Helpful link for fledgling writers

I apologize. It has been a while since I have written but that is life. Writing, like any other hobby or career, takes work. You need to practice daily in order to get better. On top of writing and editing my Totem series, I have been enrolling in FREE online classes to help me become a better writer!

I have been enjoying the writing fiction class so much that I decided to share the wealth on my blog today! Here is the link to 19 courses you can utilize as a new writer!



https://www.class-central.com/report/writing-free-online-courses/

Happy Halloween!

EM

Update and helpful links

I completed writing Fleur de Lis!

     Nothing feels as satisfying as completing the last page of a book. In my case, the last page was completed months ago, I just had to connect everything in between. (I am not a linear writer. I will explain in another post sometime.)

   One of the most important things to know/understand for any writer is your book is not done after you are finished writing. Now you must edit, edit, edit. Then you will send it out to beta readers to get their input. Then edit some more. After that, let it sit for a while. Then edit again. Atleast that is my process.

   AFTER that, then I will look to send it off to agents. However, here is the dilemma. Fleur de Lis is a sequel to Totem. I have only sent Totem out to 5 agents (believe me that is not a lot) and have only received 3 rejection letters. This is ok. Getting an agent to bite is like winning the lottery. So I will continue to make Totem better while finishing the first round of edits to Fleur de Lis (have 60 more pages to edit FYI hence why I have been absent from my blog). Then, I will send off again...

   In the mean time, I continue to try and further my fledgling skills as a writer. Through some very helpful feed back, I was able to search for links and web sites to help me out and want to pass them on. Here they are:

https://www.class-central.com/report/writing-free-online-courses/

http://www.reddit.com/r/writing/comments/2dlgvs/how_do_i_get_better_at_showing_and_not_telling/

Best of luck and hope to have a better blog next weak!

Lost of Love,

EM   

Four Days in New Orleans was not enough!

      Our mainland visit was a three state tour where we mostly paraded around our new baby daughter. One of the stops being New Orleans where we spent four nights. My reason for a pilgrimage back to the city I love was so that I could be a bridesmaid in a family friend's wedding. It was an honor I was eager to undertake seeing as I introduced the couple and take sole responsibility (Ashley, the bride, agrees)! What I learned was that four nights was not enough time!
     Despite seeing about 100 friends I haven't seen since I moved (yes about 100) and having ample time on Bourbon Street (1 night was more than enough when you previously lived in the city for 9 years), I found myself missing the thing I knew I would miss most and that is just LIVING there.
    New Orleans is what I consider a big "small" town. What I mean is although it is a major city, it still has the small town feel. Going to the store meant potentially running into some one I know. In fact, the hairdresser doing my hair for the wedding married someone I had a class with when I was a freshman in college. It is a small, small world in New Orleans.
    Not only that, but the connections and friendships I have made are life lasting. My friends accept me as family. In fact, their families accept me as family. They have openly welcomed me into their lives and I am greeted with warmth every time I return. I would like to say that I am special. I am the exception to the rule. They welcome me into their household because I am just that awesome, but I am not. They do it for everyone. Every friend their children have becomes their friends. Then, the lasting friendships turn into family and that is something I greatly miss. I miss that sense of community. I miss that sense of family.
      Sure, Mardi Gras is a blast!!! Bourbon Street has it's moments of brilliance but has mostly faded into obscurity as I got older. The food is incredible (probably the second thing I miss most), but what I truly miss is the since of family that seems to be so embedded in the New Orleans culture.
     I attended school there. I played soccer on multiple teams. I coached soccer. I had a full time job in a big place. I did sorority alumni things and extra work in movies. I took my dogs to the dog park. I have built a whole life with a community that has a since of family and fun.
     It is a side of New Orleans that tourists do not see that I miss most. It is what gives New Orleans that extra spark that tourists see looking in but can't figure out what it is. It is a secret that they keep that outsiders don't get. Some call it Southern charm, but I like to think of it just as family. This is why I consider New Orleans to be my true home especially since it is the longest place I have lived thus far in my life (being a military brat is a lot of moving).

Lots of Love from a homesick New Orleanian,

E.M.

