pencils down!

Congratulations! Whether you wrote 50,000 words this month, met your revising goals, or none of the above - YOU TRIED! YOU WROTE! and YOU ARE FARTHER ALONG THAN YOU WERE!

Many completed NANOWRIMO early or exceeded NANOREVMO goals, some gave up on the daunting daily word counts, and others were attacked with nasty viruses...Just remember, no one fails who tries! If you care about your progress or lack of, then you will figure out how to improve! And now that the pressure is off, you can continue at your own pace, set reachable goals, and KEEP WRITING!

Just like a novel, it may come to an end, but it isn't the end of the story, so too with writing - it goes on and on!

As for NANOREVMO - I don't want it to end! These friends have been so inspiring and encouraging throughout this month of extensive writing and crazy home schedules. I appreciate just reading everyone's progress, and enticing last lines of the day! I am hoping this Facebook sharing group continues, making every month a REVision MOnth! And if you're interested in participating, let me (or Jessie B) know and we'll get you signed up! The more the merrier!

Speaking of merry - now I must deck my halls! Crank that Christmas music! Bring on the snow! Cocoa anyone?

SURPRISE, SURPRISE, SURPRISE!
GO VISIT DAVID POWERS KING!!!

What we want

I have a couple of questions for you. I was tossing around ideas for this week's haiku theme, reaction. It made me think about why we write. Why the internet and blogging was created. Not only to inform, but to get a reaction - whether praise, profit, or pokes! We are social beings and need feedback. The better the reaction, the better we feel.

So here are my two questions...Besides publication,

Why do you write?

and

What do you get from writing?

Two different questions. You don't always get out what you put in, right? I write to express and entertain and help. It's what I do. I get satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment that I did it! Reactions are bonus! I live for LOLs! ha ha, just kidding.

And here is my contribution for Sensational Haiku Wednesday on reaction

I ask and you give
You need help and I am there
Friends who can depend

I told a joke, got

no reaction, not funny 

if needs explaining

Pressure builds and fills

not one more problem or I'll...

KABLOOIE! Too late.

Fore!

That means, look out!

First, I hope everyone got stuffed last week in the US. And I missed y'all! I did get a bunch of editing done, though. And to everyone doing NANO - keep writing! You're in the home stretch!!!

Now here are some Author Adz!

The astounding Stephen Tremp has a special announcement this week! Make sure you stop by!

Also this week is super sweet & speedy Kyra Lennon's  Blindsided Blog Tour thru Dec 7 - That picture is so cozy and cute!

Make Believe - a beauty of a book collaboration by some of my friends and some of yours, launches Dec 3

Writers 4 Writers opens Dec 6! hosts: Stephen Tremp, Mary Pax, C.M. Brown, and Christine Rains 

Kelley Lynn is revealing the cover of her much anticipated Fracture of Stone Dec 11!

Christine is having a blog tour for her scary creative series 13th Floor, 1301 is Dec 13-20. Go visit her for details and if you'd like to be a stop. And if not this month, she has more coming Jan 13 and Feb 13! These characters put a modern twist on paranormal classics!

And if you are looking for a blogfest to participate in, several festive fests are coming up in Dec - see my side bar =) Must xmas shop and edit now! I feel very bah humbuggish this year. Not in the mood to decorate or shop or wrap...maybe because the kids are getting older. How bout you? In the holiday mood yet? Got any suggestions? And how behind/caught up are you? Less than a month to go!

Happy Pilgrimage!

If you are traveling, I wish you safe passage! Have as much fun as you can and try not to eat to much (yeah, right) Tis the season to stuff thyself!

Anyway, I am taking a break until Monday to spend some quality family time with family I don't see often.

But before I go, I must announce the winners of Cassie's (and my) 500+ Followersary!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congratulations, ladies! Can't wait to get to work on that banner! And you must stop by Cassie's announcement as she has the answers to her silly questions - you all are so creative and FUNNY! Thanks again for the huge turnout!

And for Sensational Haiku Wednesday, I leave a thankful-for-my-followers/thanksgiving haiku (poets choice)

Pen upon paper
fingers tireless at keyboard
stories flow and sing

Without support of
others, passion might wither
to forlorn despair

Friends and family,
no matter where, no matter
how - I bless you! Thanks!

