happy last day of 2012!

Well, we made it through another year! Woo hoo!

Hope you enjoyed your celebrations! I saw many happy faces on Facebook. Though I pray for comfort for those who lost loved ones - I know many this month who have.

I immensely appreciated every minute I got to spend with my family. We had a great time at my sister's with cousins and grandparents and played many games and ate wonderful meals! My only regrets were that I didn't get many pictures and that it was way too short!

And tho I was only gone a short time, I'm still catching up! I'll tell you about it in a song...(This has been done before, but this is my rendition)

The Twelve Days After Christmas

On the first day after Christmas, my true love gave to me:

A fridge in need of food!

On the second day after Christmas, my true love gave to me:

Two tons of laundry!

On the third day after Christmas, my true love gave to me:

Three dozen emails!

On the fourth day after Christmas, my true love gave to me:

Four stacks of junk mail!

On the fifth day after Christmas, my true love gave to me:

Five extra pounds!

On the sixth day after Christmas, my true love gave to me:

Six inches of snow!

On the seventh day after Christmas, my true love gave to me:

Seven days to New Year's!

On the eighth day after Christmas, my true love gave to me:

Eight hours to sleep in

On the ninth day after Christmas, my true love gave to me:

Nine games of basketball

On the tenth day after Christmas, my true love gave to me:

Ten sales for shopping

On the eleventh day after Christmas, my true love gave to me:

Eleven chores awaiting

On the twelfth day after Christmas, my true love gave to me:

Twelve hours of editing!

I'm also way behind on visiting blogs. I am trying to rectify that and get my 2013 New Year's Resolutions up this week too! Thanks so much for an awesome 2012! See you next year!

it's all about the ...

TREE

star bright

halls decked out

lights     all   a-glow

reindeer tout

anxious    to   go

presents in their wrap

cocoa     Mrs. Claus    brews

give the whip a snap

thru neighborhoods on cruise

down the  chimney    he descends

enjoys a treat   from thoughtful  friends

homeward route

take flight

wheee!

Merry Christmas!

Sister time

I miss my Sis! I'm so excited to see her if just a few days!

Things have changed so much since we were kids. We grew up with our cousins, knew our aunts and uncles, and our grandparents babysat us. Our lives were so rich.

Now we have had to move here and there, farther away from relatives, uprooted from friends, and I feel we are missing out on quality relationships. So I say again, I miss my Sis! And my parents and nieces and nephews, etc. I am going to cherish these upcoming days.

And since I will be tuning out for the next week or so, I leave you with a list and a request...

My top 10 writerly events in 2012...
10. I went to my first writer's conference and had a face to face pitch
9.  I saw one of my favorite books, The Hunger Games, turned into a movie
8.  I also saw the culmination of the legendary Harry Potter series, final movie
7.  I got a short story published in Bewildering Stories e-zine
6.  I finished my second book at Camp Nano (editing!)
5.  I've been requested a bunch for my banner/caricature making skills - surprising and unexpected!
4.  I co-hosted a successful blog hop with my most excellent new friend and CP, Vikki
3.  I am excited for so many friends reaching writing and publishing goals
2.  I have over 500 followers - thanks!!!

and the number one achievement this year, a fulfillment of my 2012 New Year's Resolution!...

1. I got a publisher!!

2012 has been an awesome year!

And here's the request. If you get bored over the holidays and feel like writing a post, here's a prompt: I'd love to hear your top ten of 2012 - it can be about anything! I've seen some movie choices, book favorites, favorite characters, shows, etc. Have you done anything new and exciting? travel? (hint, hint, Rhonda) Lists are awesome blog posts!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Don't worry, Santa, I got this

So here's the Help the Elf story...
A few weeks ago Pete the Elf had a touch too much Eggnog at the Holiday Christmas Party and as he stumbled home, he lost Santa's NICE LIST. (can you believe!?)

The North Wind scattered the papers to all four corners of the world, and The Bookshelf Muse put out a call to help find them in order to SAVE CHRISTMAS. Ever since I read about it, I've been on the lookout. And then today, EUREKA! Yes that's right...I found part of Santa's missing NICE LIST  There it was, fluttering in the wind, half caught under the corner of my welcome mat. And shock of all shocks, I recognized a name, and I bet you will too.

This is what it said:

NAME: Dana
LOCATION: The Daily Dose
NICE LEVEL: 95%
NAUGHTY LEVEL: 5%
OBSERVATIONS: Dana is a wonderful mom and inspirational blogger. Her only flaws are being overly critical of herself at times and I can't remember the other one.
RECOMMENDATION:     a) Coal                   b) Gift

~ ~ * ~ ~

Because poor Pete is dashing all over the place trying to hunt down the rest of Santa's missing Nice List, I decided to take care of this one myself.

