I'm back baby! Last days for #giveaway and #GOTseason6 hmm

I've had an awakening! I finally came out of my long winter slumber and participated in a book event!

Ohioana was my first and favorite book event and I look forward to it every year. I always love hanging out with author friends and meeting new awesome people. I love doing panels - you know how I love to talk.

It also felt great to interact with readers. Some even told me how much they liked my books! And I was invited to a couple of other events while I was there.

me and my buddy Terri-Lynne Smiles

I had an awesome weekend and I'm looking forward to more, sooner! I encourage everyone of you to go do a book event, or if you aren't published yet, go visit one (I did and it's worth it for the experience to see what it's all about) I just need to take more pictures!

I'd also like to say a big THANK YOU to those visiting me. I know tons of folks are participating in the A to Z Challenge. Good luck! You're in the homestretch!

And one last mention for my Jolissa giveaway contest...
a Rafflecopter giveaway

PS - Did anyone watch Game of Thrones? Do you think it's still George RR Martin caliber? I'm not so sure... I feel like they're rushing it and making things happen. Hmm.

A new way to travel!

G'day Mates!

I'm not sure if that phrase applies only to Australia, but I'm whisking you all away to New Zealand!! My awesome, funny, photo-journalist friend Rhonda Albom has put her skills and eye for beautiful shots to work for her. I've always admired her photography from far away lands and entertaining, informative stories to accompany the eye-catching sights. Now I'm excited to help give her a shout as she releases a new interactive, travel guide book! Check it!

Choose A Way Auckland is an interactive city guide by local travel writer and photographer Rhonda Albom. She shares firsthand the best that the city has to offer while you make all the decisions.

Unlike traditional guidebooks, now you can build your day as you go. Choose from three options, enjoy the activity, and then choose from three more.The choices will keep your day flowing, allowing you a worry free Auckland adventure as you discover the highlights of the city, along with the offbeat, hidden treasures.

In addition to a succinct description, each option includes a photo, the address, GPS coordinates, a link to Google Maps, and easy-to-follow directions that have been tried and tested. Use it on your smartphone or tablet to make choices on-the-go, or plan ahead on your laptop.

It’s not just for visitors, Aucklanders love it too.

Rhonda Albom is a travel photographer, freelance writer and award winning blogger at Albom Adventures. Living in Auckland since 2003, Rhonda writes about her travels in New Zealand and around the world. Collectively, with her husband and her two teenage girls, they have been to 48 countries in five continents. Rhonda homeschools her girls, is on a women’s yacht racing team, leads a Girl Guide group, and and enjoys a good cup of coffee.

Links:
Amazon -- Barnes and Noble -- Kobo Books
Apple Books (US) -- Apple Books (NZ)

For PDF
Publisher's Page

So excited for her! And she's also participating in the A to Z challenge - give her a visit!

How much is too much?

Here's my IWSG concern this month:
How often do you share good news about your books? And how often is too often?

I get so excited when I hit a milestone, but I always feel a little guilty sharing my news. It feels like bragging and self-promotion. Oh, no. Tara's talking about her books again... Then I think, my books are like my kids! I'm very proud of them and want to share my joy. Not to mention, writing is what I do with my free time - my life these days, after kids and family stuff.

And thus I share my insecurities with you all. Thanks to our mighty manager Alex C and his host of hosts! Does anyone else feel this way? What do you do about it?

On to the News:

• It's that time of year again! Many bloggers are participating in the A to Z challenge. And while I'm taking a break here, I'm joining our group effort at the Really Real Housewives! And it happens to be my week (C & D days). Stop by for some domestic advice and fun!

• My Quarterly Newsletter is out. I'm excited to be getting out to events again - yay for Spring!

And I was very excited to receive my small order of Jolissa novellas in PRINT! I'll be selling them at my events AND I'm giving one away along with 4 ebooks and a $10 gift card - sign up below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

#Writing trend: More Diverse Characters

As I search for writing prompts to submit, I'm seeing a trend of folks asking for MORE DIVERSE CHARACTERS! Well, this is great! Anglo-saxons do not rule the earth, why should they star in all the stories? I would love to write a diverse story. Unfortunately, if I tried to create a main character from another culture, I feel I would fail miserably. Stereotypes cannot be used and need to be broken. I read a MEME this weekend that proclaimed something along the lines of:

Stereotypes may be true for some, but they are NOT true for ALL.
Look beyond skin color.