It's been a happy birthday month!

What's your favorite birthday song? If you're singing, thank you!
I looked up some alternative birthday songs and picked this one from the 80s! Love the 80s!

I have had a truly wonderful birthday month so far!

• Started with a successful Thankful hop with my buddy, Vikki who also helped me by critting my current WIP and I'm over halfway thru another round of editing. 
• Cassie and you all helped make our 500 followersary (ha ha) celebration an outstanding party!
• and I was flabbergasted at the response to the Miss You fest - so much love here in the blogosphere!
• finally, I patiently (somewhat) waited for the next phase of my publishing process and happily got instructions this weekend. I am excited to be working on that now!

I also received some tags and awards that I have collected to post on my birthday =) They are gifts, after all!

Thanks Darling Nicki (sorry, hee)! And Lovely Laura! They both passed me "U Got the Look" (no button, so I made one, of course!)

This is how it works - take your current manuscript, search for the word “look,” and post the surrounding paragraphs. Then tag 5 blogging authors. So here's a quick section from Broken Branch Falls, MG Fantasy:

A lame attempt at a bird call makes us laugh.

“Ca-caw, woot, woot.”

“Come on up, Jordy,” Argus yells to him.

“What kind of bird is that?” I ask. We each extend a hand to him.

“You’re a melonhead,” Argus teases.

“What? We don’t have a secret code anymore?”

Argus looks at me. We shake our heads and laugh some more.

“Not since third grade.”

Tamara probably thought I forgot, but she gave me the icing on the cake with the Sweet Award - thanks, girl! I answered those questions a few weeks ago, here are my answers again, just for fun...

Cookies, Chocolate, Brownies, After a meal or salty snack, Pumpkin
If you'd like to snatch a sweet award, be my guest! You can see the original post for the questions =P

And Elizabeth tagged me with the Next Big Thing meme. I have done this with Pop Travel and Broken Branch Falls so I don't want to bore everyone doing it again, but I appreciate the tag! I would still like to pass it on too. So I'm naming five bloggers who can choose which award or meme they would like, if any...

Tagging - Tamara, Annalisa, Julie L, Mary P, and Ellie G!

whas happenin hot stuff?

Where the heck did November go? Only 10 days left! And for us crazy Americans, Thanksgiving is Thursday! Which means Xmas is that much closer. Eek! So unprepared! Must shop!!!

At least I have a nice family xmas photo to send out - will share on Dec 1st and not a day sooner! I'd love to hear your plans for the holidays you celebrate at this time of year =)

As for the blogosphere - Thanks and giving and encouragement is abundant. Speaking of giving - here are the recipients of my clearing the shelves books!

Emily R King chose Star Island by Carl Hiaasen

Michelle chose Tough Customer by Sandra Brown

Shelly Brown chose Absolutely Positively by Heather Webber

Sheena Kay chose Eragon by Christopher Paolini

And look what's coming in December.

And you are...? Fularious! Yes, I said fularious! Fun and hilarious blog hop - Dec 3! Emily & Tammy came up with embarrassing questions to see who's been naughty and who's been nice - NICE!

Dec 6 brings the opening of Writers 4 Writers!

It's (almost) time to give back! Dec 10-12

Then hop in for the Hobbit fest! Dec 14



Lastly, do you know Chad Morris, of Shelly & Chad? His book, THE INVENTOR'S SECRET comes out soon! The cover and story are outstanding! Look!!!


In the year 2074 students don't read history, they watch it happen around them! With virtual mountains for exercise, becoming avatar animals for biology, and more!

Welcome to Cragbridge Hall, the most advanced and prestigious school in the world. Twin siblings Abby and Derick Cragbridge are excited as new students to use their famed grandfather's inventions that make Cragbridge Hall so incredible. But when their grandfather and parents go missing, the twins begin following a trail of clues left by their grandfather. They must find out where their family is, learn who they can trust, and discover what secrets are hidden within Cragbridge Hall.

Abby and Derick are caught in a race with a fierce adversary to discover their grandfather's greatest secret--a dangerous discovery that could alter both history and reality.


Sounds awesome, right!? And he is giving away some ARCs!

Here is a picture of a monkey in a time machine (this is my crazy guess to what the big secret is...and the monkey is cute =)

halfway point & miss you much!

