I’m back! I know I’ve been absent for a couple of weeks, and I don’t have a particularly exciting reason–school and work have been getting to me, plus, you know, I do have a social life, and add it all together and you get very little leftover time for blogging. Plus, I’ve just fallen out of the habit lately…But I’m going to try to be better. (You decide in a month or so if that’s an April Fools’ joke or not).
So what now? I haven’t been reading a whole lot. In March, I reread a couple of favorites taking place in Europe because I’m excited about my upcoming move to Germany for college (and I think I’ll be spending a few days in London before arriving at school, so that’s exciting, too, but sadly first I must get through the rest of high school) (also, I’m definitely taking recommendations for books set in Europe and/or involving travel, particularly Germany), a few new books I’ll review soon, and one for school. I have neglected to participate in weekly memes (Waiting on Wednesday and Booking Through Thursday), so expect some catch-up posts there. I also hope to have some interviews and guest posts (as always, email me if you’re interested in a guest post slot).
And what else? Well, I have some exciting news. I’ve recently found out that I’ve been quoted on two books! First, from Alea, I’m on the paperback of Audrey, Wait!, and second, from Jenny, I’m on the UK edition of Gone (listed as “Teen review on Amazon.com”, but it’s me). Exciting, no?
And then, Stephanie Kuehnert interviewed me for her Women Who Rock Wednesday feature! Check it out here, and she’s also giving away a copy of Red if you’re interested.
Finally, a piece I wrote about Fordham (the college I almost attended) was published in Teen Ink Magazine! You can see it online here.
And keep reading crossing the ocean if you’re interested in my future.
So that’s it for now, but more later (I promise this time).
April 1, 2009 at 6:19 pm
Cool! I love the quotes.
April 1, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Yay!
April 2, 2009 at 9:10 am
Welcome back! Great to hear all your fabulous news!
And, wow, I was quoted on the Audrey, Wait cover too – amazing, and great to be in such good company!
April 2, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Wooooo you’re back!!!
Yay!
…not like I thought you were dead or haven’t talked to you or anything but I missed your blog.
April 2, 2009 at 3:08 pm
So awesome that you’re quoted on a book! I’m glad you’re posting again, though everyone understands how hard it can be to keep up with blogging.
April 9, 2009 at 12:32 pm
I gave you an award for your blog. Check it out at http://abookdork.blogspot.com/2009/04/my-first-award.html
April 21, 2009 at 9:38 am
Welcome back, congratulations, happy Spring, and, if I remember correctly from last year, it might be around your birthday now, too! :)
June 6, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Jocelyn! I was looking up books online & randomly stumbled upon a book review that said it was by you, & couldn’t believe it! What you do is SO neat!!
September 11, 2011 at 4:45 pm
I would like to recommend my new ebook as a resource for your reading pleasure, review, and comment. The ebook is intended for use as a “self-improvement” resource for ministries to women’s prisons and/or an inspirational (tell-it-like-it-is) resource for drug prevention programs. The book is non-fiction (It is what it is!); and the original letters are included as images for authenticity. For your private information, Heather Heaton (the author) is “Breanna”, the main character in the book. This is relatively easy to figure out.
Heather Heaton is a 34 year old college student trying to better her life, in spite of the baggage she carries from her earlier life. She has been quite successful in accomplishing that goal; and she will use the proceeds from the book to help support herself. Her picture is posted, with her book descriptions, at Smashwords. Heather Heaton can be contacted at heatherheaton@rocketmail.com.
The recently published ebook is entitled (“Her Letters from Prison: Part 1 & Part 2″) by Heather Heaton as published at Smashwords (www.smashwords.com). A brief description of the ebook follows:
Breanna tells the true story of her experiences in prison through her letters to her friend Heath. This is a story of survival and a quest to make a better life. The letters describe the daily shocking events of prison life involving drugs, sex, utter devastation and humiliation, anger, hopelessness, despair, and finally happiness and hope.
