Just a few things . . .

I hope everyone had a merry merry Christmas.  We certainly did in the Dailey household.  Unfortuntately, my son and I both woke up sick on the 26th.  I feel like utter poo and have so much stuff to do that it makes me feel even worse.  Anyways, there's not much going on with me, but here's a few things just in case you're curious:

1.  I got a Kindle for xmas!  Yea!  I love it.  The first book I downloaded was Identical by Ellen Hopkins.  It's the only one of her books that I hadn't read.  I actually have a few real books that I want to read, but I couldn't wait to use my Kindle.

2.  Still can't find a title for FALLEN that we both love.  Since a YA novel just came out titled FALLEN, Staci and I are on the hunt for a new title.  SANCTUM is a front runner but we both keep thinking when we hear the right title, we'll know.  Has yet to happen.

3.  Staci and I haven't written in forever.  Poor STATIC has been waiting around for its authors to get their butts in gear.  Hopefully, we will get back on track soon.  It's just been so busy.

4.  I am so glad that the rush of the holidays is over.  I hope I feel better soon and can actually enjoy what's left of my vaca.

5.  As soon as I finish this post, I am going over to the couch, getting under my new snuggie, and watching Law and Order SVU, which I am currently addicted to :)  I set my DVR to record all episodes and let's just say that SVU comes on a lot!

That's about it.  Feel free to chime in with some title options.  We are open to suggestions! 

Cheers!

Sara

Deadlocke and Venomous

I found out some very cool news recently!  One of my all time favorite novels, Venomous by Chris Krovatin, has been turned into a comic book titled Deadlocke, which is on the shelf now, and a screenplay that is in the works.  I read the comic not too long ago, and while I'm definitely not a comicbook person, I really did love it.  Krovatin created an awesomely dark character with Locke, and the reader can't help but sucked into his really screwed-up life.  It was interesting to see the comicbook version of the story.  The creators, Arvid Nelson and Nick Stakal, did and outstanding job. 

About Deadlocke:


In modern-day New York City, a ragtag group of rebellious teens throws its annual raucous Weimar bash filled with debauchery, booze, and bloody knuckles. Going for the first time is Locke Vinetti, a newcomer to this band of bored rich kids--a loner who usually prefers to escape into the world of his alter ego comic book creation, Deadlocke. Under the tutelage of the group's charming but unpredictable ringleader Casey, Locke has learned to express his art, and his angst, in ways he never thought possible. As the violent energy of Deadlocke continues to storm up inside of him, Locke must learn to control his newfound strength at the risk of losing Renee, the darkly beautiful girl of his dreams. Determined to prove that Deadlocke's rage will overpower Locke's love, Casey provokes Locke in a brutal rooftop battle where their lives, and their souls, hang in the balance.
 
Take a look at what Chris Krovatin has to say about Venomous, the movie, and Deadlocke, the comic.
 

 
Happy Holidays!
 
Sara

New Moon - The Movie

I set up a New Moon birthday party last night for my good friend Keely, which was very cool seeing how we didn't have to wait in line with the masses to get a good seat.  We got to go in the theater first and pick our seat, which was the best part.  After seeing Twilight, which was (in my humble opinion) horrid, I just couldn't see standing in line forever to see New Moon, which I wasn't expecting to be any good, but absolutely had to see because, well . . . I just had to.  New Moon was my favorite of the 4 books.  I loved Jacob and rooted for him the whole way through even though I knew all along that Bella was too big of a moron to choose him.

Anyway, back to the movie.  I have to admit, it wasn't too bad.  Way better than Twilight!  I guess I would have to say that I even enjoyed it.  Seeing Jacob wander around half naked most of the movie didn't hurt.  Man, that boy looked . . . lovely (that word seems more appropriate since he's only 17 and I'm just a bit too old to be calling him hot).  Edward, on the other hand, still far from hot. 

