Liar, Liar, Pants On Fire...

I would like to begin this post with a quote from Spongebob. In the episode, Life of Crime, Spongebob and his big, pink, starfish friend, Patrick, steal a balloon on free balloon day (they are buffoons) and shenanigans ensue. At one point Spongebob gives Patrick a chocolate bar that he immediately consumes. Because he's an idiot, he assumes Spongebob has taken it. He accuses Spongebob of thievery, which Spongebob denies at which point Patrick says, "liar, liar, plants for hire." Spongebob corrects him with, "it's pants on fire." Then Patrick says, "well you would know. Liar."

I'm sure you're wondering where I'm going with this. Well once upon a time I had this friend, I'll call her Preveri...Cate (yeah, let's go with that) and as one does when one has a close friend, I spent a lot of time with her. Unfortunately, I learned that she wasn't the person I thought she was. It happens, I get it, but I also learned that pretty much everything that came out of her mouth was a lie.

I've had to reconsider every story she ever told me about herself, her family, and pretty much everything she ever did that I did not personally witness. Even then I doubt myself. One time, Cate and I were talking about a time she was pregnant, but (insert name of husband # 1) beat her with a bat, and she lost her baby at six months.

I had been to her first three weddings. I knew all three of those husbands. I never had an inkling that any of her husbands were violent so I asked her which husband (she was on # 3 by that point) had beat her. She said it had been during her first marriage.

Hold the phone! I had been around for that entire marriage, and she never told me she was pregnant or had lost a baby. I was her best friend, I was at her house all the time, she told me everything. I think I would have noticed something like a pregnancy or beating. So I asked, "are you sure? Cause I was there through that whole marriage." To which she replied, "maybe it was while I was married to (insert name of husband # 2)."

Granted she had been married several times at the time of our conversation, but I would think she would remember which husband took after her with a bat. Right?

I know, I'm not a quick study. There is no excuse.

It's been over ten years since I realized her pants were on fire, but even after all this time, if I want to relate a funny story she told I have to stop and consider whether or not that story is even true. Even stupid things like an article she read in the paper was a tall tale by the time she shared it with me, but because she was my friend I never felt the need to verify the story. Or any story because I was just that trusting. Besides, who lies about what they read in the paper?!

Now I have to wonder, did she even read the paper? Does she even know how to read? So many questions, but I can't ask her because...she lies. Also, we're no longer friends.

So the problem with a Big Fat Liar is once you realize she (or he, liars are equal opportunity) is a Big Fat Liar, ever after you spend a goodly amount of time reevaluating all the time you spent with said liar. It's a vicious circle.

And the moral of the story is...I'll have to get back to you once I figure that out.

Ooo! Ooo! I know. Read the paper yourself.

Adventures In Publishing...

I am two semesters away from earning my degree. It's a two year degree that's taken me five years to earn, but it will be my degree. I wouldn't recommend pursuing an education while full time homeschool parenting, but one has to work within ones own parameters; learn from me kiddies.

Anyway I have taken this semester off, but do not for one moment think that means I am not getting an education, believe me. I have become exceedingly well versed in the art of self-publishing. Bear in mind these things will not neccessarily be every person's experience, but they're mine. So I will proceed to share with you the things I have learned thus far:

Firstly (and this would maybe be obvious to anyone else, but remember we are talking about me here), the file format for a printed book will not be the same format as an ebook. With the route I have chosen, I needed one file in word and a second in PDF. And it can't just be one file converted to each format. An ebook page presents differently than that of a printed book i.e. three spaces between chapters in a printed book = blank screens on an ereader.

Also, ebooks do not require page numbers for the same reason you don't want too much space between paragraphs or chapters, the pages don't present the same way. But books still need'em because if you lose your place, you get start over. Yay!

Covers for an ebook are simple enough, but if you try to use the same cover format your book comes out "too little towel for so much body" wrong. Covers must be saved in two different formats as well.

