RanDoM sAtUrdAy - free diddly dee

hmmm, I wonder about myself sometimes...

Anyway, I wanted to pass on info about some generous giveaways.

• Do you like YA? Then check out Theresa's book giveaway. She went to see a group book tour and won a tank top! (ends July 15)
• Deb has some books that are very moving about dealing with mental illness. (also ends July 15)
• Had to add one more! Jenny at the Modest Peacock is giving away a cute item in hopes of soon reaching 50 followers. (runs until August 1)

Even if you don't want to enter, you should check out their blogs =)

And I will be on vacation next week. I am finishing my poems for the Poetry Schmoetry Blogfest that I will post, but I will have to catch up with you all when I get back. (and send a "post card" ha ha) Wish me luck through security!

Writing a Book - There's never a Muse around when you need one...

Several sites have been talking about muses this week. Ellie Garratt asks for a description of your muse if you wanted to sell it on ebay! and Laura has a cute cartoon showing how elusive muses can be. I've read some other articles mentioning Muses as well...

Is it a Muse Convention? Are the Muses revolting for not getting enough recognition and inspiring us to write about them? Or are they all on vacation and we are calling them?

I like the relationship I have with my muse. I picture him like this...
He (yes, HE) helps me see opportunities and stories in average, every day situations. Sometimes he gives me too much inspiration and I can't write it all down! Like influencing me to do too many blogfests or challenges. Or the dozens of other projects I've started, waiting to be finished. Other days he sleeps and tells me to figure it out on my own. Like days I edit my work in progress, I think he looks like this...

He seems to think I don't need inspiration because I'm "just editing." But I need him more than ever! I need to know which scenes need work and which ones to toss out. What would keep my reader hooked? So I coax him out of his repose with a piece of chocolate and get through a few more pages...

On the whole, he's funny, quirky, adventurous, and a little crazy. I guess that's why we are a good fit =)

What's your muse like?

And I wanted to announce the winner of Carolyn Arnold's ebook, TIES THAT BIND, is.....Heather M. Gardner! Thanks for the comments and thanks again to Carolyn for being my first interviewee!

Cooperisms 5

I call into the other room for my oldest son.

"He's not available right now," my seven year old informs me in a serious, administrative tone.