**HOPE**



Willow Tree: Angel of Hope

 The "Angel of Hope" (pictured) is a recent gift from a friend for having self-published my first novel, Run Like Hell.  I currently don't have a collection of Willow Tree figurines but I love her thoughtfulness & selection.  Hope reflects where I'm at in my life. 

Hope.  Of course, I hope to be a NY Times best-selling author, I hope to be Amazon's Top 100 book pics, I hope to continue entertaining readers.

This beautiful little angel sits atop my desk, a reminder of what to strive for.  To continue writing, doing what I love to do, enjoying life and the view from my wonderful, sunny window.

I hope you enjoy the ride with me.

Elena

A Sherbert Rainbow of Book Covers!

Ok - similiar to the last post, I'm looking for fan faves for COLOR!  Be honest - do you favor blue, green, white, pink...and why?  Any particular impression the color provides, a feeling it ilicits?  The below covers were created by @JohnMCokerArt.  Don't be shy - say "Hi" and follow him on Twitter.  He's friendly, I promise.  And please visit Amazon or B&N for Run Like Hell - now available.

1) Pink

2) Pink w/ B&W

3) Lavender



4) White



5) Blue

6) Green

COVERS * COVERS * COVERS * COVERS

Run Like Hell is my debut novel.  And, with many debut novels, there are many people involved with the process.  I would like to take a moment to thank the contributors for the below eBook covers. I think they did an incredible job and I love their vision for my young adult thriller.

I would love your feedback on these covers as well.  Please email me or post a comment below indicating your fave.

Run Like Hell is on sale now for $1.99 on either Amazon or B&N - your Kindle or Nook will love you for the purchase.  As will I.  Read & Enjoy.




Cover A) Created by Booktalk.com or @Booktalk_Buzz

 


Cover B) Created by @JohnMCokerArt




Cover C) Created by @AutumnHeart



WOW!

Do you ever have a moment when you think, "Wow, I can't believe I did that?!" But in the good, exhilarated way  (not the palm to forehead "duh!" moment).  I'm talking High-Five, Slap-me-some-skin, holler at the top of your lungs and throw your arms in the air for victory moment.  Well - here's one of mine. 

My debut eBook!  Go ahead and share my excitement by reading it.  The "real" book cover is still pending but here's a stand-in for now.  And (equally WOW!) - Heather Graham - author of over 150 books!! - reviewed my book!

"Elena Andrews' Run Like Hell is a spectacular debut. Suspenseful, with beautifully drawn characters--this is a wonderful new voice in fiction!"
Heather Graham, New York Times Best-Selling Author

Buy for Nook

Buy for Kindle

Happy!

Candy Makes Me Happy!

In 2011 I read a book about Happiness (The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin) only to realize - I am Happy!  Sounds silly, but sometimes we need to take a step back and really think, "What makes me happy?"

It's not always the amount of $$ in our accounts, or the vacations we take.  For me, it's simple stuff.

Candy.  The sweet stuff is an all-time favorite of mine since I was a kid --any kind too (except Snow Caps, black licorice, orange peanuts, and...maybe a few others but they don't come to mind). 

Kids.  Yes, they have their trying moments but even if they're not my own - kids are hilarious!  I take the good and overlook the bad (most of the time).

Pets.  How often do you find yourself saying "awww" when you see a cute animal?  OMG, I do it all the time.  And I love visiting the local animal shelter to pet an adoptable animal, take one on a walk, or just watch their silly antics.  I have pets at home and they make me laugh ALL.THE.TIME.  Love em!

Outdoors. My desk is in the sunniest spot in the house.  I love being outside - hiking, mowing the lawn, gardening, or simply playing a sport.  Nothing tops a beautiful sunny day.

I could greatly expand on this list but I'm keeping it short today.

Overall, keep it simple when it comes to life.  Enjoy the small stuff and you'll find yourself smiling more. 

Standing On the Threshold

I've been writing Run Like Hell since July 2011.  An idea that came to me and has lived in me for months now.  I've edited, edited, and edited - sent out for editing, and then re-edited.  Now it's time to let it go...

The eBook is almost ready - a final review, the cover is being created as I write, and then it will be posted on Amazon.

I'm excited about this journey - excited and scared.  I read many blogs & articles about author's and their writing journey's.  Now that I'm on the threshold of self-publication I'm hesitant to jump off the diving board. 

The pool of reviews, comments, feedback - whether good or bad, is daunting.  Criticism can be paralyzing.  Praise can detrimental - making one complacent.  How will I deal with the feedback?  Thick skin?  Too sensitive?  Time will tell.

I know I have to jump in.  I'm about to.  Once the cover is completed I will have my book listed on Amazon and will be following up shortly after with eBook #2 which I am currently editing.

Many thanks go out to my husband, my mother, my brother, and close friends!  This has been an incredible journey and I continue to forge ahead in my writing career, despite the feedback that will soon come.

Thank you all for your support and please download a copy of Run Like Hell as soon as it's available.

Happy Reading,

Elena

New Year = Better Me

January 2012.  It's finally arrived.

I'm focused on becoming a better version of myself.

Last year I resolved to be happier, based on the acclaimed book The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.  Gretchen's book filled a void for me in 2010 when my life was stressful due to a demanding and tumultuous job.  Her book influenced my life in 2011 and the stress swept away (as did the job!) and I learned to appreciate the smaller things in life.

This year I resolve to be better - a better writer, a better mother, a better wife, a better friend.

Be a better writer - in December I took an amazing online editing class and received many tips on tightening my writing, enhancing dialogue, "show don't tell", and how to incorporate sight, smell and sound into my stories.  All these tips I plan on carrying over and improving in 2012. 

Be a better mother - I have three sons and some days I tuck them in at night and think, "I've been home with them all day yet I haven't spent any time with any of them."  Little moments - reading a book, helping them with homework, sitting beside them and listening to their day - need to be cherished rather than overlooked.  I'm often stretched to my limits but I need to drop what I'm doing and focus on each of them, even if it's fifteen minutes.

Be a better wife - My husband and I have committed to once-a-month-date-night.  Okay, "once a month" may cause alarm but it's a step in the right direction.  We rarely go out without the kids but we realize the importance of maintaining our relationship and interests.  We've been happy with our at-home-date-nights this past year but now desire something new & different.  For instance, there's a Sands casino an hour away that I'd like to go to - eat out, play some slots...sounds like a date to me.

Be a better friend - I admit I've put friendship on my priority list this past year and have reaped the rewards.  Nothing beats a gut-busting laugh fest.  Yesterday my friend dropped her kids off and her ridiculousness (her one-car New Year's Day parade) had me laughing the rest of the day each time I thought about her waving at my neighbors through her sunroof.  Silly, but just the right medicine for happiness and a better me.  In turn, I resolve to listen better.  I find I'm alone alot of the time that when I have company I'm desperate to talk! 

May the journey begin!

Health, Wellness & Happiness to all - Happy New Year!

Elena