Teresa A. Leighton

2006-11-02T02:22:00.000-08:00

Okay, so my day on Monday didn't go exactly as I planned. Got some rather bad news the night before, which totally messed my brain functionality up. Gave people change who weren't suppose to get any, didn't give change to those who were suppose to get it. Missed the trash bucket and dumped coffee grounds on the floor instead, and had to return to the store 3 times because I kept forgetting to lock the front door.

I'm sure it was a hint to go right home after work and spend the remainder of the day in bed.

Did I take the hint? Na-a-aw. I went to the coffee shop after work instead to keep my daughter company while she was working.

It was about 7:30PM when I decided to call it a night and go home. My daughter was working until midnight and I was too tired to stay any longer.

Gathered half of my stuff to take out to the car. That went well. Put it in the car. Smooth sailing. Grabbed hold of the car door and swung it shut. A slight complication arises. I forgot to move my other hand away from the frame of the door.

Okay, a few choice words came from my mouth that I won't mention here due to their nature and content.

Opened the door, looked down at the long slice running down my finger and the blood beginning to ooze from it. Unfortunately, a bandaid wasn't going to help because it went clear to the bone.
Unfortunately, Julie Summers I am not. I went back into the coffee shop and fainted clean away from the pain. Yep, I'm a whimp sometimes.

Needless to say, I am now called lefty until my finger heals.

BELIEVE

2006-10-24T14:29:00.000-07:00

I've been working about 50 to 60 hours a week for about 3 weeks now. It started when I took a "management" position at Tom's Donuts. I've been pretty much a walking zombie. Between that, having to find homes for the two cats me and my daughter had, finding a car so I wouldn't have to get up at 0'dark-thirty in the morning to go to work, having too many people "living" in my house until they could get on their feet, and, of course, the awful "B" word...BILLS, I've been pretty depressed and just down-right unhappy. Yeah, I have a book out now, but since I'm a new author, it's hard to get sales going unless I invest the time (and money) to get the word out about it.

Neither of which I have any more at this point in time.

Anyway, I was at work today and these two older women come in. They have coffee (nothing wrong with that) and a donut, pretty normal things ina donut shop. I waited on them, poured them a couple of refills, and even joined in on their conversation a few times (I have the gift of gab, not as much when I'm depressed, but I still talk to people I don't know). So they leave and I get up to clean the table. They left a tip, which is very nice, since most don't because it's not a restaraunt per say. The tip is inside a small leaflet with large words in bold print on the front that read "Believe"

Normally, I throw stuff like that out because I don't have a specific "religion" and don't like others pushing theirs on me. But for some reason, I looked at it and it brought a small smile to my face. It was as if this person actually paid attention to me. To the way I carried myself. To the dark circles under my eyes from lack of sleep. And to the slight frown that tugged at my lips. She actually LOOKED at me with her heart and somehow knew how I was feeling...

I kept the pamphlet and the tip is still inside.

WHAT BLIZZARD?

2006-10-13T12:45:00.000-07:00

Okay, so the snow never really accumulated and I got all hyped up for nothing. It was more like a friggin wind storm with a few of the white things blowing around. I ended up delivering the donuts anyway. So much for hoping I'd be able to sleep in a little later than 1 AM.

Have tomorrow off though. Unfortunately, hubby doesn't, and it probably will be a week before we have a day off together and can at least spend 5 minutes of alone time with each other. Been hectic between his job and mine lately. So much so, that he's on the verge of telling me to quite mine. Don't think so.

Hey, starving writers have to get by some how until they make the best seller list. I just may lose 100 pounds before I do. But you never know, huh? : )

BOOK UPDATE:

Have a few books out there and am hoping the readers will like it as much as the first reader did. : ) Her review of "Last" should be on bn.com soon.

Waiting for a reply from Summers Stories in Kendallville about whether or not they like it enough to set up a signing and possibly put it on the shelf. If that happens, it would make it a little easier to approach other small bookstores about the book. Keep your fingers crossed for me. : )

COMMENTS FROM READERS OF MY BOOK & SNOW?

2006-10-11T11:08:00.000-07:00

Just talked to someone who started reading the book. She's on chapter 18 and told me she loves it. Now, even though she is someone I know, (and I dread people who know me reading my book. Scares me) she is one who would be brutily honest about it to me. Which is exactly the way I want it. Can't make my writing better if people aren't honest, huh?

SNOW?

Okay, it's been about fourteen years since I've driven in the snow. That was when I lived in Connecticut----briefly. Before that, I lived in Massachussetts. Yeah, Yeah, some of you would tell me that driving in the snow is like riding a bike. You never forget. But it still scares me. I moved back to Massachussetts last year, just before the snow came. But it was a brief stay and my husband did all the driving.

They're calling for snow tomorrow. EEEK. Unfortunately, my delivery route I do in the morning before opening up the shop is a total of 1 and 1/2 hours. Of driving----In the snow----if it snows. Driving a company van----In the snow----If it snows. Yeah, I'm chicken shit. I'm at a loss as to what to do.