Now, with an ebook it's either "lookin good!" or "absolutely not!" when it comes to acceptance. As in, it either meets format expectations 100% or you get to do it again, and again, until you get it right. Printed books are another matter. If you don't put page numbers in your file, guess what - no page numbers in the book. No title or name on the books spine = a clean white spine. Cause and effect, see? However as a self publishing author, the person who has to catch and fix those oopsies is the author (me). Which leads to lots of upload, wait for review, check proof, Crap! That's not right!, correct, upload, wait for review, check proof, What the fig! How did I miss that?, correct, upload, wait for review, check proof, Aw c'mon!, correct, upload, wait for review, check proof (please, please, please) Success!, approve for sale. I'm hoping to be at "Success!" with this next proof.

So much fun... 

Found Any "Goodreads" Lately...

For those of you who are in the know, Goodreads is an online reading community where you can follow your friends libraries, read and or write reviews for books you enjoy, create your own library for others to follow and discover new authors.

I am one of those authors.

One of the wonderful things about Goodreads is they provide an avenue for new authors to share their work. One of the ways they do this is through giveaways. So, Push is being offered in a month long giveaway. For the month of October, anyone who wants to can go to Goodreads and register to win one of five free copies of Push. Add to the mix, I will also sign them in mine own hand.

Here is the link:
http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/33682-push

Also, there is supposed to be a way to add a widget for Goodreads to this blog, however I lack the mental capacity to figure out how. So for now...Go Goodreads!!!

Tell all your friends, don't keep this to yourselves. It's more blessed to give than to keep to thine ownself.

My Head Is About To Explode...

I embarked on a new phase of publishing today. I've submitted my book, Push, to be published in hard copy. That's right, ladies and gentleman, if everything works out one day very soon you too can hold a copy of Push in your very own hands! Commence papercuts in three, two, one...

I was confering with my cover artist today, you can call her Mrs. T, about preparing a print friendly cover out of my ebook cover because I love my book cover. It's perfect in every way, so I want to be sure it can be used in all facets of the book. Well, Mrs.T was helping me out as she so often willingly does, and I was having a bit of a panic attack on the phone. My head was pounding, my ears were ringing and everything was a blur. And I was nauseous.

She was completely enjoying my meltdown.

I can't be upset. If the roles were reversed, I probably would have found things just as comical. I'm crossing my fingers that this book and it's sequel will be successful, but I don't know if I would survive the experience. I feel a coronary coming on right now...

In other news, I will be returning my focus to the second book, forthwith and thus will have something else to focus on lest my head pop from the pressure.

Also, if you find yourself in need of a photographer for weddings, babies or families, I know a couple of really great ones.

Missy Saunders: https://www.facebook.com/missysaundersphotography
Mandie McMurdie: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mandie-McMurdie-Photography/183865058318733
And my cover artist, Sadie Talbot: https://www.facebook.com/SweetSadiePhotography


Shine on you crazy diamonds!

Backspace, Delete, Delete, Delete...

So I'm a writer, see, and as such, I write, so I spend a lot of time on the computer. You'd think this would lead to typing proficiency, right? Well you'd be wrong...at least in my case. In just the last two sentences alone I have had to backspace and delete more times than I care to admit. I just did it again.

Some might say it's simply carelessness in the face of speed or an inability to spell. Once again, you'd be wrong. See, my affliction would be...fat fingers. There, I said it. My name is D.P. Davidson and I have sausages on the ends of my hands.

I remember an episode of Seinfeld where Seinfeld was on a date with a woman who had man hands. It creeped him out when she touched him. I don't have man hands but I do have little smokie fingers. As a matter of fact, my wedding ring is two sizes larger than my husband's, Manly Mr. D.

Thankfully delicate fingers were not on his list of required features in a mate. Actually, there were a lot of things that were not on his list, for which I am grateful. For example: balance, as in the ability to.

Which brings me to my next comment. I fall down. A lot. All the time. As a matter of fact, I was determined to eat a concrete sandwich on Saturday but thankfully managed to fail in that. Mostly.

See, what had happened was Mr. D was taking a walk around the block and I agreed to accompany him on my bicycle (we'll call that mistake # 1). He was walking kind of slow like and in trying to stay with him, I was a wobbling mess (mistake #2). Seeing I had the sense of an infant monkey, he suggested I go ahead, which I went ahead and did, after a fashion. I'd ride away, flip a u-y in the street (bad idea #1) than ride back to him.

