purple moon - blog tour

Tessa and I met over Blogger several years ago. I was so inspired by her story and her passion for writing. I think it is amazing that she has published her first book and I am completely honored to have been a very small part of the process. If you haven't gotten a hold of Purple Moon now is the time to check it out! There are links below.

Tessa Emily Hall is a 19-year-old author of Purple Moon, her YA Christian fiction novel to be published September 2013 by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. She is also the editor over the faith department for Temperance Magazine, a column writer for Whole Magazine, a contributing writer for More To Be, as well as the PR for God of Moses Entertainment. Other than writing, Tessa enjoys acting, music, Starbucks, and her Teacup Shih Tzu—who is named Brewer after a character in her book, as well as her love for coffee.

Website:  www.tessaemilyhall.com
Blog: www.christiswrite.blogspot.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/tessaemily
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tessa.h16

Selena's life isn't turning out to be the fairy tale she imagined as a kid. That hope seemed to vanish long ago when her dad kicked her and her mom out of the house. This summer might finally hold the chance of a new beginning for Selena ... but having to live with her snobby cousin in Lake Lure, NC while waiting for her mom to get out of rehab wasn't how Selena was planning on spending her summer. She soon begins to wonder why she committed to give up her "bad habits" for this.

Things don't seem too bad, though. Especially when Selena gains the attention of the cute neighbor next door. But when her best friend back home in Brooklyn desperately needs her, a secret that's been hidden from Selena for years is revealed, and when she becomes a target for one of her cousin's nasty pranks, she finds herself having to face the scars from her past and the memories that come along with them. Will she follow her mom's example in running away, or trust that God still has a fairy tale life written just for her?

Find “Purple Moon” on Amazon

Find “Purple Moon” on Goodreads

Find “Purple Moon” at Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas

Like “Purple Moon” on Facebook

My Middle & High School Experience
Guest Post by Tessa

I’m not sure how or why I came up with Selena’s backstory. Because when I think about it, it is almost completely nothing like my middle and high school experience.

I’ve always been a bit different from others my age. I’ve never been one to follow to the crowd (hence the reason I decided to pursue writing early). I didn’t realize exactly how different I was until I reached sixth grade. 

All of my friends started separating into cliques, wearing makeup, and getting boyfriends. I was still just a kid who thought the drama that all of my old friends created was silly. I didn’t want to be part of that. And because of that, sixth grade was not easy for me. I felt very alone during this time, and it wasn’t worth it to me to fit in with the crowd just so I could have friends.

Caption: Sixth grade, getting ready for my first—and only—school dance.

After months of begging, my mom decided to pull me out of school and homeschool me in March of that year. 

I switched schools in seventh grade and attended the Christian school, which is where my mom was the art teacher. Since I already knew some of the kids who would be in my grade—not to mention, the fact that the school was much smaller than the public school I’d attended—I thought it was going to be a perfect fit for me.

Of course, I loved this school far better than the public school. And the beginning of the year was amazing. But after a couple of months, things started to change. The class separated into cliques, which left me feeling very out of place.

Eighth grade was by far my favorite year of middle school. My sister’s ex-boyfriend’s little sister, Mickey—whom I’d been friends with in a Christian Youth Theater—joined our class. She and I became closer than we ever were and hit it off immediately. We also started hanging out with two other guys in our class—one of the guys I’d known for a long time from church, and another one who eventually became my first boyfriend later that school year.

Caption: With my best friends in 8^th grade.

The only thing that I didn’t like about eighth grade was the competitive cheerleading squad I was on. Although I did love the cheering and competing part, I barely had any friends on the squad. And that was hard, especially since there were so many practices. I didn’t understand why I couldn’t be like the rest of them, why I had to be so quiet and not into the things that they were into. However, I really believe that experience stretched me, and I am very thankful that my mom didn’t pull me out of the squad like I’d wanted her too. I learned a lot about striving toward a goal and sticking with it, no matter what.

I had been planning on going back to the Christian school for high school. However, that summer I found out that Mickey’s mom was going to homeschool her the next year. Coincidentally, it was also during that time when someone told my mom about a new online school. Although I had been looking forward to going back to school, I suddenly had a huge desire to do the online school. I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to pursue my acting and writing dreams.

Ninth grade flew by—and that summer is when I decided to take my writing more seriously. 

Once I started 10^th grade, I enrolled in a Christian Writers Guild course, took a creative writing class on my online school, began reading several YA Christian fiction books, and studied the craft of writing via several industry blogs.  

I began writing the first version of “Purple Moon” when I was fifteen, but changed it and finished the first draft when I was sixteen. The reason I wanted to be published so young wasn’t so that I could have fame, success, and attention, but simply because I wanted to put my differences to good use. 