Maybe I'll call in sick.

BOOK SIGNINGS....AND GHOSTS?

2006-10-09T17:13:00.000-07:00

Just recieved copies of my books and I'm out the door in the morning to send them out to local bookstores in the Angola area. It'd be great to have them on the shelves to make it easier for those around the area to get them.

Ghosts?

So, I got home from a long day at Tom's in LaGrange. I'm tired and all I want to do is shower and go to bed. Once I'm asleep, my other half decides to get up and make iced tea to put in the frig for later.

He's in the kitchen and it's around 8:30pm or so, making the iced tea, when the front door opens and someone walks in the house. Of course hubby doesn't bat an eye or turn to see who's walking in.

He just thinks it's someone who lives in the house. My oldest daughter's boyfriend to be exact.

This person walks in the living room, heads down the hall, and into one of the back rooms. A few minutes later, the mystery person comes out and walks back out the front door.

Hubby finishes the tea and heads for the bedroom.

The phone rings. He picks up. It's my oldest daughter calling to tell him her and her boyfriend won't be needing a ride. They were going to walk from where they were, to another store, and then ride home with a friend.

The lightbulb turns on!

Hubby hangs up. "If the oldest daugher and her boyfriend aren't here, the youngest is still at work, and the wife is asleep in bed, then who the heck just walked in my house? Was it my imagination? Could it have been a ghost?"

Unfortunately, the world may never know. Mystsery person (or ghost man) is already long gone and hubby is left stupified.

Now the orders are to lock the doors even when we're home.

Okay, if I were the one in the kitchen making tea at 8:30pm, I'd definitely turn to see who just walked through my door without knocking. Doesn't matter if I think it's someone living in the house. I check every time someone walks in if I'm withing viewing distance, no matter what time it is....regardless. A lesson I'm sure my husband has learned. Or has he? Another question the world may never know.

Unless, of course, he allows someone else to walk in and rob us blind.

GUESS WHAT HAPPENED AT THE DONUT SHOP?

2006-10-08T09:28:00.000-07:00

My husband came with me yesterday because due to our hectic schedules, we don't see each other very much anymore. So, it's 2:00 in the afternoon and I'm wiping the display case down (the last of my chores before I leave) and in pops one of the local radio stations.

I'll keep the name of the station anonymous.

They walk in and ask where Shane is.

Right away the bells go off in my head.

Shane is not there and they came to have him speak on the radio during a harvest event that day.

Well, guess what? Yep, that's right. Little ole Moi gets inducted into the "let's make a fool of ourselves" Hall Of fame.

Now, there are only two things I'm really really afraid of. It's the kind of fear that starts with the rapid pumping of my heart, then turns to hyperventalation along with cold sweats. It worsens to the point of passing out. Well, one of them is those little buzzing creatures that fly around looking for their next victim to ram their thin stingers into. The other is...well...yeah, you guessed it. Public speaking.

Hey, I'm not shy at all. Not when it comes to talking to people in a conversational-like manner. Not at all. Once I get going, you can't shut me up. But tell me hundreds, possibly thousands of people, will hear me and I can't utter a sound. Not a peep.

It got down to the wire and I had 3 minutes before my interview about the donut shop. Goodie. I had three minutes to run and hide. But where? Under the rack of donuts that were left? In one of the cupboards under the sink. I could've high-tailed it out the front door and drove away in the van. Guess what. I didn't fit in the rack or under the sink. Oh I tried real hard, but to no avail. As for the door? THEY were standing in front of it.

1 minute to go.

So I asked them if they had a list of the questions. And possibly the answers. Oh I got some laughs for THAT one.

When all was said and done, I did the interview as fast as I could and managed without falling dead to the floor. They said it turned out good. So did the boss man. Who, by the way, was in his car listening. Probably laughing his ass off. But I'll tell ya, he owes me lunch for THAT one. Maybe a raise would be in order? Naaaw. Better not push it.

BOOK SIGNINGS AND TOM'S

2006-10-05T09:25:00.000-07:00

Well, been working hard for the boss man and am really enjoying it.

How refreshing to be exhausted and still be happy about it!

Just chilling today. Will contact the few bookstores that replied to my press releases I sent out long ago.

They probably won't remember who the heck I am.

Once I do that, I'll update on whether or not I have any signings in the near future. While I do that, I'll also begin to send more press releases out to more stores.

Easier to talk to them when your book is alreay out.

Great day in the morning! What did I get myself into?

Have a few books ordered for those special someone's who will get a free signed copy from me.

Need I mention who you are? Didn't think so. : )

Will post again soon. Working some more on the second book and will return to the first of my new series when the cobwebs clear my brain.

UDATE ON AVAILABILITY ON "LAST"

2006-10-04T11:10:00.000-07:00

Hello to all. "Last" is now available in many more online bookstores such as amazon.com, Powells.com, etc. You should now be able to order it through some local bookstores in your area. Working on getting it on the shelves of some bookstores to make it more convenient for those who will follow more of my novels. Wish me luck. : )

Been working hard in the new Tom's Donuts in LaGrange. It's been so much fun and I love meeting new people in the area. Every and all who have come to the store have been simply fabulous!

