Things I love about #Atlanta

Just got back from my favorite place, Atlanta, GA! Every time I cross into Georgia, it welcomes me home. And it's especially dear to my heart because I got married there and my parents still live there. If you've never been, you must go!

Here's a little list of the things I love about Atlanta...

• Finding shortcuts and driving opposite traffic - many folks complain about the traffic, and it is definitely horrendous if you have to go with the stop-and-go flow at rush hour. But there are so many shortcuts, if you know your way around.
• The trees and nature - majestic, green, towering, shady trees -- especially nice around a hot ball field! Nowhere else are there trees like these. And I love zipping around on windy, hilly roads. Plus, there always seems to be a cool creek around the corner... and my parents have it all in their backyard!
• The neighborhoods - there are some grand old homes and beautiful new estates. It's fun to just drive around and look.
• The restaurants - from eclectic to down-home southern, there's always something new to try. Not only is the food delicious, but the atmosphere is always inviting, with outdoor seating available almost year-round. And many of the restaurants are unique to the area.
• The low cost - everything is less expensive in Georgia. You can find pricey places to eat and shop, but you don't have to!
• A fast-paced city with a slow, relaxed southern attitude - get there fast and enjoy your time while you're there.
• Friendly southern hospitality - service with a smile most of the time, which seems to be harder and harder to find these days.
• Tons to do - from sports: the Braves, Falcons, and Hawks; to the sites like the magnificent Georgia Aquarium, World of Coke, and Underground Atlanta; to entertainment and parks: The Fabulous Fox Theater and Six Flags over Georgia, plus outdoor theaters, festivals, and more!
• The rich diversity - culture, harmony, history. I taught in Atlanta for a few years and I thoroughly enjoyed all my students. Kids are all the same with loads of potential no matter where they're from or what they look like.

Here are a few pics from my Atlanta travels... (over the past few years)

my dad added on a lower deck
--it was finished and screened-in this year =)

can you see the deer?
from the screened-in porch!

spotted some duckies while hiking

me by the Chattahoochee River

gorgeous trees in the spring
but watch out for allergies!

my friend Tina and I
at the Flying Biscuit Cafe
I brought home some cranberry apple butter - mmm

Do you have a favorite place to visit? Ever been to Atlanta?

BUT WAIT! I have a special announcement!

The winner of my writer meme challenge is Juneta Key! Here's her creative, funny meme!

And her avatar prize...

Juneta Key
speculative fiction author

Now, here's a funny thing: I'm at her place today for the last stop on my Windy Hollow Release Tour!

The topic was a surprise, but now it's here so I can tell you... 

How to get through Querying!

I hope you have time to stop by. Have a great week!

Cramming a Ton of Awesome into Today!

Another exciting Monday...

But seriously, it IS!
The super splendicular Christine Rains is hosting me at her place today AND she's also the specialissimo guest over at the Really Real Housewives this week!

AND I'm super excited to announce the winners of our MEME BLOG HOP!

First, a HUGE SPECIAL THANKS to my co-hostesses, C. Lee McKenzie and Christine Rains. We had a very hard time picking our faves, so there are lots of winners:

2 Grand Prize Winners of $20 Gift Cards

M Pepper Langlinais

and

Yvonne Ventresca

J. Lenni's

We also chose J Lenni Dorner (Broken Branch Falls by Tara Tyler & Double Negative by C. Lee McKenzie) and Juneta Key (Sudden Secrets by C. Lee McKenzie & Of Blood and Sorrow by Christine Rains) as 2nd runners up, winning two ebooks each!

Juneta's

And here's the rest of our winners, each receiving an ebook:
Michelle Wallace - Jolissa by Tara Tyler
Tamara Narayan - Pop Travel by Tara Tyler
Jess Haight/Fairday Morrow - (still deciding)


Thanks to all who played with us! I wish we could give stuff to everyone. But the fun continues all month, maybe longer, as I will be tweeting ALL the entrants' fun and encouraging meme's for everyone to see and enjoy.