A car was coming down the road as I was on my way back to him, so I pulled up onto the sidewalk so I wouldn't get hit or something awful like that. Well then I was in Mr.D's way so I tried to reverse walk my bike into the street (super mistake #3).

I lost my balance and since experience has taught me that fighting the fall just makes it hurt worse when I land, I let myself go...into the street. As a car was coming. Driven by a man who was 1. unconcerned I had fallen in the street and 2. unconcerned that I was still in the street as he drove by.

Had I not pulled myself out of the way, Big Jerk would have run over my head. Mr. D. was dumfounded, not because Butthead McGee almost ran me over but because I made no effort to stop my fall. Man and I have been married over thirteen years. You'd think he'd underdstand that fighting the fall only leads to stitches. He's been there for most of them.

Oh well.

Anyway after my third attempt at death by bicycle, I concluded it was best to just admit I am cyclic-ly challenged. Not all the time mind you, but once we were home, I pushed my bike into the garage, patted it's little white seat and told it I'd see it when I had more protective gear.

Anyone know where I can get a full body helmet?

The Pain In My Backside...

I'm training for a half marathon - was training - until this pain in my hip became too excrutiating to ignore. After two weeks of gimping around, I made an appointment to see an orthopedic doctor. (On a side note, I called the office to make the appointment and the receptionist asked if I would like to come in, two weeks from Tuesday. Why yes, I would love to limp for two more weeks before I see the doctor. Sheesh.)

Anyway, I managed to get in to see the good doctor that same day and after several x-rays wherein I had to pose like Captain Morgan and a frog, pre-leap, I was able to see the guy in the nice white coat.

After he wrenched my leg from side to side asking, "does this hurt? How 'bout this?" he sat down and told me he was thinking tendonitis. He asked if I wanted a cortisone shot and I was like "yeah... cause it hurts," to which he nodded. Then he said we'd try the shot but he wanted me back in a week, just in case it was more like a stress fracture and I was thinking, why not do the MRI right now, but what do I know?

Well now I know that from now on, I will take the MRI first, thank you.

See I've never had a cortisone shot before so when the nurse walked in with the biggest needle I have ever seen in my life, I started thinkin' maybe I'd made the wrong decision. She left that giant needle on the counter so I had some time to really think about the consequences of my decision but my leg really hurt. I've had four children (how much worse could a giant needle be) and I figured if I didn't look, I'd be okay.

Well when the Jolly Green Giant (did I mention the doctor was, no joke, six and a half feet tall) came back, I rolled over and studied the wall while he used some cooling agent on my hip. He kept telling me it "might pinch a little," but I decided if I could keep a conversation going, I would be ok.

He wasn't much for conversation so I conversated for the both of us. Everything was going okay - the needle pinched, as needles do, when all of the sudden. GAH!!!

I have never felt so much pain in my entire life. He must have hit a nerve and liked how it felt because he kept hitting it. I gritted my teeth and prayed for death until he finally pulled the needle from my backside, mentioning there was "a little blood." (Um, you practically impaled me with a jousting lance. I'd be worried if there wasn't blood. Which, by the way, we need to work on our definition of "little.")

Anyway, he asked if I was okay and I nodded as bravely as possible, mentally rattling through every bad word I could think off. Then he left and I cried.

Bravely, I cried bravely. 

My hip hurt so much worse, for the next two days I slept with one pillow under my hip and another between my knees and didn't move the entire night. It was awesome.

My hip feels spades better now but for the lovely bruise where the doctor poked me so I'm pretty sure a stress fracture isn't a concern.

Though, I think I'd take a fracture over a cortisone shot any day.

For Sophia...

If any of you have read my book (Push by D.P. Davidson, you can find it on Amazon and Smashwords) you will have seen "For Sophia" on the title page. I don't know if any of you have wondered who Sophia is but I'm gonna tell you anyway.

Sophia is my brother's youngest daughter. They call her Diva because she is strong-willed and will have her own way, so help her. She gets it from her mother (who uses her power for good). Now for Momma, these are traits to be admired but for Diva, these traits have probably saved her life.

See, the Divine Miss S. came into this world kicking and screaming two months ahead of schedule. She has been a resident at Cook Children's her entire life or seven months. She has good days and bad days and really, really bad days. She has had more surgeries in her young life than everyone in our entire family put together. Her parents made the decision, last month, to allow the doctors to put in a trach because Diva kept pulling her tubes out and strapping her arms down wasn't working anymore.

