Come on, I Dair ya!

Book Review: Venom by K.C. Grant

2012-02-23T06:30:00.000-06:00

Book Description:

Samantha Evans is determined to make a name for herself in the cutthroat world of advertising. Newly hired by a prestigious ad agency, she volunteers to work on location in Mexico City as a personal assistant to the beautiful and driven creative director Katrina Edwards. At first the association seems promising. But Ms. Edwards seems preoccupied in a way that makes Samantha increasingly uneasy. In fact, many in the group seem like they are not being completely open about the project, including David Ayala, the mysterious and moody photographer for whose attention the two women find themselves competing. After several strange accidents and numerous appearances by an unknown man, Samantha discovers the truth: not everyone on the team is in Mexico to create a stellar advertising pitch. When her sleuthing leads to her abduction, she is brought to the pyramids of Teotihuacan and comes face-to-face with the venomous evil of the South American crime boss known as The Serpent. Now Samantha must not only fight for her life, but she must also discover if she can trust the man she's come to love.

When I first began reading, I wondered how on earth we were going to go from coffee runs, copy-editing and credit card theft to an abduction in Mexico. I didn’t have to wait long. The author quickly and thoroughly establishes Samantha’s background story complete with perfect parents, challenging roommate, and serious romantic shortcomings. But her sense of determination and love for the Hispanic people she once served on her mission give her strength of character that will immediately endear her to readers.

The most beautiful part of Samantha’s struggle is how she learns to couple her ambitious nature with her spiritual side. Fine. Fine. The guys are pretty hot, too. But the things she learns not only help her to grow in strength and understanding, but help her to avoid more than one perilous scrape during her two week adventure.

The rich descriptions match the beauty of the country the author is describing, depicting her vast knowledge of the both the culture and language. I loved how organically she embeds the Spanish language with its perfect translation, working to bury the reader as deeply into the experience as Samantha herself. It was so beautifully done that I could only bear to put the book down twice: once to sleep and once to write this review. That’s not to say that I didn’t re-read the ending multiple times before finally putting it down. I just couldn’t help myself!

To purchase a copy of Venom for yourself you can visit here. And to get to know more about the author, K.C. Grant, be sure to check out her website here.

Kudos to K.C. for a gorgeous book of mystery and romance!!

Happy reading everyone!

Book Review: RetirementQuest: Make Better Decisions by John Hauserman, CFP

2012-02-09T07:21:00.002-06:00

Finances are a part of my everyday life as my husband and I raise a large family with growing needs. Balancing current needs with those of the future can be a tricky balance on the best of days. Many of us who wish to retire will be ill prepared when the day arrives. After weddings,college, and music lessons, how much will be left for us to enjoy?

In RetirementQuest: Make Better Decisions, John Hauserman takes more than 20 years of experience as a financial planner to explain some key components that will help future retirees, like me, to prepare.

Where are you getting your financial advice?

How do you know your interests are being safeguarded?

How do you know that your advisers are competent?

How can you know they’re putting your interests first?

The 124 page guide details the various questions, options, and pitfalls retirees will face and the knowledge they will need in order to retire comfortably.

Reviewing RetirementQuest was an eye-opening experience for me, as it painted a much broader picture of the struggling economy outside my own home. From personal savings to the complex world of investments and social security, Hauserman explains in detail how each one works.

Bold-faced statements pose key thoughts that the reader/investor should consider carefully, accompanied by detailed charts illustrating the more complex topics. Topics such as the impact of “safe” versus “risky” investments and the ramifications of leaning too heavily to either side.

Given the serious nature of finances and the usual accompanying stress, I loved the sprinkling of humor he uses throughout and the powerful anecdotes he shares in the later chapters. The car wreck posed an apt analogy of both the fluctuating economy today and our own financial habits if not watched carefully. The personal responsibility mentality of the 1940’s also sheds an interesting light on our current day.

While some of the jargon was beyond my current understanding I found the Adjustments section to be perfectly clear. It spoke towards my future goals, that of my children, and what changes I should make in my spending now to secure my future.

In essence, there is no crystal ball to see what the future holds, but one needs not worry if they are adequately prepared.

To purchase your own copy of RetirementQuest, you can visit Amazon here. To learn more about the author, his book, and the financial services he offers you can visit his website here.

_________________

John Hauserman, CFP, is the chief executive officer of Retirement Journey, LLC. He oversees the details of the RetirementQuest planning experience. Baltimore Magazine named John a five-star wealth manager, based on nine criteria, including customer service, integrity, knowledge and expertise, communication, value for fee charged, and overall satisfaction. In 2011, John was named the Baltimore area regional ambassador serving on behalf of the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.

Blast from the Past

2012-01-13T08:49:00.000-06:00

In keeping with my teenage reflections this week, here's a little blast from my past. A wonderful video I found that sums up where I came from and why I loved high school so much. :) And I learned that the "Happy Days" mom was a Pointer herself! Too cool!

GO PL!

Doing Hard Stuff

2012-01-10T09:49:00.000-06:00

Sometimes I think how hard it is to be a mother of seven. How hard it is to be in school full time...while being said mother of seven. Sometimes I think how impossible it is that my husband travels while I'm in school full time while being a mother of seven. Whew!

You may be thinking, "Well, yeah! That WOULD BE hard!"

But then one of my teenagers comes home and I think how EASY my life is. I'm not trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up, or what instrument to play, let alone what college to choose. I'm not devastated when someone criticizes my clothes, because adults don't really do that (even when you're wearing socks with sandals--um, yeah).

But that WAS me once.

That's why I write for Young Adults. Because I remember all too well what it's like to be a kid. To not be the one in control. And if I need a reminder? Well, my teens do a good job of throwing the occasional reality check right smack dab in the middle of my smug little "woe is me" face.

The hard part about being a teen is that you're not sure who is right and how often to listen. There are so many voices yelling at you to be this and be that. Kind of makes it hard to hear your own voice sometimes. No wonder teens sometimes act like they're deaf. They're just after some quality me time. And I totally get that.

How do I know? Because I was there. So were you.

I dealt with the noise by running and reading. I ran track and cross country and listened to music. I would disappear into my own little world and talk to myself, using my time "alone" to make plans for the future. Then I'd come home and read a book. Or do homework. Mostly read books. I could disappear into books for hours on end.

I found strength in the characters who were just like me, struggling and trying to survive their own trials of life. And they did survive. Heck, some of them even learned some good lessons. What a concept! It gave me courage to branch out on my own. To take risks and think about what I wanted to do. Who I wanted to be. So as a teen I began writing my own story, both in life and on paper.

And I'm still doing it today. Not only for myself but for teens...past and present. And you know life as an adult isn't really so different. Just more expensive. But hey! You get to wear sandals with socks!!

Happy writing and reading everyone!

Book Review: Cold River by Liz Adair

2011-12-30T02:20:00.000-06:00

Mandy Steenburg thinks her doctorate in education has prepared her to run any school district--until she tangles with the moonshine-making, coon-dog-owning denizens of a tiny district in Pacific Northwest timber country. She's determined to make a difference, but the local populace still looks to the former superintendent for leadership. When Mandy lands in the middle of an old feud and someone keeps trying to kill her, instinct tells her to run. And though she has to literally swim through perilous waters, she finds a reason to stay and chance the odds.
_______

As if sleeping on a couch, having no cell phone service and having someone trying to murder you isn't enough to make Mandy's move to Limestone, Washington difficult, she finds herself falling in love with the man whose job she stole. Not that she meant to steal it. In fact, if she had known that her running away would land her in the middle of a family feud...and a river...perhaps she wouldn't have left Albuquerque.

While Liz was busy burning down houses and firing up stills, I lost sleep worrying about "what happens next!" and "who'd done what!" :) I burnt the midnight oil on this fantastic tale of acceptance and love, unable to put down the book until the very end. And what an end...

From page one I admired Mandy's quiet confidence that had almost the entire town eating out of her cream-filled-loving hand. That is, once they stopped hating her for taking over hunky Grange Timberlain's job as superintendent. Not an easy task considering Grange is one of their own--just one of the many Timberlains who "run" the town.

Mandy's credentials did not prepare her for the rich history of Limestone and the ties that bind the town together. Mandy only wants what's best for the kids, but in order to do that she must first become the student. Out of all her "teachers" I love Mo the best. Despite his quiet demeanor he reveals so much plot! His hidden talents and charisma continue to jump off the page, lending both intrigue and authenticity to the Northwest "character." The rest of the towns people are no different, with each character so delightfully mysterious, that it hurts for the reader to consider any one of them as Mandy's would-be killer.

I was so into the story that I found myself wanting more detail in certain scenes, lingering just a little bit longer on some of the more pivotal moments. Especially the ending, but perhaps that's because I didn't want the story to end. :)

The setting and mood were so beautifully illustrated, that such detail could only be accomplished by one who has lived and experienced such a place. Liz clearly expresses the love she has of both the people and area she details here, exposing the rich culture and heritage that is tucked away for others' discovery.

If you're ready and eager to explore Limestone for yourself you can purchase Cold River here. You can also learn more about Liz and her other numerous works here at her blog, perhaps investigating her Spider Latham series next if you need some more mysterious fun!

Happy Reading!

NaNoWriMo... for Teens

2011-11-16T17:01:00.001-06:00

November is nearing a close which also means the same for NaNoWriMo. What's NaNoWriMo, you ask? Glad you did.

National Novel Writing Month was created about 11 years ago by a fellow named Chris Baty in an effort to put aside all inhibitions towards writing a novel and just go for it.

And they gave themselves 30 days. That's it. 30 days: 50,000 words. That's a lot of words per day folks. About 1,667. Including Thanksgiving. How do I know? I've done it. Multiple times. And yes, some of the stuff I wrote was actually worth keeping.

This year I took a bye due to another writing project I'm working on, but I've been watching two of my children take on the challenge. They're participating in the Young Writer's program which allows them to set their own goal. Use their imagination. And stop being afraid to express themselves (though mine were never afraid of that). And they have their own NaNo page that is totally awesome. Seriously. I have to say that I like visiting the Young Writer's page more than the adult page. But I guess that's why I write YA fiction.

So far the combined total of all these kiddos' around the world is 169,987,950 words. That's a lot of creative genius folks. That's a lot of missed video game and tv watching. And my kids are happy.

It's exciting to see my childrens' bright eyes light up when a new idea hits them, and to hear their little fingers typing madly at the keys trying to get the words down fast enough. Today one child was typing while simultaneously trying to get on a shoe and mumbling at the bus they could hear rolling up to the curb. Talk about determination!!!!

My children have seen me participate for years now, so it's been nice to take a turn at cheering them on. Their friends are begging them to share their stories and I can't blame them one bit. It's good stuff. Seriously. Makes me ask the question, why aren't teens the ones writing books for teens?!?! :)

Well? Get on it guys. Yes, you! And you. November is waiting...but only for another two weeks. :)

A Bittersweet Day

2011-10-21T09:56:00.000-05:00

It's with saddened heart that I write this post, letting you know that my beloved friend has finally passed. She's resting peacefully though and finally free from the cancer.

Today we're gathering to celebrate her life and the joy she brought to every soul she came in contact with. That was her gift. A precious one that keeps on giving, encouraging others to be find joy in life. Hope.

Today we'll honor her as we say goodbye. To celebrate the life she led. She had asked my daughter to play the harp at her service, as she did so many times for my friend while she was sick.

Along with my daughter I'm bringing a box of tissues...and immense gratitude for the love my friend shared with me and the wonderful years we had together. Wish we could have had more, but then I guess that's life. :) And boy did she make the most of it!

Love you, B.J. See you on the other side.

Dare to Dream: New meaning to the word Fight Club

2011-10-05T09:21:00.000-05:00

I'll be honest, I've never even seen fight club; though I have a pretty good idea what it's all about. But it came to mind as I thought of a whole other beast. A fight worth fighting, even if you're fully aware that the battle is lost.

I have a friend. A very dear friend. Five years ago she was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. That's bad enough, but her prognosis was worse. There was no cure for the kind she had. I know...there's no "cure" for breast cancer in general, but there was no hope that hers would ever go away. Not even into remission. It wouldn't have even mattered if it was caught at stage 2 or stage one. She has one of the rarest forms that grows in sheets.

All the doctors could do was buy her some time. And she took it. A lot of it. A lot more than they expected. Because she fought. Fought for as much time as possible to spend with her children. Her husband. Her friends.

We prayed for her, loved her and learned to serve, rejoicing in the small miracles that broke even the doctor's expectations. Her treatment was hard, invasive, and yet she never gave up. Even now as it has finally won she won't give up. I visited her the other day, wondering if it would be my last, and was touched that she kept telling her daughter to make sure I had cake.

There had been a small celebration that day, before I got there. Her son had recently become engaged and they had a small party with the in-laws to be. Multiple times my friend asked me if I had had some cake, to which I said yes and graciously thanked her. Several more times she asked her daughter if I had had some cake and we smiled each time and simply said yes.

In her darkest moments she is still trying to live and love. Living each moment without a thought for it being her last. She's still living each day as though she expects there to be a tomorrow. Because if she doesn't then that means that mentally she's finally given up.

Which she will never do.

I take heart in her example of courage and strength and tell myself I want to be more like her. She's not just simply trying to make it to the next day, but enjoying each day for the gift that it is.

Love you BJ!

Facebook: Page vs Profile

2011-09-16T08:45:00.000-05:00

I love Facebook. I really do. I love the opportunity it gives me to interact with others. In our house we use it to keep up with family, coordinate babysitting jobs, get homework assignments from friends, chat with people who live across the world or in the very next room. Yes, I have been known to chat with my daughters while we're each doing homework. Uh...supposed to be doing homework. :) There are some really cool animals you can make on chat btw. But I digress...

So I've seen one question come up a lot this month and the great debate over pages versus profiles for writers. Despite my love of social media I found that there is only so much time, and deciding where and when to use it is important to know.

So let's break it down.

The Profile:

Pros

Full interaction with pages, people, profiles, and applications.
I can catch up with people at a click of a mouse and post content for others at any time of day.
It's easy to like or comment on someone's post. Instant validation!
The new upgrades also mimic GooglePlus and the ability to post to only specific people. Or leave some out of the loop completely. Sorry people, but Cakewrecks.org would have a field day with my attempts at birthday cakes.
Speaking of which, I got wished Happy Birthday by no less than 90 people, including their personal thoughts of what I mean to them. That's a lot of "birthday cards" folks. I felt like a queen on Facebook, if just for one day. :)
Can post to and from Twitter.

Cons:

Limit on number of friends you can have. You can't have more than 5,000 friends and believe me I know people who are pushing that number. They've considered starting a page [hence today's discussion].
Mixing of personal and professional life (if you also use this to communicate with family). Which also means less privacy when interacting with friends or making comments on others' walls.
The occasional security breach.

Not everyone is a "friend" per se. Maybe this isn't a pro or a con. But often one's profile has a mix of acquaintances, fans, or fans who want to be friends. This can be GREAT of course, but only now that Facebook has implemented ways to be able to share some things with just family (which is what I was using it for before).

The Page:

Pros:

Unlimited number of friends/fans
Wall postings, picture sharing.
Purpose for page is defined by its existence. You're here to chat with me or see updates. We may or may not know each other, but that doesn't matter.
Private. Administrator does not have to be divulged. Great for bands, businesses, or those with pen names.
Can post to and from Twitter.

Cons:

Can't post to others' profiles from your page, only other pages.
Double the work in maintaining when you have a profile and a page.
Friends of both profile and page may get double posting updates.
Can't add flair application to my page. Drat! I have some hilarious ones I'd like to share, but can't unless I put them in a picture file...hey, that's a PRO! :)

So how do you use YOUR Facebook page/profile? Are you friends with people you've never met? Are you listed amongst an author's friends? How does it make you feel to be a friend versus a fan?