And LBNL...

Today is also the first day of WRiTE CLUB 2016!

It's an awesome contest helping writers refine their craft in a blind competition. 

Stop by and VOTE for your favorites!

Have a wonderful week!

#Writing is Life

There is SO MUCH going on this week! Meme Blog Hop, Release Day, and IWSG!

First I want to thank all the participants in advance for joining our MEME BLOG HOP!

Here are a few I came up with...

(All you need to make a meme is a picture and a few words of lightness or encouragement - put them together in Paint or I used Powerpoint. There's also a meme app.)

Stop by my most awesome co-hostesses - Christine Rains, C. Lee McKenzie - and those on the list below for some further wonderful wittiness!


I also hope these memes are encouraging for IWSG day! Here's my contribution...

Some say "Life's not a sprint, it's a marathon."
I say, "Life's a never-ending obstacle course!"

Does anyone else feel pressure to show others that writing isn't just a hobby? Lately I've been submitting short stories, hoping to prove my writing is "worth" something and help pay bills... But these bits and pieces take time away from my novels, which I feel I need to continue to put out there, too!

I'm also scheduling more appearances to drum up business - marketing is an incredible time drain. I've got so many different projects going on at the same time, it's hard to prioritize and can get very stressful (and makes me grouchy) Sometimes I just feel lost.

I guess the key is to concentrate on one thing at a time. I hate to break it to you, but science has proven that multi-tasking is FICTION. Our brains can only truly concentrate on one thing at a time. Though it may seem like multi-tasking, it's just doing successive things quickly.

Another way I help myself is to make deadlines. I like deadlines, they're just more concrete goals. I prioritize my stuff and set soft dates to try and get them done by.
>>Try to work on WIP 1 hour a day (finish the dang thing so I can start editing!)
>>Blog posts have their own deadlines, so I do them. And try to visit!
>>Submissions have deadlines too - but if I don't finish those, there are plenty more, so I'm working on building up a file of ready-to-submit stories.

How do you keep your head above water??


And lastly -

JOLISSA IS AVAILABLE TODAY!!

JOLISSA - An Anti-Princess Story,

with ongoing video storybook

A trouble-making maiden, a clumsy out-of-work squire, a loyal puppy, and a talking goat go on a quest - What could go wrong?

I didn't plan a big launch day or tour or anything, but I want to say a huge THANKS to Susan Gourley-Kelley and MJ Fifield for volunteering to help spread the word! We'll see how this self-publishing goes. And the next story in my Unconventional Princesses series (of course it's a series), TWO PRINCESSES, is somewhere on my extensive TO DO LIST...

Have a positive and productive week!

#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!

No time for #love

That's just silly. There's always time for love! But I'm going to an Anti-Valentine's party with my latest Muse for Sarah Foster's Musiversary!

So here's the how the party goes...

I brought Grumpy Writer Cat, or GW. He just looks at me and I shut my social sites, feeling guilty for not writing... and he's my anti-valentine because he's a no nonsense kitty. I mean cat. He hates when I call him kitty. (But he's so cute!)

Neither of us is very romantic, but I'm definitely the silly, sentimental one. I gave him a bow tie. He hates it. But we brought chocolate and low fat milk so he's amicable.

For tunes, I'm sure Sarah's going to play "Love Stinks," so I'll say "You Give Love a Bad Name" by Bon Jovi.

Here's a great anti-Valentine party game, Pin the Zit on the Ex.

I will eat too much, drink too much, and have an awesome time!
GW will drive us home. He keeps me from going over the edge!

And of course we brought the hostess a gift - a free ebook! Congrats, Sarah & Jordan! (Sarah, email me which ebook you would like!)

A maiden with a bad attitude

To see more party goers, find the list here!
Happy Anti-Valentine's Day, y'all!

Plus I have special MONDAY NEWS!
I've taken the plunge into self-publishing... JOLISSA - An Anti-Princess Story, the novella that goes with my video storybook, is available available February 29th (can pre-order now!), the same day as...