Caption: With my mom at my first writer’s conference in 10^th grade, which is where I met my soon-to-be publisher. =)

During my high school years, I continued to hang out with Mickey, participate in Christian Youth Theater, hang out with my cousins, and went to youth group. By the time my senior year rolled around, I decided to go back to the Christian school so I could graduate with a class.

Memories of middle school immediately came back. Not just because I was in classes with some of the same people as before, but because—once again—I felt entirely different from them. But I didn’t let it bother me. Instead, I accepted it. And by that time, I already had a publishing contract, as well as a boyfriend that I started dating the summer before. So naturally, I didn’t feel as lonely as I did in middle school. School was only three and a half hours a day for seniors anyway. I could handle it.

Caption: My senior picture.

However, when they played a slideshow of the year at our graduation ceremony, I realized that I was hardly in any of the pictures. Several people in my grade were crying watching the slideshow because they were having to say goodbye—but for me, I wanted to cry because I hadn’t made any memories or friends worth saying goodbye to. I hadn’t even gone on the senior trip, only because I didn’t feel like I was close enough to anyone for it to be worth the amount of money. (I also wanted to save money for my writing conference.)

In middle school, my mom told me that God said I was going to use what I’d been experiencing to relate to others through the books that I’d write. I held onto that hope for years. And rather than getting frustrated at God for making me different, I trusted that He was going to put it to good use one day. 

The point of sharing this with all of you? So that you can have that same hope, so you can also trust that God is going to also use your differences for good use. 

Now that high school is over, I have a feeling that I will be doing this for the rest of my life: writing books for teens and pre-teens, for people who might be going through the same things I’ve experienced. If all of those lonely seasons were for that purpose only—so I could relate to other teens, minister God’s love, and show them that they are not alone—then it was worth it. Definitely worth it.

Enter the Giveaway below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

“Purple Moon” Blog Tour Stops:

Don’t forget to stop by the blog tour’s next stop to increase your chances of winning the PURPLE MOON Prize Pack!

Wednesday, September 18^th: Purple Moon Blog Tour Launch: The Story Behind the Story: Christ is Write 

Thursday, September 19^th: 5 Facts about Purple Moon: Kim Vandel

Friday, September 20^th: Character Sketches + Character Cast Contest: Who YA Reading?

Monday, September 23^rd: Behind the Scenes: Why I Chose Lake Lure: Words to Dreams 

Tuesday, September 24^th: Release Day! Selena’s Diary Entry + Creative Photo Contest: Writing for Young Adults

Wednesday, September 25^th: Austin’s Diary Entry: Amy’s Book Blog

Thursday, September 26^th: Q & A: Notebook Sisters

 Friday, September 27^th: Purple Moon Playlist: Ashley Carr  

Monday, September 30^th: Purple Moon Excerpt: Wooden Swings: Heather Brice   

Tuesday, October 1^st: Dealing With Anxiety—The Spiritual IV: The Destiny of One  

Wednesday, October 2^nd: Q & A: Saved by Grace

Thursday, October 3^rd: Behind the Scenes: Name Meanings: Labor Not In Vain

Friday, October 4^th: Is It Okay To Be An Introvert?: Alex Inks It  

Monday, October 7^th: Story Behind the Cover Art: Candy Apple Books 

Tuesday, October 8^th: Purple Moon Excerpt: Cherishing the Sunrise: Author Casey Bond 

Wednesday, October 9^th: Q & A: Writing While the Rice Boils

Thursday, October 10^th: Behind the Scenes: Christian Human Videos: Writing in Wonderland  

Friday, October 11^th: Teenage Substance Abuse: Emily Rachelle  

Monday, October 14^th: Behind the Scenes: Lake Lure Academy of the Arts: Worthy 2 Read

Tuesday, October 15^th: My Middle & High School Experience: Hello Highlights  

Wednesday, October 16^th: Purple Moon Excerpt: Meatless Turkey Sandwich: Diane Estrella  

Thursday, October 17^th: Body Image Laurel’s Leaves

Friday, October 18^th: Behind the Scenes: Brewer’s Coffee: A Splash of Ink

Monday, October 21^st: Purple Moon Excerpt: Farkle at the Park: A Slightly Nerdy Bookworm 

Tuesday, October 22^nd: Teenage Dating: Tell The World 

Wednesday, October 23^rd: Q & A: The YA Book Stack

 Thursday, October 24^th: How Much of My Personal Life Did I Put Into “Purple Moon”?: Read For Your Future 

Friday, October 25^th: Fairy tales & Happy Endings + Contest Winners!: Inspiring Daring

looking back at 2012

{january}

--joined pinterest

--saw beauty and the beast in 3-D...twice

{february}

--bought my new mac computer...Minnie

--my brother Logan turned twelve

--started writing in a journal again

--my brother Zachary turned sixteen

{march}

--started straightening my hair

--turned eighteen...official adult! O_o

{april}

--my beautiful sister, Annie, turned fifteen

--read the hunger games

--my car, Waldo, was given to me

{may}

--graduated high school...!!

