The Art of Going the Distance, 2007, & Worlds of Jessicas

February 15, 2016 | Coleen Patrick

Hey all!

I’m excited to let you know that I’ve got a new book out: The Art of Going the Distance.

Click banner above for my books on Amazon (spoiler: there’s a sale)

This is the last book in my YA series, Chasing Normal and while it’s kinda sad to close the book on Grace and Zac, I think they probably need a break from me. According to my word documents we’ve been hanging out since 2007.

That’s a lot of time and change. My kids are so much older!

It’s possible that the original idea may have been born in 2005. But I’m not exactly sure, because all of the stories I wrote around that time (most of them middle grade) have a main character named Jessica. Back then I believed that the process of deciding on a name before I finished the first draft would yank me out of that early creative writing rush. And so, yeah, I’ve got worlds of Jessicas.

Anyway, The Art of Chasing Normal was never really about being J~~essica in a World of Jessicas~~ normal. It’s about Grace dealing with change in her family and friendships, and navigating the idea of what she thinks she SHOULD be doing vs. being herself (turns out I didn’t need to do any research on this concept).

But at its heart this series is about love, family, and friendship. And a big crazy road trip. (My favorite things!) I may have teased Grace with a road trip in The Art of Second Chances, but it really happens in The Art of Going the Distance.

So if you or someone you know loves books about first love and friendship and road trips, I hope you check out my Chasing Normal series.

It’s a perfect time, because the first two books are only 99 cents on Amazon this week!

Oh and the ART part of all these titles? Grace’s passion is art, and I had so much fun researching this that doodling and art has become something I love and do every day too.

I know I’m a day late for Valentine’s, so consider this a happy wish for President’s Day or if you’re not feeling very political, National Gumdrop Day.

So, what were you doing in 2007? I’d love to know!

Thanks so much for stopping by, hope you have a happy one!!

The Joy of Discovery (Chocolate Included)

April 13, 2015 | Coleen Patrick

I love how even the tiniest of discoveries can uplift

Tiny turtle power.

We discovered this little guy on the Greensprings trail in Williamsburg, VA.

And just last weekend I left the house and saw this:

The cherry blossom trees are blooming!

It seemed like they bloomed overnight.

(Much like my kids.)

We also found Edvard Munch’s Scream in the James River. Can you see it?

Oh and he’s in this doodle too.

Just kidding.

Here’s some chocolate.

Did you know that you can put the chocolate on the inside of the strawberry?!

Oh the freedom,right?

Hey, look at me doodling on the definition of writing. 😉

Although,

I have to say I could’ve done without this discovery when I walked in the door at work last week:

Dummy at work.

Note: Mannequins are not a typical sight in a library office.

Hey, after this surprise, who needs coffee?

But back to a slightly lower level of adrenaline,

I got the proofs of the illustrated covers that I designed for my Chasing Normal series

and I discovered I’m pretty excited with the way they’re turning out!

What have you discovered lately?

Happy Monday!!

The Surprising Taste of Change (and NYC)

January 5, 2015 | Coleen Patrick

Did you know that if you rub essential peppermint oil on the soft middle of the bottom of your foot that you will eventually taste that peppermint in your mouth?
This was news to me. I heard this random tidbit in yoga class, and while I haven’t tried it yet, I keep thinking about that unexpected, surprising minty sensation (and also wondered if they make chocolate peanut butter essential oils).

Surprising cereal and marshmallow coated cones at Emack & Bolio’s, New York City

2014 was a big year of change here at my house. Everything seemed to challenge my role in Life As I Knew It. My kids moved out, my mom got sick (thankfully she is better). Most of the change, like my kids moving out, I expected, even planned for, imagined. I knew there would be sadness, excitement, new freedoms and the like. But what I didn’t expect was to find myself constantly questioning my purpose the moment my kids left.

Together at 2nd Ave Deli in NYC.

For so many years, my family has been my priority. Everything else I did was “just work”.

Gerald Schoenfeld Theater, NYC

Sure that work was important, necessary, enjoyable, etc., but never assigned the significance of what I did for my family.

So this new questioning, it’s a strange taste, and it’s got me feeling pretty damn insecure.

A misty Central Park, NYC

In many ways I feel like a teenager again. New independence, lots of insecurity, and even more indecision, but then there’s also an excitement that I can fill and assign priority to these wide open spaces however I see fit.

And sometimes that unexpected result is something sweet. I had no idea that the research I would do on art and doodling for my character Grace Callahan in my young adult book, The Art of Chasing Normal, would lead to my own drawing finding a way into a really awesome art book.

North Light has tons of really fun and inspirational art books. Check it out!

With change, though, there’s a lot of heart work to do. I’m figuring it out, and I know there will be more strange and unexpected minty sensations along the way.

But for me, it helps to believe, that even when we feel vulnerable and stripped to the bone, there’s still something strong and fierce (in the best possible way) inside of us.

American Museum of Natural History, New York City

Wishing you the best for 2015!

HAPPY NEW YEAR,

Spambots Ate My Blog or The Art of Second Chances

September 15, 2014 | Coleen Patrick

If you’re reading this, then the Spambot war I’ve been engaged in is over.

Phew.

My site was down most of last week. It popped back up for a few minutes here and there only to be swallowed again by these guys

Note: This is not an actual spambot for they don’t show there faces. They like to lurk behind Burberry ads and gibberish disguised as flattery.