It has been hard to see my brother's family struggle. He and his wife are at that hospital every day and when they go home they have other children who still need their time and attention. My sweet sister in law, has been amazing and I know she finds that hard to believe. She marches, she stumbles, she cries and then she gets back up and keeps right on moving. I know she is tired, I know my brother is tired but as long as Diva is willing to fight the good fight, they'll be right there.

When you see people you love in pain, you ache too. Especially when you know there's nothing you can do and they have to carry the burden on their own.

My hope is that one day, when she's older, her name in this book will help her to know how much she is loved, that her parents know, right now, how very much they are loved and that they are not forgotten as they forge ahead through fretful days and sleepless nights.

For Sophia...is everything that I can give to them.

Focus, Focus, Focus...

Like many of you, I have stuff to do. Every day.

I also know many of you feel like there just aren't enough hours in a day and I'm going to go out on a limb here and say you're all working really hard to make the hours you have count.

I wish I could say the same but, for whatever reason, I have the attention span of a six month old. Thankfully, I can say this hasn't been a long term affliction but it is a recent one. I can not focus to save my life right now.

Actually, I know the reason. Ever since I published my book, I feel this unbelievable urge to check Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Push-ebook/dp/B008Z6AM3Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1346963483&sr=1-1&keywords=push+d.p.+davidson, Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/215210 and Facebook every fifteen minutes to check my stats and, let me tell you, it really cuts into my day. If my stats are high, I get so excited I break out into an impromptu dance party. If my stats are low, I curl up on my bed and suck my thumb.

If my stats haven't moved, I sit on the couch and wonder what's wrong with me or my book or any number of things that are out of my control. My buddy (who ever after shall be referred to as C.C.) has told me I should limit my stat watching to once a week.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on there. Shouldn't we start slow and easy. I know some people think you should just rip the band-aid off all at once. I am not one of those people. I believe we should just keep the band-aid on until it desintigrates on it's own. Now, I realize for some of you that might be a little unorthadox or...gross but...I can't think of any defense for my position except, I'm a pansy. An obsessive/compulsive pansy.

Don't judge.

Have You Ever Had One Of Those Days....

You know, those days when you leave the house with your shirt on backwards or your skirt is inside out. The day where you've forgotten every appointment you had, which then requires that you leave the house in a mad dash just so you can say you made it at all. It would also be the day you end up at the grocery store three different times for something you forgot.

It's the day when, after your third trip to the grocery store, you find you're short a half cup of milk or one egg and the one ingredient you always have on hand, you know, the one you need for tonight's dinner is just...gone?

Maybe it's the day where you get to your meeting and realize you've left your papers (briefcase, textbook, whatever) at home which also happens to be the day when your entire presentation requires internet access that isn't co-operating.

Yeah, it's been one of those days but at least I caught the shirt thing before I left the house.

Note To Self...

As I just recently published my first book, there are many things that I have already learned and will use for future reference.

First of all, make sure that your name is the same on the cover, the inside page and anywhere else one might look for identification purposes. Now that may seem obvious to you but for whatever reason, it got past me. So I've had to go back and make my name consistent on everything. I haven't had this much trouble with my own name since I got married. At any rate, I think I have it just about sorted out now.

So for anyone who wants to know my official writing-specific identity is D.P. Davidson, author of Push.

Go to Amazon  http://www.amazon.com/Push-ebook/dp/B008Z6AM3Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1346963483&sr=1-1&keywords=push+d.p.+davidson or Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/215210  and find it then read it. Tell all your friends and report back to me, D.P. Davidson. Also, if you find yourself out that way, stop by D.P. Davidson-Author on Facebook and leave me a note or something.

Have a nice day.

Run, Forest, Run...

I was watching Super 8 last night and I decided... I want to be in a movie.

But not just any movie, I want to be in a movie where I get to run and scream and throw myself on the ground to avoid being hit by shrapnel that's airborne after some awesome explosion. I think that would be wicked fun. They wouldn't even need to use slow motion. I would bring my own.

However, the ground would have to be soft because I'm not as young as I used to be and I bruise easy but I can make scared face like nobody's business and I scream really loud, just ask my kids.