All comments are welcome! You can leave a thought here or on my page. :)

Have a great day!

A Day to Remember

2011-09-11T16:48:00.000-05:00

I've thought about this day a lot over the years. In fact, before it was 9/11 it was September 11th. My husband's birthday. Still is in fact, only it's a bittersweet celebration now. It's hard to be so happy on a day where I know others are suffering. Only, it's also a reminder that life does go on and that those who've lost loved ones can have a renewed sense of hope. My own tragic loss last year tells me it is possible.

Love you Mom. Miss you.

10 years ago today I was still in the mode of watching the morning news and was woken up to the startling reality that became a part of the world's history. Only the first plane had struck when I turned on the news. I called my husband first, who quickly found a tv at work. I called my parents next, because that's what I do. Family is so critical in my life.

Then the second plane. Then the collapse. Then I knew my husband's birthday would be forever changed. While I had looked forward to celebrating his entrance into the world, others were suddenly mourning their loved ones leaving it. I was stunned. I cried. I called my sister in Washington DC to see if she was all right. I don't even remember if I got through or not. In the end she was all right. That much I remember.

I was glued to the tv the entire day and was grateful I chose to leave my children safely tucked away at school while I thought of what I would say to them later. Because I would have to say something, in attempts to explain what had happened. Why someone would do this?

I got a call mid-day from one of my brothers, telling me that he and his fellow Air Force buddy had been stranded at the airport. Could we come get them and let them stay with us until the airport reopened?

Heck, yeah! My nationalism surged ten fold in that moment as I proudly took in two honorable service men and prayed for the others who were defending our great nation. And would continue to do so in the coming years. My husband came home via the airport while I went shopping for food and a birthday cake, thinking how ridiculous it was to do something so normal. This day was anything BUT.

We transformed the birthday cake into an American flag. We would celebrate the unity of our great nation and the strength of people and families who cared.

We had hope. And prayer. And a loving family. We would gather around each other that night and for the days to come, determined to stay happy in these troubling times. Because not all the world was cruel. We knew that. The outpouring of love from those who worked to rescue so many could only be matched by the outpouring of love that followed for those who didn't survive. Where there is humanity there is hope. Where there is hope, there is love.

Never stop loving. Never forget. Here's to hope.

What do English Degrees and Teaching Have in Common?

2011-09-07T08:58:00.000-05:00

It's the same conversation over and over and over again...

Friend: So how is it with all the kids in school now? Enjoying your free time?
Me: *Maniacal laughter* I'm a Senior in college.
Friend: Ooooo how wonderful. What are you studying?
Me: English and Creative Writing.
Friend: So are you going to be a teacher?
Me: O.o

Next day. Different friend. Same. Exact. Conversation.

Can someone please explain to me why people always come to this conclusion? When I ask my teacher friends what they majored in, they didn't say English. And certainly not creative writing (except my Creative Writing professors). :)

They majored in Education. Or Early childhood education. Yes, there's an actual college for those studying to become teachers. Yes, I know a few English majors that plan on becoming certified to teach. My dear beloved sister is one of them. But she didn't always plan on being a teacher. She loves to write. Now she just wants to teach kids how to do the same thing. And my own husband got his PhD in Chemical Engineering so he could do research and one day teach.

I have so much love and respect for teachers. In fact, I've taught many a Sunday School class over the last 20+ years, and appreciate the heavy responsibility for a classroom of students. But I haven't taken on the beautiful task of molding and shaping them each and everyday, taking very little pay for so much work.

Unless you count motherhood. In which case, I have the best teaching job in the world!

So what I'm wondering I guess, is what do I say? Do I say, "Thank you so much for the compliment, but I'm not strong enough to do what you do"? Or do I continue to laugh politely as I have done and say, "No, I'm studying Creative Writing," in which I get the O.o response back.

"So you want to...write? As in..."
"Books," I answer.
"Oh. How exciting!"

Only some don't sound very excited. More like they're still trying to reason out the long toiling hours for even less pay! :) But yeah, I kind of thought it was exciting, too. That's why I'm majoring in English and Creative Writing. Maybe I'll just say the Creative Writing part from now on. Though someone is likely to misunderstand me again and ask me what kind of creative riding I do. Motorcycle? Horses?

*sigh*

What about you? What response do you get from others when they hear that you're a writer?

Happy Birthday....to me. :)

2011-09-05T12:52:00.000-05:00

That is all.

Book Review: All That Was Promised by Vickie Hall

2011-08-18T08:52:00.001-05:00

All That Was Promised does that and more! From the beginning pages I was intrigued by the story, having read many accounts of the early pioneers. But all previous ones were focused on the saints in America. This delightful tale featured the saints in Wales and drew me in even more because of the change in venue. Having had ancestors hailing from this very place, I felt an immediate connection to the trials they faced. As well as their joys. I loved the balance of fear and hope, and the inclusion of more than one romantic thread.

The back cover reads:

An encounter with a Mormon missionary and his unusual message of a “restored gospel” leaves Richard Kenyon, a young Methodist minister, questioning his life’s work when he cannot deny a growing testimony of this peculiar American religion. But Richard soon finds himself struggling to recognize the promised blessings of the gospel when violent persecution shakes the fledgling Church in Wales.

The early members of the LDS church faced unthinkable hatred, spurred by those who feared what they did not understand. I loved Richard’s reactions to all of the hatred he faced and watching his wife deal with her unbelief. I was inspired by how the saints chose to stand and fight, by loving their enemies and facing their fears. The individual accounts of each person’s trials were so familiar to those we might still face today; like loss of family, freedom, and financial woes. Such themes cross nations and religions alike, allowing the reader to easily sympathize with such plights.

The style and pacing made it an easy read, while the plotline kept me engaged until well into the night. It found its way to the beach with me, which turned out to enhance my experience even more. I feel stronger for having read this book and have no doubt that when my lot begins to feel hard, this inspirational story will find its way into my reading pile again.

I received a free copy to do this review, but look forward to purchasing more in the future from this wonderful author! You can order your own copy of All That Was Promised here and visit Vickie's website here or blog here to learn more about her.

5 Stars to Vickie Hall for this great new chapter about the early saints!

Writing Groups

2011-08-11T10:13:00.001-05:00

Don't have one? Get one. Seriously. You won't regret it. How do I know?

I have one.

I believe that writing groups are essential for a writer's career, but also for helping the writer themselves. They are your friends, your confidants, the people you trust to look into your soul. You know, the bared one. The naked one that we protect so well. (Yes, I just used the word naked.) At least until it's time to critique. And because they're your friends they'll do it gently.

I cannot tell you how invaluable my group has been. We're called Moonwriters for the time of day that we write, though for myself I do best when the moon's on its last leg. We're also part of a larger group, a wonderful organization called American Night Writers Association. ANWA was organized over 20 years ago and includes beautiful ladies from around the globe. All these ladies have three things in common and all are essential for the writing I do.

They're all women. (sorry guys, but it's easier to do the naked thing in front of other women. You understand.)
They're all LDS. Each member of ANWA belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. And though I have MANY friends who are not of my faith, this group helps to service some of my particular needs.
They're all writers.

Trying to balance my life as wife, mother and writer is a constant struggle, but it's a little easier having a support group like this. And you want to know the best part? They can be there for you, too! How? you ask. So glad you did. :)

I know several of these ladies personally who go out of their way to blog for writers and give helpful hints towards bettering their craft. I'm jealous of their skill and time, and the way they can help more than just our group. Perhaps my blogging about them may count for something. :)

In my sidebar you'll find a list of these wonderful writers whom I hope to include on my future acknowledgements page. Some day. When I get published. Not if...when. Because with friends like them, how can I fail?

So what are you waiting for? Go get a group!

Trailer Tuesday--The Doctor's Lady by Jody Hedlund

2011-08-09T14:57:00.000-05:00

I am so glad I have this trailer to keep me company until its release September 1st! So excited!

Book Review: Sleight of Hand--by Deanne Blackhurst

2011-07-07T10:20:00.000-05:00

Daniel Cabrerro has seen his last con. Or so he thinks.

When Daniel is forced to face the consequences for his life’s poor choices, he wants nothing more than to die. Again. Because anything is better than facing all the pain and feeling the guilt for the mistakes he has made. And no wonder for all the things he has done. All the people’s he’s hurt. But face them he must if he wants to find rest. That is, unless he can find a way to con heaven itself.

I loved the message of redemption and love, and how even in death people still have a choice. Of course it was equally painful reading about Daniel’s mistakes and wondering how I might fair in his same shoes. With my own mistakes, of course, but still… How do our decisions truly affect others? How could one make amends, despite the fact that they’re dead? Can they?

Deanne answers these questions and more in this beautifully crafted tale that kept me reading until late in the night. The characters were beautifully written and well fleshed out, though Daniel used far too many clichés, in my opinion. I loved Jonah, Daniel’s guide in the afterlife, and the struggle he faced in helping Daniel move on. Having two people with something at stake kept the story well balanced and free from too heavy a hand. The pacing was perfect, with an equal measure of reflection and action. Watching Daniel atone for his mistakes sent a powerful message, and the horror he felt as they were brought back to his remembrance.

I can easily recommend this book for its beautiful message and delightful twists and look forward to reading more from Deanne in the future.

You can purchase your own copy of Sleight of Hand by visiting here, and until August 31^st you can download it for only $1.99 and begin reading it right away. Happy reading!

___________________________

Deanne is the author of Turning Hearts and Sleight of Hand. You can learn more about Deanne at her website here and keep updated on her available works. She also blogs regularly at The Book of Dreams that “features short, humorous excerpts into the life of a writer/mom.”

Winner!

2011-06-29T10:19:00.000-05:00

I love winners! Almost as much as I love giving out prizes. And the winner of the crocheted tote and cell phone case is…

Sheila Martinez

Congratulations Sheila! She was picked from those who correctly guessed the answer to the question, “Who called me the queen of Sugar Land recently on my blog posting The 20 Minute Sprint?” The answer is Shannon Hale (writer and person extraordinaire) whom I adore so much that I considered it a HUGE honor that she would visit my blog to pay me such a compliment.

Thanks to all who came here to find out more about me. I hope you’ll come back often. Maybe you’ll have another chance to win one of my homemade totes. You know…like this one that is going to Sheila.

Remember there are two days left to win other great prizes, so hurry on over to the last two blogs and enter to win!!!! Good Luck!

Summer Treasure Hunt Contest Update

2011-06-25T10:18:00.000-05:00

First of all…WELCOME!

Second…glad you’re here. You’re just in time. If you haven’t checked out the Summer Treasure Hunt yet there is still plenty of time and plenty of prizes to be won. Today it’s my turn to hand one out. Just click on the tab above and read the instructions. There’s a week left of fantastic prizes including a book tote from yours truly!

So go! Read! Enter! And good luck. MIDNIGHT TONIGHT is the deadline to enter to win a homemade tote and matching cell phone case.

The winners of the previous prizes have been updated on the tab as well, so you can get the answers and see who has won.

Good luck to everyone and come back to visit again soon!!

Friday Fight--Just say No

2011-06-24T10:18:00.000-05:00

Not to drugs. Not to whiny children, although both are things that are important to do. But today is about my own struggle with weight and my inner voice who has given up. Given up whispering that is.

Today it is screaming at me.

“Just. Say. No.”

No to hot chocolate (and not just because it’s a stinkin’ 100 degrees outside).

No to food after 7 (even though I sleep so much better after a mightnight snack–actually I don’t. I just think I do.)

No to sitting on my butt for hours on end instead of hitting the treadmill for a mere 20 minutes a day.

Why? Because my legs hurt. My clothes don’t fit. And I write better when I feel better, so….

listen to me whisper, “JUST SAY NO!”

Yeah…my inner voice has taken over. Thank goodness.

Trailer Tuesday--Janitors by Tyler Whitesides

2011-06-22T11:35:00.000-05:00

I know it's Wednesday but I was still recovering from my vacation yesterday. That being said, I'm happy to bring you a fun little novel that brings a smile to my face. Janitors and warlocks? Hahahaha. Awesome....

Book Review: Ammon by H.B. Moore

2011-06-10T10:14:00.000-05:00

Ever wonder what someone’s life might be like, in between the moments that defined the history we know? Well, H.B. Moore answers those questions and more in regards to the life of a young Nephite missionary named Ammon and the people he served. Including his enemies, the Lamanites—a people once counted amongst his own, but separated by the gospel that he has grown to love.

AMMON is a marvelous tale of love and strength, and how one can find hope by serving the Lord. Ammon, along with his brothers, has no greater desire than to teach the gospel to others, even when his mission threatens his life and the ones he loves. Especially Elena, the young Nephite woman he finds living amongst the Lamanites. His love for her grows amongst his service amongst the Lamanites, until they threaten her life and force him to choose.

The tension was perfect and the moments felt real, sucking me into the action and story until late into the night. I was delighted to see a romantic thread here, not often seen in scriptural accounts. As well, I was excited to realize that though I knew how it would end, I found myself riveted to see what would happen next.

This retelling is a five star rating, for its beautiful voice, action, and attention to historical detail.

Marvelous!

*I received a free copy for my review, but in no way did this influence my opinion. :)

___________

Heather is a graduate of Brigham Young University with a major in Fashion Merchandising and minor in Business Management. She is an award-winning author of several historical novels, set in Ancient Arabia and Mesoamerica and manages the editing company: www.precisioneditinggroup.com for other aspiring writers.

To find out more about Heather and her other fantastic novels and adventures, please visit her website here. Happy reading!!!

******************

1 Comment

Heather Moore says:

June 10, 2011 at 1:49 pm

Thanks so much for the review, Karen. I’m so glad you enjoyed the book

Helping Friends

2011-06-07T10:13:00.000-05:00

This just came in from a friend of mine and it’s painful to read, but there is hope. I understand this battle all too well, having watched another dear friend of mine just win her own. But it was hard. And long. In fact, she’s still feeling the effects. But she has lots of help, and that makes a difference.

I know the power that comes serving from others. In all it’s forms. And now someone else needs our help. Friend and author Cheri Chesley recently posted her plea and the links to her books.

Imagine…helping a friend AND getting to read some fabulous books. It almost doesn’t seem fair, does it?

From Cheri:

My friend, Rebecca White, is 35 years old and has breast cancer. She got her diagnosis May 11th. She had a mastectomy May 13th. Three days later, she went back to the doctor to have the bandages removed. She confessed, almost in a whisper, that she just wasn’t ready to see under the bandages.

Rebecca is an amazing, strong person. She’s so skilled in all those craft-type things that leave me with glue on my fingers and glitter in my hair. She has a happy marriage and three great kids age 10 and under. Rebecca could be me. She could be your sister, your friend, your mother. She could be you. You can meet her and get to know her on her blog, http://allaboutthewhites.blogspot.com/

In general terms, we know cancer can strike anyone at any time. It’s not an old person’s disease anymore. It strikes children, mothers; in short, anyone. Soon Rebecca will start her chemotherapy. We’re all optimistic for a positive outcome, but cancer surgeries and treatments do not come cheaply. Since she won’t let me shave my head, I’ve decided to show my support for Rebecca in other ways.

This is more than taking her meals and taking her kids to and from church; I’ve done that. Anyone can do that, and they do. We have a supportive ward out here. But I wanted to take it a step further.

I’m donating all my book sales income through August 31st to help Rebecca and her family pay their medical expenses. This is something they need, and in order to make it the most effective I need all the help I can get. And this is why I’m appealing to everyone I can. My book sales don’t just mean the royalties from selling print copies of The Peasant Queen (which, incidentally, is on LDS Living’s Summer Reading List), but also a

ll income from my two e-books–The Wild Queen and my short story, Ghost Bride.