Did you see those dunks this wknd? Sick!

...Christine Rains, C. Lee McKenzie's and my Winter Blahs Buster Meme Blog Hop! It's only 2 weeks away. Post a MEME Feb 29 - Mar 4. And I love how our great group of goers has grown. Don't forget, we've got prizes! Including TWO $20 gift cards!

What's with all the death? Embrace life!

We lost too many beloved celebrities and I know several who lost loved ones last month. And the deadly blizzard took a toll on millions. I'm glad January over. Lessons learned - embrace life and make the most of the time you have, especially with those you care about, and physical things don't last.

Which brings me to my  Insecure Writers Support Group post for February. Many thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh for establishing this totally terrific institution each first Wed of the month. It's so huge, he recruits special guest hosts to make sure we all get taken care of. And there's always room for more!

I usually write encouraging posts - I'm in a happy place with my publishing situation. But January brought me some unhappy moments. Nothing as severe as losing a loved one or a job, but I've gotten several blows to my self-esteem.

• I've been querying agents - and we all know how depressing those rejections can be
• Reviews are lacking... People tell me they enjoyed SIMULATION, but not many are reviewing or rating it... If anyone wants a free e-copy of any of my books for a timely honest review - please let me know! I'm sharing the love in February! Reviews are lifeblood to an author.
• When POP TRAVEL was on sale, it did well. Then I got two 1 star reviews which I can handle, but upon further inspection, the readers posted a ton of ratings on the same day, so it didn't seem like they even read it.
• Lastly, I'm in substitute limbo again and not working much, when I really need to.

All these negatives pile up and with the extra, get-myself-motivated, "free time" on my hands, it can be hard not to dwell on the downside, like: Maybe I'm not that great of a writer. Maybe I'm too old to get a permanent job. Being home also reminds me what a terrible housekeeper I am. Some days I just want to get in my car and drive away from it all... But I won't. Running away is never the answer. I know I have to keep going. I won't give up.

Instead, I come up with ways to motivate myself.

• It's not me, it's them... I can't please everyone. I know I'm not a "literary" writer. I'm a lite, entertaining, action-packed fun storyteller. And many people seem to like my books. One of my neighbors got so excited when Simulation came out, and several of my students keep bugging me, asking for the next Broken Branch Falls book - those are the moments to live for and keep in mind.
• Be productive - I've been getting lots of writing done, but it's all WIPs - emphasis on in progress. To feel more productive, I need more immediate results. I've started looking into freelance writing jobs - writing to get paid, what a concept. I love Shannon Lawrence's posts advertising publications looking for submissions. I also get updates from sites that are like want ads for writers. I'm going to start a short story file and an article file.
• This means I need to actually submit my writing. Which means more rejections. But I also know that the more you submit and improve, the better your chances of acceptance. It's a depressing process, but it's the only way!
• Lastly, I tell myself that this time off (that I'm always asking for) is a gift. I have time to do necessary domestic things, time to work on my online classes for recertification, and time to finish my writing projects! Like I was able to put Jolissa, chapter 2 onto Youtube!

my latest muse

We have to make the most of what we have. Find the positive. And keep going. It's just hard sometimes. Thanks for listening!

But enough of my whining. I do want to encourage you guys and I know you like to encourage others. So why not join Christine Rains, C. Lee McKenzie, and me the week of Feb 29 - Mar 4 for A MEME Blog Hop! Make a funny, cute, or inspiring MEME! Use any picture, use an app, or do it yourself, and sign up below. It's easy!

And I leave you with a gorgeous parting image of MURDER (open with death, close with death...)

The amazing COVER REVEAL (and new covers) for Yolanda Renee's MURDER collection!

Flames burn between a hardboiled cop and a gifted artist, but soon extinguish as another man’s obsession ignites into an inferno of desire, driving him to destroy the object of his madness.

