Category: Uncategorized

December

Hi everyone!

I’ve been struggling with what to post (struggling in general really lol, but who isn’t?). Anyway, yesterday was a day, you guys. Long story short, our pups went to the vet for an unexpected visit, and it was stressful. Thankfully, they are back home and okay *sigh*.

Seriously, thank goodness for that.

We love those babies and are so grateful they’re well.

In other news, I’m writing on a deadline for basically the first time which is different. My inner-critic is so much…louder ha. She just will not shut up. And I’ve been struggling to hear my character’s voice–which usually is one of my main strengths imo. I love this book, and I’m working through the doubts, trying to focus and just write the story I would want to read. If you’re feeling extra generous, please send good vibes and cross your fingers for me.

How have you all been doing?

Oh, I so hope you’re well!

Several readers have left the kindest messages/comments/reviews, and I’m so grateful to all of you for the encouragement <3.

And here we go… It’s December. If you’ve followed my publishing journey, you probably know this time of year is very difficult for my family and me. Christmas hasn’t been the same in a while. The holidays aren’t as bright as they used to be. We lost someone very special a few years ago, and…

It’s just…hard.

It’s so, so hard.

Sometimes I get down around this time, and I wonder: What the heck is wrong with me? But I already know the answer. I miss my best friend. Desperately. I feel her loss every day. We all do.

So yes, Christmas is hard.

If you’re in that boat as well, I pray you can find the happiness, wonder and magic of the season. Spend time with the ones you love (whether it’s in person, virtual, on the phone or through exchanging cards). Hang in there. Keep trying to find the good. And if you’re suffering through this pandemic, struggling financially, if you, your family members or friends are sick, oh I pray for you. Sending you all so much love, strength and prayers for healing and happiness.

Please stay safe, my awesome readers! I hope December has been treating you well so far!

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman

An Apology

Dear readers,

I apologize if you have tried to contact me within the last few days and I haven’t responded.  Someone I love very much recently passed away.  It was sudden, and my family and I are still trying to come to terms with the loss.  I just wanted to explain my absence and tell you what’s been going on.  My family is small.  Now there is one less person in the world that I love, one who loved me back, and I will miss him.

Papa, although I know you’re gone and you’ll never get to see this…I love you.  I’ll miss spending time with you and our great talks.  I’ll miss how you called sometimes just to say hello.  I’ll miss how strong you were in your faith and how you tried to help me through the tough times (especially these last few years).  I’ll miss seeing your smile, your hugs and how you were the only one to ever call me “princess.”  You were truly one of the best men I have ever known, and I love you so much.

Again, readers, I am sorry, and I’ll try to get back to posting regularly soon.  I truly hope you are all well.

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman

Le Sigh

I had the flu last week and getting over it this week so been feeling pretty blah.  The fevers made me feel lightheaded and dizzy, and I don’t know why I’m still so tired all the time.  Le sigh.

Not really sure what to post today, so here is a song that I’m really liking at the moment.

Always a good time for a trip to Paris, right?  I’ve never actually been, but I’ve heard it’s a beautiful place. 🙂

I hope you’re having a great week and that the flu stays far far away from you, my lovely readers!

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman

2000+ Adorkable Readers

I checked ADORKABLE today, and it has over 2000 ratings on Goodreads 0___0.

I really can’t believe it!

Now while the number is incredible, amazing, freaking unbelievable by itself, the meaning of it made my jaw drop.  That 2000+ means that there are over 2000 Adorkable readers out there!  I just can’t wrap my mind around it.

I do not have that many friends.  I don’t even think I know that many people!  I mean, maybe but…seriously, 2000!!!

And it looks like those readers are from all over the world.

I…can’t…even…gah!

I can’t imagine getting to visit all of those places, but my book has been there, and that makes me so grateful.  I don’t know how or why or what is making people read my little YA romance debut, but if you are among that 2000+ readers: THANK YOU SO SO MUCH!!!