It’s so easy. All you have to do is purchase depending on your interests and ability to help. The Wild Queen and Ghost Bride can be found at http://www.smashwords.com/, which not only offers the e-books for every e-reader including simply your home computer, but also offers the highest revenues.
Printed copies of The Peasant Queen can be found, or ordered, at your local bookstores. You can also find it online at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Peasant-Queen-Cheri-Chesley/dp/159955416X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1306344382&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Peasant-Queen/Cheri-Chesley/e/9781599554167/?itm=2&USRI=the+peasant+queen+by+cheri+chesley

And Borders: http://www.borders.com/online/store/TitleDetail?type=0&catalogId=10001&simple=1&defaultSearchView=List&keyword=the+peasant+queen+by+cheri+chesley&LogData=[search%3A+14%2Cparse%3A+89]&searchData={product Id%3Anull%2Csku%3Anull%2Ctype%3A0%2Csort%3Anull%2CcurrPage%3A1%2CresultsPerPage%3A25%2CsimpleSearch%3Atrue%2Cnavigation%3A0%2CmoreValue%3Anull%2CcoverView%3Afalse%2Curl%3Arpp%3D25%26view%3D2%26all_search%3Dthe%2Bpeasant%2Bqueen%2Bby%2Bcheri%2Bchesley%26type%3D0%26nav%3D0%26simple%3Dtrue%2Cterms%3A{all_search%3Dthe+peasant+queen+by+cheri+chesley}}&storeId=13551&sku=159955416X&ddkey=http:SearchResults

Amazon and Barnes and Noble also offer each book for the Kindle or Nook, respectively.

Thank you in advance for your help, and happy reading!

Blog post: http://cherichesley.blogspot.com/2011/05/easiest-way-to-give.html

Black hole. Abductor. And other names I've called my desk.

2011-06-02T14:10:00.000-05:00

Space... The final frontier. These are the voyages of one harried YA writer. Her continuing mission, to explore strange new worlds. To seek out new life and new civilizations. To boldly go where no one has gone--

Wait! Don't go! Sorry. Sorry. I’m not writing about some sci-fi episode of new world travel and space exploration, unless we’re talking about some very important papers that have recently been abducted from my writing desk. And that folks, is what today's fun post is about!

Space. WORKSPACE! It's what astronauts and writers totally have in common. It’s either too vast or too small, too clean or far too messy. And don't get me started on how hard it is to compose a story, let alone find an environment that’s conducive to creating one. I'm also a Mom, which means sharing the house with lots of other bodies and their own creative space.

Knowing others faced the same dilemma, I polled them about their work spaces. Guess what I found? Yup. Every writer has faced the same sort of challenge. With varying degrees of success...and failure. Me included. First, let's hear from my fellow dreamers.

From Anna Arnett:

"My son-in-law custom built a desk and installed it, like kitchen cabinets, in a corner of my 'den-turned-bedroom" Book shelves above one side are ceiling high, and my desk wraps around, with three large drawers on either end and two shallower ones above the leg spaces. File cabinets (one short, one tall) fill the space between the end of the desk that extends beneath the window and my closet full of shelves that hold office supplies and yarn. Everything I need is right there, so I get very little exercise when I'm writing.

At the other end of the room, tall, free-standing bookcases, 46 inches wide with five adjustable shelves, cram themselves against the walls facing either side of my daybed where I sleep. Unless I'm sleeping with my head on my desk....[which would now] show the constant clutter of papers, un-tossed mail, and whatever else I had in hand and put down instead of away. The space between the door and closet has a free-standing cabinet-bookshelf I can hardly get to because of the boxes of papers to sort, or needlework projects to complete, stacked in front of it. I keep whittling away at the clutter but, let's face it, for every ten items I clear and put away, ten or twelve more take their places. If I could afford it, I'd hire a secretary, or at least a file clerk."

Same here, Anna. Same here.

But then there are others who face the problem of having no space in which to pile papers on in the first place.

From Donna Gonzales: "My ideal writing workspace: A corner desk with ample space on both sides for papers. A 2 drawer filing cabinet under the desk within reach. Enough floor space so I can also lay out notes and such. A chair at the perfect height with good back support. Just a glance out the window and I can ponder while looking at our oak trees and whatever else is out the window of our future office.

"Alas, that's not the case right now. Our future office is currently a bedroom for our two-year-old granddaughter, and soon her six-week-old brother will join her. DD & SIL are in the other spare bedroom.

"What I have right now is a bar height counter, sort of in the kitchen, but not really with the computer, printer, and no space left. I can't even get to my paper copies of character interviews, calendars, and other stuff. Those are in a box in the garage, and I'm too lazy to go back and forth. I'm learning how to work strictly from the computer. At least I can see the oak trees from my perch on a barstool."

What's funny (no I'm not actually laughing) is that I always wanted a space like this. I was always so jealous of everyone with a built in desk; especially in a place where I seem to work the rest of the time. :) Alas, it would seem that even my ideal workspace might not have worked out so well.

Any suggestions for Donna to help her situation?

Then there's those like Jennifer Wolf, author of the upcoming novel BREAKING BEAUTIFUL, who have taken their creative workspace to a whole new level. Or a new venue anyway. And her response seems to solve the problem that Anna and I both face with regards to not getting enough exercise.

"I have a few writerly spaces. My favorite is on the couch next to a roaring fire, especially on cold damp Washington days. Because I have four busy kids, I write everywhere I can, like in my car while I wait for piano lessons, soccer practice, or play practice to get over. I wrote a good portion of BREAKING BEAUTIFUL on the way up to the ski hill, because we had season passes to a resort almost 3 hours away. I once spent a whole day doing revisions in my car while my son was at an indoor skate park. I even did copy edits between games at a volleyball tournament.

My new writing space is on a treadmill at my local LA Fitness to combat writer's butt. For all the fabulous details see her blog post HERE!!!

LOVE IT!!!! So many good ideas! So much camaraderie! So let me do my part and share with you all my various attempts over the years. Ready?

Are you sure? Because some were...uh...rather creative, so no laughing. Please. Or I will be forced to have you abducted. Seriously. All those stories about people who have been taken over the years? Yeah...never tick off a writer. You've been warned. :)

2006: I rather liked this space to be honest with you. It was like having my own little office at the front of the house. I could see when the kids got home, watch my little one in the other room, and have everything within arm's reach. Including my children. Didn't help that I had to give the room back to accommodate a dining room table.

We had outgrown the breakfast area table and decided to buy one big enough to actually require a room. With the breakfast area free we turned it into a computer station to keep a better eye on everyone's activities and time. The result was great for the kids, not so great for me.

2007: Yeah...it's as awful as it looks. Remember the beautiful workspace I had up above? See where my laptop is there? Yeah, This spot only lasted for about two weeks. I moved my laptop to the kitchen counter for another two before my husband took pity on me and let me move into the bedroom.

Now this was heaven!!!! For a few months anyway. My bedroom quickly became a flood of children who would come looking for Mom. My room was no longer a refuge for either my husband nor I. And I couldn't set aside regular hours to work because with varying ages they all needed me at different times.

Still...I fought going back out into the thick of things. Especially since there was no place to put such a large desk.

Still fighting. But with my husband's old desk and a file cabinet to hide behind. Right. You see how well that worked out.

I think this is when I realized that aliens had abducted my brain.

But at least I had a desk that would fit into more places. So back out into the thick I went, only this time we rearranged some furniture so I would have some space to call my own (while playing Mom). It's worked out so well that I'm still here. Only now...

Yes. Last year my husband got a look at my writing AND my habits and realized I was in this for the long haul. And loved it!!!! So he bought me a new laptop. And a new desk. Aren't they pretty?

I still have to haul my laptop into my bedroom from time to time so the teenagers aren't tempted to talk to me until all hours of the night (I could have worse troubles, I know), but there's lots of light here and space to work. Then I added a small file cabinet to the right and moved that little bookshelf to the left to increase my workspace, but occasionally still found things piling up on my desk. I needed another shelf that matched.

Here's my newest acquisition. :)

So perhaps the trick isn’t to find a corner of the universe that will solve the mysteries of life, the universe, and who killed John Doe, but to do what writers do best.

Create one.

So tell me...where do you work and how is it, well, working for you? :)

UPDATE: See Jennifer's post here for more on how you can be a writer. No matter how busy your life may be. :)

I Am Number Four--by Pittacus Lore

2011-05-31T10:09:00.000-05:00

This was a switch for me. I heard about the movie first and then the book. Of course I didn't get to read the book before the movie because the book cycled through everyone ELSE in my family before me. But folks...

Both are worth the investment. Just sayin'. So read this:

Then watch this: [WARNING: There's some great footage here, but maybe a spoiler or two as well. :)]

Enjoy!!!!

3rd Annual Summer Treasure Hunt: Dig for Clues and Win!

2011-05-26T10:11:00.000-05:00

Welcome to our 3^rd Annual “Summer Treasure Hunt: Dig for Clues and Win Contest!”

This is becoming an exciting tradition, both for our sponsors and hopefully for all of you! 29 writer friends and I have banded together to present a month-long contest where we will give away a prize a day for the entire month of June. That’s right! 30 awesome prizes, running the gamut from books books books! (romances, fantasies, mystery/thrillers, inspirationals, children’s books, and various non-fiction), as well as Amazon gift cards, a Mary Kay gift set, a vinyl lettering gift certificate, a hand-sewn weekly planner with ribbon bookmark, a crocheted book tote with matching cell phone case, and again for you aspiring authors, TWO free edit/critiques of a partial manuscript. Many of the giveaways are open to International entries, though always check to be sure before you enter for a particular prize. And how exactly do you enter for these amazing prizes? By following these rules:

SUMMER TREASURE HUNT RULES:

You can send in one entry for each day’s prize, or only for those prizes that strike your fancy. The rules are simple:

(1) Go to the website or blog indicated for each day, find the answer to the question for that day, then email the answer with your name and AND MAILING ADDRESS to jdipastena@yahoo.com. I promise you will not wind up on any mailing lists. This is only to facilitate the receipt of your prize. All entries will be deleted at the end of the contest.

(2) Please send a separate entry for each day and type the day you are entering in the subject line. (Such as: Summer Treasure Hunt, June 1; Summer Treasure Hunt, June 2, etc).

(3) Deadline for each day: Midnight PST

(4) The winner will be contacted and announced on the day following the deadline.

All winners will be draw by www.random.org.

You do not have to wait until the designated day to enter. You can start sending in your entries right now, or begin entering at any point along the way. And check back here each day between June 2^nd – July 1^st to read the names of the winners.

If you have any questions, please email Joyce DiPastena at jdipastena@yahoo.com.

And now…let the treasure hunt begin!

June 1

SPONSOR: Canda Mortensen

PRIZE: A $25 Amazon gift certificate

QUESTION: What is the title and artist of the Princess song on Newbie’s playlist? (HINT: Scroll to the bottom of the blog and read “Newbie Teaser”. Match the number of “Princess” with the same number on the Playlist box (you may have to scroll down the playlist to find this, too). It will give you the title and artist.)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http:candamortensen.blogspot.com

OPEN TO USA ENTRIES

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 2

SPONSOR: Jennifer Griffith

PRIZE: Delicious Conversation (LDS romance, an adaptation of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, set in a chocolate shop in Salt Lake City), by Jennifer Griffith

QUESTION: Name at least 5 kinds of candy I ate at the last writers’ conference I attended AND share YOUR favorite candy. (HINT: Read the April 20, 2011 post. Click on April under the Blog Archive in the right hand sidebar.)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://cottoncandy4thesoul.blogspot.com/

OPEN TO USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 3

SPONSOR: Peggy Urry

PRIZE: Choice of book: Villette by Charlotte Bronte (romance, paperback); Airframe by Michael Crichton (thriller, paperback); The Body Farm by Patricia Cornwell (contemporary crime, paperback); OR The Mist of Quarry Harbor by Liz Adair (LDS romantic fiction, paperback); AND choice of Jelly Belly Gel Case for iPhone 3G/3GS or Jelly Belly Strawberry Cheesecake Gel Case for iPod Touch.

QUESTION: What is the name of my Work In Progress (WIP)? (Hint: It’s the title of my March 12, 2011 post. Click on “March” under Blog Archive in the right hand sidebar.)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://peggyurry.blogspot.com/

OPEN TO USA/CANADA ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 4

SPONSOR: Danielle Thorne

PRIZE: Josette (sweet Regency romance, E-book) AND Southern Girl, Yankee Roots (poetry), both by Danielle Thorne

QUESTION: Danielle supports what wildlife conservancy organization? (HINT: See right hand column of website)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.daniellethorne.com

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 5

SPONSOR: Bonnie Harris

PRIZE: Mary Kay Microdermabrasion Set

QUESTION: What are the names of my two WIPs? (HINT: Scroll to the bottom of the blog and click on “Work in Progress” under Labels)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http:// www.bonnieharris.blogspot.com

OPEN TO USA/CANADA

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 6

SPONSOR: Susan Kaye Quinn PRIZE: Autographed copy of Life, Liberty, and Pursuit (YA love story), by Susan Kaye Quinn

QUESTION: How many days do David and Eliza have on the cruise together, before they’re forced to go their separate ways? (HINT: Click on the “About Me and My Books” tab and read the blurb for Life, Liberty, and Pursuit)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://ink-spells.blogspot.com

OPEN TO USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 7:

SPONSOR: Anne Bradshaw

PRIZE: True Miracles with Genealogy: Help from Beyond the Veil (non-fiction), by Anne Bradshaw – 1 print and 1 eBook – Print copy can be autographed. (Yes, there will be TWO winners drawn for this prize)

QUESTION: Which TV station interviewed Anne? (HINT: Answer is a short way down the middle column.)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://truemiracleswithgenealogy.com

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES; PLEASE NOTE YOUR PREFERENCE FOR PRINT OR EBOOK, ALTHOUGH I CAN’T GUARANTEE YOU WILL WIN YOUR PREFERENCE.

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 8

SPONSOR:

Cheri Schmidit

PRIZE: Autographed copy of Fateful (YA paranormal romance), by Cheri Schmidt

QUESTION: Who is the prince of darkness? (HINT: Click on “April” under Blog Archive in the left hand sidebar and read the April 12, 2011 post)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://cherischmidt.blogspot.com/

OPEN TO USA ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 9

SPONSOR: Mary Fremont Schoenecker

PRIZE: Moonglade (a sweet cozy mystery, Book Two in the Maine Shore Chronicles series), by Mary Fremont Schoenecker The prize is an autographed First Edition hard cover print book.

QUESTION: What special skill does character Tante Margaret use that puts her in danger during Remi’s murder investigation? (HINT: Click on the “About Her Books” tab and read the Publisher’s Weekly Review.

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.maryschoenecker.com

OPEN TO USA/CANADA

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 10

SPONSOR: Shaunna Gonzales

PRIZE: FREE edit and/or critique of first 50 pages

QUESTION: What do his lips taste like? (Hint: click on “Sizzling Kiss” under Post Subjects in the left hand sidebar)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.shaunnagonzales.blogspot.com

OPEN TO USA/CANADA

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 11

SPONSOR: Donna Hatch

PRIZE: The Stranger She Married (Regency romance), by Donna Hatch QUESTION: What poses the greatest danger to Alicia’s heart? (HINT: Scroll down underneath the book cover of The Stranger She Married, and read the paragraph directly below.

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.donnahatch.net/bookshelf.htm

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES FOR E-BOOK VERSION; US/CANADA FOR PRINT BOOK OR PAPERBACK VERSION

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 12

SPONSOR: Cindy R. Williams & Planet Play Productions, LLC.

PRIZE: Award winning glossy cover children’s snuggle, giggle picture book, Chase McKay Didn’t Get Up Today, signed by the author and the real Chase McKay.