As wedding bells echo like the ring of toasting champagne glasses in the ice carved mountains of Anchorage Alaska, detective Steven Quaid rehabs his grandfather’s cabin into a honeymoon cottage for his new bride.

When he returns from a hunting trip, Steven’s faced with five police officers, who “Want to talk.” Plagued by two unsolved murders, the Department is searching for answers.

Steven’s jaw clenches and his heart races. Images of Sarah streak through his mind. The silence breaks as an explosion of accusations vibrate through every fiber of his being. Steven bolts…

This Steven Quaid mystery is both personal and heartbreaking.

Yolanda's first two MURDER novels:

MURDER, MADNESS & LOVE, Book One

MEMORIES OF MURDER, Book Two

MURDER & OBSESSION, Book Three 

to be released March 10.

Congrats, Yolanda!

Now let's have a lively February!

Seven Deadly Sins with Character

Welcome to the November Insecure Writers Support Group! Hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh

As long as I blog, I won't miss out on this wonderful event. And today, instead of griping which I very well could do, I'm going to encourage and give out some advice (not that I'm a big authority or anything!)

To fresh, new writers with a story to tell: Write on! Get around those blocks, take short breaks to refresh, and get that story out.

To the editing blues crew: Carry on! Find a good crit partner and then some. Get out of your head and start a new project, then come back and remember what a great story you have that deserves to be polished up. The new project will also be your motivation to finish editing.

To the querulous queriers: Press on! Quick! You have five seconds to tell me what you're book is about, GO! There's your blurb, now expand and tease only a little to write the query. Remember the query is the future back cover of your book - hook an agent/editor/publisher now, hook readers later.

To the modest marketers: Event on! Get out there and sell - yourself. Who's going to promote you better than you? NO ONE. Unless you pay them. And we have no money yet. So bust a move!

Lather. Rinse. Repeat!

Easier said than done, I know. And believe me, it takes years, many, many, too many, rejections, heartaches and backaches and wrist-aches... But it's all worth it!

Now for a couple of BLOG HOPS! I'm so glad Michelle and Tyrean tagged me. I haven't done a hop in a while. Yay!

First Michelle tagged me in the Literary Seven Deadly Sins! (love this pic!)

Here are the questions:

Greed – What is your most inexpensive book?

Besides books I've won, I can't think of any cheap paper books... I do like sales. I've also gotten some free and 99 cent kindle books...

Wrath – Who’s the author with whom you have a love/hate relationship with?

John Grisham - love most of his insanely good story-telling, but don't like that he can publish whatever he wants (a few shouldn't have been...)

Gluttony – What book have you devoured over and over again with no shame?

It takes me a while to read a book through, so reading them a second time? Doesn't usually happen. When I was younger, I read several books in the Xanth series by Piers Anthony at least twice.

Sloth – Which book have you neglected reading due to laziness?

I have a stack... I will say Gone Girl and I've let Cinder sit for too long, half-read as well...

Pride – What books do you talk about most in order to sound like an intellectual reader?

My pride will not let me announce my deception... ha ha ha!

Lust – What attributes do you find attractive in a male or female character?

Strength, humor, conviction, honesty, faults they work around, depth

Envy – What book would you like to receive most as a gift?

A hard copy of Effigy - really digging MJ's book!

Now, I must tag others to admit their SEVEN DEADLY SINS...

Elizabeth Seckman, Vikki Biram, Christine Rains, Loni Townsend, Beth Ellyn Sumner, Heather Gardner, C. Lee McKenzie (I know that everybody is super-busy, so if you decide not to play along, then that’s fine)

And Tyrean asked if I would do a Meet the Character, so yay! Here are her books. And she introduced us to Clara - a teen swordstress destined for greatness.

Now it's my turn to let you all get to know one of my characters...

What is the name of your character? Is s/he fictional/historical?

Jeremy Monroe, totally fictional

When and where is the story set?

Modern day South Florida

What should we know about your character?