Writing for another culture is harder than writing an opposite gender character or an adult writing a teen character because we've had enough experience with them, we should be able to emulate them. Though I can research and interview and even immerse myself in another culture, I can't begin to truly understand what people of color have gone through, even those in the same demographic as me; they've been treated differently their whole lives and it's part of what makes them who they are and what motivates them.

Well, what can I do? I want to bring more awareness to other cultures - it will help all of us understand each other better and therefore get along better. I suppose I can start with the basics. We all have the same foundational threads of life. We are born, grow up, get jobs, and die. We all deal with family, money, and health issues. We all start out as clean slates and go through life making choices. The differences are in the hows and whys - and that's where we shape our characters.

When I create characters, I put myself in their shoes. I give them a backstory - where they're from, what they've experienced, and their influences as they grew up. Most characters need special care and deep details - like when God created woman, the most complex being on the planet from the basest creature man (ha ha). But these histories are for my benefit only. The hard part is showing the character's feelings and background without telling his/her life story. Think of J.K. Rowling and all the questions she gets asked and answers about the HP universe!

I like to think that any person could play my characters in a movie, no matter the nationality. Actors bring their own interpretation and thereby, their background into a role. Just like readers! Unless the story is specifically about a certain culture, if the writing is good, anyone can read it and relate to the characters, and that is the goal.

I'm trying to make the world a better place with the tools I have. 

Have you ever written a main character from another culture?  

I'll take any advice you'd like to share!

And now, the NEWS!

Sign ups start TODAY for the A to Z Theme Reveal blog hop which will be March 21. I'm participating this year, but over with The Really Real Housewives! We are sooo excited!



I mentioned this last week, but I'm anxious for it to be available!

JOLISSA - An Anti-Princess Story, the novella that goes with my video storybook, will be available available February 29th. Eeek!

A snarky teenage maiden thinks an adventure will make her life better, until she's forced to go on one.

AND don't forget to join...Christine Rains, C. Lee McKenzie and I for the Winter Blahs Buster Meme Blog Hop! It starts next Monday! Post a MEME Feb 29 - Mar 4. We've got prizes, including TWO $20 gift cards!

Coming up blood roses!

So much good news today! So much to celebrate (if you're joining me on Friday for Vikki's weekly hop)


First! Here's a beautiful, but deadly, cover reveal! Nicole Zoltack's BLOODLUST, a NA epic fantasy romance.


In a world torn by prejudice and hatred, six races struggled for supremacy.


Desperation…
Barbarian-Princess Ivy is unwilling to allow her father to provoke the other races into war and forms an unlikely alliance with Lukor the goliath to save her people from utter destruction.

Betrayal…
Unbeknownst to her, Lukor blames the barbarians for murdering his sister and plans on sabotaging her goal.

Bloodlust…
Almost despite each other, they grow to respect each other on their journey to decode secret messages from the trolls. But nothing Ivy can do will prevent the war as her father is blinded by Bloodlust and incites it himself. Not even killing him and becoming Barbaroness can stop the tide. And when Bloodlust claims Ivy, forcing her to kill everyone in her path, she must make a choice to destroy even Lukor, who she may have started to fall for and him in return.

It comes out Feb 24th! Add it on Goodreads!

Now, here are some great happenings around the blogosphere...

• PK Hrezo's blog tour is going on right now for her book, BUTTERMAN, (TIME) TRAVEL, INC - all kinds of good stuff thru Feb 21!
• the Movie Bloghop is next Friday - sign up! It's fun to pick movie stars for your characters!
• A to Z Challenge in April and Theme Reveal blogfest Mar 21(just wrote my A post last night!)

As for me - Good news has been pouring in! I'm drenched!

• Broken Branch Falls
• finished the final proof
• got a peek at the cover sketch - awesome!!
• Conferences/Book Signings
• March 27, I'm in at Barnes & Noble in Alpharetta, GA! Yippee!
• March 28-29, The Novel Experience event - I can't wait!
• May 10, Ohioana Book Festival in Columbus, OH - I will be on a panel and get to party at the Governor's mansion!! And I finally get to meet fellow Ohioan, Julie Flanders!
• Sept 20, Ohio River Festival of Books in West Virginia - again with Elizabeth! Woot!
• swag! just got some items I ordered to pass out at all these awesome events! AH! It's so fluffy!!
• AND I'm a winner! I won SK Anthony's book, KINETIC & bonus swag in the Share the Love giveaway! woo hoo!

Finally, if you need a laugh today, go check out Emilyann's movie mashup - hilarious!

momentum is building!

