From Fangirl to Member...

Hi everyone! *waves enthusiastically with both hands* My name is Chelsea M. Cameron, I can't tell you how HONORED I am to be a part of this group.
I don't remember when I heard about this group, but I started seeing these amazing authors supporting each other and writing amazing books, a lot of which I read and loved, and I knew I wanted to be a part of it. Seriously, I'm still in shock. Let's go back in time, shall we?
Rewind to February of this year. I had just put out my first independently-published ebook, Nocturnal. I sold 15 copies at 99 cents in two weeks and I was THRILLED. Fast forward to the present, and I've sold over 70,000 ebooks and I'm quitting my job to write full time and I have a literary agent. HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?
Honestly, I don't know. It might have had something to do with this --->
I wrote a book that I was passionate about, that people wanted to read. But that's not what I'm going to talk about in this little introductory post.
Here are five random things you may not know about me:

1. I am really short. Like, only 5'0 tall. Some of the kids I used to babysit dwarfed me. I also look WAY younger than I am. Even at 26, I still get asked if I've graduated high school.
2. I am both the oldest and younger 26-year-old you will ever meet. I can go nuts for a Disney Princess movie one minute and geek out about Downton Abbey the next. I LOVE watching old black and white movies.
3. Tea is my caffeine delivery system of choice. My favorite is lemon ginger, but I'm also partial to Morning Thunder when I need a jolt.
4. I have been a vegetarian for six years, and all my female characters are also vegetarians. It was a lifestyle choice I made, and I've been happy with it. I can make fake beef stew that will knock your socks off. Seriously.
5. I enjoy chaos when I write. Some people need silence, but I need as much noise as possible so my brain can tune it out to focus. I'll usually have a movie on, and then my iPod turned on low as well. It sounds crazy, but it works for me.

So there you have it! I'll be posting more about me and my books in the future, so stay tuned :)

Peace out, and catch you on the flipside!

~*Chelsea*~

Just who is Christine Fonseca???

Hi everyone! I can not tell you HOW THRILLED I am to be part of this amazing group of writers. You know, I am a huge fan of the musical WICKED....
And this amazing group of writers are like Elphaba and are Defying Gravity and taking on the industry on their own terms. I am honored to count them all amongst my friends.
When I joined, they asked if I'd do a short intro post. Well, you all read my "bio" a week ago or so. Now I thought I'd share the REAL story about me and my books....

About Me:

• I've been writing for about four years. And yes, I LOVE writing both fiction and nonfiction, for totally different reasons
• I still work with kids everyday. And yes, I call it "research"
• I am hopelessly addicted to skinny vanilla lattes. Surprisingly, my characters are not.
• I once went diving with sharks - most exhilarating experience of my life.
• My life is very normal - work, kids, writing. That's it. Honestly, I have little time for much else.

About My Books:

• I starting out writing fiction, but published nonfiction first.
• My nonfiction books are geared for teachers, parents, teens and children.
• My fiction is definitely older YA and often deals with edgy, dark, macabre topics.
• I toyed with the idea of writing under a pseudonym, but honestly - it's a ton of work. So, here I am, publishing both under my name. Sure seems easier this way!
• Everything I write - nonfiction parenting titles, sweeping YA gothic tales, and psychological thrillers - explores the deeper aspects of being human. It's just my "thing".
• My book titles include: DIES IRAE, a Requiem Novella, LACRIMOSA, LIBERA ME (both part of the Requiem Series), TRANSCEND, a YA thriller, and several nonfiction titles. I have 4 books coming in 2013. EEP! You can get complete info on my blog or website.

About Writing:

• I am definitely a plotter. I tried to write without outlining once - DISASTER!
• Although I am a pantser, I only outline loosely. Meaning, it is flexible. My characters have a way of running away with me!
• I write something everyday. It may only be for 15 minutes - but I do it daily. 
• I am thoroughly addicted to writing and can't image NOT doing it anymore. That said, I consider quitting often. Maybe even daily. Okay, hourly.... 
• I am toying with the idea of teaching writing classes. I just love helping others, so this seems a natural fit.
• I owe everything to my group of teen readers. They let me pick their brain, tell me when I'm being lame, and help me brainstorm. They are EPIC.

Want to know anything else about me? (I can't image that you would, but hey, you never know) Just drop me an email at:

Christine(at)christinefonseca.com

Can''t wait to find out more about all of you and share writing info, etc...