How's everybody doin! Whether NANOWRIMO or NANOREVMO. Are you 50%? More? Less?

I am in the Less category =(

(I'm not really sad, I just don't get to make frowny faces very often...)

I'm only about 38%. But I have been doing a lot of editing and beefing up! I finally pushed my WIP over the 50,000 word mark and just added a new chapter. I'm feeling pretty good about it.

But the main purpose of today's post is the...

hosted by Andrew Leon, Matthew MacNish, and Alex the Great

We are shouting out to bloggers that we miss hearing from and bloggers we would be sad if left the blogosphere. I totally understand when life takes people away from blogging. It has a way of intervening and positioning itself into the number one priority spot. Can't be helped!

The great thing is when they come back! Which is what happened to several of my friends that I missed!

Bloggy friends I miss(ed)                                  Bloggy friends I would miss

even though they have come back            if they stopped blessing us with their wit

 

Angie Cothran                                                   Laura Marcella

Huntress                                                              MJ Fifield

Laura @ Daily Dodo                                          Stina Lindenblatt
   Ellie Garratt                                                    Heather Gardner

 

Sorry, went over the 3 each limit...I'm such a rulebender. And I actually have one more blog that I would be exponentially less happy if it went away... XKCD - hilarious cartoons about science, technology, math, and relationships! Here is a recent one...

 

 

But wait, one more thing...

After recently participating in the Clear Your Shelf book giveaway blog hop (still going on if you want a free book), sponsored by I'm a Reader Not a Writer, I have found that there are a gazillion, not kidding, a gazillion other book bloggers out there! I may have 500+ followers (don't forget to sign up for Cassie and my giveaway) but there are a LOT of blogs that have over 1000, even over 5000! That is a HUMONGOUS readership!

If we want our books to be seen by more than our little group of writing/blogging friends, which feels so much smaller after viewing some of these sites, we must branch out further! Get reviewed! Put ourselves out there!

Even if you don't want a book, check out the list of participants from the Clear Your Shelves blogfest. Just click on a few of the links. The magnitude of some of these reviewer sites will knock your drawers off! And I'd say the majority are in the YA business. Very eye opening! At least it was to me.

And to help us put ourselves out there...I'm looking forward to the Writers 4 Writers project, ingeniused by Stephen Tremp, Mary Pax, C.M. Brown, and Christine Raines which is also going to help us with spreading our works' wings! Get ready for take off on Dec 6

Lastly, here is a favorite oldie about missing you...

Miss You Much, Janet Jackson official video, when music videos were fabulous! Enjoy your weekend!

Fierce Followers

My bandwagon has grown! I can't believe I have 515 followers! I'm so glad and I keep meeting new bloggers all the time! It's like an endless supply!

Our friend, Cassie has also surpassed the 500 follower mark. And just as I was looking for something to do to celebrate, she emailed me and now we are combining our party!

To thank you all, we are giving away gifts - one banner/graphic by Tara and one critique by Cassie. Just enter in the rafflecopter thingamajiggie below by next Tuesday. Make sure you stop by Cassie's blog - she went all out! Winners announced on Wed 11/21. 

As we come to the 500 mark, I was considering how bloggers react to each centurion milestone:

• 100 followers - the most exciting! the first big sign that tells us people are reading our blog! It's amazing!
• 200 followers - great! still gaining followers, this is awesome!
• 300 followers - I can't believe how many followers I have! But wait, why did someone unfollow me? I wonder who it was...and why?
• 400 followers - wow! but am I following too many? because to get to 400 I'm following about as many. Maybe I need to cut back on following. How do I keep up with 400 blogs? My Reader is jam packed! And look at Alex. How can he possibly keep up with 1500?!
• 500 followers - still awesome! I get it now. I will follow whoever I want. I'm still reeling at how many bloggers there are that I haven't even met yet! I keep up with everyone at my pace and get what I put into it. As it is with everything!
• 600 followers? Bring it on!

To top off this post dedicated to my fierce followers, I give you Sensational Haiku Wednesday. Have a laugh at my flaw filled, faltering, floundering, fa la la la la day yesterday.