The scenes with Edward and Bella (thankfully there weren't many) were weird and awkward.  No chemistry there what so ever, which I don't really get because aren't they supposed to be an item in real life?  Now, Jacob and Bella's connection was much more believable.  I'm not a big Bella fan either, but I thought she did a better job in this movie.  Jacob stole the show.  He was great, especially after the haircut :)  I liked Alice better in this movie too.

Likes:

• Jacob!  
• Scenes with the werewolves; I thought they kind of looked my ginormous dogs from a video game, but liked them anyway
• The humor they snuck in there (I think I even laughed a few times)
• Victoria, not much of her, but she looked really pretty
• Jacob and Bella's chemistry

Dislikes:

• Edward! 
• Still don't like the sparkling thing
• Bella seeing Edward when she is being "dangerous"; it's been a while since I've read the books, and feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't she hear him, not see him?  It was just weird
• The water scene where Bella and Edward were floating next to each other after she jumps off the cliff.  Hokey!
• Seeing Edward's puney paleness without a shirt at the end
• Definitely how the movie end

All in all, I'm glad I saw it and really wasn't disappointed.  Surprised, really.  It was a lot less hokey than Twilight, which I rolled my eyes at least a dozen times during.  I will definitely see Eclipse, though I probably won't like it as much because I will have to tolerate a lot more time watching Bella and Edward, but I am looking forward to the tent scene :)  That's all for now.

Cheers!

Sara 

Okay Sara, FINE

Let me start my list by saying that Sara and I do not share a brain, but we do share books.  Many of my favorite books are on her list as well.
1. Acheron - Sherrilyn Kenyon (that is my #1- I love him!)
These are in no particular order, and are all worth the read!
2. Beastly - Alex Flinn
3. Venomous - Christopher Krovatin (awesomely dark)
4. Tales of the MADMAN Underground - John Barnes
5. An Abundance of Katherines - John Green (laugh out loud)
6. Blood and Chocolate - Annette Curtis Klause
7. Wolf at the Door - Christine Warren (Adult ;)
8. 13 Reasons Why - Jay Asher (Don't read if PMSing)
9. Before I Die - Jenny Downham (Ditto)
10. The Host - Stephanie Meyer
Oh wait,
11. Willow - Julia Hoban

There it is friends.  For someone who reads as much as I do, this was extremely difficult.  I'm sure that I will finish this post, start my workout, and remember a book that absolutely belongs on this list.  But I guess that will give me something to blog about later.  Sara will be thrilled!

Bye for now friends!
Staci

Sara's Top 10

I just finished reading Impossible by Nancy Werlin and absolutely loved it.  When you read lots and lots of pretty good books, it's always exciting when you read one that you really love and just can't seem to put down.  Sadly, it doesn't happen very often.  My husband, Jeremy, asked me yesterday (as I was trying to read the last 10 pages of Impossible) what my top 10 favorite books are.  So here they are, in no particular order because I couldn't decide that even if I tried:

1.  Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon
2.  13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
3.  Unwind by Neal Shusterman
4.  The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
5.  The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
6.  The Host by Stephenie Meyer
7.  A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb
8.  Venomous by Christopher Krovatin
9.  Impossible by Nancy Werlin
10. The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

I just bought Crank last night.  I've never read anything by Ellen Hopkins, but I have to see what all the buzz is about.  So we'll see . . .   

So, here are my two requests:

1.  Staci, it's your turn!  Write something on this damn blog!  What is your top 10?
2.  If you're reading this, leave a comment on here or on the Facebook page and tell us one of your favorite books. 

Cheers!

Sara

Hmmmm . . . what do blog about now

I haven't posted anything in a while,and the only reason I can honestly give is that I have absolutely no idea what to blog about.  The first advice "they" give when you have a novel coming out is to start a blog.  So, check.  Here it is.  But then what?  You don't really have an audience yet.  The only people who actually read this are the few people who care enough to click on the link from Staci and my Facebook fan page.  By the way, if you are reading this, thanks and I love you for being supportive of our little journey.  I asked Staci the other day why she didn't post anything to our blog, and she said because no one reads it.  And I said, well, no one read anyone's blog when they first started out, but everyone had to start from somewhere.  Right? 