He's been dating his girl, Jess for three years and just found out he has a terminal brain tumor.

What is your character's goal?

To have a lot of fun and take care of his loved ones before he dies.

What is screwing up  your character's life (main conflict in writerly speak?)

Before he dies, he takes a strange potion his girl got from a Shaman Priestess, hoping to extend his life, but he dies anyway and turns into a zombie! That's when the real fun starts.

What is the title?

The Comeback. It's a short story in CQ: CHRONOLOGY, an anthology by a slew of awesome Curiosity Quills authors. Comes out November 24!!

And now I am tagging CD Coffelt - but it's open to anyone who'd like to participate!

CD's books are:
Wilder Mage
Mage Revealed

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!

KSM - Hippity Hoppity

Time for Jeremy's Halloween Hop!
I have a new favorite Halloween movie - Hotel Transylvania! My all time favorite will always be Young Frankenstein! "Nice hopping." And my costume this year is a mad scientist! Bwahaha! *cue lightening flash & thunder*

What's your favorite Halloween book or movie? Are you dressing up this year?

Okay, I'm tackling this Next Big Thing challenge, so buckle up!
Thanks, Brinda for passing it to me! I will keep it brief!

What is your working title of your book?
Broken Branch Falls

Where did the idea come from for the book? 
Watching my boys at football practice and subbing

What genre does your book fall under?
MG Fantasy, I thought it was young adult, but it wasn't adult enough!

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
I am out of the young actors and actresses loop. I picture this as more of a cartoon movie anyway...

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Gabe Goblin tries new things, like dating another species, but breaking the Rules brings the destruction of his town and to save it he must gather reps from all the species to join him in a quest for the truth to change the Rules.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I will submit to my publisher (I can't believe I have a publisher!), Curiosity Quills.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
One month at camp nano this August. Must do again! *** GOOD LUCK NANO-ERS! ***

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Not to be cheeky, but The Hobbit? Only way less intense and younger audience.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?
The kids I sub for. Teens still have those hurtful clicks. Hard to change who you've been labeled to become. Would love to see more kids look past appearances and stereotypes.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
It's actually a dystopian, far in the future, where fantasy creatures are the result of humankind distorting and destroying themselves with chemical and biological warfare. And the quest is like Survivor with challenge after challenge!

Speaking of challenge, I now bestow the Next Big Thing on...

MS Hatch

Samantha

Suzanne Furness

Donna Hole

Rena

And a couple last bits of news...

Tomorrow I finally get to host my friends Gwen & Angela! It's going to be a special interview you really can't miss! It'll be a real howl! ha ha.

Then on Hallowednesday I will send off Nano-ers with my top ten excuses that I'm not doing it! Proud of all you guys venturing into the beginnings of a new novel! Good luck!

Though November is a busy time, I hope you can make time to join the blogfest hosted by Andrew Leon, Matthew MacNish, and Alex the Great coming up on 11/16, "Oh, How I Miss You Blogfest"

Finally, I'd like to thank everyone who has signed up for Vikki and I's "I'm Thankful For..." bloghop! That's coming up soon, November 5-8!

a little about meme...

Thanks for the tag, Candilynn!

I've seen lots of you guys doing this MEME. I love reading about what you are writing! I was going to talk about my current WIP, but Candilynn suggested I use POP TRAVEL. I have been so focused on my new story, it will be nice to talk about the one I'm querying.

What is the working title of your book?
Pop Travel

Where did the idea come from?
All the intensified airport security – the exposing, humiliating procedures. Pop Travel doesn’t eliminate them, but I use a less invasive method and dogs, not frisking.

