Just a Little Reminder...

My Twin at UVU!

I graduated from Utah Valley University in 2009, and this week I got to help out at Freshman Convocation, welcoming new students. 

I honestly loved my time at UVU. I feel like I always had the passion to write, but the knowledge I gained at UVU really set things into motion. My classes and professors there helped me find inspiration in classic literature, mythology, and creative writing, all of which shaped my books. 

I'm hoping new students there (and everywhere) will find that same spark of inspiration that leads to great things in their life. Hooray for education! 

The convocation was a lot of fun and I was happy to find my twin! I had a lot of great experiences at UVU, but I never thought I'd see my cardboard cut out there!

Salt Lake Comic Con

I'm so excited to be a part of Salt Lake Comic Con 2013! This year it will be held at the Salt Palace from September 5th-7th. The guest lineup of authors, actors, and artists is incredible, and I'm so happy that Comic Con is coming to Salt Lake, Utah. If you are in the area, I really hope you can make it!

To see all the information on SLC Comic Con visit saltlakecomiccon.com. 

Author Spotlight: Carol Nicolas

As part of Utah Book Month, I am excited to spotlight Carol Nicolas. Carol is a Utah writer and the author of The Sixth Power. 

CAROL NICOLAS

Carol Nicolas, a native of Canada, has a bachelor’s degree in education from Brigham Young University. A teacher, mother of five, world traveler, and fan of sci-fi/fantasy books and films, she and her husband relocated from Southern California to the mountains of Utah, where she writes, gardens, makes quilts, and does genealogy. She enjoys listening to many types of music, including classical, rock, pop, Celtic, country, and music for children.

THE SIXTH POWER

Tania Westing, a high school senior, is one of the Gifted Ones, descendants of an ancient family with seven special powers. Some of the powers are common, and some are rare.

Until her geneticist brother Tom was murdered, Tania lived an ordinary life. Now hidden in her mind is a clue that will reveal Tom’s research, including secret formulas to unlock all seven powers. During spring break, Tania meets and falls in love with handsome Dan Maclean. When Tania reveals her rare power to heal, the evil Gifted Ones who killed Tom suspect Tania has his research and formulas and come after her. Tania must learn to use her powers to help save Dan’s sister in time to keep Tom’s secrets safe.

You can find Carol on twitter, her Facebook page, www.facebook.com/carol.nicolas, or her website, Carolnicolas.wordpress.com.

Summer, Fireworks, and Fiction Fest

Happy first day of August!

Does anyone else feel like summer flew by? I spent so much time at book signings and writing the third Shapeshifter book, I didn't get to finish everything on my summer to-do list. Well, at least I got to see fireworks—I am a sucker for fireworks. (Though to be honest, I wasn't really watching the fireworks in this picture).

And I did get to spend some time swimming, pretending to be a siren. That was a must on the to-do list!

One of the best things about this summer was having the opportunity to launch my sequel, The Siren's Secret. I wanted to share this sketch below that one of my readers gave to me at the launch. I absolutely adore it, thank you, Anastasia! 

Before summer does end, I'm excited to be a part of Cedar Fort's Fiction Fest. My interview went up on their blog yesterday, and you can check it out on the link below. 

Blog.Cedarfort.com

I hope you've had a wonderful summer and have been able to hit everything on your to-do list!

Dreams

Sometimes you see a quote that just resonates inside of you. 

Today I came across this quote and fell completely in love with it. 

"She turned her cant's into cans and her dreams into plans." 

It's so simple, but it means so much to me. 

 I haven't always done this in my life--in fact I think it's extremely difficult to act on your dreams and carry out goals. So many times I've thought of life plans, dreams, and goals that I wanted to accomplish, but then I got scared.

 So often I become insecure and convince myself that either the dream is too big, or difficult, or that I'm not good enough. 

Why? Why is it scary to dream big? 

Before I got published I hardly told anyone that I was working on a novel. I had so many family and friends that were shocked to find out I was getting published. The common response was, "I didn't even know you were working on a book!" 

I suppose I was afraid of failure. I didn't want people to feel bad for me if I couldn't get published. 

But why did I care? Failure is a necessary part of growing and learning, something that I try to always keep in mind. 

This summer I've started to create some very big goals. Some days I wake up confidently ready to conquer anything. A lot of the time I question myself. 

Now I want to change that. That's one of my new goals. 

I don't want to be afraid to dream big. I want to go forward boldly and face fears. I know it will be hard, but it's worth it. I hope you'll join me on this journey. Let's turn our cant's into cans and our dreams into plans! 

Book tour in California

Last week I got to spend time in California. Traveling, for me, is like a breath of fresh air. It gives me new inspiration, motivation, and a sense of adventure. Traveling helps me become a better writer. 

On this adventure we got to visit several Barnes & Noble so I could sign copies of The Siren's Secret. First we started at the Studio City Barnes & Noble near Hollywood. 

Next we stopped by the Grove Barnes & Noble. So many books. Seriously though, look at all those levels! If you stop by this store, keep an eye out for The Siren's on the "What Teens Are Reading Now" table. 

After that, we got to see Conan live. A fun experience, but a little strange. All sets look so much smaller in real life. Somehow I always forget that and I'm surprised every time.

Next we stopped by the Calabases Barnes & Noble to sign more copies of The Siren's Secret.

That night we went to eat dinner and stumbled into the Pacific Rim premiere. I hate to be one of those people who just jumps in line because there's a crowd of people, but it was fun to see everyone freaking out as the actors came by. I promise I did not become that crazy fan, well at least not then. That moment came the next day. 

Pretty Little Liars anyone? THIS IS ALISON'S HOUSE! This is when I turned into one of those weirdo fans who can't breathe because they're so excited. This is on The Warner Brother's Studio lot, and I felt like a kid in a candy store. Pretty Little Liars and Harry Potter stuff everywhere! 

This is the barn where Alison first disappears. Spoooooky. 

The Friend's set was really fun. They kept everything at Central Perk just the same as it looked on the last episode. 

There's Ellen's parking spot! Oh boy, see now I sound like one of the crazy fans again. Who takes pictures of people's parking spots? 

Harry, you can't drive through here! 

The Howler from Mrs. Weasley, shrieking and all. 

Can you name which three characters these wardrobes belong to? 

After all the fun in Los Angeles, we headed to San Diego to sign more books, visit family, and stop in Old Town. One of the coolest places in Old Town is called the Mormon Battalion Historic Site. If you've never been before, I would definitely recommend it! 

The San Diego Barnes & Noble. I spy, with my little eye, a siren on a shelf up high...

Jumping for joy--and not caring how silly I look. I love California. 

San Diego waves crashing, and only SEVEN jellyfish stings. 

Last stop on the way home was the St. George Barnes & Noble. If you're from any of these areas, you'll find signed copies of The Siren's Secret along with bookmarks inside. Thanks for letting me share my adventures!