QUESTION: What is the name of the dragon in the upcoming fantasy, Thundertail’s Tale: The Legend? (HINT: click on the Blog tab)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.cindyRwilliams.com

OPEN TO USA/CANADA

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 13

SPONSOR: Larry Hammersley

PRIZE: Motorcycle Woman (sweet contemporary romance, E-book), by Larry Hammersley

QUESTION: What kind of motorcycle does Tess, the motorcycle woman, ride? (HINT: Read the blog post “Motorcycle Woman from Red Rose Publishing”, May 5, 2011)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://larryhammersley.blogspot.com/

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 14

SPONSOR: Cheryl Cory

PRIZE: Autographed copy of Must’ve Done Something Good (romantic comedy), by Cheryl Cory

QUESTION: What is Sylvie’s all-time favorite movie? (HINT: Click on the “Info” link in the left-hand column)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.facebook.com/MustveDoneSomethingGood

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 15

SPONSOR: Valerie Ipson

PRIZE: $15 Gift Certificate for Vinyl Lettering (http://vinylsignsanddesigns.blogspot.com)

QUESTION: What is Valerie’s writing goal for 2011? (HINT: Look in the right hand sidebar)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http:// valerieipson.blogspot.com

OPEN TO USA

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 16

SPONSOR: Rachel Rager

PRIZE: Wednesday Romances – romance (obviously), ebook, by Rachel Rager. This is a compaliation of three different love stories, A Season for Love, The Tiger Unleashed, and The Feather Kiss. (All sweet romances)

QUESTION: Every week I have post a new chapter of a book on my blog. What are these posts called? (Hint: These posts are featured every Wednesday.)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://rachelrager.blogspot.com

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 17

SPONSOR: Danyelle Ferguson

PRIZE: Autograhed copy of (dis)Abilities and the Gospel: How to Bring People with Special Needs Closer to Christ (non-fiction/self-help) by Danyelle Ferguson & Lynn Parsons, M.S.)non-fiction/self-help, autographed book QUESTION: What is the name of the non-profit Danyelle co-founded? (HINT: Check out Danyelle’s author bio)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.danyelleferguson.com/

OPEN TO USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 18

SPONSOR: Teresa Thomas Bohannon

PRIZE: A Very Merry Chase (Regency Romance novel), by Teresa Thomas Bohannon AND a $5 Amazon gift certificate. Winner’s Choice: PDF with personalized dedication, or Ebook format for Kindle or Epub format for Nook. (HINT: Read “A Very Merry Chase Excerpt” under “A Very Merry Chase” in the right hand sidebar)

QUESTION: What did Lady Bethany do and why?

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.ladysilk.net

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 19

SPONSOR: Diane Daniels

PRIZE: Autographed copy of Over the Moon (YA fantasy romance, print copy), by Diane Daniels

QUESTION: Who is Andrew’s evil x-girlfriend, Sonya, named after? (HINT: Read the May 14, 2011 blog entry)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.overthemoonseries.com/

OPEN TO USA

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 20

SPONSOR: Margaret Larsen Turley

PRIZE: critique for up to 5000 words

QUESTION: Margaret Larsen Turley is administrator for ______________________________ group. They hold fund-raising events for Cancer Research. (HINT: You’ll find the answer in one of her website tabs) WEBSITE/BLOG: http://margaretlarsen.com/

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES/ENGLISH LANGUAGE ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 21

SPONSOR: Anna Arnett

PRIZE: Autographed copy of Lolly’s Yarn: a memoir (older YA to adult), by Anna Arnett, with a hand-crocheted bookmark

QUESTION: What was the verdict regarding Anna’s radar photo speeding ticket? (HINT: Click on the Blogs tab and read “I Fought the Law and Guess Who Won?”

WEBSITE/BLOG: htt:www.annaarnett.com

OPEN TO USA

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 22

SPONSOR: Joyce DiPastena

PRIZE: Autographed copy of Loyalty’s Web (sweet medieval romance), by Joyce DiPastena

QUESTION: How do people win Joyce’s “Light Bulb Award”? (HINT: Answer is found in the right hand column of the blog)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://jdp-news.blogspot.com

OPEN TO USA

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 23

SPONSOR: C. Michelle Jefferies

PRIZE: 52 page hand-sewn weekly planner, with ribbon bookmark.

QUESTION: What rank is Michelle in martial arts? (HINT: Look in right hand sidebar under “MY TANG SOO DO PROGRESS”)

WEBSITE/BLOG: HTTP://cmichellejefferies.blogspot.com

OPEN TO USA/CANADA

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 24

SPONSOR: Valerie J. Steimle

PRIZE: Choice of two books: Home Is Where The Learning Is (homeschool how-to book, non-fiction; autographed print copy) OR Dogs, Blogs and Hobbits: Writings from a Widows Perspective –-(non-fiction articles about everything from being single and single moms to inspirational stories; autographed print copy), both by Valerie J. Steimle

QUESTION: How many children does Valerie have? (HINT: Look in the right hand column in “About Me”)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://valeriesteimle.blogspot.com/

OPEN TO USA/CANADA

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 25

SPONSOR: Karen Adair

PRIZE: Crocheted Book Tote with matching cell phone case.

QUESTION: What commenter recently called me (Karen) “The Queen of Sugar Land?” (HINT: Select “January 2011” under Archives and read the COMMENTS on Karen’s January 6, 2011 post on “The 20 Minute Sprint”)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.kbadair.com

OPEN TO USA

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 26

SPONSOR: Jaimey Grant (www.jaimeygrant.com) and/or TreasureLine Books & Publishing (www.treasurelinebooks.com)

PRIZE: Winner’s choice of 1 of 5 Regency romance eBooks by Jaimey Grant (Honor, Betrayal, Deception, Spellbound, or Redemption. Please note: Honor contains some marital “heat”.)

QUESTION: Which of Jaimey’s previously self-published titles has recently been picked up by a publisher? (HINT: Click the “Purchasing Options” tab)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http:// www.jaimeygrant.com

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 27

SPONSOR: Heidi Murphy

PRIZE: Autographed copy of Small Deceptions (sweet Regency/Georgian romance), by H. Linn Murphy

QUESTION: In what country is the bridge found over which ‘we’ were fighting? (HINT: Find “Blog Archive” in the right hand sidebar, click on April and read the post titled: “The Far Bridge”)

WEBSITE/BLOG: www.murph4slaw.blogspot.com

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 28

SPONSOR: Kenneth Rosenberg

PRIZE: One e-book copy of my new romantic comedy, Sweet Ophelia and the Tinseltown Blues, any format

QUESTION: What instrument does the character Warren August play? (HINT: Click on the cover image for Sweet Ophelia and the Tinseltown Blues. Read the first few paragraphs of the excerpt.)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http:// www.kennethrosenberg.com

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 29

SPONSOR: Michael Young PRIZE: Autographed copy of The Last Archangel (YA Urban Fantasy, print copy – Release date July 14th)

QUESTION: What is the name of the fallen angel who is the main character in “The Last Archangel”? (HINT: Click on the Reviews tab. Frank Cole thinks this character “rocks!”

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://thelastarchangel.weebly.com

OPEN TO USA/CANADA

WINNER:

ANSWER:

June 30

SPONSOR: Joan Sowards

PRIZE: The Star Prophecy: a Book of Mormon Adventure (LDS novel), by Joan Sowards

QUESTION: Why do Enoch and his friends sail to Jerusalem? (HINT: Read the blurb under The Star Prophecy book cover in the right hand column of the blog)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://joansowards.blogspot.com

OPEN TO USA

WINNER:

ANSWER:

Trailer Tuesday--Aprilynne Pike-fest

2011-05-17T08:54:00.000-05:00

YES!

I am so happy to be returning with such a fantastic series today.And I'm posting TWO videos to make up for my absence. I have a note from my teacher though. Honest. Plus I was kind of distracted reading the book. Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! SO fantastic. I'll try and post a review soon. But in the meantime, here's a little to wet your appetite so that maybe you'll just want to go read it for yourself. :)

WARNING though. There are a few spoilers here about the first two books, so if you haven't read the Wings series yet, then be forewarned. Or simply go read them and then come back. I'll wait. Rather, I'll be here. :)

Enjoy!!!!!

I Was Tagged!

2011-05-10T06:49:00.000-05:00

That's twice in one week! Once by Elana Johnson in conjunction with her book Possession and now my blog friend Lisa, at Diary of a Square Toothed Girl. :) I'm so excited to share a few things about myself, however, be on the look out. At the end of this, someone else is gonna get tagged too!!

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

The night my husband proposed. Totally.

If you could go back in time and change one thing, what would it be?

The moment I said, "I do." What? *sigh* Yeah, I mean it's a special occasion and all, but I would soooooooooo love to have another chance to spit the words out nice and loud so that everyone doesn't have to read my lips. :)

What movie/tv character do you most resemble in personality?

My kids would say Jennifer Garner from Alias. Not only did I look like her in my younger, longer haired days but I'm kind of kick butt like that, too. (My kid's words, not mine. Of course.)

If you could push one person off a cliff and get away with it who would it be?

Does pushing people off the cliff in books, count? Because I did that. And yeah, I totally got away with it. Not the person who really did it, mind you, but yeah....

Name one habit you want to change in yourself.

Eat healthier. Or maybe just fewer chocolate covered raisins for breakfast.

Describe yourself in one word.

Daring.

Describe the person who named you in this meme in one word.

Inspired! No, not because she tagged me and it totally got me blogging again (Thanks Lisa!!). Her photos are so inspirational and her smile is contagious! She's an inspiration through and through.

Why do you blog? Answer in one sentence.

Because I am and will forever be a homebody, and blogging is one way for me to share things with others without ever leaving my house.

Name at least 3 people to send this meme to and inform them.

You ready? I tag:

Shelli at......A*Musings
Debbie at......Cranberry Fries
Kristin at.....Fairies and Pirates, etc.

Can't wait to read your responses ladies!!!

XYZ and the end of the road

2011-04-28T06:25:00.000-05:00

I'm feeling the end for so many reasons this week. Part of me is relieved and the other is sad.

Relieved because there's nothing like coming to the end of something and saying, "YES! Take that!!!" The other emotion is, "Great. What's next?"

I've been in school for the last...*mumbles incoherently* years and I'm finally seeing the end of the light. Yet during that time I've also written half a dozen books, raised seven children, put my husband through his own schooling, kept my house in order (mostly) and served in my community. How did I do it?

Balance, baby.

Yet all good things must come to an end. We must have goals. We must have dreams. We must have closure. Like the alphabet game. Ever go on a road trip before tv's and dvd players? Then you most likely played the alphabet game. "A!" someone yells and points to a sign, while a chorus of A's shout round about you. The next goal was finding a B, then a C and so on. The hardest was always the X, Y, Z and right there at the end when you were all tuckered out. You wanted to be done. You wanted to win. You wanted to go to the bathroom, but Dad wasn't pulling over for the umpteenth time!

The key was always Las Vegas. Really? Uh, yeah actually. As kids it meant we were near Zzyzx Road. Yes, like in the movie. Although I'd never heard of it until looking for today's image. Looks creepy (the movie, not the image), and nothing like the welcome sign that it always was to us; signaling the end of a very long game. It meant the chance to move on to something new. Something exciting. A bathroom! Awwww, come on Dad.

Kind of like publishing a book. Or writing a month's worth of blogs while going to school. Finishing school! (almost there...almost there) You're happy to have finished the game, but you're ready to begin the adventure anew. Like the writer's conference I'm attending at the end of the month. :)

So next week I'll be back with more, because my brain is full of all sorts of things. Mostly good. Muwah ah ah. I've enjoyed the ride, playing the alphabet game, and hope you'll come along for the next one I take. Because, baby...

You ain't seen nothing yet.

V is for Vlog and W is for Why

2011-04-27T13:27:00.000-05:00

So yeah, why have a vlog? And what on earth is it? I'm still learning all the finer points myself, but I do know that it's something I look forward to doing in the near future. Why? Because they're cool! I mean, how much fun is it to watch someone talk to you as though you're sitting in your own private seminar. Um...duh.

I even considered trying my hand at one to post this week, but you know...call me camera shy. Well, not really, in fact I'm kind of a ham. So yeah, I can totally see myself diggin' this v-log thing. Once I figure it out.

I've watched a couple so far and totally loved them. How fun to see and hear people in person! (So to speak.) Because sometimes words just aren't enough. I mean they paint a great picture and all, but how about one that moves and talks and teaches you about themselves and a topic all at the same time?

Great, right???!!!!! I know! So there's the what and the why. Now I just have to tackle the when. :) And the how.

How about you? What vlogs have you seen, enjoyed the most, or could recommend to an aspiring ham...I mean vlogger like me?

S-T-U-pendous Websites

2011-04-25T17:48:00.000-05:00

These next three letters are brought to you courtesy of one very grateful writer. :)

Enjoy this fabulous list of sites I visit and discover for yourselves why they deserve to be loved!!!

Agent Kristin--Pub Rants Because she knows everything about publishing. Seriously. Someday I want her to know who I am. :)
Aprilynne Pike--Apparently! Young Adult Author and fabulous contest provider. :)
Dear Teen Me-- Because, like them, there are things I wish I knew when I was a teen.
Debbie--Cranberry fries Cause I...um...LOVE fries. Yes, I love Debbie, too. :)
Dierdra Eden Coppel--A Storybook World Gorgeous Artist and Fantasy Phenom!
Elena Johnson-- Young Adult Author and Master of the Query! *bows in awe*
Jody Hedlund-- Amazing author and speaker with words of wisdom MWF! And on facebook...and twitter...and email... So much encouragement! I can't get enough!
Kiersten Writes-- YA rocks and so does she. Just sayin'.
Kristin Baker Przybyla--Fairies and Pirates, etc. Because how can you just not love everything about that name!!!
Laura Pauling--Exercising the Right to Ramble The name says it all! So do her invaluable email updates!
Rachelle Gardner--Rants and Ramblings Because agent info is soooo crucial...and fun!
Roni Loren--Fiction Groupie --Romance Writer and facilitator of my first Editor's critque!!

Sarah M. Eden--Historical Romance Author INFF Guru!!
Shelli Proffitt Howells--A*Musings Fiction Friday, Crit Group, and owner of the Toolbox extraordinaire! I could fill a blog post on Shelli alone.
Tana Adams--White Platonic Dreams Just trust me. :)
WriteOnCon If I have to explain this one...

And the list goes on!!

What others would you add to my list? Who do you follow that makes a difference for you?

R is for Redo

2011-04-21T20:33:00.000-05:00

Redo's are awesome.

When I quizzed my daughters about things they'd like a second chance at, they came up with:

Personality/image
Things they've said to people
Friends they've chosen
Tests
Classes
Bad decisions

Yeah... there's a lot of things we'd like to redo in life. And sometimes we get a second chance. Like a paper I just wrote. The teacher recognized it was less than my usual and asked me if I would consider redoing it. I've never had a teacher offer that before. I was touched.

And of course I said yes. Because sometimes lessons learned are good and we wouldn't trade them, but how cool if we could get the lesson AND get a do-over. :)

Rejection is a bit like a re-do. "Getting" the chance to re-evaluate our work and see if there is any room for improvement. And of course there is. There always is. I've not heard of an author yet who didn't have some sort of regret for some part of their book. Maybe it's just them being humble. Maybe it's the truth. But no matter what, I believe there is always a place for improvement.

And redo's. :)

What do you think? What would you redo if you were given the chance?

Q is for Query

2011-04-20T07:48:00.000-05:00

Wait...what happened to P?

