Imperfections Make Us Beautiful

Imperfections are what make us beautiful -- this is a saying I've believed in my entire life and one I got reminded of today...when my face was on the AOL homepage -- WHAT?!

Okay, back track -- story first!

So, earlier this year, I was working as an Assistant Editor for the Huffington Post. About three weeks ago, we got an email from the Healthy Living editors asking if anyone had scars and wouldn't mind sharing a photo/story for the article. I emailed back almost right away -- first, because I've had a scar for my entire life and second because I think it is a fantastic cause! Scars are gorgeous in my opinion. Each one comes with a story -- be it funny, scary or uplifting -- that defines that person. (On that note, I love Padma from Top Chef! Not only is she absolutely gorgeous, but she's publicly spoken out about and embraced her own scar, and is a wonderful role model in that regard.)

I'd completely forgotten about the story until I tonight when I sat down with my remote control to catch up on the latest episode of The Bachelor (I can't help it... I'm addicted!). I was flipping through the AOL homepage (I know, I know -- it's a little old-school but I think they have the clickiest headlines ever!) when I saw this:

I swear, I was so close to either dropping my computer or spitting my drink all over the keyboard or both! (Thank God this didn't happen as I realized I had unsaved edits of Simmer!) I clicked on the link and realized it was the 'Beautiful Scars' slideshow. Here's my slide:

Here's my caption/story in case you can't read it: "At about eighteen months old, I got a tad bit carried away while jumping on the couch and had to be taken to the emergency room. I got about 12 stitches and a permanent scar on my left cheek. Since then, I've had doctors suggest lotions to lessen the appearance, but I've never been interested. To me, the scar is normal -- my face would look weird without it! "

What I didn't admit on the Huff Post is that I wasn't just jumping on my couch... I'd just watched Dumbo and actually thought I might be able to fly. We writers have very overactive imaginations... even at a year and a half old! 

If any of my readers have scars, I'd love to hear your stories and you should definitely head over to the article and share your photo. I wish more people felt comfortable with their scars, because I think they're special and I would never ever want to get rid of mine. 

In fact, if you've read Ignite, you'll know that at first all conduits have scars on their hands because of what makes them unique and special: their powers. And, I'll be introducing another meaningful scar later in the series. And while I did make Tristan a traditionally delicious leading man, he has a lot of emotional scars. And, I wanted to make Luke more beautiful in a unique way -- he's tall, slightly gangly albeit muscular, spotted with freckles and (my favorite) has a slightly off-kilter nose. 

Let's all celebrate what makes us unique!!  Scars, birth marks, deformities, handicaps -- whatever it may be, love it! And even if you don't love it, know that someone out there loves you because of it, not in-spite of it. 

Lots of love to all of my amazing readers and good night!! 

AHHHHH!! Officially a professional author!

Officially freaking out because guess what came in the mail...MY FIRST AMAZON CHECK!!!! No, it is not the money that is making me happy, it's the fact that I am finally a professional author. I have made actual money from selling a book I wrote. DREAM COME TRUE! Seriously, a day I will not forget for the rest of my life and all of you amazing readers are what made it happen so THANK YOU!!! A thousand times thank you to everyone who has bought, read and helped me promote 'Ignite' or who's done all of the above!

Okay, I need to sign off to go bounce around my apartment in bubbly happiness :) G'night!

Like Me on Facebook!

Hey everyone! It's been a strange few weeks for me, so I apologize for not really paying attention to my blog, but one of my New Year's resolutions is to get working on 'Simmer' again and to keep up with my blog posts!

I've been meaning to make a Facebook page for a while and I finally did tonight. I would be so so thrilled if you would like me on Facebook! I'll be using the page to post my blog articles, updates about my series and just to interact with you all.

Thank you so much for your support! Here's a link to the page - spread the word :)

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kaitlyn-Davis/354014464614748?sk=wall

There's also a 'like' button at the bottom of my blog (still not totally sure how I managed to put it there, haha)

I hope everyone is having a wonderful 2012!

Best Christmas Present Ever!!