Dana, I have known you since the beginning of my blogging journey and you've stuck around all this time always leaving me a kind word. Someone I can always count on. Can't thank you enough! Enjoy the gift I sent to your inbox and have a wonderful Christmas!

Photo credit: assorted gold baubles (christmasstockimages.com) / CC BY 3.0

And to bring a little family fun to the holiday season, my Sensational Haiku Wednesday -

Families are...

Insane, idyllic,

Irritating, intricate,

Irreplaceable

Sure security,

Sheltering sanctuary,

Sharing soothing smiles

Dynamite Dads, Brave- 

hearted Brothers, Sweet Sisters

Magnificent Moms

Enjoy your family and friends! Merry Christmas!

only a week til Xmas!

Are you ready? Shopping done? Everything all wrapped up with a bow on top?
I'm close. Picking up a couple more things today and waiting on packages...hope they get here in time!

Plus I have to get my Secret Santa Writer a gift with the Help the Elf project brought to you by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi over at the Bookshelf Muse We reveal our recipients on 12/19!

There are so many generous writers out there giving stuff away and encouraging us to do the same...

If you are looking for a gift to give or get, make sure you check out Angela & Gwen's Holiday Indie Giveaway

Brinda Berry is giving away a book trailer! If you don't have a book ready for that, it would be a great gift for one of your friends who might need one!

And don't forget, David P King is giving away a blog makeover to celebrate his 800+ followers on 12/20!

And lastly, if you're struggling with what to get your writer friends, Chuck Wendig has a nifty, or is that naughty? list of 25 gifts to get a writer for Xmas.

hairy feet and pointy ears

That's what hobbits are known for, right?
Tyrean & Mary are so excited about the Hobbit movie, they made a blogfest for it! Thanks, ladies! I'm excited too! It's been so fun to reminisce my youthful experience as I read this classic with my boys at bedtime.

Here are the Hobbit Fest questions and my answers...

What is your favorite hobbit characteristic/or the one that you think closely resembles you . . .?
Well, I am NOT a neat freak and I am NOT good at baking and cooking. (yes, I am a poor example of a housewife, oh well) But I do like to eat and I am pretty stubborn and down right ornery sometimes. And I love a challenge!

If you could choose between a scrumptious second breakfast and a perilous unexpected journey – which would you prefer?
That is such a tough choice! Can I make my 2nd breakfast to go? As long as I have a wizard and some sturdy companions with me, I'll go! I could use an adventure!

Have you ever left behind something on a journey (expected or unexpected) and wished you could have it over and over again? (a pocket handkerchief?)
Can't think of anything. Our vacation motto is, if we forget something we need, we can buy it.

What is your Favorite part or quote from the book that you hope will be in the movie?
"Short cuts make for long delays." J.R.R. Tolkien, THE HOBBIT
How true it can be, though I'm the biggest short cutter around!

And here is my hobbity diva (couldn't resist!)

Happy Friday!

Worth Saving?

Things worth saving:

• your family!
• your pets!
• your friends!
• your files!
• how bout the rest of the world?

Tough question! And that is what Akara must decide in Kelley Lynn's upcoming YA Fantasy release, FRACTION OF STONE. Comes out March 21, 2013 from Sapphire Star Publishing. Look at the pretty cover!!!

Here is the blurb - 

Wind tunnels, torrential rains and earthquakes tear apart Casden. The cause of the world’s imbalance is unknown, but the mounting occurrences suggest there’s little time before life ceases to exist.

Rydan Gale and Akara Nazreth are the only humans with the ability to wield magic. The tattoo on their necks and the discovery of an ancient book, dictate they are the key to the world’s survival.

But the greatest obstacle for saving mankind isn’t the bizarre creatures, extreme betrayals and magic-fearing men hunting them.

It’s that Akara doesn’t believe the world is worth saving. 

The blurb made me picture this...

I love the sound of it! She has the power but doesn't think the world is worth saving! 

Here is a link to the trailer

And here is the giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congratulations, Kelley!

Kelley's links:

 Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Giving back to our Captain Alex!

Time to give back blog hop - Cheers for Alex J. Cavanaugh! Thanks to Mark Koopmans, Morgan Shamy, David Powers King, Stephen Tremp for hosting!

Today we describe what we think the mysterious Alex looks like in 20 words or less - well, I heard a picture is worth a thousand words...