Fierce Fate

Fate, fiercely unkind
Chores done and undone that quick
Why do I bother

Don't cry o'er spilt milk
Easier to say than do
When milk is on you

Innocent doggie
Finds treasure in the trash can
Coffee grounds, fierce mess

Will be a better day today! Wish me luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Oh My Hetty!

Knights Ho!

Have you ever been to a Renaissance Festival? I love those things! Turkey legs, knights, maidens, medieval games and crafts, duels and fools...a batch of dirty, ye ol' fun!

Well, in The Renaissance of Hetty Locklear by M Pax, young Hetty is forced to spend some time with her parents at a Ren Fest where she will learn a lesson from the past mixed with the future AND ghosts!

And to add a spark of medieval magic, M Pax has turned her release party into a Joust Fest! (Nov 12-17)

Visit the M Pax and choose a knight to champion to see who will emerge victorious! I love a good joust! Reminds me of A Knight's Tale - great movie!

The Renaissance of Hetty Locklear by M Pax

is available here:

Amazon /Amazon UK / B&N / Smashwords /iTunes / Kobo

And pray view the Trailer!

Happy Crappy Captcha Day!

It's a party!

Shelly really hates those Captchas - and I do too! She and her friends, Jolene Perry, Randy Lindsay, and James Duckett, have decided enough is enough and put together, Captcha Craptcha Day!

Now I understand that these buggers are there to help prevent spam, which is a way worse evil than a captcha. But Blogger does an excellent job of catching those miscreant robots! Why must we suffer because of the unwanted solicitations of conniving hardware and their greedy masters?!

As a newer blogger, one might not realize that Captchas are automatically on, since they don't affect the author of the blog. Now you do!

So please, if you want to increase the number of comments you receive - because I know if I get too frustrated by having to re-enter the now more frustrating Captcha code, I give up and move on - please, please, go into your settings and turn off the captcha. While you're there you could sweeten your comment message too, in case you didn't know how to do that =)

I also had fun making up definitions to some previously collected word verification words, called WVDs for the A to Z April madness this year. And I dubbed it...

My friend Heather liked them so much, she collected a few more for me to define, so here you go!

smuct - disgusting, you really don't want to go there
mitherse - the first beauty pageant, originating in Ancient Greece
ialpe - threat of three year old who needs a potty right now!
shina - if you don't know the difference between s*$# and shinola, you get one of these
Worica - the name of the devilish vixen in that new vampire/werewolf show
forkini - what Worica wears under her cape, it's three-pronged pokey
offivene - quick description of why your car is in a ditch


And today is also a day for Clearing the Shelves, thanks to I'm a Reader, Not a Writer. Here are the books I offer to this lovely book-sharing blog hop. Just comment below which book(s) you might want to win and I will randomly draw at the end of the week (11/17).









Star Island by Carl Hiaasen

Tough Customer by Sandra Brown

Septymus Heap by Angie Sage

Absolutely Positively by Heather Webber

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

And a ton of others are participating in this hop too - you should see what they're giving away! (I could've sworn I signed up for this, that is just like me...ah well, I will still participate!)

WriMo-ers and RevMo-ers Unite!

Take a deep breath. Now let it out. Whew!

So how are revisions going? Still hanging in there? Yep. Falling behind on my daily goals, but I will make up for it!

How about NanoWriMo? Still writing? Keeping that word count up?

Well, I have a few links to help both causes!!

• Things to avoid on your first page by Sharon Bayliss
• Nano begins by Jessica Marcarelli
• Motivational thoughts for writers by Chuck Wendig
• and Talynn at Ink in the Book is doing a Revision Workshop

Plus two links I forgot to add on Wednesday to help with getting your book some press are:

• How to create a marketing team by Agent Rachelle Garnder
• How to set up an essential facebook author page by David Black Agency

And I know I've been slacking on my telling you what's going on duties - because so much is going on! Well, get out your calendars! You may have noticed my exploding side bar - many fests and activities coming up after the slow month of November, but wait! Still some things are happening next week...

Starting Monday, Nov 12th, M Pax is releasing the Renaissance of Hetty Locklear with a full on Jousting Tournament!

I'll be joining Shelly Brown, Jolene Perry, Randy Lindsay, and James Duckettfor on Monday, Nov 12th in the fight against the robot menace! Captcha Craptcha Day! Their goal - to educate other bloggers about the dangers of captcha, the biggest being loss of comments!