--watched a sunrise

{june}

--played mini golf for the first time...let's just say it's not my thing

{july}

--helped lead a middle school church trip and got to go zip lining and white water rafting

--colored my hair for the first time

--watched Annie play softball...she is one awesome catcher

{august}

--fell in love with the doctor 

--rode my first roller coaster

--started my first full-time college semester

{september}

--my sister and i painted our bathroom...doctor who themed

--went to my first drive-in theater

{october}

--took a huge family vacation to Florida

--met my amazing dear friend, Emily

--was a pink lady for Halloween

{november}

--helped host a great Thanksgiving

--made my muscle head model for anatomy class. i call him Herman and he seriously boosted my grade in that class. i owe him.

--put up our Christmas tree

{december}

--my grandma went to be with Jesus

--survived school

--went to see the hobbit

--had a very blessed Christmas

There were a lot of firsts this year. And a lot of lasts. I will admit, 2012 was a tough year. But that doesn't mean there were not good memories made. It's the first day of 2013 and I want to pray for a peaceful new year. But most of all, I pray that God's will be done in 2013. 

it's about time

Gah. I've become such a terrible blogger. I believe an update is in order.

School is out. Thank you Lord! I don't think I've ever wanted a break so badly in my life. The past week in a half I've pretty much been a slug. Other than work, I've done nothing productive. Absolutely nothing. (Well...unless you count reading and watching tons of Netflix.) It's amazing.

I watched The Hobbit. It was absolutely fantastic. I haven't read the book. Actually, I haven't read anything relating to The Lord of the Rings. But I'm a die hard fan of the movies. And The Hobbit definitely lived up to The Lord of the Rings awesomeness.

With there being a lovely break from school, I made myself a list of things to do.
     1) Start guitar lessons. My sister who is amazing agreed to teach me. So far I know the A chord and the Em chord. We aren't real far along in our lessons, but we're getting there. Exciting!

     2) Read Les Misérables. I probably won't finish it during winter break. It's 1,463 pages. O_o But my goal is to finish before the new movie leaves theaters. I've been watching the trailer over and over. Gosh, it looks fabulous.

    3) Spend lots of time with this dear girl.

So far, Bethany and I have had a sleep over, watched lots of Doctor Who, and got our hair cut together. On Sunday we're eating out at Pizza Hut and exchanging Christmas gifts. Can't wait!

Christmas is in three days. THREE. And I don't even have all my shopping done. I'm such a slacker. I plan on finishing up this afternoon though. Hopefully. And wrapping everything. Hopefully.

Downton Abbey season three comes out on DVD on January 29th. And I'm #4 in the hold list at the library. Eek! Excited!

Well...that's all from me. How about you? How is your winter break going?

So I have this friend. And she's pretty much amazing.

Emily and I met through our blogs close to two years ago.  We started e-mailing and chatting on facebook...all the time.  You know, tell-tale signs of total best buds. ;)  But there was a bit of a downside to our friendship...12 hours of drive time separated us.  We didn't let that stop us though.  A couple different times we started planning trips to get together and meet in person.  They never worked out though.

But!  Last week...a week ago today in fact, we were able to meet, for the first time, face-to-face.

Talk about a neat experience!  This one definitely makes it to the top of the list.

We met at Cracker Barrel first and had breakfast together.  The first time we saw each other my family and I were on one side of the Cracker Barrel porch and Emily and her family came around the corner on the other side.  We kind of fast-walked to each other and hugged and smiled.  Epic, movie worthy stuff there, I'm telling you.

After Cracker Barrel, we went to the mall.  They had a Barnes and Noble, a Starbucks, a movie/music store and a Bath & Body Works...which equals a pretty fantastic time.

{We found these in Barnes and Noble and thought it great photo opportunity.}

So, to Emily...
Thanks for meeting me.
Thanks for putting up with my Doctor Who obsession.
Thanks for praying for me.
Thanks for being the macaroni to my cheese and the peanut butter to my jelly.  (Hehe!)
Thanks for being my bestie.

{Photo credit to my dad and Emily.}

ketchup

Hello all!

Ag!  It's been a while.  I'm feeling a catch up post coming on...

I am a college student.  Anybody else out there experiencing full time college for the first time?  Mind blowing!  Some days I'll get home and not have hardly any homework and get to read all day long.  "College life is amazing!"  Then other days I'll have tons of things to do in a day and a half on top of my job.  "Panic attack!"  But overall, I'm really enjoying my college career.  Anatomy and Physiology is tough.  I'm in love with my English class.  And I get lots of exercise walking from class to class and then to my car.  Today I got a really good parking spot and I felt like doing a happy dance.