I follow a ton of author blogs,and they post cool stuff about their upcoming releases, events, and have contests and such.  Well, that's not really something we can do yet.  So, I did a little research.  I went back to a few authors' blogs from when they just started out.  And they blogged about, well, not much in particular, but they did blog.  There just isn't much going on when your waiting for your first novel to come out. 

So, in case the few of you reading this are wondering, here's what's going on with us:

1.  We are waiting for the first round of edits to come back from our editor for FALLEN, but that won't be until the spring. 
2.  The release day is scheduled for November 2010.  Yea!
3.  We are going to get posters made soon and graciously ask our teacher friends to display them to help get the word out.
4.  We are working on our second novel, STATIC.  We are about 14 or so chapters in, but haven't been able to get together in a few weeks.  Hopefully, we'll get back on track soon.
5.  We do have our website up and running so that's exciting.  Check it out at saraandstaci.com

Yeah, that's about it.  As for me (Sara), here's what's up with me:
1.  I'm already ready for summertime to come, though I must admit, it's been a much better school year this year than last.  My students are great, and I really can't complain . . . much.
2.  My husband is getting on my nerves.
3.  We got a new puppy.  She is a golden retriever named Belle.  She has finally decided to stop peeing on my carpet and is now going outside or on the puppy pads (which I probably will spend a small fortune on over the next few weeks). 
Here she is:

4.  My son Gavin is the coolest little man on the planet.

5.  I'm reading Sherrilyn Kenyon's Born of Night and just can't get into it, which is a bummer because she is my favorite adult author.  I refuse to put it down because I know I will love it eventually. 

Yes, my life is totally exciting.  Thanks friends for reading.

Cheers!

Sara

Wait time . . .

What I'm doing: just finished up Movie Night with my boys featuring Wall-E, candy, and chocolate milk
What I'm reading right now: Big Bad Wolf by Christine Warren (it's a good one!)
What I'm thinking about: the long wait ahead of me

Staci and I got our official release date for FALLEN.  It's set to be out November 2010, just a little over a year from now.  People keep asking us when our book is coming out, and they are always surprised when we tell them that it won't be out until late 2010.  I don't think a lot of people realize how long this process takes.  We submitted FALLEN to Mundania last October and didn't get an offer until May.  Does it usually take that long?  I think it depends on the publishing house, but I don't think it's all that unusual.  If we had found an agent, which we were trying to do, it may have taken the agent several months to find a publishing house that wanted to buy the book.  So once your novel is complete, it will most likely take several months to find an agent and then who knows how many more months for the agent to find a home for the book.  Then it's another year to year and a half for the book to come out.  I'm thinking unless you're the next Dan Brown or Stephenie Meyer, your going to be waiting a couple of years to see your book in print.  Nothing happens over night.

So, this got me thinking.  Staci and I have written about 14 chapters of our next novel STATIC.  If it takes us 6-9 more months (maybe a year) to finish it, we will probably be looking for an agent or a publisher for it right about the time FALLEN comes out.  Maybe.  Then it could take several months to find someone interested in representing STATIC.  Hopefully, someone will love it.  Keep your fingers crossed.  Then we are looking at another year to year and a half before it will be released.  That means that our second novel might not come out until like 2+ years after FALLEN is released.  That kind of sucks, you know.  It would be really nice if you could just snap your fingers and have everything fall into place.  But, it's a waiting game.  I guess I better get used to waiting.

For now, I'm going to be thankful that Mundania Press loved FALLEN and that I will actually get to see my name on the cover of a novel one day in the future.  There were many times that I thought it would never happen.  And, I'm going to sit back and hope that Staci and I are lucky enough to see STATIC in print as well.  Even if we have to wait :)

Cheers!