Now that this year has gotten started, it's really picking up speed! I have so much to tell you!

Dani & Jackie are continuing their weekly Express Yourself Meme - quick prompts for helping us get to know each other every MONDAY. This week - what Craft or pure enjoyment books would you recommend to readers?

Writer friend, Nick Wofford, has a special stepson, Andrew, who wants to go to a real college. His government is protesting their petitions. To raise money for their cause, Nick is putting together an anthology and asking us to contribute a piece for it, Feb 4-5 with his Overcoming Adversity bloghop. I am so on board with this! See his site for the details of how you can help!

April is just around the corner! Not really, but the folks at the Blogging  from A to Z site are geared up and writing away. And they have some cute new badges! (see side bar) Get yours today! I am working on a theme... And if you are on the fence about taking the challenge, let me just say it's where I got my first boost of followers and I meet lots of great bloggers every year.

Some of you have seen this awesome Writer's Creed by S.A. Larsen - I love it! And Sherri promises it is the first of many Sherriisms!

In March, I heard Mark Koopmans, your favorite Irish Hawaiian, will continue his Green Hop tradition on St Patrick's Day. Mark your calendar!

"Celebrate the small things" with Vikki on Fridays! No accomplishment is too small. Vikki has started a link for us to pat each other on the back for meeting our goals, or just for trying.


I think that's enough, for now! Take your pick and welcome to blogging in 2013! Where would we be without it?!

Kick start Monday - Reflections

Are you as tired as I am? Whew! I took this challenge and gave it my all. I'm a bit of an overachiever. I went through the two columns of the list and visited alphabetically. I appreciate those who did their best to post every day!

I found sites that sparked my attention, made me laugh, inspired me, or were just plain nice. I'm really looking forward to seeing how everyone will post in normal times. A HUGE THANK YOU to my new followers that put me over the 100 mark and for all the wonderful comments and awards. (got one more on Z day, Thanks Huntress!) 

Everyone was so nice and made me feel so good!

And finally, a thank you to A Hootie Hoot for the idea to join "Meet Me on Monday" a quick, cute linky link to introduce and meet more bloggers. It's at Never Growing Old if you're interested. Here are today's prompts:

1.  What is your favorite kind of muffin? big fat chocolate, chocolate chip (then big fat blueberry, I love muffins!)
2.  What was the first car you ever owned? 1978 Blue Toyota Celica, good times
3.  Which TV Show were you sad to see end? Friends, now Monica is a Cougar & Chandler is bombing as Mr. Sunshine!
4.  What is your lucky number? 2
5.  Pretzels or Potato Chips? don't we live in a world where we can have both? if I must choose, pretzels.

And now I must dust off my WIP and continue to whip it into shape.

PS - I also participated in the poem-a-day challenge from Writer's Digest. I would love if you have time to vote for your favorite poem on the right (see "I'm a poet?" to review them, if you want). I will submit my top 5 for a chance to be published in their top 50 from the challenge! Thanks again =)

"Z" is for Zodiac

Here is my small parting gift to you all. Take your sign of the zodiac smiley! I got these from this site.

Capricorn 

Aquarius 

Pisces 

Aries 

Taurus 

Gemini 

Cancer 

Leo 

Virgo 

Libra 

Scorpio 

Sagittarius 

It sure was fun playing! You know where to find me =)

"Y" is for Y'all

Y'all are the best!

(source)

I finally finished my a-z blog tour. I think I visited everyone on the list at least once! In my final sweep for x, y and z it was fun to see the blogs I recognized as new friends =)

I want to thank y'all for everything. I've met so many great people, got some awards, learned things, laughed a lot, seen pretty pictures and had fun with some extra challenges!

As we go back to the "real world" in May it will be interesting to see how y'all post without the challenge. I'll be keeping in touch and I hope y'all do too!

Proper wrap up for this post,

Y'all come back now, ya heeah?

(especially tomorrow for a little farewell Z treat =)

"X" is for X-men and the Summer Movies Preview!

I love the summer movie season.
I've listed a few here with a bit about each one...there were too many for me to link (and I was too lazy). I got much of my info from Entertainment Weekly

• Thor (May 6) - a coming of age story?, hmm.
• Priest (May 13) - post-apocolyptic, vampire style.

• Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (May 20) - Penelope Cruz is in it! with zombies & mermaids.
• The Hangover, pt 2 (May 26) - in Bangkok, how appropriate.
• X-men: First Class (June 3) - pre-prequel set in the 60s, mutants before they were rebels.
• Green Lantern (June 17) - Ryan Reynolds =)
• Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows, pt 2 (July 15) - I can't believe this is IT! and it's packed with action!
• Captain America: the First Avenger (July 22) - let's hear it for the underdog!
• Cowboys & Aliens (July 28) - Go Harrison Ford! I gotta see this.
• Thirty Minutes or Less (August 12) - crazy, convoluted plot to get someone to rob a bank to pay someone to kill someone else - got it?

There's lots more, but these stood out to me. Looking forward to shelling out big bucks to go see any on the big screen?

"W" is for WIP

Anyone else neglecting their WIP? I'll give you some quick facts about mine and I'd love to hear about yours, if you want to share. I think an author's WIP can tell volumes about them (pun intended =)
BTW (by the way) WIP means Work in Progress...sorry I didn't clarify.

Title: Pop Travel
Genre: sci-fi thriller
Stage: completed, querying and more editing

One sentence summary!
In 2080, mild-mannered detective J.L. Cooper and spunky secret agent Geri Harper uncover deadly problem with pop travel - laser teleportation.

Goal: more queries, more & better words...I guess that's a little vague?

"V" is for VS

Writing a book - Agent VS epub
(usually on Fridays I collect my thoughts and spout what I've been working on in my efforts to be published, schedule is off with this challenge.) Lately I've been researching and this is a hot topic! Here's what I have concluded (and correct or add as you see fit, I'm no expert!):

Agent pros

• they work for you - if you don't make money, they don't make money. They want you to succeed!
• they are experienced - they know the business, have connections, know what steps to take
• they can help - with editing, covers, publicity, advice, etc

Agent cons

• super selective, more so these days
• production is slow process (compared to epub)
• authors have to do more editing and promotion than some might think

epub pros

• it seems easier, but I've heard mixed things, depends on what service you use
• quicker output

epub cons

• you're on your own
• or you can pay for expertise
• total self-promotion and editing

The bookstore I frequent is closing - what does that mean to me? I'm in the process of querying and wonder, "Am I wasting my time? Should I just epub myself?" But I don't want to do it myself. I want help and experience and connections from a great agent! Maybe when I get to the point of being sick of querying and can't get an agent, then I'll try to epub.

I want some opinions! Would you consider it? What do you think? I know several of you that have put your books out there yourselves - how did you do it? how is it going? why did you do it?

"U" is for U R IT!

(source)

Holy Hundred! I've got over 100 followers! I can't believe it! This challenge has really put me over the edge!

To celebrate, I am going to start a game of Blog Tag! This is just for fun and poking friends =) (Kind of like "spooking" people at Halloween time.)

So tag, U'r it!
Here's how to play: make a comment to tell me you're playing, take this image and post it with these instructions, then go comment-tag a couple of others to join in and p/u the picture from your blog to continue passing it on. (I'm telling everyone I visit today =)

My fun will be seeing this picture on other sites!

And BTW, if you're at the centurion mark too, feel free to copy my 100 followers badge, you've earned it!

"T" is for Tweeting Anyone?

Not me. Not yet. Not enough Time! Maybe I will try it out in May, since after these two challenges are over I will be looking for something to do.

I let Jane Friedman from Writer's Digest sift through tweets for me. She makes a nice, neat, categorized list of the best tweets in industry every Sunday. This is from last weekend. Her blog, "There Are No Rules," also gives great advice for writers. You should add her to your blog roll if you haven't already.

If you do tweet - and I know many of you do! - tell me how you like it and why is it so addicting for some? As an outsider, it seems like a lot of jumbled nonsense. Like picking up in the middle of a bunch of phone conversations at the same time. How does it work?

"S" is for Sons



(source)



That's what I've got. Three rambunctious, puppy dog tail-waggin, full of piss and vinegar boys.


Oh, and they like State.
Michigan State.





When they were cute:

and now:

I guess they're still cute. I love these guys =)

(I put this up early cause I'll be driving all day Friday)

"R" is for Remote Relatives

Life these days is transient. We've had to move and move and move. Transplanting is so hard. And it always seems to be far from our relatives. So many times we sacrifice a real vacation to visit them, which I enjoy but I wish we could live closer to them.

For LHW survey question #2, I asked:
Where do you live? And are you close to relatives?

Sadly, it looks like the majority from my quick FB survey are in the same boat as me and do not live near family. I'm jealous of those who do.

Jill – OH, no.

