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Sign. Signs.

Everywhere there’s signsÌý

Fucking up the sceneryÌý

Breaking my mind.Ìý

Er, yeah…Rock on…and just to be clear…I like the Tesla version best. And yes, I know the rock purists are going to throw crap at me. But that’s okay, I take a lot of shit for my taste in music. Hahahahaha…�

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Damn big picture again…I need to figure that size thing out…bwahahahaâ€� Anyway, the question of the moment is do you believe in signs. Whenever I’m writing a story, I find myself freaking out, wondering if it’s good enough, if it’s worth telling the story. What astounds me is when I’m really teetering on the edge, a sign shows up and I know it’s right to continue with the story. The other day a person going by the name of Jae followed me on one of social media sites. Jae is the nickname of my main character. Tonight, as I’m watching CSI, the story is about a tennis player. The love of my main character is a tennis player, shooting to become a pro. Noticing these small signs make me excited to continue the story. So, in between all the writing deadlines I’m currently juggling, I’m going to keep plodding along with my pop star and tennis boy story.Ìý

And, if you feel like it, tell me your superstitions. Do you experience the Sign thing.Ìý

I know it’s only Wednesday, but I would like to request a do-over for this week.

!. My TV blew up…literally. Big Boom and everything.

2. I completed the 50k for NANO, but didn’t upload the words to be verified mainly because I couldn’t decide how I wanted to write the story. I have now settled on writing in chronological order instead of using flashbacks. So I’m staring at two documents each with about 26k written. Maybe this is a good thing but I’m feeling totally overwhelmed and I don’t have a title for the stories. Never happened before. I always know the title.Ìý

3. My kid lost her retainer after just two days…this one does have a happy ending. Grandpa dug through garbage at school and actually found the thing.Ìý

4. I had to issue a take-down notice after I found one of my books listed on a pirate site. The rights were returned to me so it was left up to me to send the notice. Does this mean I can add badass lawyer to my resume. Guess I need to wait until the book is taken off the pirate site.Ìý

5. It’s been snowing…all dayÌý

6. I haven’t writtenÌýanything today

7. It’s official…today has just been strange…I just opened an email and Frozen Hearts is going to be released by Dreamspinner Press with an added 20k to plump up the original story. This is a great thing…I mean, it will be a great thing when I add the extra words by February 1st.

8. it’s still snowing.

9. Still haven’t figured out how to hook up the Wii to the new TV…I think I need a different cord.

10. This day wore me out. I believe I need a good cry so I’m going to finish watching the movie Rudy.

Xo Teegan

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It’s almost Thanksgiving and I needed a break from my NANO project for a few minutes. I’m getting close to the 50k even if the words are all mixed up and in need of serious editing. I can start that project on December 1st.

So on this little break, I decided I should do a thankful post. So bear with me: I am thankful for my real life family and friends. I am thankful for my online friends who accept me for who I am and offer a cheer or two when things aren’t going how I want them to, which seems to be a lot of times lately…lol…I am thankful for my mini, even if sometimes, she so much like me that I’d like to pull my hair out by the roots. I’m thankful for my fur babies, especially Zoey who always sits next to me when I write. I am thankful for the voices in my head who are sometimes loud and overbearing until I tell their stories. ÌýI am thankful for my readers who take the time to read my books and whether you like the stories or not, you have read my words and I am grateful. Ten days ago, was released and I hope you find the time to check out the story.Ìý

And whether you celebrate the holiday or not, may you find something to be thankful for�

Xo TeeganÌý

Some say it’s too hot. Some say it’s too cold. Some say shit before they’ve even tasted it. A few say it’s just right and others don’t say a damn thing. I feel like fucking Goldilocks watching the three bears devour my porridge that I worked hard to create and then being forced to listen to them complain because the shit wasn’t perfect.

Ahhhhhh, whew, that felt good to vent. But it’s stops now, because worrying about things I have absolutely NO control over is silly and makes dark circles form under my eyes. It’s not a pretty sight. But you know what is a beautiful sight, opening your mail and physically touching your dream. That’s what I did today.