Frenchmarket crack down

     I recently made a pilgrimage back to the town I love the most! NEW ORLEANS! This experience was different as I had my tiny little Writer's Block (aka baby daughter Noey) in tote. So I decided to do the "tourist thing" and spend a morning exploring the French Quarter. This led me to my final destination of the French Market.
     One thing I can say that was positive about hurricane Katrina is it caused this area to be revamped! Yay! Before the storm, it was grungy and the booths were ill-fitted messes that squeezed into every available crevice of the place. Often you could smell a faint odor of pee from the drunken idiots the night before "marking their territory" (honestly do that by the Mississippi River if you need to pee and everything's closed. lol) Now, there is a farmer's market section with snack booths. Then there is a separate section for trinkets, nick-nacks and tourist type stuff. Did I mention the CLEAN public restrooms?! Happy Day!
     It has come a long way and I recommend anyone who needs to get "gifts" for people from your vacation go here because it is substantially cheaper than the stores in the Quarter. With that said, when did they start NOT haggling the prices?! I bought 5 magnets for friends at one booth. I had cash (which  means they don't have a paper trail). I asked the pushy, old Asian woman if I could wave the 45 cent tax and she looked at me annoyed and said NO. Normally, I would have switched booths, but I was in a hurry, so I threw an extra dollar her way and called it a day, but I was highly annoyed.
    As I walked around, I noticed all the booths do it now. Maybe they are cracking down on it? I don't know but I will forever miss the days of haggling and saving that measly 45 cents. It's not about the money, it's about the feeling that I got a good deal.
    Despite my minor complaint (a silly one anyway), I love the NEW IMPROVED French Market and think its a destination stop for any tourist visiting New Orleans. I recommend perusing the merchandise while sipping on an Alcoholic Banana's Smoothie you can purchase there.

  Much more New Orleans and vacation blogs to come in the next few weeks!

Lots of Love,

E.M.

From now on my baby will be referred to as Writer's Block!

 

    As I finish up my second book, I am severely aware of how much harder it is to write when you have a baby. Writing is very much a creative process. As with any creative process, inspiration can hit you any given moment. Usually, one can take a few minutes out of their day and jot it down or write a few pages whenever the spirit moves you. That creative license goes out the window when you have a baby.
    That window of writing gets even smaller when you have a husband owned by the army. Military tends to capitalize on much of his free time with no set schedule. So I find time to write in between taking care of my baby daughter (aka Writer's Block) which is a full time 24/7 type of job, maintaining the house (laundry, cleaning, dogs, meals, etc.), and writing. In the grand scheme of my life, writing seems to be taking a back seat at the moment.
   Honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way. I love being able to have the opportunity to be home with my daughter. I love (most of the time) that I can hold her whenever she needs me to and put her to sleep at night. I love that we can play and learn together and am very blessed that my husband has provided me with the opportunity to stay at home with her. In return though, I keep my end of the deal by maintaining the house.
     After I do my daily routine (only able to write small amounts during sleepy time when chores are done like now), I relax for an hour writing. Its is a small amount, but I am grateful for the nights I am able to sit down and write.
    So my miniscule followers, be patient with me. I am a new mommy navigating uncharted territories in my life, but am very optimistic about all the books I plan to write. They will come into existence, but evolution sometimes is a slow process.

    Until next blog,
     Lots of Love,
                      
                       E.M.

Greetings everyone! I have no witty blog this week opting instead to work on the SECOND book in the TOTEM series called Fleur De Lis. As  a little treat (or not depending on your preference), here is a clip from TOTEM. Enjoy!

Lots of Love,

E.M.


P.S. feel free to leave editorial comments if you want. As a non-English major, I am constantly open to help from qualified people! :)

TOTEM

     Michelle had retold the double date time and time again throughout the week. It was a fall back topic when we had nothing else to talk about. She tried to blame her new obsession on me, but I knew it was her uncertainty with Daniel that brought it to the forefront. Just the thought that they tried to set me and Jake up even though the whole time there was some ulterior motive made me smile whenever I thought about it. To a degree, it did work. Jake and I have become closer and text all the time now. We even had lunch together. It was nice getting to know a new person. What made it nice was because it was Jake. He was easy to talk to and was always polite. He was just comfortable. There was no other way to describe it. Slowly we were becoming friends.