Rockin Starship Ninja Captain!

My name is Cavanaugh and I pilot a Cosbolt. I swear by my IWSG (ionic whirling space generator). Reliable. That’s what she is. Just like my wife, Second Lieutenant Ninja Cavanaugh. I wouldn’t trade my Cosbolt for anything. Not even a Gibson Les Paul electric guitar. Well, maybe for that.

Liam Neeson would be a perfect Alex...Isn't it strange that we know hardly anything about this guy except he writes killer sci fi, he loves rock and guitars, and he is blogtacular! I chose Liam Neeson because his roles are versatile, sci fi/fantasy, commanding leaders, and usually a good guy...consider:

Zeus (Wrath of the Titans)

Admiral Shane (Battleship)

Qui-Gon Jinn (Star Wars)

Hannibal (the A-Team)

Aslan (the Chronicles of Narnia)

The list is long and growing. A worthy comparison!

To add a bit of sweetness, I want to share this great review of CassaStar by Honey!

And one new blogfest to add to your calendar in the new year...

Join LG Keltner's celebration of your beginnings to start of 2013 right!

Yes, 2013 is right around the corner! Is it going to be a bad luck year? I don't even like saying it!

Friday 4 U - Tis the season!

Holly, Jolly, Good Golly, Miss Molly and Fa la la la la, la la la laaa!

Welcome to Friday 4 U, Lazy Housewife - December edition, where I ramble about mundanities and pass on tips for you to use or just chuckle about =) Plus it's interactive! With questions!

Shopping
Grocery shopping is a chore I don't mind, it just eats up a lot of time. (CAUTION! Big but ahead, followed by RANT!) BUT I cannot stand anyone else touching my food. All the stores where I used to be able to scan and bag my own groceries have folded or taken away that option =( I may have to write a letter to Kroger and offer them my services to teach a class on "How to Properly Bag Groceries" - drives me nuts when one bag weighs a ton and others weigh nothing. Equal distribution! And common sense says to put the lighter items on top! Am I asking for too much here? (rant is over, you may proceed)

Speaking of food, holiday parties and meals mean lots of yummies! Here is an easy and scrumptuous appetizer recipe for you!

Orange Cranberry Spread

Beat 8 oz softened cream cheese, 2 Tbsp thawed frozen OJ, 1 Tbsp sugar and 1/8 tsp cinnamon on medium speed until fluffy. Stir in 1/4 Cup finely chopped, dried cranberries. Refrigerate at least 1 hr. Serve with town house crackers. Also delicious on bagels!

Q1 - What is your favorite holiday treat?

Got your gift list checked off? I'm doing well. I love having a list of specific items for my nieces and nephews. Makes shopping so easy. Gift cards are easy too. I like them, but I also like a well thought out gift and that's what I'd rather give too. It's a hard call sometimes.

Q2 - How do you feel about giving/receiving gift cards?

Technology
Gift cards are great online too. You can buy books, music, games, apps, etc. And they have an app for almost everything. Here are a couple of things I wish they had an app for:

1. face matcher - I don't doubt this might happen some day soon. I imagine it to work like a barcode scanner. Scan a person's face and name it in the program, can even match to more info. Then when you see the person again, scan the face and recall it...No more, "What was your name again?"
2. lie detector - No explanation necessary. Great for parents of teens and so many other uses!

Q3 - What would you like to see an app for?

Tips!

• It's sweater weather here in the US! Where do you keep your sweaters? Folded on a shelf? They don't stay neat and tidy for long, do they. And hanging them in a closet gives us shoulder pooches from the hangers!...Here's my suggestion: For light sweaters or any knit shirts, hang them inside out - then the shoulder pooch is on the inside when you wear them!
• And since I'm running out of room, I'll leave you with 5 alternative uses for a top sheet (my boys do not like using them, try as I might to get them to...)
1. couch protector - keep germs off the couch when someone is sick =P
2. fort/tent building - the obvious one and my favorite
3. dog bedding - we have lots of spare sheets to cover the spots where our puppy likes to lie
4. toga!
5. ride for tots - when my boys were 1 & 2, my teenage niece would drag them around the living room on a sheet. they rolled off, and ran back to sit on it again, laughing hysterically. I should post it on youtube!

That wraps up (get it, wrap, xmas =) this edition of LHW! See you next year for the next installment!

Extra! Extra!

(stay in paper boy character and continue reading these headlines!)

Lisa Regan Book Launch Today!

a spine tingling mystery!

Nancy Thompson's Mistaken on W4W!

a totally twisty thriller!