It took a long time for me to get to this spot in my life and I’m not going to let forces I cannot control spoil the moment. I’m proud of myself for the work it took, for the long hours spent on a computer and for the perseverance to get a book published. I’m not going to focus on the negatives anymore. There’s a lot to celebrate when you reach a goal. That goal can be anything from writing a book to running a 5k to graduating from college �. just insert your own goal. But remember, there will always be people ready and waiting to bring you down. It’s up to you to refuse to let them. Enjoy your moment. That’s what I’m doing

Xo Teegan

Soooo�.tomorrow is release day for Echoes of Us. I’ll admit I’m nervous. Earlier today I received an email from All Romance E-books telling me the book was available for purchase. I clinked the link and an error message popped up. I searched the site and the book is not there. I wonder why the email showed up? Someone is screwing with me…rolls eyes�

Just in case you’ve missed it, here’s the blurb for

Blurb:Ìý Most people think falling in love is a wonderful thing. For Rylan Blake, love only complicates his life. After a disastrous tip home, Rylan and his best friend, Maggie, head back to Chicago to meet their new roommate, Jade Marin, and prepare for their final year of college.

Ìý Love is the last think Rylan expects when he meets Jade. But as the two men get to know each other and discover their mutual love of music, friendship becomes more. They compose songs and, at Maggie’s urging, post their work on YouTube-where the videos go viral and a music producer discovers them.

But hitting it big isn’t always a good thing, especially when it comes with a price. When Rylan and Jade sign a deal with a big music company, they’re ordered to hide their relationship from the public and take fake girlfriends. At first, it’s a game, but as their fame grows, Rylan feels forced to choose: Does he stay and live a lie, or does he walk away from a life of fame-and from Jade?

So, in the other words, the book is about music. No matter what I write, there is always music that influences the story. I usually have a playlist for each story. I use music to write difficult scenes, to bring certain emotions to the surface. It’s a simple way for me to get into whatever mood I need.

The initial spark for Echoes of Us was from a song called “U²Ô³¦´Ç±¹±ð°ùâ€� by Zara Larsson.Ìý A particular line in the song set the story on fire. We are a secret, can’t be exposed.

The first time Rylan hears Jade sing, it’s a song I’m sure everyone has heard by some artist. For this story, I used the version of “Can’t Help Falling in Loveâ€� by Michael Buble, and I enjoy the odd version by Lick the Tins (it’s from the movie Some Kind of Wonderful) Jade also sings â€Âٳٲ¹°ù²õâ€� by Grace Potter & the Nocturnals.

One of the characters is actually named after a song. Maggie Mae, Rylan’s best friend, is named after the Rod Stewart song “Maggie May.� The characters sang the songs mentioned above, these next few songs were used to evoke emotions when writing a particular scene

Sad by Maroon 5

Secrets by OneRepublic

Take It All by Adele

Tangled Up In You by Staind

And So It Goes by Billy Joel

ÌýMusic will always be a huge part of my writing. It inspires, it sparks, and it moves me.Ìý

Xo TeeganÌý

Holy Shit! Only four more days until the release of Echoes of Us.Ìý

Ugh, I’m at a loss for words, but you really can’t blame me because I used them all up working on my NANO project. So what to talk about today? How about the opening quote in the book.Ìý

Most people think falling in love is a wonderful thing. It isn’t. It fucking ruins everything.

Yep, that’s my poor baby, Rylan, speaking. He doesn’t really believe in love anymore. I’m hoping Jade can help change his feelings. But the only way you’ll ever find out is to readÌý

So tomorrow on day number three, you might want to keep your eye on my twitter feed. I’ve been given strict orders not to reveal much, but something will happen on Twitter tomorrow. For some of us, it will be at Zero Dark thirty. I figure if I have to wake up, you all can be awake too.Ìý

I know this was an incredibly short post, but I’m heading back into my NANO doc.Ìý

Xo TeeganÌý

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Eep, 5 days away from the release ofÌýEchoes of Us…Ì�

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Another giant photo…bwahahaha…So, today, I promised to introduce Jade Marin. Don’t crucify me when you see the picture I used for inspiration. I know it’s Zac Efron.Ìý

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This photo matched with the image in my brain for Jade. Anyways, since the story is told from Rylan’s POV we don’t get a lot of background on Jade. We do know he doesn’t speak to his family. If I remember correctly, his parents are deceased. I should check my notes before I write these posts, and I know people are rolling their eyes and thinking “she wrote the fucking book, how could she not know her characters?â€� Let me remind everyone that I wrote Echoes of Us several months ago. In between then and now, I’ve written an entire novel called Picks & Pucks and am knee deep in another new story. None of the stories are related. Hence, character overload. Okay, back to Jade. We meet Jade after he has broken up with his girlfriend and moves in with Rylan and Maggie. Here’s a snippet from Rylan:Ìý