Sara

The Adoration of Jenna Fox

What I'm doing: thinking about what I shall watch on the good ol' drv when I'm done here
What still need to do tonight: laundry, bath, and clean up the kitchen (oh joy)
What I'm reading: the 2nd book in the Generation Dead series (I can't remember the title and I'm too lazy to go look)

Since I just recently complained about sometimes being let down by highly anticipated novels, I thought I'd pop in and say that I just finished one fabulous book.  The Adoration of Jenna Fox has been out for a while, and for some reason, I just finally got around to reading it.  I should have read it a long time ago.  It was wonderful.  I literally laughed out loud and then shed a few tears at the end.  That's when you know it's a good book.  If an author can make you laugh and cry, he or she is going something right. 

And again, I am listing another sci-fi book amongst my favs.  I keep claiming that I don't like it, but I'm up to 5 sci-fi books that I love.  Maybe I do like it.  Within reason of course.

Funniest moment in the book:  Jenna wakes up from a coma and can't remember much of anything and though she can still speak, she has forgotten the meaning of many words.  She overhears a guy call another guy a dickhead and decides that dickhead must mean annoying.  Later that evening, when her grandmother is getting on her nerves, Jenna tells her to stop being such a dickhead.  And of course, from the look on her grandmother's face, Jenna quickly realizes that there must be more to that word than she thought.  Too funny. 

I highly recommend it to anyone who reads.  It's a good one!

Cheers!

Sara

FALLEN Book Trailer

We did it!  Our first book trailer is complete and on youtube.  We are so excited!

Here's the web address - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKNNjfbMy3I

I'm going to try to embed it.  Let's see.

The Trouble with Highly Anticipated Novels . . .

What I'm doing: thinking about watching Gossip Girl
What I didn't do tonight: excercise
What I just finished reading: Catching Fire

So, I just finished reading Catching Fire, the highly antcipated 2nd novel in The Hunger Games series.  Here's my problem with getting really, really excited about reading a novel that I've been waiting and waiting for.  I always seem a little let down.  It's like I get all geared up thinking it's going to be the greatest book of all time, and then . . . well, it's not.  Total bummer. 

This has happened to me a lot, and I guess maybe it sucks even more this time because before Catching Fire, I read Shiver, another book I was really excited to read.  And not only did I read them back to back, I bought them back to back (in hardback!).  I can't honestly say that either one would in my top 10 YA favs.  But maybe it was just because I expected so much.  Were they both great books?  Yep.  Were they both page turners?  Yep.  Did they both have great story lines?  Yep again.

I think it's just because I was so fired up to read them that I expected them to blow me away.  This has happened with a few movies for me.  One I can remember is Jerry McGuire.  Everyone raved and raved about it, and when I watched it, all I remember thinking is, "Really?"  But then I saw it a few years later and loved it.  It's probably one of my favorite movies. 

The trouble with highly anticpated novels is that I'm never going to read them again.  Books for me aren't like movies.  I read them once and that's it.  So, in my humble opinion, I am totally ruining books for myself.  Had I not been overly excited to read Shiver and Catching Fire, would I have loved them?  Who knows.  Probably.

All I know, is the very best books have been those rare surprises.  I'm not expecting them, and WHAM!  they are the best books I've ever read.  I need some more books like that.

I just started The Adoration of Jenna Fox.  Wish me luck.

Sara

Look what I made!

So much to do, so little time . . .

What I'm doing right now: thinking about vegging out on the couch and watching Heroes Season 3
What I'm listening to: the washing machine go round and round
What I'm reading: Shiver (still!)

So, Staci and I are learning that there is not enough time for all the stuff we need to do.  Here's our little to-do list (and I'm sure I'll forget some stuff because if there is a "real" to-do list some where, I'm not sure where it is):

1.  Website - this has been quite the learning experience; it's a damn shame that one of us isn't a tech-nerd!
2.  Get posters made - we're waiting to receive a high resolution photo of the cover so we get more made
3.  Get bookmarks made - no idea where or how to do this
4.  Find all of our teacher friends and ask them to help us get the word out - in return they will get our undying love, a poster, and some bookmarks

Hmmmm . . . I know there's more.