Now I stand Thursday morning on a volleyball court listening to Michelle obsess about Saturday for what feels like the hundredth time. I roll my eyes as she talks freely even though the game has begun. Secretly I wish we were on opposite teams today.

“I just don’t know what that kiss meant,” states Michelle as she finally finishes her sentence. It was a sentence set on repeat for the past five days.

“Michelle,” I begin my lecture then suddenly stops. “No, you know what? Screw him.”

Michelle’s expression was priceless. For once, I did not care what came out of my mouth as the blood boiled up inside of me. I removed the filter that I had been working so hard to keep in place these last few weeks and let it all out.

“You have been complaining about this since our double date on Saturday and I am tired of it. I am tired of it because you are a strong, beautiful young woman. So what if Daniel didn’t text more than twice this week. He is stacked up on classes trying to graduate early. So what if you guys had a hot kiss. There are plenty of guys who would jump at the chance to be in Daniel’s position and if he can’t appreciate or make time for what he has in front of him. Then screw him. Kick him to the curb.”

Resolved in my bold answer, I rotate leaving Michelle on the front row puzzled and pondering my thoughts. I had tried lulling Michelle hoping she would stop talking about Daniel but that did not work. Tough love it would have to be. Hopefully she got the point.

I grab the ball and head back to my spot. I was still fuming from my brief soap box stance on Daniel and Michelle. The little streak of Irish in me had come out and I could feel my cheeks turning red as I try to cool down. I yell out the score before hitting the ball sending it over the net. In the brief time it took the ball to travel in the air, I scan our opponents for the day. What has now become natural for me, I look for Ty’s handsome face out of the crowd. It was now programmed response for me.

However, most of the time, when I look for him, he is not staring directly back at me. I meet his eyes as he shoots me an award winning smile that still makes me melt. Someone on the other side hits the ball, but I am not paying attention. I am frozen on the spot caught in his gaze as I return his smile. He nods his head at me then breaks our gaze as he hits the ball up in the air. With his stare no longer holding me in place, I am free to move once more.

Why does he affect me so? I think to myself.

It is a question that has no answer. The only slight answer I could give to it is lust. I was infatuated with this man and it was my first case of hardcore infatuation. Each time I saw him, I longed for his touch, but it was all physical. I did not know the man that rested inside of him. Not knowing him personally made it easier to keep my hormones in check knowing that he seems immune to me. From what I could tell, I did not affect him the way he affected me. Class after class, I would watch him. I would disguise it as if I was scanning the crowd or calculating a move against the other team, but it was all for him. It was all so I could see his face. I don’t know what would happen if I found out Ty felt otherwise about me.

After a long game and very little spoken from a pondering Michelle, I grab a drink of water from the fountain. Since the one in the hallway has become the common one to use and is always crowded, Michelle and I ventured away discovering the one in the women’s locker room off the side of the gym. It’s a little further away, but usually by the time we get water and head back, we are quicker than the line at the fountain. We walk together through the double doors.

“You’re right,” states Michelle breaking the silence. “Screw him.”

I smile as I sip the cool water coming out of the fountain. I nod at Michelle then turn and open up the door out of the locker room. Immediately I am drawn to a halt as I am face to face with the one person who makes my heart skip a beat. He smiles a brilliant smile. I am so close I could see the little beads of sweat that form on his perfect forehead. My mouth opens allowing more air to fuel my quickening heart. His eyes are locked on me.

“Oh hi Ty,” states Michelle nudging me as she walks out the door.

She shoots my one sly smile as she walks back into the gym leaving me alone with Ty. Secretly I wish she would have stayed, but at the same time, I wanted to be alone with him.

“I heard what you told Michelle on the volleyball court,” states Ty.

“How?”

“You were kind of loud,” replies Ty with a smile. “It was actually kind of funny. Yet, it was awesome to see how much you care for her.”

I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. I open my mouth slightly to allow more air to pass into my lungs and fuel my heart. Ty keeps his gaze on me. His face was unreadable. My mind races over all the possibilities that could be lurking behind his handsome guise.

“What are you doing after class?” asks Ty.

“I have a break until two.”

“Want to go grab some lunch?”