Working on the second book of the Julie Summers Novel as well as the first book of a new trilogy. There is also the possibility of a stand alone book in the near future. Hope all goes well for everyone and I look forward to writing more on my blog.

: )

UPDATE ON "LAST"

2006-10-01T10:27:00.000-07:00

Last is finally on bn.com, hopefully will be on several more come tomorrow. I'm going to get started working on getting it on some of the bookshelves in small bookstores in the area. Hopefully will be successfull in that and a few booksignings along with it!

THE PRE-OPENING OPENING OF TOM'S DONUTS IN LAGRANGE

2006-10-01T09:52:00.000-07:00

Got up at O'dark thirty, just to sit and wait because everyone was running late. Another half-hour of sleep time would have been great.

After three phone calls to my house (no one but me heard the phone thank goodness) I was out the door and in the delivery van. A half-hour later (5:30 AM) we were setting up the showcase and ready for all the coffee drinkers and donut lovers of LaGrange to pile in.

3 pots of coffee, 20 boxes made, and some interesting conversation later (8:30 AM), our first customer stolls in. (Unfortunately, it was quite dark and with no large illuminating sign near the entrance or a bright "We're open" sign, no one knew we were open until the establishment next door unlocked their doors to start the day).

But...once the first left, others followed and by the time we left at 1:00 PM, we had given away most of our free "glazies", had sold most of our other donuts , had met many interesting individuals, and were pleased with how the day went.

My donut selling days weren't over.

Got back to Angola and low-and-behold, I punched in and worked until 8:00 PM. By the time I got home, I didn't have the energy to shower and barely enough to get into my comfy nightgown and flop down on the bed. Where I fell asleep the moment my head hit the pillow. The donut world is such an unpredicable thing. Kind of like the stock market.

So, I get up again at 6:30 AM, and where do you think I go? Ah-huh, Tom's in Angola, which is where I am now because of the free wireless interenet. Gotta keep everyone posted, don't I?

TRANSFERING FROM ONE TOM'S--TO ANOTHER

2006-09-29T10:21:00.000-07:00

Getting ready to transfer to a new Tom's tomorrow, which is located in LaGrange, IN. Going to manage the place and meet some new and interesting customers, who, I hope, can inform me of the area and its occupants.

More networking. Yippie!

I have one more day in the store where I began my journey and I'm telling all my favorite people that I'm not leaving for good. Heck, I live here, I'm not moving, I'm just working somewhere else!

Never-the-less, some think I will forget them and I'm going to make sure to change that way of thinking by stopping in as often as my soon-to-be hectic schedule begins. As if it wasn't that way to begin with.

To anyone who may read this before tomorrow. Free coffee and a donut opening day! (and they're great donuts!) Not just saying that because I work at Tom's!

I'll let you all know how it goes.

"Last" is already in the printing process and I am anxiously awaiting its availability to begin PR'ing the area and getting some book signings. Check back here or visit my website to find out the latest news!

STATUS ON "LAST"

2006-09-28T09:31:00.000-07:00

Great News!

Last should be available for purchase no later than the first week of October. Been looking forward to it and due to my networking efforts, I know there are quite a few in my area who have been waiting its arrival!

Hope you all enjoy "Last" and all are welcome to post any comments or questions on my blog or forum about the book.

ABOUT ME

2006-09-28T09:04:00.000-07:00

Hello all. My name is Teresa A. Leighton, author of Last the first book in the Julie Summers Novels.

Before my acceptance to Tico Publising, I had recently finialized a very messy divorce. What fun that was. Unfortunately, the divorce left me with nothing. It was much like the one before that. So I packed up my children and what little belongings I had, then left for Massachusetts, where I married my very handsome, kind, and wonderful husband.

My experiences in MA left little to be desired. We stayed a whole 6 months. Long enough to dig a rather large hole of debt. The one good thing that happened while I was there was I had submitted my MS to Tico and was excepted not too long after that. But staying in MA was out of the question. I knew, as a first time unknown published author, being on the New York Times number 1 best sellers list was something that wasn't going to happen over night, and probably wouldn't happen for quite some time to come, unless I got real lucky. Luck sure wasn't my middle name. So I let my mother talk me into moving to Indiana, where I hoped being near her would ease the transition.

Didn't turn out that way.

With the support and help of my mother in the beginning, and other family members later on, my husband and I are enjoying the great Hoosier State of Indiana and hope to reside in the town of Angola for quite some time to come.

I have a great job at Tom's Donuts in Angola and my husband works hard in another company based in Middlebury. Working for Shane and Nikki has been a wonderful experience and I have the pleasure of meeting all the different townspeople in the area. Networking is my middle name. Hopefully, in the near future, author, will be my middle name.

Well, that's the buzz on the most recent events in my life and I hope to fill my blog with more interesting facts for everyone to enjoy!