You rock, Adorkable readers!  You really do :).

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman

Sally & Becks

The time has come!  I got a couple of great suggestions for the ADORKABLE cast (from a family member lol), and I liked all of her picks.  Well, I didn’t like the person she picked for Sally because she chose a picture of me.  Ugh!  Even though we are very much soul sisters, I do not physically resemble Sally at all.  If Sally was a real person, however, we would totally be friends, twinning in our Gryffindor jerseys :).

I had fun looking through pictures of actors, models, athletes etc.  Trying to figure out the right search terms to get exactly what I wanted was…interesting.  Yes, you detected a hint of sarcasm there, but it’s all good.  Google and I became very close frenemies during this time.

Luckily, I ended up finding some great choices for Sally and Becks <3.

Here are my picks:

Sally

Beautiful inside and out, Emma Watson would make an awesome Sally Spitz.  And no, I didn’t just pick her because she played Hermione :).

Sally2

Another great choice for Sally, I think Abigail Breslin is blonde now, but she’ll always remind me of Olive, the underdog in Little Miss Sunshine.

Sally3

And another great choice.  After seeing her as Alex Dunphy on Modern Family, I think Ariel Winters could definitely be Sally.

So, those are my girls!  Each one is adorkable in her own way, each somewhat Sally-esque.  I really could see any of them playing her.  Annnd without further ado, here are my guys:

Allow me to introuce Yoann Gourcuff, a real live French soccer player.  Yes, I’ve also developed a sudden interest in French soccer lol!  But seriously, this guy could totally be Becks <3.

Becks3

Liam Hemsworth.  No explanation needed.

Becks4

Gorgeous and giving off some serious smoulder, I think Tyler Hoechlin would make a great Becks.  Yes, I’m a fan of Teen Wolf, and yes, I am patiently waiting for Derek to rejoin the show :).

That’s my ADORKABLE dream cast!  It took me forever to find Sally and Becks, so I guess all of the other characters will just have to remain in my imagination for now.  Did you like my picks?  Do you have some of your own?  If you do, I’d love to hear about them!

It’s been a while since I’ve done a giveaway, and I’m going to try and set one up for tomorrow.  It’s to celebrate ADORAKBLE‘s 3 Month Anniversary!!!  As long as I can figure out Rafflecopter and how to get that setup, we’ll be good to go.  Wish me luck lol.

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman

Lemons & Lemonade

Confession: I am a lemons kind of person.  This is according to my family who claims that I tend to focus on the negative versus the positive.  The opposite, of course, and what they say I should do is make “lemonade.”  Be happy; look on the bright side.  Lemonade, lemonade, lemonade.

The last post was about all the sparkly (aka the nice things people had to say about ADORKABLE), and I kind of glossed over the not-so-great things.  Well, to be honest, I pay attention to the bad reviews.  I pay A LOT of attention. I’d previously read several articles from other authors that said: Whatever you do, DO NOT read your reviews!  It will only cause you heartache.  And it’s true.

These past couple weeks have been like a rollercoaster of ups and downs, flying and falling within literally minutes, and yes…lemons and lemonade.

Everyone is free to have their own opinions.  There are people who hate some of the books that I absolutely love.  There are people who love the books that I don’t enjoy.  And that is okay.  No one is right or wrong.  If a book sounds good to someone, she or he must decide to read or not and then make up her or his own mind about it.

So here is what I’ve learned: I need to stop obsessively reading the reviews and checking Amazon and Goodreads every five minutes.  I shouldn’t focus on the negative reviews more than the positive–or doubt the positive by saying “Maybe they were just being nice…”  I should realize that it is okay to believe the good.  I love reading.  I love writing.  And, despite any positive or negative reviews, I really do still love my book.

See that family who I know are going to read this post?  There is your lemonade :).

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman

P.S. Be on the lookout next week for a very fun challenge and giveaway!