Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
*Grab your current read
*Open to a random page
*Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
*BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
*Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

“And what’s in here?  Rebe asked, lifting the top of the small white box,  “ohhhh, excuse me.

Brianne, from The Hachette Book Group and Author, Kathy Cano-Murillo are excited to announce March’s blog tour.  And I am estastic that she is stopping by here to visit with us today to tell us about her latest novel.  I read her last book, Waking Up In The Land Of Glitter,  back in March and loved it.  So, please, help me give Ms. Cano-Murillo a very warm welcome.

     But you know what? I’ve been writing longer than I’ve been crafting!
     Inspired by Judy Blume and Erma Bombeck, I caught the literary bug in grade school. I really owe it to Erma. In sixth grade, I read her book, If Life is a Bowl of Cherries, What Am I Doing in the Pits?, over and over. I thought that title was just so dang clever. I remember reading an Erma essay out loud to my mom on the way to the grocery store and both of us were in tears from laughter. Erma’s kooky storytelling inspired me to draw pictures and write colorful stories to match. I wanted to grow up to be the Mexican version of Erma. When high school rolled around, I immediately signed up for journalism and yearbook.
     Years later, I became a full-time features reporter and craft columnist for the The Arizona Republic. I loved that job. I covered arts and entertainment. After launching CraftyChica.com in 2001, I began blogging in 2003. Diary of a Crafty Chica was an outlet to share the joys and tribulations of “crafts, drama and glitter.” I juggled a full-time job, college, an art business and a family. At that time, I already had two craft books out and felt accomplished. One day, my agent called me to chat with an editor at Simon & Schuster. She asked if I would consider writing a novel based on my blog. I laughed off the request on the ouside, but inside, my heart pounded as if I had just sucked down a quad mocha! But when a second editor from HarperCollins asked the same question, I took the idea serious.
     Sort of.
     There I was, working in the Features newsroom of one of the largest newspapers in the country, but I still lacked confidence. I sat by a team of talented wordsmiths and compared myself to them. I spent one year outlining an idea. That is totally stalling for me – usually when I want to complete a task, I’ll do it in one night! I just couldn’t work up the courage to write the opening sentence. I eventually joined a local writing group, and signed up for National Novel Writing Month. I cranked out the first draft of my novel, then-titled, The Crafty Chica Chronicles. I spent the next year editing it. My schedule was tight – the only time I could work on it was after 10 p.m. when my husband and kids hit the sack. I stayed up until 2 a.m., four days a week to finish.
     In May 2005, I submitted the manuscript to my agent, who sent it back with major revisions. “This book needs a plot! It has so many directions, it is exhausting! Back to the drawing board!” I cried at the other end of the phone as I scribbled on the manuscript pages. I doubted my skills. I put the project away and decided to devote more time to my family – and sleep!
     Here is where the universe came into play – in May 2006, I taught a writer’s shrine workshop at Alisa Valdes-Rodriquez’s inaugural Chica Lit Fiesta in Miami, FL. After listening to dozens of amazing writers share their publishing stories and book excerpts, I came home ready to kick some keyboard booty. I pulled out that manuscript and kissed it. I read my agent’s notes and got back to work – again from 10 p.m.-2 a.m.
     In early 2007, I submitted the revisions again to my agent. I’ll never forget her words: “I love this, I can sell this!” – followed by 11 pages of single spaced notes of changes. I happily made them. She then sent me seven pages of double spaced notes. I made those revisions, sent them in and she responded with minor margin notes. By the end of June, we were ready to submit the manuscript to editors!
     The second week of July 2007, the book went out to 11 editors. In the first few days, the declines came in. “All it takes is one,” my agent reassured. By Wednesday, an editor made an offer! Within 24 hours, two more editors followed suit! By the end of the week, I accepted a two-book deal from Grand Central Publishing. But the revisions didn’t stop there. I worked with my editor to re-craft the plot which became my debut novel, WAKING UP IN THE LAND OF GLITTER (released March 2010). My second novel, MISS SCARLET’S SCHOOL OF PATTERNLESS SEWING comes out March 8, 2011.
     Guess what I’m doing these days? Working on my third novel!
     I love contemporary women’s fiction. I love cheering for the underdog. I love happy endings. I love pop culture. I love being Mexican-American. I love being a mom and a wife. I love arts and crafts. You can expect all of those in my new Crafty Chica novel series from Grand Central Publishing!
     Kathy Cano-Murillo is a lifelong writer and artist. Her crafts have been carried by hundreds of retailers including Bloomingdales, Target, and Hallmark. She is a former entertainment reporter for The Arizona Republic, and has authored seven books including Crafty Chica’s Guide to Artful Sewing. She is the founder of CraftyChica.com, a wildly popular web site to inspire women to brighten their lives with clever craft ideas. She has been seen on LifetimeTV.com, HGTV, SiTV and DIY Network. She has been profiled in The New York Times, USA Today and NPR, and now has an extensive Crafty Chica product line. Kathy lives in Phoenix, AZ, with her husband, two kids and five Chihuahuas. Her motto for life is “Crafts, drama and glitter”.
Visit Craftychica.com

Scarlet Santana is never happier than when creating fabulous fashions for women of all shapes and sizes. Now, after years of hard work, she finally has the chance to live her dream and study under the hottest designer in New York. To raise money for her move, Scarlet opens an after-hours sewing school in a local record shop, teaching a type-A working mom whose rigid parenting style is causing her family to unravel and an enigmatic seamstress with a mysterious past.

But as stitches give way to secrets and classmates become friends, the women realize an important truth: There is no single pattern for a good life. Happiness is always a custom fit.