W4W = Writers 4 Writers and it is finally open!

This wonderful concept was invented by Stephen Tremp, Mary Pax, C.M. Brown, and Christine Rains. They had the genius idea to
• Help writers bring awareness of their books
• Drive new traffic to their blog and increase following
• Create verbal and viral buzz.

How do they intend to do this you ask?
Every month, one to three spotlighted authors will choose a social media and on the selected day, the authors will post pre-written Tweets on their blogs.  At your convenience, simply copy and paste Tweets into Twitter. Or go to #W4WS on Twitter and Retweet other Tweets.

And for Facebook, the authors will also post an image of their book along with a short blurb and a link to Kindle on their blog. We help each other by sharing the link with FB friends and Writers' Groups.

That’s an incredibly large new audiences the author could not reach on their own.  Imagine a hundred bloggers over a few days Tweeting and sharing links for new books and reaching thousands of new people! Sounds exciting! Can't wait to see how it goes for Nancy!

A Happy Scrooge!

Welcome to December's IWSG!

First, my cool publisher, Curiosity Quills, recently spotlighted IWSG and its supa star inceptor Alex C! Check it out!

Now on to today's topic.
For the past year or so I have only posted my fears and doubts for our group sessions (there are so many to choose from!) But this month I'd like to spread some happy around! Though sometimes I feel I might come across as too perky. So I'm going to tell you a little about me...

At home, IRL, I am usually stressed and cranky. Being a mom to teens is like being a prison guard - no respect and they try to get away with as much as possible. I hate nagging and repeating myself, not to mention cleaning up after everyone, cooking for picky eaters, and dealing with a crazy, ever changing schedule...See? Cranky stress.

Then, when my chores are done (or when I need a break from them - they're never done!) I write. My escape from the mundane. It's heaven, even if only in small increments most days. And my favorite thing about writing is you guys! Communicating with writers and readers!

So though you may feel the need to roll your eyes at all my smiley faces and exclamation points, please realize that my Pollyanna attitude is sincere! This is my happy place! =)

I hope you take some happy with you today! Where is your happy place? I know you all can relate to this positive atmosphere. It's a wonderful place to go you get stuck, seek advice, or receive yet another rejection...keep writing!

There are a couple more things I wanted to mention...

Please congratulate David P King and his 800 followers! and he's giving away blog makeovers!

Special happenings tomorrow and don't forget the fests coming up!

I leave you with my Sensational Haiku Wednesday on avarice (I had to look it up and remind myself what it meant...)

Miss Scrooge?

She hunts in pockets,

crevices, and piggy banks

No treasure is safe

There isn't enough

She needs more to satisfy

insatiable urge

Her desire is not

avarice, she needs cash for

delivery boy!

Nicely Naughty

Good Monday to you! and Happy December!

I just had to participate in this silly blog hop - "And you are...?" hosted by Emily and Tammy - it's a hoot! Here are the questions...

1. How many speeding tickets have you gotten?

4, 2 in Florida and 2 in Georgia...ah well, I like to go fast.

2. Can you pitch a tent?

sure, I'm mechanically inclined =)

3. What was your worst vacation ever?

first son's first birthday in Disney World, we had no idea why his fever wouldn't go down and he was so cranky until we took him to urgent care. Ear infections in both ears - we spent the majority of the vacation in our room...

4. What was the last thing you bought over $100?

I don't usually spend that much, my computer I guess

5. We're handing you the keys to what?

Time machine!!!!! (can't believe I let that typo go all day yesterday!)

6. What was the last meal you cooked that made even you sick?

I experiment a bunch and usually like what I make, but I remember once I didn't only I can't remember what it was...

7. Fill in the blank: Oh my gosh! Becky, look at her butt! It is so big. She looks like  ____?

she likes cheesecake (not good at fat jokes...)

8. What was your first car?

from my parents - 78 blue Celica, bought on my own - 90 blue Celica

9. Your best friend falls and gets hurt. Do you ask if he/she's okay or laugh first?

if it's not too serious, then I laugh while I ask...

10. What's the worst song ever?

Baby, Baby, Baby by Justin Beiber


And to be extra nice, I want to announce the launch of MAKE BELIEVE - a collection of enchanting and exciting fantasy stories by J.A. Belfield, Jennifer M. Eaton, J. Keller Ford, Terri Rochenske, Kelly Said, and Lynda R. Young!


Kelly is one witty ninja

&

Lynda has some great writing posts on her popular blog!

Purchase info can be found on their publisher's website:

J Taylor Publishing

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!