The words left his mouth and I had to will my mind to believe I was not dreaming. Emphatically, I nod my head. It was all I could do to keep from grinning like a crazy person. He shoots one more brilliant smile before walking back into the gym. I pause a few seconds before I follow. As soon as I return to class, Michelle is immediately by my side.

“What did he want?” asks Michelle

“He wants to go to lunch,” I state the words not believing them to be true.

Never Judge a Book by it's Cover

     Earlier this week, I went to the track to do my normal 2 mile run. As I push my 4 month old daughter along in the stroller, I notice two women with one stroller running. Both the women were not what I would think of when I think of "runners". They were a bit bigger and their legs weren't the finely toned ones I associate with that of an avid jogger, but they quickly surprised me with their speed.
   I should note that since the birth of my daughter, I have been attempting to get back in shape. This task has proven very challenging as the military schedule my husband has makes me feel like a single parent more days than not. However, I have been diligently going to the track, daughter in tote, and putting feet to pavement as I jog circles. (The track is ALOT smoother than pavement for the stroller. Take note other moms.)
     The day I am talking about was a day that me and these two women began our work out at relatively the same time. I stretched, locked the front wheel up on the stroller, set my IPhone to the Nike running app, and began. The women began a 100 meters in front of me. I thought I would catch up to them in NO TIME, but to my surprise, it was not until I was almost done the first mile that I passed them. Even when I got finished the second mile, I look back and to my surprise they were only 100 meters behind me.
   Then I got to thinking about how their outer appearance misled me to the conclusion that they would not keep up with me. Yes, I am a bit slower than I was pre-baby, but I do not classify myself as "slow" per say. To me, they looked like they would be slow, but I was dead wrong. This led me to a HUGE reminder NEVER to judge a book by it's cover with people AND with books.
    As a society, we make our first impression by how we look and act outwardly. While first impressions CAN be very much true and indicative of the human soul behind the face, it is not always the case. Yet, we judge them.
    It is the same with books. A lot of times in the publishing industry, a book cover can make or break you. As I lean more and more to the conclusion that I might have to become an indy author, I am faced with having to design my own cover. (Yes, I could pay someone, but I am going to be flat out honest and tell you I don't have the money. NOR do I think it is a good utilization of my resources at this point in time.)
    So I am left to my own whimsical and at times self judgmental perspective as to what I want the world to judge my book on... :( What do I want everyone's first impression to be? It is almost easier writing and intensely editing than to pick a cover because, like I realized the other day, I am just as much a slave to judging a book by it's cover as everyone else.
    Wish me luck. Maybe I will purchase an indy book this weekend who's cover I am not a fan of. It could surprise me just like these two awesome women did. (FYI ANYONE who works out and attempts to better themselves is awesome in my book! AND that book has no cover.)

Lots of love and wish me luck in Cover scheming for TOTEM!

E.M.Lathrop

Writing a Novel is like Training for a Marathon

    The other day, I was lacing up my shoes to go for a jog. As usual, my mind wonders to writing and that is when it hit me, writing a novel is a lot like training for a marathon.

    First, you get an idea in your head that just won't go away. It sparks a whole train of thoughts. You begin to think 'Yes I can write a Novel. My character's are awesome!' 'Yes I can run a marathon! Everyone should do it in their lifetime.'

     You research it. You look at the genre you want to write in. You look at the topics that your book will cover. You begin to look at different running shoes. You look at different training programs to prepare your for a marathon.

     You come up with a game plan. You sit down and outline your story. You find a running program. (I personally used Hal Higdon's and recommend it to any runner.)

     You begin. You sit down to your computer (or pin and paper) and begin writing. You lace up those new running shoes and set up your gps for a run.

    You realize your out of shape. Writing is tough. It takes jut as much practice and training as running. Speaking of which, your running is lacking.

     You push on. Stubbornness sometimes is a person's best friend. In my case, I am very stubborn so I write and I run through the pain.

     You get better. You go longer. You write more. Writing sessions begin to span over hours and not just minutes. You begin to get the equivalent of a "runner's high" but for writing as words spill out of your thoughts and onto paper as smoothly as if you said them out loud. Speaking of which, you are getting those for running! You are running longer and farther. You don't get out of breath as easily any more.