It would be so much fun! Imagine running and hiding and screaming and then going home to a safe warm bed. All the adrenaline, none of the therapy. It's a win-win.

Anyone wanna make a movie?

Also, here is a link for my book Push:
http://www.amazon.com/Push-ebook/dp/B008Z6AM3Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346018355&sr=8-1&keywords=push+d.p.+davidson

Read it, love it, review it, impatiently await the second half.

Carry on

What Doesn't Kill You, Makes You Stronger...

Or succeeds the second time.

I signed up for a half marathon in July. Been training ever since. The race isn't until the middle of September so I have time yet to work on getting faster. I will never be as fast as my current running buddy (or any of my past buddies for that matter) but really, I should only be competing with myself. It should be easy as I am a slow runner.

At any rate, my buddy and I attempted ten miles this morning and...well let's say it won't be difficult to beat that time next try. I could crawl faster. Matter of fact, next time I think I will crawl. To be fair, I think I tore my right gluteus maximus muscle. For those of you with limited anatomical knowledge, my bum hurts. A lot. Like I'll be icing then heating it until Monday. Who's ideas was it to sign up for this half marathon anyway!?

Oh yeah, mine.

The problem is that when I signed up I was thinking "thirteen miles, I can do that" when what I should have been thinking was "run for three hours. Are you crazy!?"

It seemed like a good idea at the time.

Soylent Green Revisited

One of my earliest posts covered my belief that ham tastes like people and for that reason, I don't eat ham. Time and again the question I am asked immediately after my people/ham assertion is how I know what people taste like. Well, I'll tell you.

I chew my fingers. Now before you get started I know, it's a nasty habit. Painful, too but I gnaw on them when I'm nervous. So lately...lets just say I'm keeping Bandaid in business. My brother JIP has this same habit and we learned it from our mother. Now we're both aware enough that we've nipped it in the bud when we've seen our children do it but he and I still struggle. He carries bandages in his wallet so he can cover his fingers up before he destroys them. I'm not such a quick study.

For instance, several years ago I was talking to a friend but she was so fascinated/focused/disgusted by the state of my thumb, she couldn't follow what I was saying. To be fair, it did look heinous and it hurt like a bad dog but, you know, habits.

I've tried various deterants: Bandaids- they only made my fingers sticky and linty, socks on my paws-they got in the way, vigilant daughter-I just ignored her. So now I'm going to try piano lessons. Maybe knowing I have to use my finger tips will help me leave them alone.

It's worth a try, right?

Push Is Now Available On the ipad.

I don't have one so I'm not sure how that works but yay! I haven't had many takers of my book for a couple of days but I'm staying positive. At this rate, Mr. D. and I will be able to go out for a nice dinner. Not too bad, I think.

On to other business... My aunt keeps an eye on me through this here blog, which I am ever so thankful for. She's already helped me fix my computer's clock issue (thanks B!) and given me a tip for how to survive my cough and still be conscious. Ahhh, the marvels of technology.

In other news, I changed the synopsis for my book on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Push-ebook/dp/B008Z6AM3Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1346963483&sr=1-1&keywords=push+d.p.+davidson and Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/215210 so hopefully it will me more of an attention grabber instead of a snooze fest. It's an awesome book, I swear! Even if I do say so myself.

That's all I have to report right now. Stay tuned for further updates.

I Know How Cough Syrup Works...

I have this cough. It's an annoying and sometimes painful cough that really only succeeds in giving me a headache and testing my incontinance (I've had four children). I've been to the doctor twice now, my latest visit being yesterday.

At this visit I was prescribed an antibiotic (check), a precription cough syrup (check) and a shot of antibiotic in my aft end (chec...what?!). Whatever, he's the doctor. Anyway, I left his office with scrips in hand, happy that my cough might soon be bested. Also, I gave a healthy dose of self promotion for my book, Push by D.P. Davidson found on Amazon and Smashwords (oops, I did it again).

Anyway, the good doctor warned me that the cough syrup "might make you drowsy." I wasn't too worried because this cough has kept me awake for the last four weeks. Yes, I know, I should have seen the doc well before now. At any rate, I filled my prescriptions then, after a cough attack, went ahead and took a dose of that cough syrup.