They were ruthless. They got thru Askimet and dumped so many comments HostGator had to shut me down. Finally, thanks to my tech guy (aka my hub), I got my site back.

His other super power: Fish Whisperer 😉

Yay! Because I’ve got stuff to tell you all.

I finished my big Photoshop project–the one that required me to take classes–and pull my hair out.

Here’s what I’ve been up to–the cover of my new book:

A visitor from Zac’s past shows up, sending Grace and Zac’s spring break—and their relationship—into uncharted territory.

The ebook is available now. You can check out all the details here.

The paperback is almost ready to go live. I got a bit sidetracked with choosing between matte or glossy–and again there was more learning to be done with the fancy Photoshop.

But I did it. It wasn’t easy and I still have lots to learn, but I’m pretty happy with how far I got. And that I tried. There was lots of mistakes and trying again–which fits nicely with one of the themes in this new book. So there’s that too. 🙂

Plus, the companion book, The Art of Chasing Normal, is a Kindle Unlimited book!

So what have you been up to? I’d love to hear! But first…

a teensy, tiny bit of bad news. Unfortunately commenting here now requires a little math. Sorry, I know this is a lot to ask, especially on a Monday. Hopefully I will find a better Captcha setup (I’m open to suggestions).

So because I miss your comments and hope you will tell me what’s been going on with you, I offer you some very pretty cake.

Gives new meaning to fruit cake.

Or maybe you’d like a little zen.

Me too. My new favorite thing is this class

Yoga at the botanical garden. 🙂

What’s happening in your world? I’d love to know!

HAPPY MONDAY!

Summer at a Snail’s Pace

June 20, 2014 | Coleen Patrick

Meet my new guru!

We met last weekend at Crabtree Falls in George Washington National Forest.

Just in time, because tomorrow marks the summer solstice here in the Northern hemisphere.

For me, June has always meant it’s time to slow down a bit. Maybe because the majority of my years have been defined by school and summer break. I realized today, that there’s only been a handful of summers that were not sandwiched between school years (either for me or my kids).

Anyway, it’s summer, and I’m back in snail mode.

Snail mode is not really a physical pace (although it can be). Here it’s more of a mind-set.

I’m going to be less concerned with the overwhelming, the never-ending measuring stick, and more in tune with

family

nature

road trips

reading

summer book crush Collage

The Art of Chasing Normal and dozens of great reads are only .99 this weekend! Just click on the image to get to the Summer Book Crush site.

doodling

joy

intuition

Oh and forget perfectionism. I’ve got more important passengers.

So ~~yummy~~ pretty.

And I’m taking a deep breath of gratitude for where I am right now.

What does summer (or the change of seasons) mean to you?

Happy Weekend!

Photo Essay: The Time Machine on My Front Porch

June 16, 2014 | Coleen Patrick

For more proof of my porch time machine, check out my daughter in last year’s post: The Quickening: From Baby to High School Graduate in Sixty Seconds.

Now I’ve got two happy graduates. 🙂

What’s your best advice for graduates?

Happy Monday!

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Reading Gives You Wings

March 26, 2014 | Coleen Patrick

I’m spreading my wings!

This weekend I will be participating in a local authors fair at Cascades library in Potomac Falls, Virginia.

There will be bunches of SUPER cool author peeps.

Super cool author peep, Kathryn Erskine.

And books and book stuff.

And coffee, I’m sure. Although, I should probably switch to decaf.

Me + Caffeine (and/or nerves) = Doodles

I’m grateful, excited, nervous, but also very CURIOUS. 🙂

Are you spreading your wings? How do you calm your nerves?

Happy Wednesday!

Photos from Christmas Past: The Gifts of the Season

December 16, 2013 | Coleen Patrick

Wishing you a renewed sense of wonder

and hoping you enjoy the fruits of your labor

May your days be spent with those you love

and may those days be merry

and all that you dreamed

especially if all that you dreamed includes your teeth

and may your memories be good

Wishing you and yours joy and peace this holiday season!

Happy Monday!

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My First Coffee Cupping: Buzzworthy San Juan, Puerto Rico

July 22, 2013 | Coleen Patrick

I like coffee.

I especially like how I am a tad less crabby in the mornings after I drink it–and of course, there’s the caffeine oomph.

My caffeinated doodles.

And I have to admit I feel pretty fancy whenever I get to sip on a five dollar soy latte (and practically spy-like when I get to do it incognito).

But I’d never heard of coffee cupping.

Turns out it’s a lot like wine tasting. Coffee cupping is a process used to evaluate and compare different coffees.

Coffee can taste briny, bready, or even oniony. Those are the not so good terms. Buttery, on the other hand, denotes full flavor and richness.

Who knew? Not me.

Until I traveled to San Juan, Puerto Rico.]

Cafe Cuatro Sombras, San Juan, Puerto Rico

This is a BIG coffee grinder. Cafe Cuatro Sombras is serious about their coffee.

Everything you need to start cupping.

Break the crust, and then it’s time to slurp your coffee.

Coffee should spread to the back of the tongue, NOT cause you to cough wildly (whoops).

The prize at the end of our coffee cupping adventure: The best soy latte I’ve ever had.

Dare I say, buttery?

Bonus! Drinking coffee guarantees you see San Juan at night!

Tell me your thoughts on coffee! I’d love to hear them.

Happy Monday!