Oh. That. Well, P is for Perfect...which I'm not. :) Yesterday was insane and I didn't get to do a lot of what I wanted to do. Including blogging. But it's okay. I got done the things that were utterly crucial and that's the important thing. So yeah, yesterday was perfect in that regard. :)

But today we're talking about the letter Q!!!! Q is for queries. Hurrah! And the total I've sent so far comes to a whopping...

one

That's right folks. I've sent out one query letter to date. "Wait, why not more?" Better to ask why I even sent the one. I knew it wasn't ready. I wasn't ready. I knew I wouldn't buy the book if I received the one I got. But what I also know is that I have a wonderful and loving husband who wanted me to try.

He saw an opportunity and my trepidation and didn't like seeing me so scared.

"But I'll get rejected, hon."

"But it can't hurt to try. And knowing it's not ready means a rejection won't hurt as bad."

"True."

Wrong.

It still hurt. Terribly. But a day later he was right. I had just racked up my first rejection (yes, I got rejected within 24 hours) and had successfully gotten over that initial fear. There's still plenty more to come (fear and attempts) and I learned a lot in the process. I mean, hey, I did honestly try and write a good query. I really do want to be published. But...I also know where I stand with my query and I'm not going to waste an agent's time when even I know it's not ready.

So how do you know when you're ready? Seriously, I'm asking. Because there are blogs and helpful sites up the wazoo, conferences and sessions just for this topic, and so how on earth do you know that it's good enough to send.

You send it. :) Okay, first you ask other writers. Other readers. Friends, family, critique groups, blog contests designed just for querying (actually did that once myself)... And tons of other help out there to get you prepared. In fact, Elana Johnson is probably the foremost authority in the writing world when it comes to queries. She talks about queries here, she played a valuable role in the establishment of query tracker, and even released her ebook From the Query to the Call for free here. :)

Love you Elana!!!!

Aren't writers wonderful?! No where else have I seen others work so hard to help others succeed. Maybe it's because we know we're not in competition with each other. There are plenty of readers to go around, and always hungry for another story. :) And they're just waiting for that moment when a new title appears. When you succeed in getting it published. But first, you need to garner some interest. By writing a query. :)

So, how will you know that you're ready? Ideas? Suggestions? Successes you'd like to share? :)

O is for Octopus

2011-04-18T08:15:00.000-05:00

Mom. Wife. Student. Friend. Teacher. Warden. Cook. Chauffeur. Therapist. Nurse. Surgeon. Seamstress. Hairstylist. Sanitation Worker. Gardener. Writer?

Ever feel like you need more hands? Yeah, me too. I'm seriously considering life as an Octopus.

But until I make that impossibility happen, I do this little thing called balancing my time. Otherwise known as...

Organization

So why didn't you put that word at the top? Because Octopus is a much cooler word, and a whole lot easier to wish for than say...being organized!!!

It's a beautiful word, but sometimes a little tricky to carry out. It requires thinking (gasp!) and planning (what's that?) and sometimes a little help from various little octopi (you know who you are).

My best method for getting organized is in making lists. At the start of each day I make a list of things I want to accomplish by the end of it. Small things, big things, things that I want to get done and things that I NEED to get done. And they don't necessarily have to be in order. Just put down in front of me so I can be actively thinking about them and working on them. Sometimes that act alone is enough to get me moving and keep me focused.

And it is worth it, because you see I do enjoy doing things like writing and watching 3-D movies on our new TV. But I can't justify doing those things until some other things get done. Like laundry. (I swear the washing machine ATE your socks, kids!!)

What do you do to get/stay organized? Any tips or secrets for budgeting your time? Do you have a specific writing time, or do you have to squeeze it in like a typical octopus? :)

N is for No

2011-04-16T09:55:00.000-05:00

Two small letters. So much pain.

"No, you can't have another cookie." "No, you can't stick the fork into the plug just because it fits. I'm so proud that you're brilliant enough to deduce the connection, but don't actually MAKE the connection please."

And the dreaded...."No, I'm sorry we're not interested in your book."

I've only gotten one of those so far, and I'm pretty sure I deserved it. I queried before I was ready, and yet my husband wanted me to overcome my fear and just try. Because you see, not all "No's" come because something is forbidden. Sometimes they are there simply to protect us. From embarassment. From harm. Or because the person you're asking simply is not the right one to help you.

JK Rowling collected a huge stack of rejections as did Shannon Hale. As did every author who went down the same road. The road to publishing. It's a tricky one to be sure, and a painful journey mixed in with all the bliss. We love writing. We want to be published. But, "what do you mean you don't like my book?" The nerve.

It's like the, "Will you dance with me?" followed by that awful two letter word. Forget about the four letter ones. This one's more painful. Probably because we want it so bad. We want that dance. We want the reward for putting ourselves on the line and asking that difficult question. Maybe someday I'll get a yes, just like my husband did when he asked me to dance. Then asked me to marry him. Those were magical nights, but only after a ton of risk. Putting yourself on the line and asking the question.

Just like with an agent. I hope to make that magical connection some day. Where I'll ask, "Do you want to dance? Because I've worked really hard to make this book everything it can be and I'm ready to share it with someone." And soon. So...anyone want to dance? Because me? I'm not even close to being done asking. I've only just begun. And I won't take no for an answer.

What do you do when you get a "No?" Do you give up? Press on and stick that stupid fork in the socket anyway? Or ask another parent and see if you get a different answer? :)

M is for Memoirs

2011-04-15T06:51:00.000-05:00

Don't do it!

At least the part about trying to publish them in the mass market. Because the reflections upon one's life and the choices they've made are best suited for family and friends, not the masses.

At least that's what I hear. The exception are famous people who have experiences that somehow include the general public...and thus make them marketable.

Now that's not to say that you can't write your memoirs. Heck, I've already started writing mine. But I call it a personal history. An accounting of my life, with various details that perhaps my children and my someday grandchildren might want to know about me. I wrote them at the request of my mother.(Have you gathered how influential my mother was to me?) She saw the value in keeping a record. Not only for ourselves but for our posterity. Because who we are is important to know. Important to our family and friends and perhaps a few others.

Not for the masses.

Of course your life may be such that you need it in print, because hey! you actually saw who killed JFK. Or your life has touched so many people that they are the mass you're trying to reach. Aside of that though, not many of us will have lives that will interest the public. At least not enough that people would pay to read about them.

I wish it were different. I wish that everyone could appreciate the value of our individual lives, and perhaps reward us for the time we've spent. Because yes, I too believe that so much experience just shouldn't go to waste. But I guess that's what blogs are for. So embrace them. Share them. Write about those things that you want the world to see. Because by golly, if you can't put them in a blog because they're too personal to share, then you shouldn't be publishing them for the mass market either. Just sayin'.

Do you have a personal memory that you think would benefit the world? Would you be willing to share, even if you wouldn't get paid?

L is for Letters

2011-04-14T14:26:00.000-05:00

Yes. Letters. Although after yesterday's post you were probably expecting something more like lips. Of course I could mention both. You know, like how we used to write those innocent love notes, lick and seal them in the envelope and then put the big lipstick covered kiss on the back.

You never did that? Well I did. It was fun. It was intimate. Unlike some of the more modern day exchanges. I mean I love emails. I do. And Facebook rocks! I mean think of all those people I've lost touch with over the years. Found you! But somehow posting on my husband's wall just doesn't feel the same. Or my sister's. Or my children's.

In fact, I remember the days when I used to put I love you notes into my children's lunch boxes on the first day of school. Or when they were having a difficult week. Now I send them a hug on Facebook. Or text them a "How are you?" Granted we still have this fun thing where they write to me in a journal (just for us) and tell me all sorts of things they're worried or thinking about; then I write back. With so many kids it gives us a chance to talk to one another without being interrupted.

But now I realize that it's also preserving a lost art of hand-written notes and personal messages.

My mom and Grandma were big on notes. And letters. Their individual handwriting was unique to them. Almost as unique as the things they would say and share. It was an art form in and of itself. A dying art that I never prescribed to by the way. My handwriting stunk, so I wrote very few letters. That and I could never find a stupid stamp.

The internet has made it so much faster and convenient for me to stay in touch with people. And with proper care I think it can be just as personal. Still...nothing gets my heart beating like a hand written note. Especially from those I love. There's just something so warm and friendly about it all. The time they took to write it out, spell check it while they did so, and then find a stamp to actually send it to me. Precious.

Of course I'll take a letter in any form...but nothing will ever beat the smell of paper, perfume and love that transcends the distance using a hand written letter.

What about you? What memories do you have of hand written letters? Do you still enjoy getting them or prefer the modern conveniences just as much?

K is for Kiss

2011-04-13T08:40:00.000-05:00

Ahhhh.

I love kisses. The real ones (okay the chocolate as well, but we already covered candy yesterday). They're my favorite part of a book. The romance. The tension. The unrequited love that finds its way into the pages of just about every book I pick up. Especially those geared towards teens.

Do you remember your first kiss? Or are you trying to forget it? :) Mine was magical. And, okay, a little awkward. I mean, it's the moment girls dream about forever (all the ones I know anyway) and that alone has the potential to make or break it. Forever remembered. Forever haunting.

As in my current WIP. It started with a kiss scene. Well, it doesn't "start" with a kiss scene, but it was the catalyst to a lot of the angst my protagonist is going through. And boy howdy, what a kiss. I mean, it changes lives. Seriously. None of my other ideas hang so importantly on a kiss. But this one does. Oh the things I share. :) Well, you'll just have to read for yourself when it comes out. Not if...when. Because the world needs to experience this kiss. Seriously.

How about you? Any of you have a momentous kiss that changed your life? How about your characters? Do you ever find yourself rewriting your first kiss in your stories?

J is for Jelly Bellies

2011-04-12T08:34:00.000-05:00

I love Jelly Bellies. Or is it Jelly Bellys? You know, the Jelly Belly candy. They're super expensive, but oh so worth it.

They're just one of the many snacks that work best for me while writing, popping one or two in my mouth at a time and feeling the mix of flavors combine to make something more than just themselves. Seems wholly appropriate when it comes to writing, doesn't it?

But it brings up other memories and emotions as well that get me to giggling.

I remember the hilarious evening I spent with two of my sisters-in law over an enormous bucket of Jelly Bellies. The husbands were in the living room playing video games, while we were in the kitchen plotting a war of our own, turning an innocent candy into a means of torture. Ever tried popcorn flavor with grape jelly? Yeah, the guys didn't think much of it either. But we thought it was only fair since they were hitting us up for snacks. So yeah, time after time we popped multiple concoctions in their unsuspecting mouths, taking advantage of the fact that their hands were too busy. They couldn't spit them out and their eyes were too focused on the game to pay attention to what we were doing.

At first.

They caught on quickly that it wasn't a fluke and refused to take anything more from us. Cool. Now we were free to eat the rest of the bucket ourselves and laugh the rest of the night away in the kitchen.

Now, why on earth am I telling you this? Because this is the stuff that characters are made of. How we can use scenes to depict one's character, motives, or deviousness. Just like this. Already you have a different image of me. Yes? No? That's okay. I'll share one more experience if you really want me to. Or you can share one of your own. Or both.

How about it? You share one, then I'll share one. And maybe we can learn a little more about each other in the process. Plus it'll be great practice for all those character sketches you're going to do now. :)

I is for Internet (what else)

2011-04-11T08:30:00.000-05:00

My family and I watched Tron this weekend. Both the original Tron and Tron Legacy. Wow. It was so nostalgic to see the original flick that was sooooooo high tech back in my day, and realize how weird it was that I lived in the days before the World Wide Web.

The content of the original movie was as disbelieving as the early animation to my beautiful teens, and they laughed almost the entire way through. I provided my own commentary though and told them that both the technology and their cool graphics in Legacy would be obsolete in another 20 years as well. They concurred.

The world is changing fast, and the internet makes us aware of it even faster. :) Not that I'm complaining (well, maybe a little). I mean, I love progress. I love the advances. But sometimes the stuff you find on the internet is less than pleasant to behold.

My oldest daughter just finished a report on internet filtering, and the debate about whose responsibility it is to enforce. Is it the parents'? The teachers'? The content owners'? How about the government? It was a great topic for her to debate and interesting to get her views and take on the matter. I'm proud that she thought parents should take a more active role in protecting their children, regardless of what any one else chose to do. And that kids shouldn't try to get around filters meant to protect them....but then my daughter is unique.

There's a lot of information out there, and a lot of kids who want it all. Adults, too. It's a beautiful thing called freedom of speech. I love it. Really I do. But it also means diligence, patience, and a darn good filtering system my husband installed. It's so good that it kept me from blogging a few months back. I had to have him take me off the network so I could actually post youtube videos on my blog. He had chosen to block them because the kids were spending too much time watching them and not enough time on homework.

I tend to fall into a similar trap, but with social media and research. Which leads me to today's question. How do you monitor your time on the internet to maximize it as a resource? Do you have a program to help you monitor your time? Do you have a schedule you follow and monitor yourself? Or do you fly by the seat of your pants and say, "To heck with a schedule. Long live the internet!!!" :)

H is for Home

2011-04-09T17:13:00.000-05:00

Home. What a fantastic place it is. And despite my physical depiction, home is not simply a structure. That would be a house.

Home is everything that it represents. The people inside. The location it sits. The reason you live where you live. And the place you return to when you feeling a longing or need.

The need to remember good times. Or bad ones. A place where memories shape us and mold us; give us hope. I had a wonderful home growing up. It was beautiful and sunny, as was the state we lived in. :) It was also noisy, busy, and always full of people. Perfect. Except when it wasn't.

At times like those I would often retreat to my room and don my headphones, blocking out the other activities and entering my own little world. That world often included reading, and then eventually writing. I found comfort and security in my wonderful home, but also escape when I needed through reading and writing.

I wrote my first book in the summer before 8th grade after taking a typing class the previous year. I learned on a manual typewriter, where any mistake you made was permanent and I scrounged for any kind of paper to type on as I created my world. And the discovery of white out to correct my mistakes. One thing was for certain though. Writing changed me. I was a sleuth, brave and true, epitomizing a true heroine at the time by the name of Trixie Belden. What a fantastic series that was and what a wonderful role model her character was to young girls everywhere. Teaching us how to solve mysteries and fight the good fight, along with her two brothers and multiple friends.

Strangely it reminded me of my own life, but where my one true hero was none other than my mother. My mom was this huge ray of sunshine that never dimmed. Even at night. She'd often sit by my bedside and we'd stay late up talking. We'd talk about school, boys, and all of my fears. And hers. She was always gentle but honest with me, helping me to discover myself (in a house full of boys). Home was wonderful that way. Where I could receive love and gentle encouragement, securing its place in my life as the source of all wisdom.

Before she died my mom told me I was a gifted writer. And that I never gave up. And both things combined would one day get me published.

I can't wait to prove her right.

What does home mean to you? Do you have fond memories of it? Any heroes or heroines that have inspired your life?

G is for Goals

2011-04-08T13:10:00.000-05:00

I love goals. You do too, even though you may not realize it.

You see, in order to even "fail" you need something in which to fail from: aka, a goal. My daughter often quotes a wonderful phrase. "If you try to fail and succeed, which have you done?"

I love that. How many of us are actively "trying" to fail at something. Okay, there may be a few. Like if there is something you hate to do, then maybe you'll fail so that someone won't ask you to do it again. Or not. You could possibly just be setting yourself up for multiple heartache by ignoring the hard things. I'm a firm believer in goals because as the saying goes, "If you don't know where you're going...any road will take you there."

20 years ago I made a goal to finish college, in spite of the fact that I was putting it on hold to put my husband through first. There wasn't enough money to go around, so I said "You first." And looking back I have no regrets. I got to raise 7 beautiful children, all of which still live at home, two of which were born after I started back to school some 9 years ago.

Yes. It took me 8 years to get my associates degree. And after this semester I'll only have one year left for my bachelor's degree in English and Creative Writing.