What genre does your book fall under?
It really doesn’t seem to have a main genre. I say sci fi thriller, but I’ve had writing professionals tell me different things. It’s an action adventure, near future, noir thriller…any help there would be great. In queries I just call it a thriller and add that it's an action/adventure, comparing it to a mixture of Romancing the Stone and I, Robot.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie?
I love this question and did a blog hop on it. Leonardo di Caprio, Reese Witherspoon, and Aziz Ansari

What is the one sentence synopsis of your book? 
While millions of people pop travel to teleport every day, ignorant that abusers disintegrate, J.L. Cooper must elude the cunning executives at Pop Travel International to expose the flaw or his brother could be next.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? 
Hoping for representation. Got first request for full and waiting on that. Self-publication takes too much time and money that I don’t have!

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? 
A few months? I’ve been editing so long, I forget!

Who or what inspired you to write this book?
I love Michael Crichton. I originally wrote this idea to send to him. After he passed, I was sorely sad, but thought why not write it myself.

What else about your book would pique the reader's interest? 
Besides the action, the technology is plausible – we writers write the future of technology! And the characters are funny and quirky, very likable.

I pass this on to these extraordinary people to tell us about their WIPs!

Vikki     Morgan     Tyrean     Jessie     Kim

And my lovely friend, Chandara (Elizabeth Arroyo) gave me the adorable Daisy Award. Thanks, girl!

I'm supposed to list 7 weird things about myself. I'm not weird! Well, I guess I am...

1. I love dragonflies. When I was a kid I dreamt of being their queen. Worship me, dragonflies =)
2. Dogs and kids are drawn to me. I think I relate to them better than other adults, we're so judgy.
3. I have vitiligo. White patches where my skin pigment dies. I hate it, but there's not much to be done about it...could be worse.
4. I showercize - a Lazy Housewife thing to do. More on that later.
5. I never have all the ingredients when I cook. I'm terrible at taking inventory - phooey! I thought I had more of that! So I improvise. The results are usually good and I don't tell until I get reviewed.
6. I can't stand being the same as everyone else. I have to be different, give things my own twist. I cut up t-shirts, add a splash of color, come up with my own hairstyles, etc. Nothing crazy, but enough to identify me as an individual.
7. Besides singing my heart out in the car, I mouth the words listening to my ipod when I'm grocery shopping. I like to make people smile with my weirdness =)

I am giving the Crazy Daisy to...

Dana     Gwen     Emily S.     Sherry     Livia

Thanks again and wear a smile today!

ksm - award season

It's blog award season!

First I want to give! Thanks to all who participated by telling me their blurb! Here are the winners of my little 300+ follower contest:

Carrie won Divergent by Veronica Roth 

and

 Erin won Janitors by Tyler Whitesides

The best part of last week was being recognized for my writing. I won a crit from Rach's first campaign challenge! Just getting past the first round made my day, but this & all the wonderful comments I got from the Kyra & Rachel's WIP - The Movie blogfest Friday make me want to send more queries! I think I will!

Starting with the infamous agent Janet Reid and the Liz Norris Pay it Forward Writing Contest. You all should try it too. But hurry, last day for entries is 3/15!

Now I would like to thank Kevin at Graphophobia (which means fear of writing!) I won the book Septimus Heap: Magyk in his 100 follower contest! Go visit him!

And finally, I got a few awards too...Thanks, you guys! I love awards, but I am way behind, so I will make this as concise as possible. It's more about the shout outs!

from Ashley Nixon and Lady Gwen and CM Brown oh, and Huntress!

I like this MEME! Here are the rules:
1. Go to page 77 of your current MS.
2. Go to line 7.
3. Copy down the next 7 lines - sentences or paragraphs - and post them as they're written. No cheating.
4. Tag 7 authors.

Cooper was a smart guy. And he was becoming a big pain in the ass. If he didn’t have his high relations, he’d probably be dead.

By the time Cooper removed his coat from the webcam, Nate had refreshed the tracking map, the satellite link frame, and the video feeds from the hotel. He was ready for action.