Also on Nov 12th I am participating in Cleaning my Shelves - I will be giving away a couple of books that need reading by others! That's something I'm going to miss when paperbacks go away, sharing books with friends! (NOTE: I Am A Reader, Not a Writer does bucoos of blog hops and giveaways all the time!)

A special fest you don't want to miss, hosted by Andrew Leon, Matthew MacNish, and Alex the Great is coming up on 11/16, "Oh, How I Miss You Blogfest"

In case you haven't heard, Michael Offutt has released his sequel to Slipstream, Oculus! And it was an early surprise to him too! I'm excited to read about the math!

Dec 14th - Get your Hobbit on for M Pax and Tyrean's Hobbit Fest! I am reading it to my boys to get ready!

Cherie Colyer is having a book birthday bash for Embrace Dec 17-21 with a lovely giveaway!

Dec 10-12 an amazing group of bloggers is hosting Time to Give Back Blogfest - what all is involved will be revealed in time... Mark “The Madman” Koopmans, ”Marvelous” Morgan Shamy, Stephen “Breakthrough” Tremp, and David “Kingpin” Powers King. Love the nicknames!

And ready for 2013?
I know I'll still be editing, that's a given. So I'm participating in a New Year's Revising Conference, Jan 4-6 at Operation Awesome!

Happy Holiday Season! Have a fun filled writing weekend!

we thank you

It was such a pleasure to go around reading about how much support you all have for your writing! Thanks again to Vikki for suggesting the hop! And I want to shout a HUGE THANK YOU! To all who participated!!!

And now the moment you've been waiting for...the winners!!! In the creative category, there were lots of unique offerings. It was hard to pick just one. But I did! Drumroll please! The winner is,

Michelle @ Writer in Transit! 

The grand prize winner for most creative and most heartfelt is

David Powers King!

Honorable mention goes to Suzanne Furness, Tamara, and Carrie Butler!
Thanks again, everyone!

IWSG - don't be dull

So IWSG friends, this month I will discuss why I am afraid to jump into the publishing pool - blog tours!

I am so excited for all the authors putting books out lately! There's been a flux of cover reveals, interviews, giveaways and blog tours! So much to shout about!

Though I'm very happy for everyone, I am concerned that blog tours are becoming saturated. I think we need new, energized ways to promote and advertise our upcoming books! I don't want to bother people with another book launch...coincidentally I found a couple of articles addressing the same thing with helpful info, just in the nick of time!

Here is a post by the savvy Creepy Query Girl she has fresh ideas on what to do to keep blog tours from becoming a stale avenue.

Here is a whole new site, the Blog Tour Exchange put together by Sharon Bayliss to help new authors with the whole blog tour process! There's contests and prizes and promotion!

Another group of helpful writers is getting together with the aim of boosting book sales, Stephen Tremp, C M Brown, M Pax, and Christine Rains. They are announcing their project, Writers for Writers on December 6th. Tune in then for more details - it should be BIG!!!

In the new year, I am hosting a few blog tour stops here and I want to do them right and want advice for mine too! Stina, whose blog always has wonderful advice and great writing links, wrote a post about spicing up blog tours and other suggestions to display new books in their best light. Here are a few highlights from her post:

• Covers are important. make sure you send one of high resolution

• Use Goodreads wisely. 

• Word of mouth is your best promotion. Not long ago, a blogging friend mentionedEasy by Tammara Webber on her blog. We started talking about the book. Because of that, I bought it and read it right away (even though my TBR pile is out of control). I then told my CP, who also read it even though her TBR pile is as bad as mine. We both love the book and have told others about it.  

• Be selective with your blog tours. You are better off having your book reviewed on a major book blog (if possible) than swamp your blogging circle with a blog tour. 

• Keep your promotion small, unless you can spread it around so it’s not hitting the same people again and again. Every so often, subtly remind us about your book. I might not buy it right away, but the reminder later on might be all I need to pick the book up. This is more effective than over promotion, which tends to turn some people off a book. 

• If you’re going to do an interview, KEEP IT SHORT. 