But this was Jade, who had quickly found a special place in my life. Images floated through my head. He was the guy who ate chocolate cereal with me after we’d been on a ten-mile bike ride. He was the guy who sat on the deck with me and listened to me shout at the imaginary characters when they wouldn’t cooperate in my stories. He was the guy who lay on my bed and wrote songs with me with his ankle hooked around mine. And every time I tried to shift away from him, he mirrored my movements, never letting me get too far away. All the random touches, the wrestling, the shoulder bumping, and the shy smiles started to add up in my head.Ìý

Awww, sweet boys…So, if this has sparked your interest, their story is available for pre-order at DreamspinnerÌý

Xo TeeganÌý

Six days until the release ofÌýEchoes of UsÌý

Today I’m going to introduce my main character to you. When I start working on a new story, the first thing that happens is I name the main character. The first name is always easier than the last name. I knew I wanted to name my MC, Rylan, so I combed sports team rosters to find a suitable last name. After he has a name, the next step is picturing him in my mind. I knew I wanted him blond and one day, while I was lost on Tumblr, the picture below popped into my feed and I found my Rylan. I have no idea who this is, but he’s perfect.Ìý

Once a picture is found, things move quickly. It’s much easier for me to visual him as a real person now. I created his family and that set up the opening scene of the book. Rylan left the family farm immediately after he graduated from high school. He never came out to his family, but they all knew and didn’t offer any support to him. He moved to Chicago to attend college and met his best friend, Maggie Mae Stewart. And yes, she is named for the song by Rod Stewart. The book opens with Rylan going home for his mother’s 50th birthday celebration. He drags Maggie along and things do not go well for him.Ìý

My journey writing Rylan was fun and heart-wrenching and satisfying. I can only hope that for those who choose to readÌýEchoes of UsÌýwill fall in love with Rylan too. Tomorrow, I’ll introduce Jade.Ìý

Xo, Teegan

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Crap, now I have that song in my head. And I had to look up which band sang the song. It’s Europe, in case your brain is failing like mine seems to be doing lately.Ìý

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That’s one big number Seven! I really need to take the time to figure out this WordPress blog thingy. If you’re wondering what the big 7 stands forâ€�.well, Echoes of Us comes out in seven days and I’m excited, nervous, paranoid, thrilledâ€�.the list could go on forever because the emotions change quickly. I am really excited for everyone to meet Rylan & Jade & Maggie Mae & Mrs. Morgan…there are a few characters I could live without, but it wouldn’t be the same story if they weren’t around. Pretty sure there are characters in almost every book I’ve read that I could do without…I really disliked Wormtail in the Harry Potter series. The guy betrayed his friends. Ìý

Clary’s mom in TheÌýMortal Instruments ticked me off because she hid the truth from Clary. But a lot of people keep things tucked away and finding out who she is, was a part of Clary’s life journey.Ìý

I have a feeling that Veronica Roth, author of Divergent & Insurgent,Ìýis going to piss me off when I finally get around to reading Allegiant.ÌýMost of her characters made me mad at one time or another during both books. They all do dumb stuff. But at least the characters on the page came to life enough to draw emotions from me. There’s nothing worse than one dimensional characters.Ìý

Echoes of UsÌýis currently available on the Dreamspinner website for pre-order.Ìý

Tomorrow, I’ll be revealing the photos of Rylan and Jade that I stared at when I wrote their story

Xo TeeganÌý

Let’s start off this post with fabulous news�

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Echoes of Us is now on the Coming Soon page of and is now available for Pre-Saleâ€�.WooHoo! So freaking cool. The actual release date is November 18, 2013. Now I have to figure out how to place the link on the side of my page. I should write down the instructions so I wouldn’t have to think so hard every time I make a post. I already spent two hours on VistaPrint trying to make a postcard. It didn’t go well. Most of my time was spent looking at the screen while a blue circle spun round and round and told me to wait for the page to load. Yeah, I gave up on that edit and went back later where I finally did complete the postcards. On my way to the check-out, they tried to sell me multiple items including pens, mugs, T-shirts, notepads, magnets…I said no. Then they tried to sell me magazine subscriptions. I again declined. Then they offered me more postcards at a discounted rate. I also declined. I need to figure out what I’m going to do with the ones I ordered. Okay, I’m done for the evening. I’m going to go work on my new story, which has no name yet, but I’m having a good time writing itâ€� I’m outta hereÌý

Xo TeeganÌý

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