5.  Oh yeah, make a book trailer - this too should be a learning experience but when I'm done here, I'm headed over to animoto.com to check out their site
6.  Make friends with every librarian in the greater Houston area :)

Oh, I'm sure there is more.  And this is just the stuff that needs to be done, like, yesterday.  It would be so nice if Staci and I were married to some really rich men, and we didn't have to work.  Hmmmmm . . .

Wish us luck, friends!  Oh yeah, any advice on where and how to get this list accomplished, send our way!!!

Sara

Interesting times at the B&N

What I'm doing: relaxing after dinner
What I'm listening to: Barney (oh joy)
What I'm reading right now: Shiver (I'm thinking it's going to be a good one)

Staci and I meet about once a week at Barnes and Noble to write.  Usually if it's not too hot, we sit outside the Starbucks.  We've had some interesting encounters outside the B&N over the last few years and have made some interesting friends out there, including a very large group of Italian men (we've decided in the last months that they may be Greek-we're not really sure, but they speak very little English and are very nice) who play chess constantly and a couple of guys who have very loud trucks and motor cycles (expensive toys).  Lately there has been a group of thirtyish men and one 18ish girl who meet, and they apprear to be some kind of self-help group.  I'm guessing AA.  The girl showed up last week and said she only had $4 and couldn't decide whether to buy cigarettes or dinner.  She apparently decided on cigs because the asked the guys if she could borrow some money.  Those are the regulars, but every time we meet, it never fails that we have to endure one or more people smoking extremely stinky cigars (yuck!) and someone always seems to have body odor.  With all of this, it's amazing we ever get anthing done.

So, last Friday, the most interesting thing yet happened.  Staci and I were just getting going on chapter 13 when a semi-homeless looking man rolled his Sam's shopping cart up to one of the tables near us and parked it.  Inside the cart was a huge black backpack.  He lugged the heavy backpack over his shoulder and walked inside of Starbucks.  Then about 10 minutes later, the man busted through the door (without the backpack!) and took off through the parking lot in the opposite direction from which he came.  And he left his shopping cart.  Staci and I looked at each other, and she says, "Where is his backpack."

So, now we are sitting there wondering if the Starbucks is about to blow up from a homeless guy who is "sticking it to the man".  Not a fun feeling, in case you're wondering.  I looked in the window to see if I could see the backpack, but it wasn't in view.  I called my husband Jeremy, who is a police officer in Webster (the city we were in), and he had the nerve to say, "Well, call the police," which in case the idiot didn't realize, was exactly what I did.  Loser!  Staci went inside to check things out and to look in the women's restroom.  One of the guys we see up there often, asked what was going on, so I told him.  He went to look around the store and in the men's restroom.  The good new was that we had yet to blow up.

A few minutes later, I looked in the window again and saw the crazy guy with his backpack.  He must have come in the B&N front doors.  The crazy guy came out (with his backpack) and proceeded to tell us that he got kicked out because he cussed out the barrista.  He must have stormed out forgetting his backpack.  What a freak!  Thankfully he was just crazy, and not a crazy bomber.

The strangest part was that as soon as he headed towards the parking lot (with his cart and backpack), the wind picked up and I swear the tempt. dropped about 10 degrees.  Everyone was holding down their belongings to keep them from blowing away.  A major storm rolled in complete with quite the lightning show.  Good times.

Being the creative types that we are, Staci and I came up with all kinds of theories as to who the crazy non-bomber (whew!) was.  We definitely feel a short story coming on.

Sara 

Back to School . . .