“Good morning, Cooper. Where are we going today?” Nate asked and took a sip of VitaCoke.

from Leigh

No single person launched my writing dreams. Influencing authors were Michael Crichton, Janet Evanovich, and Piers Anthony. But the wind beneath my wings was my parents - encouragement extraordinaire! Thanks, Mom & Dad!

and from Leigh and Chandara

1. Favorite Color: purple

2. Favorite Animal: doggies

3. Favorite Number: 2

4. Favorite (non-alcoholic) drink: coke

5. Facebook or Twitter: FB

6. My passion: music

7. Getting or Giving presents: giving

8. Favorite Pattern: swirlies

9. Favorite Day of the Week: Friday
10. Favorite Flower: Gerbera daisy

and chandara also gave me the Kreativ Blogger award in which you list seven things about yourself, but I think the above answers covers that =)

Now more giving! So many of you have already received, but I found a few to pass these on to...

The Sunshine Award         The Lucky 7 MeMe

to bloggers that make        to authors I'd like to

me =)                                hear bits from!

Angela Brown                      MS Hatch    

Deana Barnhart                 Brooke R Busse

      Kevin                            Christine Rains

    Samantha                       Sarah Belliston

Jessica Theirren                 Laura Josephsen

Joyce Lansky                     Angie Cothran

Dana                                Tyrean

The Dream Launcher goes to bloggers I admire:

Huntress           Donna Weaver            Heather G          JA Bennett

Thanks, you guys! Do as you will with them and keep writing!

Egads, I've been tagged.

I love that word, egads.
Anyway, my friend, Dana at The Daily Dose, has tagged me. Bless her sweet heart. So I have to spout about myself and do a "meme." I like these questions, they're new (to me).

And I'm putting my blog tag sticker on it!

If you could go back in time and relive one moment, what would it be?  First real kiss.

If you could go back in time and change one thing, what would it be?
I would change the 80s for my mom & dad (had a rough time financially and I had no clue.)

What movie/TV character do you most resemble in personality?
Courtney Cox as Monica and as Jules. Crazy control freak who means well, but not quite as extreme

If you could push one person off a cliff and get away with it, who would it be?
you don't get away with anything - God knows all.

Name one habit you want to change in yourself.
I am too quick to say a harsh word, even joking. I want to be more positive. (both are contagious)

Describe yourself in one word.
loud

Describe the person who named you in this meme in one word.
guppy
(because a guppy is cute, sweet, innocent and fun to watch swimming around - just saying sweet wasn't good enough!)

Why do you blog? Answer in one sentence.
I like to help people with advice from research or experience and I like to make people laugh =)

Name at least 3 people to send this meme to, and then inform them:
Lea @ Wanton Redhead Writing
Jenny @ the Modest Peacock
Cathy Lost & Found

You kids could use a meme! (if you have time)

Random Wednesday - prompts

I haven't done one of these in a while. Thanks to Aheila for her Drabble Day Challenges. Monday's prompt was “paint.” Here's my offering =)

“Hey, are you ok?”

“Sure, I’m fine.”

“What happened?”

“Nothing, why?”

“You’re bleeding.”

“I am? Where?”

“Right there. On your elbow.”

“Huh.”

“What did you do?”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know? That’s a lot of blood.”

“It doesn’t hurt.”

“Where were you earlier?”

“Art class.”

***
And over at Confessions from Suit 500 they are having a quick prompt contest for an advance copy of Original Sin by Lisa Deroshers. You have to use these five words in a 100 word or less story:

Personal, Demons, Hellbent, Original, Sin; Bonus Points if you use the phrase "A Devil's Own"

Entries are due by midnight Thursday. Here's mine...

With each step the fragrance thickens. I crane my neck around the corner and suck in the enticing aroma.

There it is. Like original sin, too tempting to avoid. It’s only three feet away. I draw another deep breath and…gag! The demon’s stench invades my nostrils.

I scan the room. There. My arch enemy, hellbent to destroy me, saunters in and sprawls on his pillow, falling into a cream coma.

I silently scamper to my prize, remove it and position the contraption perfectly.

SNAP!

Mrowr!

His inflamed green eyes catch my smiling black ones. This time it’s personal.