I just finished reading an amazing book.  It's called Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell. Wow.  It is incredibly thought provoking.  It's a Christian Non-Fiction and talks about repainting the Christian faith.  I definitely recommend it....but to those who are really grounded in your faith.  It touches on some major topics.

Still crazy about Doctor Who.  My sister and I actually redecorated our bathroom into a Doctor Who theme.  *grins*  I'm in the middle of season three now.  And, I'll try not to ruin it for anyone watching it currently, but the end of season two was probably one of the saddest things I have ever watched.  I cried.  And it took me a good while to move onto season three.  But, I'm okay now!  I'm getting used to Martha...she's nice.  Different.  But nice.

If you would, take a moment and click on this link here.  Walking on Sonshine is my best friend's newly established blog.  I'll love you forever if you'll go check it out.  It's pretty great!

October Baby comes out on dvd today.  I saw it in theaters and thought it was just splendid.  I'm very tempted to go out and buy it.  I might, just might, go do it...then I can have a movie night tonight.

Before I close this post and hit the 'publish' button, I wanted to take moment to say something about today, 9/11.  It's been eleven years.  I pray that we all remember that tragic day and the lessons it taught us as a country.  I also pray for the grieving families out there that lost loved ones in the attacks.  You're in my thoughts and prayers.

Blessings to you all!  Have a super fantastic day.

Scrappy-Journal

This is a book that I like to affectionately refer to as my scrappy-journal.  (Scrapbook + Journal = Scrappy-Journal)  All it is really is an ordinary composition notebook.  At least it was when I bought it.  Clearance at Walmart...can't beat that!  When I got it, I made a pact with myself that I wasn't going to be a perfectionist.  I was going to cut and tape and scribble...even be messy if I felt like it.  And that's what I've done.  As you can see, it's bulging with creativity.  And it's incredibly easy, so I thought I'd show you how to do it.

(Oh, before I go any further, I know the quality of some of these photos isn't the best.  They were hurriedly snapped in my darkish room.  My apologies.)

(Oh, very random side note...I just happen to be grooving to the Tarzan soundtrack right now. ;) )

Okay, back to my journal.  I thought I would do a very brave thing and let you see inside.  On one condition.  No making fun, okay?  Sound good?

My first couple pages are book lists.  I love to look back and see old titles I've read and remember the stories.  Plus it helps me keep up with how many books I've read in a month/year.

I like to write funny quotes that I find on pinterest...things that just plain describe me.  And I also tape or stick things that I find places.  Like the stickers below.

One of my most treasured pages is the one below.  I made it for one of the dearest people I know.  Emily is my pen pal and best friend.  We met over blogger a year and a half ago, and someday we'll meet in person.  I just feel it in my bones.  So I made a page with things we want to do when we meet.

After a couple months of taping and sticking, my journal started to get...well a bit fat.  I didn't want anything falling out, so I grabbed a heavy duty hole punch from my mom's office and punched a hole in each side.  With a couple pieces of ribbon I'm able to tie it up.  It works very nicely.

Not only do I like to put funny things in my book, but also little pieces of inspiration.  Quotes, song lyrics...things I find on pinterest or other blogs.  Things I simply want to remember.

The page below happens to be my most recent.  "All the time God is writing a bigger narrative."

I also have a summer bucket list, old movie tickets, my birthday and graduation invitations.  I used a few pages for people to sign at my graduation ceremony.  I have my first "I Voted" sticker in there.  A seashell I got in Florida last year.  And an origami frog that I made.  Random...and yet special things to me.

I've got something to say.

"You are heaven's Haley's Comet; we have one shot at seeing you shine.  You offer a gift to society that no one else brings.  If you don't bring it, it won't be brought."  --Max Lucado

Senior Banquet

Graduation

 Instead of picking one gown color, we decided to be a rainbow.

It happened.  I graduated.  I am officially a high school graduate and a college freshman.


My weekend was amazing.  If I tried to thank every person individually here and now I know for certain I'd leave somebody out... So, thank you to everyone who attended my graduation; you are the bomb.  Thank you to all the behind the scenes people that made this thing happen; everything was beautiful.  And one big thank you to my parents who put in so much hard work and dedication these last many years to giving me the best education possible.


What an incredible journey I've had up 'til now.  It's been so fun...and gone by so fast.


Am I ready for this growing up thing?  I think so.  God'll be with me.  I can do it.


The song below was kind of my theme song for graduation.  It says that if we're living and breathing, we have something to say.  That if our heart is beating, we have a message to share.  God's love is in us and speaks through us.  That is my hope for the coming years...that the Lord will shine through me.  


  


Philippians 2:13 & 15, "For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to will and to act for His good purpose. ...so that you may be blameless and pure children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars."


{Photo credit goes to my daddy.}