     You are at the end. You have one more chapter to write. You have spent hours equaling days and weeks pouring your thoughts onto paper creating a world and characters. Now you see the end. It's one week away from race day. You are skinnier than you have ever been because you have trained so much and put in those long distance runs on the weekend.

     Last, there comes the day you finish. You type the last paragraph in the book. You make one more exerted push of energy to that finish line in front of you. You're done! You finish. The race is over and you look back reflecting on the marathon. your book is done. You think about all the pages and pages you have written and you celebrate.

    Now here is the difference between the marathon and the novel. You can look for another race to run, but you are done this one. You can look back thinking about how you could have got a better time, but that is all. What has occurred is over and you put all your best into that one race.
      When you are finished your novel, you should absolutely take a break, but you are nowhere near done. You need to go back and edit. You need to read is again and again making it better. Then when you think you are done, you hand it to someone you trust. So they can read and edit for you. Then you take their edits and edit. Then give it to another friend. You continue until you think the story is the best it can be. Then you are done.
      Sure you can argue there are huge differences between the two, but I have done both. To me, the processes are very similar and it all sums up to one saying:

sweat + perseverance = success

You put in the time and energy. You continue to put in the time and energy until one day you succeed. It's as simple (and complicated) as that.

Lot of Love,
E.M.

Writing in the midst of chaos.

   

      It's a drastic title, but I find it to be slightly true. I could definitely use a good drink but ALAS I am a breastfeeding mom. FYI pump and dump isn't really a thing from my understanding. Your body naturally cycles the alcohol out of the breast milk, but I digress. Lately, I have been writing little by little every day, but my life is down right hectic. The baby needs attention. The two dogs need attention. My husband is gone doing military things. It is a busy, busy life right now. :)

 

   So with that said, here is my resolutions!

1) I resolve to blog at least once a week.

     I know that seems like FOREVER in the high paced world of the internet but it is doable and I can afford that time.

2) I will finish writing the second book before my trip back to where my heart lies. That said city is New Orleans.

What's the scuttle butt? Since my tiny absence from blogging my merely inconsequential life as I struggle to be a writer, this is what has happened:

1) Sent Queries to 2 agents about 2 weeks ago. Have I heard back from them yet? No. Do I fully intend to follow up with them? Yes. Do I expect them to be interested in signing me? All signs point to no. I expect this. I fully expect to have to tweak my Query and send it to another 30 agents and get rejected. That's ok. They get millions of queries a year. This leads to number 2.

2) I have been writing and I mean WRITING! I love Totem and all the characters in my lovely book. I love them so much that I have the 4 books in the series completely laid out with an added character Novella full of mini back stories about my lovely supporting characters. I just need to finish writing them. I believe in Totem. I believe in myself and my ability to tell a good story. At least that is what I keep telling myself when I look in the mirror. :)

3) I can run 2 miles again!!! My last blog was about pregnancy and what I experienced. Well, the sciatic nerve pain is nothing more than a dull tension in my left leg now. So I can run 2 miles. It isn't the 1/2 marathon I did 6 weeks pregnant, but it's a start!

4) Booked everything for New Orleans!! My beautiful friend is getting married and I am a bridesmaid! So fully be ready for some countdowns of New Orleans type things when I get back!

So what now?

You will have to see where I go. I might even drop a few chapters on my next blog. :) Who knows, maybe even the first chapter to TOTEM (will she dare? gasp!)

Either way, resolutions are in place and I am on it!


Lots of Love,
EM

Things that just didn't sink in or I didn't know until it happened to me during pregnancy.

 

      If you are like me, you always planned on having kids. You were just waiting for the perfect moment, and if you were like me, you expected to have the PERFECT pregnancy! Well, I am here to say that it does not always work out and I am living proof.

 

      My pregnancy was anything but normal. In fact, it was very unusual. So here is my list of advice for a Soon-to-be mom.

 

1) Set goals but don't stress if they aren't reached. Life sometimes hands you lemons when you expected lemonade. My goal was to go completely to term, have a natural child birth and be able to work out at the gym again 4-6 weeks later. What I got was completely unplanned.

      At 35 weeks, life handed me high blood pressure which meant NST stress tests twice a week. If that wasn't enough, I began developing sciatic nerve pain. This pain became debilitating at 38 weeks. I couldn't even walk and the slightest weight put on my left leg would send excruciating pain shooting up it. I couldn't sleep. The pain hurt so bad it made me nauseas so I couldn't eat. Then on top of that no position I could get in could make the pain go away.