Breanna’s “truth” stands still even as the world around her trembles and burns! Bad things do happen to good people; and Breanna is the perfect example of this truth.
Breanna’s inner strengths and principles eventually win out over the corruption and evil that surrounds her. With God’s help, Breanna survives the horrible experiences of prison life and regains her self-confidence and hope for a better life.
“Breanna” was an inmate at Tutwiler Women’s Prison from 2007 to 2009.
“Breanna” benefitted from women’s prison ministries and the LIFE Tech-Wetumpka state-funded self-help program.
The Introduction page of the ebook follows:
Introduction:
The story you are about to read is true. Unfortunately, it’s my story; and the truth is often much more intriguing than fiction. I have had to deal with this story (this situation) for more than the past ten years. I started living out this story with all the hopes and dreams of most (if not all) young American girls; and I will finish this story by realizing most of those hopes and dreams, even though they have been interrupted for a time (in prison) that seems like time and time again. Through it all, I have managed to learn some life lessons that I hope to give to you; and I am hoping that you can pick up on these lessons earlier in life than I have done. I should have learned these lessons long ago. If I had learned these lessons long ago, I assure you that I would not have written the material you are now reading. My hope is that nobody else has to endure what I have endured learning life lessons that should be given to youngsters and adolescents early in life by the ones who truly love them. But here again, there are probably other youngsters and adolescents, much like me, who will have to learn these life lessons painfully for themselves, the hard way – by experiencing them first hand. Well, if you continue to read my story, here’s what you will experience – drugs, sex, violence, prison, utter devastation/humiliation, anger, hopelessness, despair, and finally happiness and hope!
If you don’t take me seriously and you follow in my path, you are going to experience false hope and disillusionment! You are going to experience broken trusts, by those whom you trusted most! You are going to experience pain and agony that brings you to the brink of self-destruction! You will lose your freedom! You will lose the right to think for yourself and to make your own decisions! You will lose your sense of self-worth and self-dignity! You are going to lose your ability to support yourself! You are going to lose your self-confidence! You are going to be victimized; and you can do little to avoid this! You will struggle and struggle and struggle just to get yourself back onto an even keel! But if you can ever manage to muster a tremendous mountain of stubbornness and determination, and if you can begin to think better of yourself, you will be able to recover most, but not all, of your ability to manage your own affairs while regaining some of your self-confidence and feeling of self-worth. I am just about to accomplish this in my life! Being just about able to accomplish this in my life is what has led me to (it has allowed me to) share my story with you. At first, I didn’t think I could ever share my story with anyone. But, I really don’t want you to actually share (live through) my experiences, even if you think you can handle it. Just read this story and do something positive in your own life.
Note: Names have been changed to protect each individual’s privacy.
Dedication:
This work is dedicated to Valrise Bendolf (Clay County Dept. of Corrections Holding Facility), Jackie Ratliff (Kilby – Montgomery Womens’ Facility), Fawn Romie/Mr. Roberts/Gary Parsons (Life Tech) and all of Mr. Robert’s little roses that he so diligently cultivated. For all their good works, these people saved my life!
I hope that you find this ebook both interesting and helpful.
Sincerely,
Heather Heaton
heatherheaton@rocketmail.com
November 21, 2011 at 3:44 am
Nice quotes, they are very special! I hope my quotes can get copied someday.
May 13, 2012 at 9:40 pm
Great Book you may also like this site:
This site is for the adventurous, the passionate, for people who love music, who enjoy dancing and hanging out. This website is packed with features including chat rooms, photo/ video galleries and private messaging. http://www.youngpeoplemingle.com
July 13, 2012 at 7:41 pm
Congratulations on the quotes you got!!
wix.com/thehauntedhousekid/matthew-gary-milam
July 13, 2012 at 7:43 pm
I’m told i’m duplicating comments–not true–so…glad to hear about quotes.
wix.com/thehauntedhousekid/matthew-gary-milam