I believe you can do anything if you set your mind to it. But first you need to make a goal in order to set your plan in motion. I want to be a writer. So I study writing, practice writing, talk to other writers and learn from them. Done. Goal accomplished. Now I want to be published. So I write some more, take classes, learn about querying, attend multiple workshops and conferences, and edit to my heart's content (and then some).

And it doesn't stop there. Once I've been published, there will be tons to do. Including writing even more and trying to get that published as well. The cycle never ends! Isn't it great???? :) Yeah, I think so too.

How about you? What do you think about goals are and where do you go for help in accomplishing them?

F is for Fellow Dreamers

2011-04-07T10:13:00.000-05:00

You know who you are. And a lot of you make yourself known by blogging, emailing, and through the little conglomerate of boxes on the right side bar. [waves to everyone looking back at me] And there are even those following me quietly through subscription and peeking into my ramblings to see what I'm up to each week. And support me in my writing endeavors.

Thank you. Thank you all!

Because even though goals and dreams are exciting and fun, they're also hard and sometimes a little challenging to reach. You are the ones giving me a boost over the wall as I try and reach the top. And yet what's great is there are those of us that don't wait to reach the top before giving others a boost.

Like in rock climbing. Where there's people on top and there are people below, with both groups shouting encouragement and lending a physical hand. The ones on top help provide the path and show you the way--helping you out, while also proving that you can reach your goal. The ones below--the ones who haven't even started yet--are holding the rope and pulling you up.

Pulling you up? Yup. Isn't that strange? That in rock climbing the one below you pulls the rope and keeps you from falling. Just in case you lose your footing. Friends, fans, fellow writers are the life force of any good writer. We need each other.

So today, I say thank you for all that you are to me. All you give to me. The courage to keep going, and helping me feel the thrill of the climb.

What about you? Any one in particular who has helped you along? Who holds the rope for you? Who's paved the way?

E is for the Electronic Era

2011-04-06T06:58:00.000-05:00

I can't believe how much the world has changed in the last 20 years. We went from vinyl to viral and from paper to pads (iPads, kindles, nooks...). Gone are the days when I pick up my walkman to go running--what's a walkman? you say. You know, those cool little rectangles that held other rectangles of music you had to buy from the store on the corner. In a time that if you wanted anything that didn't come over the radio you had to go out and get it yourself.

Physically.

Then things began to change. Almost overnight came the internet. Then CD players. Then streaming music. Then publishing sites. Then downloadable books.... Okay, I probably skipped a few steps in there. I wasn't watching every single move that was made. But I remember the day I looked back and realized how fast everything was changing around me.

My 7 yr old daughter asked for an iPod for Christmas. And I said yes. Well, actually I bought her a simple mp3 player for the little I knew she'd use it. After all, she's only 7 and likes to change her mind...often. (I was right, btw) I thought about all the boom boxes upstairs that have stopped working, the non-functioning CD units, all the eaten tapes in the cassette portions, and the mass of crystal boxes scattered around my house that were made to house the media that went into these huge paperweights. And an mp3 player sounded about right.

And then I thought about the kid shows of my youth that now have furry monsters e-mailing one another and typing letters on the screen. Instead of writing them. And I felt sad. Of course e-mail is fast and I love how it moves, but there was something about my mother's handwriting and watching her forehead furrow in concentration as she scrawled out her notes. She's gone now, too.

I recently acquired an iPad. I love my iPad. Almost as much as my husband who gave it to me. And I've found myself reading quite a few books off of it. And I can adjust the word size, so that my aging eyes don't have to work quite so hard. Those words will do what I want, when I want. On demand. No waiting. No store hours to keep track of if I run out of words and want to find more.

And yet...I know that regardless of my new e-reading habits, I'll still buy the hardback when it comes out. So I can hold it in my lap and smell the fresh clean pages. Pages filled with sweat, tears, hard work and nostalgia; for how fast the world is changing and the difficult questions it sometimes poses in the process. In that moment, all the dystopian novels that I love to read come rushing towards me and strike a sensitive nerve about a future day with no physical books. Especially as I found myself typing out notes on my iPad, instead of with my pen and paper. In fact, I was in the doctor's office the other day with my daughter and needed to write something down.

I struggled to find a pen. My daughter responded, "But you're a writer, Mom. You always have a pen." But not that morning. I had to pull out my electronic slate and handy stylus, open up a note app and quickly write down the needed information. Instead of feeling hip and cool, I felt sort of sad. I missed the feel of the pen and the look of my own handwriting on the page. I had worked SO HARD on that handwriting over the years. Not that it did much good. I didn't learn how to type so fast for nothing. But still...

It was kind of surreal; all the changes in my life. Some I like, some I'm still trying to weigh out. I don't want books to disappear off the literal shelves. I don't. I love being able to hand my child a book to read, and watch it be passed around to all their friends when they're done. All the little wrappers, tissues and notes I find tucked inside its pages as bookmarks when they're done. Just beautiful. It's a symbol of their life, their interests, and their love of reading.

Needless to say, we're big fans of technology and the advances it has made. But when it comes to e-books I'm not sure I'm convinced. You see, we still own vinyl records. And pull them out once in a while. Why? They remind me of times that moved a little slower. Quieter. Times that I could sit by the fire and just...be. In the new digital age I feel a push to move ever faster. And smarter. And keep up with the outside world so that I don't get left behind.

And I love books. The physical kind. I love the smell of cracking it open that first time, and the weight of the words in my hands. To hold knowledge at my literal fingertips is such a high (the only one I know btw). It's what I live for. Why I'm in school. And why I love researching topics for my creative writing. And yes, the internet makes THAT part of my writing oh so much fun and move faster. But when it comes time to read, nothing beats holding a book in my hand.

I love electronics. I do! I just hope the heat doesn't melt my unit if I fall asleep too close to the fireplace. :)

What about you? e-books and readers? Paper or plastic? Old or new?

D is for Dair

2011-04-05T07:04:00.000-05:00

Dare...Dair...You get the picture. Really. It's the little one on the right hand side with person in white and the beautiful trees in the background. That's me, not too long ago. Just after I got my braces off.

No, I'm not a teenager, though I had them as a teenager as well. No I didn't use invisible trays to fix them up. I had your standard run of the mill gray. Uncomfortable. Metal. That's what I did to fix them up. Why? Well, the why is obvious. But you're probably wondering "Why now? At your age."

Because I like doing hard things. No, I'm not crazy, I just enjoy living life and I'm not afraid to take risks to get what I want.

It all started back in high school. Well, long before that I'm sure, but that's when I really picked up speed. I didn't intentionally do things just because they were hard (okay, sometimes I did. I hated being told what I could and couldn't do), but thought "What the heck," whenever I hit a roadblock. I guess I figured, what do I have to lose? Besides my pride. But that's a good thing. A little humility sometimes goes a long way, and in the meantime you can discover a few undiscovered talents or interests.

For example: In 10th grade I tried out for the school play. Made call backs, but not finals. Promptly stomped my way out to where the track team was practicing and signed up. My brother followed me two weeks later. And every sibling after that. They were much better runners than I was, or so I thought. My Mom called me a forerunner. A leader. And that many of my siblings would never have taken that step if not for me.

I ran, but not quite fast enough, so when coach said he needed a hurdler I decided, why not. I liked being unique and no one else was signing up. Then he needed a shot putter. And a high jumper. And, "Can you do all three at once?"

Heck! why not?

I went to CIF Prelims for hurdles my senior year.

On top of that I did...

Yearbook Staff.
Area Pageant.
Choir
Debate team
Writing competitions...

Each event pushed me harder than the previous one and challenged my personal fortitude. To not be afraid of failure, or worry about the outcome. Because doing nothing is easy and yet gets you nowhere. Challenging yourself is hard, but reaps the biggest reward.

Like writing. Going back to school while raising a large family. Having a large family. But then, those are my dreams. The things I've dared myself to do. Because I think the outcome is worth it. What about you?

What have you dared yourself to dream? And what are you doing to make it happen?

C is for Children

2011-04-04T06:30:00.000-05:00

And I have A LOT. And I love them all! I always wanted a big family. And not just because I came from one and enjoyed the experience. :)

My children are my greatest inspiration. My joy. My life. My alarm clock...

They are the reason that I write, and they fill my books with fodder. All their jokes, one-liners, teasing, fears, joys...they are the reason that I write. But they are also the things my kids feed to me and keep my topics current. Which helps because I totally write YA (surprise surprise).

I remember what it was like to be a kid. How hard everything was and how little adults understood and respected us...I mean them...I mean...I guess I still have a tender spot when it comes to kids. Probably due to the fact that I never grew up. So to speak. I think teenagers totally rock. Always will. Because with everything they're entrusted with and expected to do, I think they deserve a little more respect. Even the trouble makers? Yes, it is my firm belief that respect itself breeds more respect.

At least that's why the kids in band love me (according to my daughter). Because I don't talk down to them or treat them like lower class citizens. Of course that doesn't mean I put up with their garbage, but I expect the best from adults as well. No double standards in this household, baby. But it also means I know how to play with them and remember what it feels like to be young (even though I've got a few years on them). Soul Caliber? Bring it on. Button mashing to the ultimate extreme! Singing out loud and totally off key? Well, actually I can sing very well...but do so very loudly, so yeah.

Remember what it was like to have the whole world at your finger tips? To shoot for any dream and have it be okay, because there was so much time and so much to learn?

I think some adults have a hard time with kids because they are jealous. The adults. Not the kids. We want to be like them. To start our life over and have a second chance at our dreams;sometimes projecting our fears and destroying those of our children. By trying to live vicariously through them in the name of keeping them from making the same mistakes we did. Well, guess what folks. They'll make them anyway. You did. You lived for your freedom and the right to choose wrong.

I know it's hard when they fail and when they push back hard, but the best success I have seen is when you lead a child. Love a child. Not by forcing a child and thus losing their respect. If you lead by love it'll be a much softer ride. How do I know this? I have children. As well, I have lots of brothers. And a sister. And in my youth my brothers pushed back a time or two. Or three or four.... And the thing they said that brought them back and kept them from making even more mistakes?

Love.

That my parents loved them in spite of it all. And showed them. They felt like they were able to come back...without retribution. Or without it being held over their head. Forever.

So I write for children. Because of course I'm jealous of all the things I wasn't brave enough to do. And that my kids do daily...and DARE me to do. Like go back to school when I'm so much older. And write a book.

So here's to my children. I love you all so much!!!

B is for Blogging...and books...and boys...

2011-04-02T10:07:00.000-05:00

Is that cheating? Wanting to write about more than one thing? How about I combine them all together into one perfect B.

Blogging about books for boys!

I have two perfect sons (on top of five perfect daughters), and they love to read. I sense that's unusual these days, but it's true nonetheless. I'm sure it has something to do with the fact that my husband and I have always been voracious readers, and that early on we were poor, treating the library like our second home. We checked out books, taught each child how to read ourselves (oldest son is now graduating HS with honors and won a four year tuition scholarship to college), but part of it is my sons themselves.

When my oldest was 7 he went to the school library. He had heard about this new book series called Harry Potter and really really wanted to read it. He found book three and took it to the front to check it out. She asked him curiously if he had read the other ones first. He said no, having just heard about the series.

She wouldn't let him check out the book.

Now before anyone has a cow, she knew that he'd be confused by coming into the middle of the series, but he had waited so long to get a taste of these books. Well, suffice it to say he came home terribly upset that the librarian wouldn't let him check out the book he wanted. So we had a talk with our son and told him to go back to the librarian and insist that he should be allowed to read the book. That it wasn't for the librarian to say whether or not he could read a series out of order. Keep in mind that my husband and I hadn't yet heard of the books, so we didn't see what all the fuss was about.Our 7 year old was the first one to enlighten us as to their existence. :) Go son!!!

Well, he put on his brave face (as he recounted to us later) and insisted that the librarian let him borrow the book. And that his parents told him he could. She smiled of course and told him she was only concerned about him getting confused, but of course he could read the book out of order if he wanted to. Uh..huh... While I appreciate her relenting, I thought maybe she shouldn't have barred him in the first place.

Which takes me to my major point today. How does one go about deciding what people should read and when. And what constitutes a book for boys? Let me tell you about my karate chopping, soccer playing, marching banding, testosterone filled sons. They've read Harry Potter. They've read Fablehaven. And Maximum Ride. The oldest is getting through the Wheel of Time. But they've also read Princess Academy by Shannon Hale, and Goose Girl, River of Secrets... with the oldest one reading every book in the house, including: Wings and Spells by Aprilynne Pike, The Gallagher Series by Ally Carter, The Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer...

My point being that I guess you can't rule out boys with "girl-type" books. A good story is a good story, and even a boy can appreciate one told about a girl. Especially seeing as how he lives with so many. :) Maybe that's the key. It's okay for our boys to like books with girl protagonists because it pays homage to his sisters...or something. Sure. Okay. Or maybe they just like good books as much as the girls and the stigma I hear about the "gender" of books doesn't quite hold.

Now, that's not to say that my son isn't more excited about my spy book than my contemporary YA, but both still have girl protagonists, so...

Keep all those great books coming!!!! My sons need something new to read!

Happy Blogging about Books for Boys!!!!

A's are for School. What?

2011-04-01T12:39:00.000-05:00

Yes. That's correct. Or at least A's are what I strive to get in school. (see, I know what I'm talking about) And wholly appropriate seeing as how both are what have kept me from blogging the last little while.

But now I'm back. And no, I'm not done with school. I just realized that I wasn't getting an A in blogging and decided to fix it.

I love the joy I get after hours of hard work pay off and I'm rewarded with the highest grade. It's so validating! And a relief. And yet, there are other things in my life that don't give me a grade.

Such as getting an "A" in motherhood! How does that work? Haven't I already earned that just in the nine months worth of "labor" it took to get them here? Or perhaps it comes from all the late night talks, helping with homework and maybe a walk or two together in the park.

Maybe it's best that they don't pass out grades, because I'm pretty sure some days I would deserve an F. For losing my cool and occasionally my car keys, or lecturing too long when I think that I'm helping. Yes, motherhood is one of the hardest things to be graded on, and it doesn't help that it's done on a curve. You know what I mean. How many children wish their mothers were like someone else's? "Susie's mom bakes home made cookies, and Charlotte's mom buys her whatever she wants!"

Sorry. Sometimes I can be like Susie's mom and I'll leave it to the economy to thank Charlotte's, because personally I don't think she's doing her daughter any favors. But that being said, I SO love being a Mom. And I love the fact that my kids love me being a writer. And a student. And their chauffeur, nurse, banker, chef, tissue, heating pad, jungle gym, chair...and friend. Yes, my children are my best friends, right along with my husband.

And that makes us an A+ family in my book.

A to Z Challenge

2011-04-01T07:24:00.000-05:00

Blogging from A to Z during the month of April.

Wait...Carrie blogs? I thought she only posted book trailers on Tuesdays. Uh...yeah, I know. It's been a busy few months for me. But I promise it's all good and that someday I'll tell you allllllllllllll about it. I promise. But for now...how about we start fresh. Like as in the beginning. You know...the letter A. Here's the challenge from one of the fabulous hosts at Tossing it Out.

"The premise of the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge is to post something on your blog every day in April except for Sundays. In doing this you will have 26 blog posts--one for each letter of the alphabet. Each day you will theme your post according to a letter of the alphabet.

You will only be limited by your own imagination in this challenge. There is an unlimited universe of possibilities. You can post essays, short pieces of fiction, poetry, recipes, travel sketches, or anything else you would like to write about. You don't have to be a writer to do this. You can post photos, including samples of your own art or craftwork. Everyone who blogs can post from A to Z."

So you can click on the picture below or the side picture if you want to participate yourself. And no, this is no April Fool's joke. Honest. :)

Happy Blogging!!!!