And speaking of word of mouth...I nominate M J Fifield to do a regular review vlog! You heard me, woman! She reads books quick and is honest and witty schmitty! She's the total entertainment package! Or maybe a regular review post - M J, people would send you ARCs just to have you review them on your blog! They'd have to book her in advance for their blog tour! She's that good!

And finally, for Sensational Haiku Wednesday, some encouragement and fun - anything but DULL.

All writing, all day
cramps the hand and dulls the brain
take breaks to recharge!

The light is on but
no one is home, the mind needs
exercise to write

Sad faces and yawns
indicators of party
that needs tequila livening!

just do it!

'Preesh!

WELCOME TO THE THANKFUL BLOG HOP!

My wonderful friend Vikki and I are so excited to see such a tremendous response to this Thankful Hop! Might have to make it an annual event! Really looking forward to seeing what you all come up with. First, here's a reminder of the guidelines and prizes:

1. Sign up on the Linky List below.
2. Post thanks to readers/supporters on your blog between Monday, November 5 and Wednesday, November 7 by 1700 UK/1200 noon EST US time.
3. If you're looking for a CP, go ahead and post a ‘personals’ ad.
4. Be CREATIVE. Write a letter, a piece of flash fiction, a haiku, a poem, or a vlog. It can take whatever form you like. We’d like it if you kept it under 300 words but won’t be counting. 
5. You can thank anyone you'd like, not just CPs! And naming/linking to your reader(s) is up to you. 
6. Hop around and comment on other people’s!

It made me smile to see the cute button on your blogs! Thanks!
Now for the PRIZES! (to be announced Thursday November 8)

• Vikki’s Winner: A Reader’s Report style full MS Critique, chosen for Most Heartfelt Post
• Tara’s Winner: A Banner for their blog (or other graphic), chosen for Most Creative Post
• Overall Winner: Both of the above prizes, for Best Overall Post!

And now for my presentation.

To: Vikki! She is my totally awesome crit partner! She has been so supportive! And she tells it like it is, gives it to me straight! And she is FAST! Whoever wins her prize is very lucky! Here is a new header, custom made for you, Vikki! Someday I hope to travel back to London and meet my friend in person!

I also recently made a banner for my very first beta reader, Angela Cothran and I want to say thanks again!

Thirdly, I'd like to thank Elizabeth Arroyo who also gave me a helpful full MS crit. She is launching her book, SECOND SIGN in February and I am doing something special for her then - it's a surprise!

But that's not all! In my venture to be published, I received many query & chapter crits along with tons of encouragement from so many friends, many of whom are participating in NANOWRIMO. To thank them, I am passing on my encouragement! As I browsed my Reader the last few days, I gathered the names of those announcing their intents and here is the list! Check out how many you know that are doing it too!

Now I will check out all you Thankful Blog Hoppers... Thanks again for joining in!
 

Editing a book

I had a post ready for today, but it's turned into more of an IWSG post where I will ask you all for advice and confidence. I really look forward to our monthly gripe sessions meetings! Next one is Wednesday.

Nanowrimo is underway. Hope you all are off to a good start and meeting your goals so far! I am not doing Nano this year, but I am still writing - more specifically editing, which goes on and on and on...

Last year several of us in that Revision phase got together thanks to Peggy Eddleman, and formed NANOREVMO or REVIMO. And thanks to Jenny Morris, we are doing it again this year! Now we are new and improved with a Facebook Page!! Thanks to Jessie! A few of us made badges, of course, and there are also drawings for prizes for meeting weekly goals! We are all so gung ho about it! Email me or one of the above mentioned if you are interested in joining us for REVIMO!

During this first week, we are listing our goals (very informal, though I do like NANOWRIMO's fancy charts!)

My WIP is approximately 230 pages, so that means I should revise at least 7-8 pages a day and this is perfect timing since my fabulous crit partner just gave me some much needed feedback and suggestions. I also have a new MS I want to get started on but I want to finish the rough draft first and I'm only halfway through it...So here are my daily goals:

• 10 pages of editing and/or
• 500 words of new MS
• not to mention, working on Pop Travel stuff

So tell me what you are up to. I'd love to hear blurbs about your new NANO novels (WRIMO or REVIMO)! Whatever you're doing, keep writing and have a great weekend!

LOOKING FORWARD TO READING THANK YOUS NEXT WEEK!

"I'm Thankful For..." blog hop starts Monday!