by Joey | Aug 4, 2014 | Writing
I’ve decided to make the book thing into sort of a series. To sit here and just tell you how I did it is only half the story. It’s not as simple as just following things step by step. At least it wasn’t for me. So sit back, get comfortable. Here we go.
For as long as I can remember, writing has been important to me. Every single year of my life from ten on is painstakingly documented. I have an entire bin of journals here at the house. There’s another in my parents’ attic. I’d panic at that, admitting where my journals are stored, but my parents lived it the first time around–and I always got caught when I did something I wasn’t supposed to. It’d be a waste of their time and quite frankly nothing they’d be interested in. Drama. That’s what it was to all of them. My family, that is. That’s not me calling them out, I promise. I’m the baby of five, they were just…over it. Drama to a bunch of adults is just…drama.
But to me? Pair my high school experience with my desire to write, and I guess you have Joey Hodges Author. I’ve been a writer my entire life, I just didn’t share it with anyone. And the thing is, when things happened to me, I felt them. They’re tattooed on me (not literally, Mom. Stop freaking out). They rocked me. They shattered me. All those things people said? I can still hear them all. When I was sixteen, I had some things happen. And I remembered feeling…sort of alone. What was happening was drama. That’s all it was, I know that then and now. But it didn’t make it feel any different. It was still happening.
So that night, I sat on my bedroom floor and wrote about everything. I wrote until my eyes were finally dry and my heart felt empty. And I closed the entry with I promise I’ll never forget what any of this feels like, what being a teenager feels like. I’ll never lose this perspective.
Some people have a soft spot for babies. Others really like the elderly. Me? Give me all the teenagers. I understand them. I empathize with them. I remember what it was like to be them. I made a point of it. And I remember thinking when I was a teenager that I wish someone would just get it. I wished that what was happening and what I was feeling wasn’t reduced to just drama.
I think that night, the night I wrote that journal entry, was the night I decided I’d write Young Adult fiction–before I even knew what Young Adult was.
I wanted to put something out into that world that would make at least one teenager feel less alone. I wanted to put something out there that would validate how they’re feeling, even when it’s just drama.
And because posts are more fun with pictures, I give to you…High School Joey:
SaveSave
SaveSave
SaveSaveSaveSave
by Joey | Aug 1, 2014 | Throwback
Sally Hansen Insta-dri in Peachy Breeze
Wide brush
Formula: a little thick. First coat streaked. Second coat applied fine.
**I used Out the Door topcoat for the first time. It’s okay. I like Seche Vite better for 2 reasons:
- It dries all layers of polish quicker (no risk of any dents).
- It’s shinier. It always leaves the appearance of gel.
Seche Vite might be a few bucks more, but it’s worth it, in my opinion.
Can you guys tell I’ve been in a pink mood? Actually, that’s not really even true. I’ve just been on this perpetual hunt for the perfect soft light pink/coral color.
++I finished season three of Scandal, and now I don’t know what to do with my life. Maybe I’ll actually finish the three books I’m in the middle of right now. But go ahead–throw some (Netflix) shows at me! (Actually, you can throw some amazon prime shows at me too–because I have the best
gushfriend on the planet).
++ I’m in this weird in between busy and bored state now that the book is done. I certainly am not as busy as I was with the book–but there’s just enough to do that I can’t just sit on the couch all day–and that, for some reason, means I have zero motivation to do any of it. Why is it that when we’re busy as crap, we get so much done. But when we have all the time in the world, nothing gets done?
++ I’m almost out of my Chi volumizing mousse that I got when I bought my Chi straightener (yeah, it’s that old. Sue me). It does the job without leaving a seriously nasty residue in my hair (you can feel it’s there, but it doesn’t change the texture of my hair–if that makes any sense). But my hair certainly looks thicker (and the roots lift) when I use it. Do any of you have any drug store mousse recommendations?
++ I have gotten
a lot (way more than I ever expected) of emails from people telling me they want to write a book and asking what the process was like. First of all, I’m seriously flattered. Secondly, I’ll work up a post with the dirty details, but please know and understand that the process is different for everyone. What worked for me might not work for you. There isn’t some standard formula anymore. I’ll do my best to give whatever advice I can, though! (PS–If you haven’t already, snag my
book!)
by Joey | Jul 30, 2014 | Throwback
It’s not out of the ordinary to treat yourself when you accomplish something you’ve been working really hard for. The thing is, most people go with shoes or bags…or jewelry. Me? Nail polish. Duh. The second I hit publish for
Yeah, maybe I finally let myself pull the trigger on Color Club’s Harp On It. It’s not a particularly expensive polish, but I tend to stick with the brands that are in the $4 and under range.
I’ve been lusting after that polish for years. Years! It’s all I hoped it would be. Here I partnered it with W&W Wild Shine in Blazed. That one I picked up on Tuesday as a treat. What for? Oh, no big deal. I just drove the stick shift all the way out to Walmart and no one died. And I didn’t stall once. Progress, people.
Can summer always be like this? Please and thank you.
There was a lot of surprise celebrating over the weekend! Saturday, the hubs and I ventured into Raleigh so we could finally try Chuys. I even had to text one of my resident Texans to verify which dipping sauce we were supposed to try. That evening we went to visit my lifelong bff and see her new house! When we walked in, she had champagne set out to toast the book!
On Sunday, I went in to Raleigh to hang with the parentals and see some family that had just gotten into town. After dinner, we were all just sitting around and boom! My mom comes around the corner with that awesome cake accompanied with another champagne toast (it’s just lucky that champagne is my favorite)! I won’t lie. It pained me to cut into that sucker.
xoxo
by Joey | Jul 23, 2014 | Throwback
I am so excited to announce that
is available on
Amazon for the kindle & kindle app!
For quiet, reserved, and focused 15 year old Annie Mackey, school was a sanctuary. But when her bubbly and beautiful neighborhood best friend joins her at Willow Point High for freshmen year, her world is turned upside down.
Everything Annie could count on for stability is shattered, and she’s left feeling more alone than ever before.
Just when she’s about to lose all hope, someone unexpected swoops in and gives her a much needed lesson in perspective.
Your support the last several months has meant
so much to me, and getting to share this with all of you has been such a blessing!
If you happen to enjoy the book, please be sure to review it on Amazon & Goodreads!
I’m still int he process of having everything link up completely–and the cover art sometimes takes a few days to show up in the amazon link–but the book is live!
Love you guys!!
by Joey | Jul 18, 2014 | beauty, Loves
Sinful colors 24/7
Pure Ice Beware (duh)
Finger paints Paper Mache
Dotting tools
I finally took some time last night to just sit at my vanity with my iPad on Netflix and paint. my. nails. I know, I know. You know things have been crazy around here when I haven’t had a chance to do that.
I hope you all have a wonderful Friday/weekend!
I can never imagine your pain.
Sending you many, many prayers, sweet girl.