Jeannie – FL, yes

Caroline – TX, yes

Dana – FL, 2 hrs, sort of

Julie – TX, no

Kelly G – MN, no

Anne Marie – OH, no

At least we have each other! And the internet! Do you live near relatives? - but more importantly, is it a good thing?

"Q" is for the Quette of Blogging

That's right. Blog Quette (short for etiquette).
Who knows the rules? I don't. I didn't even know what blog stood for when I started out. (psst, it's an abbreviation for web-log) But I know what I like. After visiting a ton of sites for this challenge, I've come up with a few unwritten rules for good blogging.

• Less is More. Don't let your blog get too busy. Some blogs are like shopping at Marshall's - too much to choose from all at once, aah! And the reverse is also true - don't be too plain. Show us who you are and jazz it up a little. How many of you are still using the library background? Try the template designer.
• Stay regular. Post on a regular basis. We are counting on you to provide us with useless (or useful) drivel to brighten our day!
• Less Ads. I don't know about you, but I can't stand commercials. Isn't that why someone invented tivo? to FF thru the ads? A few are ok, but don't overdo it.
• Posts - personally I like em brief and to the point. I skim over long-winded posts. Pictures and lists! are appealing. Got a lot to say? break it up into separate posts, make us come back.
• Replies. Try to reply to your comments. As you get more popular, replies can be fewer - I'll let you know when I reach that point, ha ha.
• Good commenting. This is a great post from Jane Friedman about putting your best foot forward when making comments (like it's rude to link to your blog in the comments unless it's for a challenge)
• Courtesy. Link back in your post. When you do a challenge, contest, copy something, get an award, whatever. Give credit where it's due.
• About you. People want to know who you are! Make it visible. And as a wise assistant to a shark advises put your contact info in it, at least an email (you can create a special email, like gmail, just for this purpose, if you have any Quams)
• Following. By all means, if you want more followers, make it easy for them! Put the gadget at the top.

Got any more?

"P" is for Prevention

 

My favorite health magazine! I just renewed after a lapse and will be posting tips from it bi-monthly.


Prevention, May 2011
Momma Sheryl Crow is featured - Can you believe she's 49!!
She looks awesome!

Selected Health & Beauty Tips:

• colorful lips are more attractive (I never used to wear lipstick, now I do, sometimes).
• naturally whiten your teeth with - an apple!
• after soaking up too much sun at the ballpark, drench a thin cloth in milk and lay it on your face for 5 minutes - to reduce redness and calm irritation! (whodathunk!)
• want that candlelight glow all day? dust shimmery powder just under your brows.
• lose something? don't get mad, get glad - apparently when you're amused you think clearer.
• eat more tomatoes, carrots and peaches for a healthy, attractive glow from the beta-carotene (just not too much, don't want to look like an oompa loompa)
• the riper the banana, the more sugar and less healthy it gets
• eat more berries! and tuna! (not necessarily together)

The same standard 3 rules for losing weight that are repeated in one form or another every month:

1. drink more water, eat more fruits and veggies and less junk (1600 cal/day and every 4-5 hrs)
2. exercise (cardio & strength training - alternating every other day)
3. get more rest

Beginning of May I will put up some recipes and a Friendship Quiz - how productive are your friends for you?

"O" is for Other Great Blogs

This is the reason to do a challenge - you get to meet fascinatin Other bloggers. And then there's the awards! Holy Moley! I was going to shout Out to some more bloggers today and now I can give them an award too.

1st - I'd like to thank Jamie "From my classroom window" - a new friend and fellow teacher. (I'm just so geeked about these awards!)

2nd - I already gave 7 facts a la moi, but with this award you're supposed to give 10. Here's three more:

1. I have moved around so much I feel like a gypsy, and I'm not even an army brat. This is the longest I've lived in the same house - 7 1/2 years. I've never had to deal with many repairs before!
2. I'm a scorpio  watch out!
3. On my bucket list: to fly a helicopter.

 and 3rd - passing on the love to Other Great Blogs:

• A Hootie Hoot - for Kreativ Homemaking plus!
• A Storybook World - for giving out so many Kreativ awards, and not having many! But she's got a pretty full sideboard, I don't know where she'll put it...
• Alexis Bass Writes About Writing - for Kreativ posts about writing, what else?
• Catenabi Chronicles - for her Kreativ Kat and a potpourri of posts
• Holly Ruggiero's POV - for an informative & Kreativ blog
• My Writing Blog by Nicole - for her Kreativ take on life and writing
• The Dad's Den - for his Kreativ advice on parenting from the Dad's perspective

I've got so many more and I'm only up to O in my alphabetized blog visits!