Book Review: Kite--by Bill Shears

2011-03-31T10:09:00.000-05:00

What a ride!

And I’m not just talking about the trip this book took to Canada because my husband couldn’t bear to put it down. No…from the beginning I felt like I was personally on the Kite, relaxing with Dash and free from any sort of schedule…and pants.

But really, not many envy the lax dress code and solitary life that Dash Mason enjoys on the Kite, an outer space vessel with enormous butterfly wings designed for sweeping up the errant debris left behind from the construction that took place above Earth long ago. But of course Dash is not alone during his three month stints, surrounded by Casinos, Space Stations, and joy-riding drunks who throw a little too much life into his rounds around Earth. And if not for his wife Janet and her continual upgrades with artificial intelligence, he might actually get some sleep. But Dash plays it all cool, knowing he only has a few more years until he qualifies for early retirement. He just has to stay out of trouble till then. Yeah, right.

Kite is a perfect blend of sci-fi and exploration, investigating the outer realm while looking deep into one’s soul to discover what it means to truly be alive. I was immensely pleased with the jargon and technological references that gave me a sense of newness without pulling me out of the story. And Dash’s favorite AI, Sheila was the perfect tie to all the worlds involved, encouraging rebellious AI’s, friendly would-be terrorists, trigger-happy aliens, and even the brilliant but jealous Janet to work together by the end.

Pants off–I mean hats off to Bill Shears for renewing the joy of exploration, because with our actual space travel beginning to wane, this book gave me a greater sense of hope that perhaps we’re not entirely through. That there’s so much more to discover if we’re simply willing to try. And in doing so, we may just find out what it means to be truly human.

I received a free copy for my review, but it in no way influenced my opinion. To acquire your own copy visit here, and to find out more about Bill Shears and his fabulous imagination you can visit his blog here.

Happy Reading everyone!

____________________

3 Comments

Bill Shears says:

April 2, 2011 at 5:45 pm

Karen,

Thanks so much for the review. I’m glad you, and husband, enjoyed the story.

Here’s a complete short story that’s set in the same science fictional “world” but a different time. Hint: The space casino is new. The Beekeeper.

Enjoy.

Bill S
Deirdra Eden Coppel says:

April 25, 2011 at 1:04 pm

I love that you have me on your sites to visit!!! this is a great blog too!
I decided to award you the Powerful Woman Writer Award.
Go to http://astorybookworld.blogspot.com/p/awards.html and pick up your award.
~Deirdra
- Karen says:
  
  April 25, 2011 at 2:57 pm
  
  Oh Dierdra how lovely!! Thank you so much. You are so talented and I feel so honored!

Tuesday Trailer--My Unfair Godmother by Janette Rallison

2011-03-30T08:32:00.000-05:00

Janette Rallison just posted a brand new trailer to her book My Unfair Godmother, and I just had to pass the word along! Enjoy!!!

And yes, I'm aware it's Wednesday. Maybe you'll forgive me after watching this awesome trailer. :)

Book Review: StarScout Rising: First Trail by Gary Darby

2011-03-24T10:06:00.000-05:00

About the book: From the last frontier, Space. A must-have, out of this world adventure! Star Scout Rising, First Trail by Gary Darby is a thoughtful, awe-inspiring, and spine-tingling Sci-Fi mystery that follows a young man named Del Baldura during his quest for knowledge, truth, and discovery in the distant future of human and alien kind. This story has it all superb background, surprises, mystery, love, futuristic technological possibilities, bizarre life forms, and a hero trying to make sense of his duty and loyalty, his current leadership responsibilities, and his search for truth about part of his and his family’s history.

Young Del Baldura is a Junior Scout in the Confederation training program, and with “scouts” of my own the idea behind this book immediately grabbed my interest. As I read, I was intrigued by its clever blending of nature, sci-fi and touch of romance. Plus I love heroes who have a worthy goal. Del’s determination to become a Star Scout makes him a compelling character as he deals with gruesome creatures along with some very dangerous secrets. His abilities were both realistic and heroic, offering an endearing character for the reader to invest their emotions in.

Del’s exchanges with other would-be scouters are often quite hilarious, although the general narration made for a somewhat difficult read. Del’s futuristic world includes a vast amount of new vocabulary and military jargon, equal to the hidden agendas and exciting, but dangerous adventures. Volume One succeeded in posing and answering a plethora of questions, while leaving plenty more for the next installment.

You can pick up a copy of the book here, or download to your kindle here. And to learn more about Gary Darby and his upcoming books, check out his wonderful blog here.
Happy Reading!

*I received a free copy for my review but in no way did it influence my opinion.

********************

1 Comment

Gary Darby says:

March 30, 2011 at 11:34 pm

Karen, many thanks for taking time to read and review my first novel. I am learning so much on how to be a better writer/author from insightful comments such as yours – especially as I put the finishing touches to volume two of the series. Again, many thanks and best wishes -

Gary Darby

Trailer Tuesday--Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters

2011-03-22T08:46:00.000-05:00

Seeing as how I'm working on an old story adaptation of my own, I thought this book trailer was highly appropriate to share today. Enjoy!

Casting Decisions: Should fans have a say?

2011-03-17T10:43:00.000-05:00

With the recent casting news hitting the internet, I've seen a lot of debate over the choices Hollywood makes when adapting a book to movie.

Fans of the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins have been eagerly awaiting the announcement of the protagonist Katniss Everdeen, and today they're facing excitement or disappointment at the news. Many are excited that Jennifer Lawrence has been chosen to play the strong, vibrant protagonist, while others complain that she's all wrong. Jennifer has blond hair, not brown. Blue eyes, not gray. And the 20 year old clearly gives Hollywood an advantage in filming, but results in a much more mature looking 16 year old.

Time and again we've seen Hollywood adapt books to movies in their own way, going for talent and name versus "true to the book" and perhaps a new face. But what is "true" when it comes to book adaptations?

I've often thought that no movie could possibly cast someone that can meet everyone's expectations, because we all picture our hero or heroine in our own way. The protagonist's actions as well as their looks create the image we have and feel for them, making it difficult for the reader to relate when someone else tries to paint their own picture.

But here's a question? With book readers making up a large portion of the movie-going fanbase (my own thoughts-mind you), would it be wise to take a poll ahead of time to ask fans what they think the most important thing is to readers when casting someone? Or is there no good solution, and readers should just accept the fact that the movie is just one person's viewpoint of the book and enjoy it for what it is?

Thoughts? Suggestions? Rants? :)

As for me...I can't wait to find out who is playing her two male counterparts. Mmmmmm.

Trailer Tuesday--Street Racer by Dee White

2011-03-15T10:00:00.000-05:00

Since I'm such such a fan of contemporary fiction, I found today's trailer particularly intriguing and full of tension.

Trailer Tuesday-WAKE

2011-02-22T07:00:00.000-06:00

Trailer Tuesday--Matched

2011-02-08T07:00:00.000-06:00

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, yes. A match made in heaven. I have this hot little book in my hands and won't be parting with it until I'm done. Unless the Society tries to stop me that is...

Trailer Tuesday--FOUND

2011-02-01T06:43:00.000-06:00

Could you too be one of the found? Watch, Read and See...

The importance of backing things up.

2011-01-31T08:14:00.000-06:00

Back things up. Seriously. And I'm not talking about computers crashing or losing your drafts. No, I'm talking about losing your characters. No, not the letters, or words, although they do contain the necessary information.

No, somewhere down the line you're going to realize that those raw feelings you initially had towards your main characters got lost. Tainted by later edits when you got worried about them looking stupid, afraid, or downright ugly. So save them. Save them ALL.

I'm facing edits right now that have me jumping back to some VERY early drafts (which I'm SO glad I kept). Strange how I would edit my heart out and then find myself back at square one again. But it's real. Because the writing and feelings were real. Fear. Angst. And characterization that hadn't been beautified by my later impression of who they became or how they'd been changed. The dialogue and wording are improved of course, but the raw emotions came from the first draft.

I need those. So I need my back ups.

Trailer Tuesday--Scott Westerfeld Fest!

2011-01-25T20:14:00.000-06:00

Leviathan!! A steampunk novel the whole family can sink their teeth into. Or at least one that MY family has. Or was it the book that sunk its teeth into them. Hmmmmm...

Trailer Tuesday--Mark of Royalty

2011-01-18T07:17:00.000-06:00

Absolutely wonderful video trailer. Can't wait to get my hands on the book itself. Is it February yet?

Destruction 101

2011-01-17T12:34:00.000-06:00

So the past few days have been fun for me, comparing childhood mishaps with friends and the subsequent damage to our parents' furniture and personal body parts. Ours, not theirs. Body parts that is. Well, except for maybe their hearts. I'm pretty sure my parents weren't too thrilled with me when I put a kickball through my bedroom window, or used the long hallway to go bowling in--taking out part of said hallway.

But alas, I was a kid and that was my job. And I was VERY good at it. Not as good as my brothers (who ripped my parent's carpet into two during a wrestling match), but good enough. I even broke a few bones to keep my ranking up. Or down. Or--whatever. You get the idea.

And that got me to thinking. Surely we're not the only ones who have stories to tell. Windows to fix. Light fixtures to pay for (that was my brother's fault, I swear).

So let's hear it. Because this is the stuff great stories are made of (and fodder for novels)! What have YOU done (that you're willing to admit to). And remember to keep it clean, cause honestly we've already dealt with the messes once, folks. Let's not add to it shall we?

Trailer Tuesday--Spells by Aprilynne Pike

2011-01-11T08:44:00.000-06:00

The second book in the Wings saga, about a beautiful young faerie named Laurel who must use her new found knowledge to try and save the ones she loves...before it's too late. Enjoy!

Million dollar idea

2011-01-09T19:48:00.000-06:00

No. I don't actually HAVE an idea that will make you a million dollars. Well, aside of recreating the wheel, inventing specialty ice cream, i-something, or writing the book of all books. :) (Which is MY plan.)

The million dollar idea was what happened around our dinner table tonight, in which each person at our table took turns telling the others what they'd do with a million dollars. And then couldn't help but make suggestions about what others should buy.

Hilarious. Seriously. I haven't laughed so hard in well...since the last dinnertime discussion. I really love my family. Especially when the conversation digresses to the point that one teenager threatens to go "shopping for dinner" on another's ranch (which by this point has been placed next to his mansion) and shoot her livestock if it keeps him up all night. O.o

5 yr old wanted Dad to buy a yellow car for himself, while she would buy everything that was slapped with a Barbie label, looked like a Barbie, or in any way was related to the doll she's currently obsessed with. The yellow car got vetoed in favor of a Bugatti. :)

Other ideas were: Visit Japan, buy a lifetime supply of Pocky, pay off the house, pay for college, buy some sheep, buy a house and a kitty (and stuff for the kitty), a mansion (came from multiple children)...

So I guess all I need to do is sell the awesomely wonderful, perfectly touching, radical beast of a book I've written, so I can buy.... :)

How about you tell me what you would buy if you got a million dollars?

The 20 minute sprint

2011-01-06T10:21:00.000-06:00

I’m a runner.

Though you wouldn’t know it from the number of miles I’ve actually run in the last…um…year or so? But we won’t go there. Oh man, let’s just not go there.

But I ran a lot in high school and it’s still my favorite form of exercise. I was a mid-distance runner then, though I’d been roped into running sprints as well as distance on occasion. Usually when Coach needed someone to fill a spot. Which is how I probably ended up doing hurdles as well. I don’t remember. All I know is that out of everything I ran and placed in…the hurdles were my best event.

But it’s a killer on the knees.

Well, today I found myself facing innumerable hurdles and subsequently thought about my poor aching knees. My house needed some work. Badly. Especially considering the serious neglect it had suffered over the last four months. On top of that was all the Christmas decorations I’d been trying to put away–though it was really nice to have them out for an entire month. Then there was the laundry, the kitchen, the shopping, the laundry, the school papers I needed to throw out (the kids, not mine…well, yeah. Mine too.) and did I mention the laundry? Multiple times? Well, I have multiple children, so…. Anyway, there was lots to do. And one major problem.

I was tired.

And there’s something awful that happens when you’re running and tired. You fall down. A lot. And when you’re running hurdles and you trip? Well, let’s just say I still carry around the battle scars from such a thing happening to me. Multiple times.

So don’t mind me if I’m a little hesitant to start jumping over hurdles again. Give me a sprint. Nice and sweet. I don’t even care if I come in last. I just want to get it over with quick. And that’s when the light went off. Or on. Or whatever it is the lightbulb does when you get a great idea.

Today I’ll sprint. 20 minutes. Each room. That’s it.

When the timer goes off I’m done. Because folks, there’s another race to be run and if you don’t get out of the way…well, it can get kind of ugly. Just like my mood when I spend all day in a room and STILL don’t feel like I’ve gotten anything done. And then I look around at the rest of the house and realize I’ve made no progress there either. Makes one not too enthused about running another race.

So I set the timer and attacked the kitchen first. Well, attacked is the wrong word, because I tend to break dishes when I get in a hurry. But I knew that the timer was going to go off so I found myself working a little faster than normal. And enjoyed it, because I knew that in 20 minutes I’d be done. One way or another. And after twenty minutes the timer indeed went off. And I wasn’t done. And I didn’t care.

Next room. Another timer. This time I tackled the Christmas Houses, figurines, and all that wonderful stringy fake snow that I added for ambiance. Well, that ambiance cost me a few extra minutes in my attempts to detangle it from the figurines, but my kids loved it so…. And I was putting the last few figurines into their papers when…

Beep. Beep. Beep.

No. Way. I was so close. No way was I giving up now. I needed to keep…

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Grrrr. I kept working during that annoying timer on the oven, which pressed me to move faster so I could go turn it off. But I wasn’t going to turn it off until I finished wrapping the last–DONE! I ran into the kitchen and reset the timer for the next room.

See, that’s the beauty of a time limit for me. Don’t know why I haven’t put it to good use before now. I mean, hey I’ve used it on my kids before so why not with myself? Because when I know someone’s coming over to my house I can clean it lickity split. But when there’s no pressure? Well, I just kind of…don’t care. I moved back into the kitchen feeling refreshed from my break in there and almost started humming as I finished the rest of the dishes. The timer went off about a minute later and I moved onto laundry, finding myself oddly at peace.

Now I’m taking a break. Because folks, you can only sprint for so long before you have to stop and get a drink. Or use the restroom. Or blog about the wonderful time you’ve had sprinting. And I can see by the clock that my 20 minutes are up. So you know what that means…

_______________________________

6 Comments

Wendy Jones says:

January 7, 2011 at 10:09 am

Interesting thought about when there’s no pressure. I think that’s part of my problem . . .

Thanks for sharing your insights!
annie says:

January 7, 2011 at 10:36 am

This idea is a winner!
Tamra Doughty says:

January 7, 2011 at 6:39 pm

Hey Karen…thanks for your thoughts. So needed for me right now. Miss you!
Shelli says:

January 9, 2011 at 1:07 pm

Sounds like FlyLady! (FlyLady.net) I’ve followed her for years. It’s how I plan to make it through my upcoming move. Great plan, and I love that picture, by the way! Maybe I can borrow some of that determination.
Shari says:

January 10, 2011 at 3:03 pm

I LOVE this idea. My house has been looking pretty bad, too. I love that you are a runner and a writer. Me too! Have a great sprinting day.
shannon hale says:

January 13, 2011 at 2:17 pm

YOU are the queen of Sugar Land, Texas.

Happy New Year!

2011-01-03T10:03:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year everyone!

2010 was full of a lot of ups and downs in my life, and in retrospect I discovered that THAT was a very good thing indeed.

If things stayed the same all the time, we’d never learn. Never grow. Never realize what we were meant to do. Of course that doesn’t mean it’s not painful; and that I’d just assume never learn some things if it meant enduring the kind of torture I’ve gone through this year. But how on earth do I know what I want and don’t want before it happens?