I don't remember much after that. After only a half dose (it's a suspension and they gave me one of those neat measure spoon things. Suspensions are thick and I didn't feel like waiting the tens minutes necessary for it all to drip from the spoon into my mouth) I was out for three hours.

So cough syrup of prescription grade basically puts you in a coma until the antibiotic sorts things out.

I slept really well last night but early this afternoon I started aother coughing jag and I had to decide which was worse, the cough or the coma.

I can't believe it's four o'clock already. Where does the time go?

This Is Push...

This has been a crazy weekend. I have done my level best to not check my stats twenty times a day and I have been marginally successful. I only check them nineteen times. It's all so exciting!

At any rate, Push has done pretty well for it's first few days and I know it has everything to do with the support of my friends and family who have run right out and gotten themselves a copy on threat of excruciating pain...I mean because they love me. I haven't had any negative reviews yet so I still have time to nurture a thick skin.

While I have your attention, I have a fan page on Facebook (created by my pal Chris) so if you find yourself out that way and need something to "like" I suggest you go there. It's D.P. Davidson-Author. Head on over.

Last on the list of things to post about, I just changed the background and font for this blog. I'm not sure how I feel about it. Specifically, the font. It kind of makes my eyes hurt. Is it just me? Let me know what you think. I don't need anybody having a seizure because they tried to read my posts.

I suppose that's all I have to report at the moment. Oh wait, one more thing. I tried the whole "set the clock forward to try and outsmart the computer" thing and all it's done is caused me panic when I look down and see the time. Luckily, my watch reminds me that it's the reliable one.

 

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Push-ebook/dp/B008Z6AM3Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1346963483&sr=1-1&keywords=push+d.p.+davidson

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/215210

Random Rant #3

My computer and I are on the outs.

Our relationship is still fairly new, not even a year old and it's already left me high and dry. We went to counseling and changed some broken hardware then began with a renewed sense of purpose. I thought we would be okay but lately we've been having a severe time related miscommunication issue.

When I say it's, say, 9:15 (a.m. or p.m. isn't an issue) the computer insists it is 7:15. So I implement a change and we're together on the time again. Then several days later, I will find I've lost two hours again. Why does this keep happening?

It's always losese exactly two hours. It's so annoying...

I just had an idea. I'll move the clock forward two hours so when it loses two hours, the time will be right. I'm brilliant!

Push Is On Amazon...

That's right, you can now find my awesome first foray into literature on Amazon. Here is the link:
http://www.amazon.com/Push-ebook/dp/B008Z6AM3Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345297145&sr=1-1&keywords=Push+D.P.+Davidson

I am over the moon about the whole thing. It has been an amazing three days. Here's hoping to a few more...

The Day Started Out Like Any Other...

But by the end, I had published a book!

It has been an amazing two days. I published my book, Push on Wednesday and it's been madness ever since. My girl Chris created a Facebook page (D.P. Davidson-Author, in case you wanted to know) and I already have twenty one "likes". I like being liked!

Also, my book has already been downloaded twenty times! I am amazed by all of the support I have been getting and the reviews have been wonderful. The very best part is knowing my book is out there. I don't expect to be famous (in spite of all my braggart-y ways) I just want people to love my characters and their story like I do. So far so good.

So now we sit at the start of the rollercoaster ride. The attendant has pressed the button and here we goooooooooo!!!

Push at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Push-ebook/dp/B008Z6AM3Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1346963483&sr=1-1&keywords=push+d.p.+davidson
and Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/215210

I've Published My First Book!

Online anyway. It's on Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/215210 and I'm nauseous. I have high hopes. Too nervous to write now but I'll get back to you.

Random Rant #2

I hate technology with a purple passion that rages with the heat of a thousand suns. Mr. D finds my aversion rather annoying.

If I had my way, our van would have windows that roll down by hand, the gas gauge would have an actual needle and the doors would require the key to lock/ unlock them. However, newer vehicles do not come that way. Not even the cheaper models.

When Mr. D went to buy a new car a couple of years back, he wanted to get automatic windows and doors. On a Yaris. I said "absolutely not! If you can't manage this...( I leaned slightly to the left and turned an imaginary handle) you shouldn't be driving."