What I'm doing: relaxing after a very long day at school (classroom is ready!)
What I'm listening to: my husband and son playing baseball in the kitchen
What I still have to do tonight: exercise, laundry, take a shower, get stuff ready for school tomorrow, give Gavin a bath, and probably a few other things I can't remember

So, Staci and I are back to school tomorrow.  A whole new crew of 7th graders are coming, and we are ready . . . I think.  This time of year is always crazy, and now even more so as we try to maintain two jobs at once.  Actually, three.  Teaching, writing, and promoting FALLEN.  So now we have to figure out how to fit it all in. 

I want to welcome any of our students who come and visit our blog, Myspace, and Facebook (see links for MS and FB on the right).  We hope you all follow along on our journey.  This all started over two years ago and the students who were in our class when we started FALLEN are now going to be freshmen.  We hope they find us too.  It's been very exciting and now when our students ask when our book is coming out, we finally can give them an answer. 

Well, wish Staci and I luck as we get back in the swing of things.  And next on our list is our website.  If you have a minute, leave a comment about any suggestion you might have.  All tips are welcome for neither Staci nor I are techno-savvy. 

Don't forget to click the follow button to follow our blog or scroll all the way to the botton and subscribe.  Then an email will be sent to you each time we post something new.  Your support means everything!

Sara

A Few of Our Favorites . . .

I thought I'd share some of Staci and my favorite YA novels that we've read over the years.  Lucky for me, Staci reads several books a week and then passes on the good ones to me.  I think she's about 50+ books ahead of me (and that's just YA) but I try my best to keep up.  Staci, feel free to add on.

13 Reasons Why

Unwind

The Hunger Games

Beastly

Wicked Lovely

Blood and Chocolate

Venomous

And last but not least, An Abundance of Katherines

I know there are lots more that we loved, and I'm sure I'll think of them as soon as I hit the publish button.  There are just so many fabulous YA novels out right now, and lots more to come in the future.  Can't wait!

Sara

FALLEN

What I'm doing: trying to keep my eyes open (it's 2:25 am)
What I'm listening to: silence, sweet silence
What I'm thinking: why the hell am I still awake?
What I'm reading: Bad Moon Rising . . . still!  (this whole having to work thing is really interfering with my me-time)
***Please excuse all typos for I am tired, so very, very tired!


Staci and I have our first novel, FALLEN, coming out in late 2010 from Mundania Press.  We couldn't be more excited.  Lucky for us, we have a fabulous editor, Skyla Dawn Cameron (author of River and Wolfe-check them out!).  And an equally fabulous artist, Niki Browning, who designed an eye-catching cover.  Here it is:

To the best of our abilty, Staci and I came up a book jacket summary (I have no idea what that's called, btw-you know those words on the back of the book that tell you what it's about).  Here it is:

After the death of her mother, seventeen year old Elizabeth Carrington is starting over. In a new city, at a new school, with a dad she hardly knows, it isn’t going to be easy. Trying desperately to find her way and cope with her unceasing grief, she finds herself surrounded by a force so compelling, so comforting, so captivating that she can’t deny its presence and soon fears that if it were to leave her, she might loose her very self. But is it all really happening or has her wavering sanity finally found its breaking point?

Michael’s role in this world has been the same for centuries, but now something is different. He is inexplicably drawn to an intriguing stranger so alluring that he can’t force himself to resist her. Is he willing to risk everything to be with her, even falling?

A dark force, hell bent on destroying any chance of happiness for his arch nemesis Michael, is lurking in League City, TX, and there is no limit to his need for vengeance. How far will he go to seek revenge for his sworn enemy’s betrayal?

Caught in a clash of good versus evil, Elizabeth soon finds herself in the crosshairs of a battle that has been brewing since long before she was even born.

I doubt that's what will actually be there when the book comes out, but hey, we tried.  I'm sure Skyla will whip it into shape and make everyone want to run out and buy it! 

There will be more to come as the release date gets closer.  Right now, Staci and I are waiting for FALLEN to be edited and sent back to us for revisions.  In the meantime, we are hard at work on our next novel (12 chapters written!!!) 

