Sanctuary in Your Strength

I've noticed that it seems my Oasis sisters (including myself) have already had some sad or tough moments in 2011.  Moments that might leave us scratching our heads wondering "why?" And as I know first hand, when you get into that mindset, it's so easy to let yourself spiral downward.

So today, I'd just like to encourage everyone to find sanctuary not in a stolen moment, a hot bath, or a favorite ritual... but in your own strength.  Wherever you are on your writing journey, you can do this!  Keep believing in yourself, because you're the only one who's truly invested in making your dreams come true.

So crank up the volume on your computer, hop up out of your chair, and BELIEVE these lyrics: you're a firework!

Lyrics to the "somewhat" odd video -- they're inspiring!
Do you ever feel like a plastic bag
Drifting throught the wind
Wanting to start again

Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin
Like a house of cards
One blow from caving in

Do you ever feel already buried deep
Six feet under scream
But no one seems to hear a thing

Do you know that there's still a chance for you
Cause there's a spark in you
You just gotta ignite the light
And let it shine
Just own the night
Like the Fourth of July

Cause baby you're a firework
Come on show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
As you shoot across the sky-y-y

Baby you're a firework
Come on let your colors burst
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
You're gunna leave 'em fallin' down-own-own

You don't have to feel like a waste of space
You're original, cannot be replaced
If you only knew what the future holds
After a hurricane comes a rainbow

Maybe you're reason why all the doors are closed
So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road
Like a lightning bolt, your heart will blow
And when it's time, you'll know

You just gotta ignite the light
And let it shine
Just own the night
Like the Fourth of July

Cause baby you're a firework
Come on show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
As you shoot across the sky-y-y

Baby you're a firework
Come on let your colors burst
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
You're gonna leave 'em all in awe-awe-awe"

Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
It's always been inside of you, you, you
And now it's time to let it through

Cause baby you're a firework
Come on show 'em what your worth
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
As you shoot across the sky-y-y

Baby you're a firework
Come on slet your colors burst
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
You're gonna leave 'em all in awe-awe-awe

Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon


**As always, Oasis for YA encourages you to purchase songs from the artists and listen responsibly**

Friday Freestyle: March Madness (the reading variety)

I'm not talking college basketball here, people.  I'm talking books.  Holy year of awesome new releases in YA!  I'm already "behind" in all the reading I want to do and the releases coming out this month certainly aren't going to lighten my load any. 

And this won't help either -- but it'll be fun!  I thought I'd mash Tuesday Trailers in here and pick up some of the books that've already released but that we didn't feature.  The catch?  These are all trailers from 2011 releases currently in my TBR pile. 

In the spirit of "I'll show you mine if you show me yours," I want to hear what's on your list too.  I'm sure the end result will be more to read, but if you're like me, you won't want to miss anything good.

Currently reading: The Vespertine (releases 3/7/11)


TBR Pile of Already-Released Books:

Warped by Mourissa Guibord (released 1/11/11)


Falling Under by Gwen Hayes (released 3/1/11)


Clarity by Kim Harrington (released 3/1/11)


What's in your TBR pile from 2011?

THANKFUL THURSDAY: Happy Birthday, Sheri!!

This Thankful Thursday, we'd like to encourage you to take a moment to reflect on the special people in your life, and why you're thankful to have them.

Humans are such social creatures, we need each other for socialization, for sharing, for laughter, for love, for down right rotten bitch fests (let's be honest, they do happen). The list of the ways we need each other could go on and on, but I haven't had enough coffee for that. Some people hit our lives with the force of a sledgehammer, and we are marked by their passage. Some people a guides, nudging us along our paths. and some people breeze in, sweet and soft as a spring whisper and we are forever changed.

So, who are we thankful for? Well, what better day to have a Thankful Thursday than on Sheri Larsen's birthday? It's almost divine intervention. Sooo...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHERI!!!

Jessica said: I'm thankful for Sheri, because I've no idea how she juggles all the balls she does w/o dropping them. She's my freakin' hero with that stuff!! Also that she always has the greatest ideas and that she was awesome enough to start this blog and ask me to join. Thank you so much, Sheri, for being my blog sister! Happy Birthday!!

Nikki said: I'm very thankful that Sheri came up with the idea to launch this blog, bringing all of us together to this amazing place! Sheri has been so much fun to get to know, and has been a great CP. She is so creative and such a wonderful mom too! Happy Happy Birthday Sheri. Wishing you a fabulous day and year ahead.

Jessie said: I am so thankful for Sheri -- who had the genius to think up the concept of creating a blog oasis for fellow YA authors. I'm thankful that she reached out to me through YALitChat to see if I'd be interested in joining her and for her thinking enough of my writing to ask me in the first place! Sheri has energy, spunk, creativity, and talent that makes our blog a better place to be on a daily basis. Happy Birthday, Sher, and may this year bring you nothing but continued success!

And me: I try to lift Sheri up when she's down, try to help read for her when I can, and I never feel like I've given enough back for the kind support she's given me. Sometimes a person finds just the right way, uses just the right words. Sheri is that person for me. She has such a wonderful caring heart. The days I've been pouty, wondering if I'm worth any fuss in this industry Sheri comes along and refuses to let me wallow. I can hand her my broken, grubby bits and she puts a shine on them so bright I can feel her belief uplifting me. So, thank you Sheri, just for being YOU. You are an amazing blessing to us Oasis girls.