    Sometimes relief comes in unexpected packages. The high blood pressure meant I was to be induced early. It was the most beautiful thing I could have ever heard! So instead of suffering through the pain another two more weeks, it was only REALLY bad for 80 hours. Kid you not worse than labor. SO my child birthing plans got shot right away.

 

2) Do what is best for the baby. I went into the hospital in a wheel chair (couldn't even walk on my left leg anymore) ready to be induced. I was never more happy to be in a hospital and was beyond excited as the nurse hooked up the baby heart monitor, the IV and anything else they wanted to attach to me. When the induction started was when things got kind of scary.

     First, they stuck a broken pill up inside me to soften my cervix. Within a half an hour of doing so. The baby's heart rate dropped. The mere drop in the heart rate meant with in seconds, my room was filled with a dozen doctors and nurses ready to help. My own nurse began flipping me to one side then the other. Finally propping me up on all fours with my butt in the air and face down in a pillow. (All while still in pain from the Sciatic nerve and barely able to move BUT you really get moving when it comes to your baby) That was when the baby's heart rate went back to normal. Everything was fine.

    Second, since my cervix was still not opening, they started a Pitocin drip on the lowest amount. Within minutes of starting the drip, my baby's heart rate deceled again. Once again the same flurry of people made their way into my room and the same series of acrobatic moves to reposition the baby in me begins. The only problem was this time it was not working.

     That is when they covered me (my butt was up in the air with one of those lovely hospital gowns... get my drift) and rushed me to the prepped O.R. Nothing gets you even more worried than this trust me. While in there, they hook me back up to the monitor and to my relief, I hear her little heart beat. It was stable.

    The doctor comes up to me with two choices that I had to make a decision on. I could go back to my room and continue to try and induce labor. Keep in mind that the heart rate is likely to drop again and I would end up right back here or he could take his time and perform a C-section. Well, after 80 hours of intense nerve pain and MOST of all the worry about my baby's well being. I decided on a C-section. (The C-section story can be for a later time if anyone is interested)

    Within 20 minutes, I am hearing a little cry coming from my daughter and watching her as they hold her close to my face. She was perfectly healthy. They could only guess that the chord was being compressed as she pushed down but, she was safe and I made what I believe was the best decision for the baby even though it was not what I wanted.

 

3) LISTEN to your body post-baby! Everyone is different and starts off on different fitness levels before they get pregnant. I love to run! Like LOVE it, but I was sidelined from running around 33 weeks of pregnancy and unable to pick it up until my baby was 5 weeks old. Even then I could only run a mile because of the sciatic nerve damage (still have pain when I run at 10 weeks).

     Your body will also tell you when it is ready to have sex again. SO listen to it. OH and FYI, it will probably hurt the first few times. I had a C-section and I still hurt! I think it is a mechanism our bodies use to protect us from anymore damage. So LISTEN to your body and use lots of lube.

 

4) Breastfeeding DOES NOT come naturally! Let me repeat that one more time: BREAST FEEDING DOES NOT COME NATURALLY. We aren't hard wired. There isn't some magical thing that occurs when you have a baby that allows you to know everything about a baby. It takes time and effort. Your baby doesn't quiet have it figured out and neither do you. It will take lots of working together to figure out what is right for you. FYI every nurse and lactation consultant will tell you something different. Listen and try to figure out what works best for you.

    AND it gets better! You might find something that works and you are excited because the baby is latching on! Then 4 hours later the baby had a brain fart and forgets how to latch. It is frustrating and tough. Above all keep at it! I understand why so many women get fed up and bottle feed. Bottle feeding is ok but if you have your heart set on breastfeeding, then be prepared to work hard and know it will take time. Now I can pop out a boob and Noelle knows what to do right away. IT's awesome.

    This leads me to my next thing:

 

5) Breast pads, Cold packs and hot showers! I was worried. It took 6 days for my milk to come in and I had no idea what to expect. I kept wondering and worrying that as only a little bit of white milk would come out if that was it. Was I milk deficient? Did having a C-section ruin my bodies natural cycle? NOPE!