  Scarlet Santana is never happier than when creating fabulous fashions for women of all shapes and sizes. Now, after years of hard work, she finally has the chance to live her dream and study under the hottest designer in New York. To raise money for her move, Scarlet opens an after-hours sewing school in a local record shop, teaching a type-A working mom whose rigid parenting style is causing her family to unravel and an enigmatic seamstress with a mysterious past.
  But as stitches give way to secrets and classmates become friends, the women realize an important truth: There is no single pattern for a good life. Happiness is always a custom fit.

WAKING UP IN THE LAND OF GLITTER 

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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
*Grab your current read
*Open to a random page
*Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
*BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
*Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

“And what’s in here?  Rebe asked, lifting the top of the small white box,  “ohhhh, excuse me.



According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”
I first want to thank Laura for being so kind and generous to take the time to host this month with one of my favorite memes.  Thank you Laura!!!! 



According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”
I first want to thank Laura for being so kind and generous to take the time to host this month with one of my favorite memes.  Thank you Laura!!!! 

I would like to explain how this came to fruition. Hubby and I were having a discussion about the old days, (for the young’ens reading this..a little history lesson) but before the dark age. When Sundays were special and had traditions and rituals. Sunday mornings Church, come home to a big gravy (sauce) cooking on the stove, a big Sunday dinner, then either off to visit relatives/friends or wait for relatives/friends to drop by. We would spend the afternoon sitting around the table, talking, catching up, having coffee, pizza, calzones, etc etc, dessert. And now, how sad, all those traditions are gone. And then I got to thinking, why not have something similar here on my blog. This past year, I have met so many amazing and wonderful people (some I now call friends) through blogging, and how I am in awe of what they do and accomplish. How much respect I have for them, for their honesty, integrity, credibility and so enjoy when a bit of their personality shines through. So every Sunday, here at my place, the coffee will be on, the dessert is on the table and friends will be stopping by. And I will be rolling out the red carpet for my Sunday Shining Star Blogger guest.

*How and what made you decide on the name of your blog?
I didn’t really give it much thought because it was really just for me in the beginning. It was originally called One Persons Journey Through A World Of Books and boy do I regret that now! WAY TOO LONG! SO last April I dropped it to become Book Journey, yet I see that many bloggers still refer to it as the old name.

*What would you say is the main content of your blog?
I mainly do book reviews but I also do book discussions, giveaways, author chats and of course the Morning Meanderings that bring in a lot of readers.

*If books, what genres do you mostly read?
That’s tough as I am really a prolific reader. I enjoy many genres such as mysteries, literature, non fiction, YA, mysteries, dystopia, fantasy, Christian fiction… (see how hard this is for me…LOL)

*How often do you post?
Pretty much daily.

*What are some of the things that you love about blogging?
Community. I love to chat with other readers!

*What are some of the negatives?
Hmmm…. it is a commitment. That isn’t really a negative – just a fact. Blogging, commenting, improving, updating… all takes time.

*Name 1-3 favorite items/postings that you have/do on your blog?
1. Morning meanderings: Morning post s which are pretty much just me unplugged. They can be about funny life happenings, work outs, weekend plans, whatever…. I try to keep them fun.

2. Author Chats: I do “chats” with authors once I have read their books. We discuss the book, their own love of books, how they take their coffee, whats next, etc…

3. The WHERE are you reading map. Every time I review a book I link it to a world map so you can see where I have read this year. I run this as a challenge and encourage others to join me….

*Any advice you would give to new bloggers?
Ask questions! If you see something you like on someones blog ask them how they did it. I asked a ton of questions when I first started and everyone was so kind to help me out. Be careful what you start…. really be sure you will be able to follow through. I started a few memes in the beginning that fizzled fast…. I would advise you to really watch the bloggers you admire and see how they do things. Don’t get too crazy on all the sidebar stuff…. too much, too busy – is a distraction from what you are really trying to do.

*What draws you to follow someone’s blog?
Interesting posts, informative but not overdone. I also like funny. If they kid around and make you feel like they are chatting with you – I will be back. I like keeping it real.

*Do you have any “pet peeves” that other bloggers do?
The comment or follow exchanges – emailing and asking people to comment or follow their blog and they will do the same for you. This isn’t high school…. (ok, I take that back – for some it may be) but really – make your blog your own…. you will attract like minded readers.

*Would you please share 5-7 things about the person behind the screen so that we get to know the “real” you!!
*Any other info you would like to share.
1. I am an avid bike rider and do long distance bike rides Spring – late fall

2. I live in Central Minnesota

3. I have been to Honduras 9 times and work on teams their with street kids

4. I absolutely love to read and listen to audio

5. One of my all time favorite books is Summerhouse by Jude Deveroux – there are many reasons I would love to be one of the female characters in that book

6. If I could figure out a way to make chocolate healthy I would be a rich woman.

7. With a little luck – I will have written my first book by the end of 2011.

First and foremost I want to thank Sheila for being my guest today and sharing herself with us.  I really enjoyed reading all her answers and learned quite a bit.  On a personal note, Sheila amazes me!!!  I get a visual of a very energetic, kind, caring, personable, genuine, honest, fun and family oriented person.  Not only if she could make chocolate healthy, but if she could bottle her energy, she definitely would be a rich woman.  And with a little luck, and begging lol, she will let us all read and review her 1st novel.  Good Luck in your writing career, Sheila.  I think I can speak for a lot of us bloggers, that we wish you the best of luck with your writing career.  I am now anxious to know more about it, the genre, a little synopsis, etc, etc.  We just might have to have a Sunday’s Shining Star sequel to find out these answers!!!!!  I think you will all agree with me,  Sheila is most definitely a SHINING STAR!!