Gaining an audience is our next big hurdle.  We'd love for you to follow our blog (hit the follow button there on the right-yeah, that one!)  This lets Staci and I know that you came!  Also you can subscribe and receive the post by email each time we post something new.  You should see something that says SUBSCRIBE TO SARA AND STACI'S BLOG if you scroll all the way down to the bottom.

Also, you can find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sara-Dailey-and-Staci-Weber/102330932229?ref=nf

And MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/fallennovel

More to come . . .

*So how many typos did you find?

Sara

All about Staci

What I'm doing: Relaxing after cardio

What I'm listening to: Hannah Montana coming from upstairs.

What I'm reading in my spare time: I just picked up Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater. I'm so excited!

Hi everyone! I’m Staci Weber, a wife, a mother, a teacher, and now a writer. How cool is that? I have always been somewhat of a dreamer, but I never imagined that one of those crazy dreams would turn into FALLEN. We are all so excited about this book and we hope that many more will follow. So, spread the word! Tell all your friends!! FALLEN 2010!!!

All about Sara

What I'm doing: Watching Big Brother 11 (Wooo hoooo. Good-bye Chima!)
What I'm listening to: Natalie complain about Chima getting kicked out
What I'm reading in my spare time: Bad Moon Rising


This is me, Sara Dailey. I've been married to a great man named Jeremy for 8 years and have a beautiful 4 year-old son named Gavin. I've taught 7th grade language arts for 6 years, but a year and a half ago, I started my first novel with my good friend Staci Weber. On some level I always wanted to be a writer, though I never thought I'd actually do it. I decided a few years back to take a writing class from the Institute of Children's Literature. I saw an ad in a parenting magazine and thought it sounded interesting. We had 10 assignments, and the final assignment was to write the first three chapters of a novel, which obviously made me a little nervous to say the least.

Lucky for me, I walked into Staci's classroom one morning (we work next door to one another) and she said, "Hey, I have an idea for a book." Appartently, Staci has some interesting dreams, which is great because it is from her funky dreams that our novel FALLEN was born (as well as about 10 other book ideas). She asked me if I wanted to write it together. Considering I had my final assignment coming up, I jumped on board. Did I honestly think we'd do it? No way! But lo and behold, we did. We worked almost every weekend at Barnes and Noble knocking out a chapter or so each time we met. And before we knew it, we were done. Or at least we thought we were. We did our research and began sending out queries to literary agents. Little did we know, it is really hard to get a novel published (okay, we knew; but it was harder than we thought). Originally, FALLEN was to be two books, but an agent we queried suggested that we make it one long novel. The advice was a blessing because FALLEN is a much stronger novel because of it.

After a full year of writing, we began querying literary agents again, as well as seeking publication straight from a couple of publishing companies. The day before Mother's Day, I received an email from Mundania Press. I couldn't have gotten a better Mother's Day gift than that. So, thank you Skyla if you ever read this. I read the email at least 10 times and then immediately called Staci. Of course, she didn't answer, and I wanted to kill her. But finally she called me back, and I couldn't have been more excited to tell her.

So here we are now. FALLEN is coming out late 2010, so we have quite a wait, but it's all worth it to know that we will actually get to see our first novel in print. There were many times that I didn't think it would happen. But it did and now I can't wait for what the future holds.

That's all for now.

More to come.

Our first post

Where we're at: Barnes and Noble
What we're doing: getting kicked out because they are closed
What we're listening to: some man ramble on and on about his book idea and what he should do to get his book published

So, here we are blogging world. My name is Sara Dailey and my partner in crime, Staci Weber is sitting here on my right. We are brand new authors. Our debut novel, FALLEN, is set to be released in late 2010 by Mundania press.

This blog will be dedicated to chatting about our lives as new authors, how we got here, and where we're going. While we wait for FALLEN to be released, we are working on our second novel, so I'm sure we'll talk about that too. And not only do we write, we read lots and lots of YA and adult novels, so we are sure to mention them too.

More to come . . .