Hey all! I couldn't resist posting about the best Christmas present I have ever received, my book! My sister and soon to be brother-in-law figured out how to transform my ebook into a hardcover! My jaw literally dropped to the floor when I opened the gift, and they gave me a pen to sign it. Self-publishing has been amazing, and the support I've witnessed thus far has been unbelievable, but to take that next step of actually signing a hardcover was a moment  I'll never forget! They also printed out a bunch of other copies for me to hand out to my friends and family, and I have one saved for a giveaway that'll be occurring in about a month - more to come on that later!

I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas or happy Hanukkah or awesome whatever other holiday you were celebrating!

Here's a photo of me with the book! Can't wait to read it on actual pages, and it's helping me stay focused on 'Simmer' - I'm three chapters in and writing as fast as I can.

If you're reading this and liked my book, I would love if you could spread the word and recommend it to your friends - it would make my holiday complete! Thank you so much for the support and for reading my book!

One last note: I also got 'Clockwork Prince' by Cassandra Clare, 'Mastiff' by Tamora Pierce and a gift certificate for Nook books on Barnes & Noble. Can't wait to find some time to read again - what should I read first? I need help - I'm too excited to decide!

A Moment To Freak Out

Few things annoy me more than when people achieve their dream and act blase about it. When an actor wins an oscar then smiles, nods his head and gives a thirty second speech without freaking out at all, it just bothers me. Yes, there is something to be said about accepting awards graciously, but there is also something to be said about letting your fans and friends understand how excited you are to be doing something other people only dream about.

So, with this in mind, I need a moment to freak out with excitement! No, I did not win an oscar or get on a bestseller list, but I am soon going to receive my first paycheck from selling books (according to Amazon, it is in the mail)! I am a paid, published author...!!!!! Being an author is something I have literally dreamed about my entire life and actually witnessing that dream become a reality is an amazing feeling! To the six hundred or so people who have bought my book, thank you so much for making my life complete! For the reviewers who have read or plan to read my book, thank you! To everyone else, grab a copy!

I just wanted everyone to know how excited I am. I don't want this blog to become a personal journal, so I've been trying to write about writing, self-publishing and books in general, but I just wanted to say thanks and...ahhhhh!

A few exciting things coming up:
- The Paranormal Romance Guild is reviewing my book - wooohooo!
- I started writing 'Simmer'
- Next week, I'll be publishing a new edition of 'Ignite' with the cover and first chapter of 'Simmer' at the end
- A bunch of blog reviews should be rolling in soon, keep your fingers crossed for me that they're good!

Thanks for listening my rant!

Why And What I Write

Seeing as this is my first post, I figured I should write about something people will hopefully be coming to this sight to learn about...my writing! 


The first thing to know: I don't take writing too seriously! Before you say, what you're a writer? Let me explain. It's my passion, and I edit my stories countless amounts of times, never thinking they are perfect enough or totally finished, but I don't think novels have to be of the James Joyce persuasion to be worthwhile. I'm the first to profess my love of Gatsy and all things Mr. Darcy, but I think writing for entertainment's sake is admirable too. And, that's what I attempt to do with my novels, entertain people: make them unwittingly smile or inadvertently gasp in shock!


I'd rather someone pick up my novels and race through them, trying to get to the end as fast as possible to find out what happens, rather than put my book down to grab a dictionary to decipher what I'm saying. 


Where this comes from? I am pretty sure it comes from all my English professors telling me I am too happy to be a writer! Yup, I am not exaggerating, I've actually have had multiple professional educators say that to me! I apologize for always having a smile on my face and laughing a lot, but that does not mean I can't write! I've always gobbled up romance, fantasy and chick-lit books, devouring stories and characters, and that's just the sort of fiction I love to read. 


So, throughout college, I suffered through writing morose story after morose story (from the death of loved ones to depression at the everyday life), until my senior year when I finally realized I was through! I started writing fantasy and the fiction I wanted to write, and that's what I plan to do for the rest of my life. 


So, ranting aside, I hope you enjoy my books! My first ebook is coming out sometime in the next two weeks (on my final round of edits!). It's called Ignite, and it's the first of a four book series called the Midnight Fire series. If you click on the "Midnight Fire" tab you can see the cover design and get a sneak preview! Enjoy!