My sister in law and several friends balk at the fact that I have to open and close my van's sliding door myself instead of by the push of a button. I like it that way and do you know why? Because the more electronic junk you have in your car, the more impossible it becomes to use said vehicle when the electronics begin to poop out. And electronics do poop out.

For example, we purchased an older van several years ago. When the electrical system began to fail, the windows wouldn't roll down. The interior lights wouldn't turn off, then they wouldn't turn on. The gas guage stopped keeping track of how much gas I had. The brake lights wouldn't turn off (even when I disconnected the battery) and the doors would not unlock.That one was the most fun.

I would have to push the button of the fob and pull up the handle at the same time, just to open the driver door. Then we all had to pile in from there. I had two little people and I was pregnant with the third. So, the next van we got had the bare minimum of automatic-y things. I do not wish for more.

Then there was the laptop. I needed the laptop for school. Don't get me wrong, I am thankful one can get an education from home and the computer facilitates that, but woe be unto the student whose computer dies two days before classes start. If you take classes online, you HAVE to have a computer. Or you could spend the semester at the library, I guess, but then the convenience of online classes flies right out the window.

Then there is the cell phone. I felt upgraded when I got a QWERTY keyboard on my phone. I thought it was neat that I could take pictures. I'm a simple woman, so it doesn't take much to entertain me and really, making calls, taking pictures and texting is all I can manage, but no, Mr. D wanted to upgrade.

Now I have a new phone that does everything under the sun, including breaking when it's dropped. Used to be you could drop your phone and kick it across the parking lot and it would be fine. Now it freaks out if it's dropped from your lap to the ground as you step from the van.

Yes, I've already dropped it.

I'm already becoming dependant on that phone. I used it to find a Dairy Queen yesterday. I'm also attached to the scripture app. It worries me that I am looking to that phone for so many things because, inevitably, it's going to fail me and then I'll be up a creek.

So maybe it's not necessarily technology that I hate, it's becoming dependant on it that I find so aggravating.

I need my pen and paper.

To Phoenix and Peanut...

Dear Puppies,
I just wanted to let you know that the Davidson family loves and misses you. I never understood why people would be so upset about the loss of a pet. I mean, they're just dogs (cats, fish, hamsters, etc.) but unfortunately I understand now. I knew you wouldn't be around forever (though sometimes it seemed like it would be) but I never imagined you would be gone so soon. Too soon. Like "I feel cheated" soon.

Peanut, I'm sorry I didn't stick around to say good-bye. I thought it would be easier. It wasn't.

Phoenix, I'm sorry I did stick around to say goodbye. I thought it would be better. It wasn't.

There was no good way.

The vet had me sign a paper saying I understood that once it  was done, it could not be indone. I kind of laughed when she said it but she said I would be suprised how many people wanted to take it back. Once again, I understood. All the way home and for two days, I wished I could take it back. It just wasn't fair to any of us.

I thought we were all doing okay when I took the kids to the Petsmart. We were all missing you two so I thought it would help if we just went to see. It always seems like a good idea at the time. We were doing fine until we saw a black lab with the same white patch on her chest as Phoenix. Then we couldn't get out of there fast enough.

One day we want another dog, not to replace you, but because we feel cheated. As annoying as you two sometimes were, we were in it for the long haul but we didn't even have you for a year. What's worse is neither of you made it to a year either.

Eeny is sure that all lost pets will return at the resurrection and Phoenix and Peanut will be at the front of the line. I hope so.

I'll be waiting.

Time Flies...

When you're busting your hinder trying to get everything done.

I was looking through the blogs of other family and friends when I remembered I have a blog as well. Oops! When I looked me up I realized I haven't blogged since last semester. Sheesh! Where does the time go? Oh yeah, away.

So this semester (being the Spring semester) is drawing to  close and not a moment too soon. I'm about all out of energy. As such, I have decided it would be best for everyone involved if I take the next semester off. I'm burned out and need a break but don't think that means I'm taking up soap operas and bon bon snacking, no siree. I plan to spend a goodly amount of my newly aquired time, writing all the marvelous stories I've been dreaming up.

Also, I plan to take up Mexican folk dancing. Watch me.

So, be looking for more posts, more random rants, more things that seemed like a good idea at the time. Woot!