    Day 6 came and my boobs were huge and hard as rocks! And THEY HURT! Pressure builds up and can't be released which causes them to hurt. On top of that, your nipples are sensitive because they haven't toughened up for baby yet. (IT isn't all about "proper latching" there will be some pain and your boobs have to toughen up.)

    So here is where everything comes into play. Wear breast pads because you don't know when milk will spontaneously decide to leak out. Put cold packs on them when they really hurt. I would put them on after breast feeding and take HOT showers to help relax your breast so you can expel milk and relieve some of the pressure.

    Make sure you don't expel too much milk. Right now, your body is excited that it figured out what to do and is on hyper drive. It will settle down and begin working on a "supply and demand" system for baby. But until then: breast pads, cold packs, and hot showers!!!

 

6) YOU WILL NOT GET SLEEP! Breast feeding and my husbands schedule means that I get the grunt of waking up every two hours to feed the baby. It is tough but you will get through it. Trust me. I was so excited the first night little Noelle slept 5 hours in a row. EXCITED! It will happen. You will get there, but even then, YOU WILL GET LITTLE SLEEP!

 

7) Your baby is talented! It can poop and eat AT THE SAME TIME!!! When it first happened to me, I couldn't stop laughing. That mixed with the lack of sleep brought me to tears. I was mildly impressed but most of all shocked. Now I am aware. Oh, I am fully aware...

 

8) It will be rough, but one of the most enjoyable experiences of your life. I am tired almost all the time. I have been shedding the baby weight but, at 10 weeks post pregnancy, I still have 10 lbs to go. I eat when I can and shower when I can. My time is no longer my own. My needs come second to this little 12 lb baby who has made me her slave, but all I have to do is look at her. I look into her eyes, eyes which are almost identical to mine staring back at me, and my heart melts. I love her in ways that I never could have imagined. It is an undying, to the core, give my life and unfaltering to the end of time type of love.

 

    Above all the crap that happens, even with my body being wrecked and all the unexpected things I just didn't understand until I lived through it, #8 is what makes it worth while. Number 8 is what makes me the most happiest and it is the most surprising thing of all because you honestly can not even begin to comprehend how much your view of love will change until you actually become a mom. It's shocking!

 

    So enjoy being pregnant! Take in the moments and know that things will occur during pregnancy that no book, video, or doctor can prepare you for. Especially the love you will have for your baby.

 

 

Sincerely,

E.M. Lathrop

The New Little "Writer's Block"

   

(the new little "writer's block")

        Life and "dream career" sometimes collide and you are left having to pick which is more important at this very moment in time. This is where I ended up four weeks ago. With the last weeks of pregnancy wreaking havoc on my body and early induction turned emergency C-section, I would like to introduce my new little "Writer's block".

    Writing itself is sometimes cumbersome and you are left forcing to continue to write when you feel like doing something else (like all careers at times.) However, the new addition to my family has left me lacking even more than usual. I am not at all upset about it. I love the cute little bundle. She makes my heart melt with her facial expressions. I find myself falling more in love with her every day not understanding how my already filled heart could provide any more room. It does and I continue to find more room. I love her so much.

   Anyway, back to the purpose of this blog. Taking care of a newborn is tough work! Juggling a keyboard and a baby at the same time is almost impossible. So please bare with me as I work through feeding and sleeping schedules while still working on Ty and Kimber finding romance. It is sometimes a leap for me to make into romance when I am up to elbows in poopie diapers and spit up covered onesies but I am finding my path once more.

   I have put a slight pause on working on the second book, Fleur de Lis, to re-edit my first book. One of my lovely secret readers has finished my book with a lot of feedback and corrections! Yay! No, for real, I mean YAY! Having her edit and ask questions gives me another set of eyes. This allows me to correct things I may have over looked. Kimber's world lives within me. I know her life as much as I know my own. As such, I may overlook things that need to be answered. So having my wonderful friends read over it helps make my book better!

  So thank you to my secret readers! One day I hope to pay you back!

   So where I stand right now:
- Re-editing Totem
- Slowly working on "Fleur de Lis"
- Quickly learning the in's and out's of Motherhood

Until next time Blog world! (which will be sooner rather than later!)

-EML