Thank goodness there’s a higher power at work that does know what I need. AND want.

I wanted to make a list of all the plus and minuses of this past year before I realized that I’d probably end up putting everything on both lists anyway, so here’s my year in a nutshell.

January–started a new budget with the enthusiasm and anticipation of a fiscially fantastic year. Then promptly broke the budget by buying two plane tickets to my parents missionary farewell. A good expenditure if I do say so myself. Especially considering February.

February–My Mom and Dad entered the MTC. Two days later she got sick. A week later she was gone. Another set of plane tickets, funeral flowers, and no interest in fiscal responsibility whatsoever. BUT…I had a great support group having just joined American Night Writer’s Association the week before her death. My new literary group turned into a support group like no other. My struggle to write was quickly swept away with my first chapter meeting and helped me pick up momentum faster than I would have expected. They wouldn’t let me fall!

March–My struggle to move forward was met with fasting and prayer; And a decision to go back to school. I had taken a few months off after working on my associates degree (something my mother had encouraged me to finish and celebrated with me but a few months before–love you Mom!), and I felt the desire to take some time off and try and get published. The Lord had other ideas. He knew I wanted to finish my degree someday and that it would be especially hard if I got caught up in the world of publishing at the same time. Plus, the instruction via classes would give me further insight through more varied reading.

Then my daughter got sick. I waited for my admissions to be finalized while sitting in a hospital room with my laptop. I felt hopeless. Lost. That no matter how much I pushed forward, there would likewise be a setback. Then my daughter got better and the Lord reminded me who is really in control. That he doesn’t just take. He heals.

April–I spent a blissful April relishing in my acceptance to the University of Houston and making hard decisions about which foreign language to pursue. I grew up studying three different languages, but wasn’t fluent enough in any one of them to test out of it. I’d be starting from scratch.

May and June went by in kind of a blur. With no ill memories to pull up I’m going to say those were pretty good months. Lots of writing and thinking about my mom I’m sure.

July–My family stopped calling me Karen. Actually they just gave me a pen name for my YA writing. I love it!

August–December was a time of beauty and chaos. I started back to school and in a few months learned more about organization than I have the whole 20 years I’ve been married. November I was admitted to the Creative Writing Concentration and offered a writing opportunity for an auto magazine. By December I had succeeded in my personal and educational goals, but not without a few tears and a lot of prayer. Even having two car accidents in two weeks made me realize a few things about myself. No, I wasn’t a bad driver–neither one was my fault. No, it wasn’t time to get rid of the truck. I LOVE that truck. Two accidents and damage only to the bumper both times? Woo hoo! I’m keeping it!

What I learned was that no matter how much we delude ourselves into thinking we’re in control…we’re not. Even when we’re organized and are pursuing matters around us, we are NOT in control. Any one person’s actions could affect us at any given moment and we need to learn how to roll with the changes. Given the year I had undergone this was a profoundly important principle for me to learn. Yes, I could organize. Yes, I could plan and carry out. But to think that I had “control” over any given situation was unrealistic.

I gained a lot of personal freedom as a result and a lot more confidence. To the point that I’ve decided to close out the craft business my girls and I started a few years back. Instead of trying to mass produce our products for sale, we’re going to give them away.

WHAT?

You heard me. We’re going to be running a series of contests over this next year and sharing what we’ve designed with all of you. Cause…you deserve it!!!! We love having you as part of our lives! Now I just need to come up with a good contest to start this venture off right….

Any suggestions?

*****************************

1 Comment

Liz Adair says:

January 3, 2011 at 5:37 pm

Happy New Year, Karen. You had quite a year in 2010.

Happy New Year! and welcome to The Most Epic Wish Ever!

2011-01-01T13:11:00.000-06:00

My daughter has this thing whenever the time does a repetitive number thing. If it's 3:33, she makes a wish. If it's 4:44 she makes another wish. I know her well enough to know that it's one of two wishes every time, and that consistency is oddly reassuring to me.

She has hope. She has fun. And so I figure it's "time" I had a little of that myself. :)

It's 1:11 on 1-1-11. And I'm making a wish.

Okay, done.

Guess what I wished for?

Trailer Tuesday--My Fair Godmother

2010-11-23T07:24:00.000-06:00

Oh my, yes!

My first interview!

2010-11-17T10:03:00.000-06:00

Yes, that’s right.

And what a fun interview it was. Head over to Sarah M. Eden’s site on Friday and check it out. Then stick around to see all the other wonderful things about Sarah.

Trailer Tuesday--Kissed by an Angel

2010-11-16T07:27:00.000-06:00

Defining success

2010-11-15T10:01:00.000-06:00

According to Dictionary dot com:

suc·cess

/səkˈsɛs/ [suhk-ses]

–noun

1. the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors.

For example: My daughter’s 16th birthday party was a big success.

2. the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like.

For example: I succeeded in being admitted to the creative writing concentration at my college.

3. a successful performance or achievement: The play was an instant success.

For example: My attempts at DDR Max at my 16 year old birthday party was not a success; however, being cheered on by a roomful of teenagers was.

4. a person or thing that is successful.

For example: My son was a big success at DDR Max (and did not rub it in his mother’s face).

5. Outcome.

For example: You’re reading number five so I succeeded in holding your interest till the end of this post. Thanks for playing along.

So, what successes have YOU celebrated this week?

*************************

1 Comment

Shelli says:

November 17, 2010 at 11:39 pm

Cute! I like to remind my husband to celebrate the little successes and not wait for the big ones. Sounds like a fun evening for all!

Validation

2010-11-13T12:48:00.000-06:00

This last week was a trying one for me, and yet through it all I had immense support and help from writing friends, family, and even a professor or two. It's amazing the power people have to uplift one another. That's why I spend so much time on Twitter, connect with buddies during NaNoWriMo and love commenting on people's blogs. Not only do I get to let them know how much I appreciate them, but I get the chance to share my own thoughts and remind myself just how good life is and how many experiences I've had.

I was insanely optimistic as a child. I mean, so much so that people would sometimes get mad at me. They'd ask me why I was so happy all the time, but I couldn't really explain it. Only that I was. Each day in life was filled with new opportunities, and each day was one that I could let go of what happened in the previous one.

I remember when I first entered the writing world seriously and how disillusioned I was. I thought writers were in competition with each other, because of course each one wants you to buy THEIR book. I kept surmising how incredible it was that they were so supportive of one another; going so far as to encourage the purchasing of one another's books.

I thought, "Wow. I guess that's one way to do it. Encourage people to buy someone's book and in return they'll plug yours." It's important to keep in mind that while I was having this skewed sense of the publishing world I had been going through a difficult time of life. One in which I was working out through my writing. I was down. A little disheartened by life, and had lost a bit of that smile I was so admired for in my youth.

Writing brought me great joy, but the lessons I learned from others brought me even more. I got to know other writers, joined groups, and found a world of immense validation and understanding. People weren't plugging one another's books just for sales or out of expectation. It's because they each loved writing and loved EACH OTHER.

No way.

It was like awesomeness in it's most...well, awesome form. I found courage I didn't know I had, and met fantastic people with a true understanding of what writing is and what it can do. That we're not in competition with each other, only with ourselves. Like I said....awesome. What a great opportunity for writers to use the power of their words to offer support for one another!

Just last week I was recording a passage in Spanish and when I was through my husband commented, "Wow. You're really good." I thought I was going to float away. He'd only heard me speak Spanish in little snippets before, but for some reason this longer segment allowed both of us to see how far I had come in the language. I felt rejuvenated. Alive. I wanted to learn even more. Study even harder. Write a book in Spanish!!! I felt like I could take on the world.

All because he offered a word of love and encouragement. Which begs the question: Have you ever helped someone take on the world? Given them hope? How do YOU do it in the writing world?

I posted a youtube video a friend recently sent me, showing the power of our words. As writers we know how important this is, and if you not convinced...take 17 minutes to find out. You won't be sorry. :)

Trailer Tuesday--Uglies

2010-11-09T06:00:00.000-06:00

Fantastic and adventurous series! A must read for anyone stuggling with who they are.

Trailer Tuesday--Nanowrimo for the win!!!!

2010-11-02T06:00:00.000-05:00

Trailer Tuesday--The Graveyard Book

2010-10-26T15:36:00.000-05:00

Since it's nearly Halloween, I thought a book trailer about a graveyard seemed in order. :) Enjoy!

Sonnets--Not just for Shakespeare anymore

2010-10-21T16:14:00.000-05:00

So I decided to write a Sonnet this week. Well, it was for an assignment, and one that I took on with very little enthusiasm. That is, until I found my muse.

I don't know who Shakespeare was writing to, because without a muse there is no way he could have written such beautiful poetry and expressed such impassioned sentiments. If he didn't write them for someone specific then I can't wait to take a class on him in the Spring and find out how he did it. Really.

Meanwhile I found my muse. Guess who it is? Yup...my husband.

After 20 years of marriage I'm even more in love with the guy, so it was no problem to write one if he was my intended audience. That being said, I think EVERYONE deserves to have a sonnet written about them. Or at least recited to them. You'd be surprised at the results.

For example, about a year ago my husband came home from work and took me by the hand, reciting the most beautiful sonnet I think Shakespeare ever wrote. And that's not just because it's our favorite. It was the fact that my husband had memorized it that day, wanting to have something to share with me when he got home from work. Something that told me he was thinking about me and wanted to do something to express his love.

This is coming from someone who has done numerous things over the years, including filling our entire house with flowers so that no matter what room I went into...there were flowers. My kids still talk about that day.

But alas, the other night I was sitting in our room and pondering over my assignment, wondering how on earth I would compose something just as beautiful. I shared my concern with my husband who was stretched out on the bed reading a book and listened to him chuckle at my dilemma. "It doesn't have to be Shakespeare, hon. In fact, why don't you make it funny?"

"No way. Sonnets are not supposed to be funny."

"Then write one for me."

I looked at his long legs and crooked smile, and instantly began composing. Oh my goodness. After 20 years I discovered that I can still make my husband blush and have begun to wonder if I've picked the wrong genre to dabble in. :) I turned in my sonnet with the hope that my professor has a strong constitution.

So what about you? Ever written a sonnet? Would you like to? If not, do you at least have a favorite?

Trailer Tuesday--The Host

2010-10-19T14:20:00.000-05:00

So The Host has been out for a while. Long enough to be released in paperback AND have all the yummy talk surrounding a full length movie. Yes! But for those that haven't been exposed, here's a little taste of what you can expect from the book...and perhaps from the movie? So exited to get all the Host I can get. Love. Love. Love.

Trailer Tuesday--The Scorch Trials

2010-10-12T07:30:00.000-05:00

It's here! It's here! James Dashner has done it again! First The Maze Runner...now The Scorch Trials. Can't wait to dive in!!!

Halloween, Muppets, and Laughter

2010-10-09T17:11:00.000-05:00

I grew up with The Muppet Show. It was the best mix of popular artists, corny jokes, and good clean entertainment for kids. Entertainment my own kids have recently discovered. Here is my 17 year old's favorite one (maybe because it involves a bazooka at the end?) It also happens to coincide with the Fall season. Personally the Chef is one of my favorites (along with Beaker). Is that where I got some of my daring ideas from? Enjoy!

Trailer Tuesday--The Heros of Olympus

2010-10-08T12:13:00.000-05:00

Yes, I know it's Friday, but it's been one of those weeks. Still...I couldn't let this one slip past y'all. :) I read the first two chapters that Disney released online and I immediately wished it was October 12th!!! You can read the official two chapters here and watch the book trailer here. Enjoy!!!!

Lost and Found

2010-10-02T09:03:00.000-05:00

Did you miss me? I did. That is to say I've been a little bogged down in roles this last month. Mother. Wife. Writer. Student. I feel like such a mix of people sometimes I have a hard time keeping track of who I am.

Of course, I'm all things wrapped into one...and sometimes I just have to take turns at which one I focus on. It's been a struggle...especially seeing as how motherhood always takes a front row seat. Yes, my husband is a huge help in being the other parental authority and my kids are a big support when it comes to the house (especially since they're the ones messing it up). And yes, my blog's a little wanting, though you have to admit the book trailers rock! :)

But I keep reminding myself that it's all worth it. That juggling multiple roles in life is real. It's the stuff books are made of. Conflict. Characters. Resolution. I AM my own novel in action...and by golly it's going to have a happy ending! even though right now I'm in the conflict stage.

It was during a particularly down moment yesterday that I found myself on Twitter. Folks, that place can be a time stealer, but it can also be a place for support...relief...answers. A simple tweet among hundreds popped up while I was on, and I found my way to the blog Women on Writing. (Thank you Elizabeth for getting me there!)

The topic was geared to writers, but for me it was so much more. I saw what the author was saying and realized that it also applied to my life as a Mom, student and wife...not just as a writer. And I found new hope. "Make a list," she said. A pros and cons list. All the reasons for doing something, and then all the reasons to give it up. Wow. I mean, you wouldn't think a list like that could help, but I'm here to tell you it did. Just THINKING about making a list was enough to remind me of who I am. What I was doing. And that it would ALL be worth it in the end. ALL of it. So what that I'm busy. I'm doing things that will bring me immense joy in the end. And possibly others.

In fact, I had someone in class the other day tell me that they appreciated one of my poems because they truly felt my grief and she could understand what I was going through (in the poem). I spent last night cuddled up next to my husband and children during a movie, and it didn't matter at all that I had homework to do. Today I'll be studying hard, but the house is already clean so there's actually time. Really. There's time for it all, folks. Maybe not all at once, and maybe it means being patient with all my writing goals, but it's worth it. WORTH IT!

Do you feel it? Do you know it for yourself? I challenge you to find out and see what a difference it makes in your life. In your writing. And who knows...maybe what you learn will be shared on Twitter one day and change someone else's life. You never know.

That is, unless you dair to find out. :) Good luck!

Trailer Tuesday--Give up the Ghost

2010-09-28T07:42:00.000-05:00

Trailer Tuesday--39 Clues

2010-09-21T14:57:00.000-05:00

THESE BOOKS ARE AWESOME! Just in case you were wondering...

Eight Questions

2010-09-16T14:14:00.000-05:00

So, yeah...I’ve been tagged in a game that goes like this, I answer a series of questions with entertaining comments. Then I tag others who do the same on their blogs. Warning: these answers will probably tell you more than you wanted to know about me. Or everything you did in which case I can't be held personally responsible for. You've been warned.

Still reading? Okay then. Enjoy. :)

1. If you could have any superpower, what would you have? Why?

The need for no sleep. Maybe then I could stay caught up on everything.

2. Who is your style icon?

The 80's. My husband and kids are still trying to find a cure.

3. What is your favorite quote?

"Whatever you are, be a good one."

4. What is the best compliment you’ve ever received?

"Wow...you treat your children like you would an adult. Like...with respect."

5. What playlist/cd is in your CD player/iPod right now?

I have a 64 gig ipod that's almost full....but the playlist I left off on was Contemporary English: Magical Realism lectures. (Bruno Mars helps keep me sane in between lectures though)

6. Are you a night owl or a morning person?

I'm a writer AND a mom. So I'm a morning, daytime and night time person. But mornings are definitely my most creative times to write.

7. Do you prefer dogs or cats?

Uh....if I need to actually answer this one, then you're not viewing these answers on my blog. :)

8. What is the meaning behind your blog name

I was always a sucker for a dare and....yeah I haven't changed much. Although I tend to be a little smarter about which ones I accept these days. :)

I tag Tamara, Roni Griffin, and A. Grey. Looking forward to the juicy gossip...I mean hearing more about these great writers!

Have to versus Want to

2010-09-16T08:01:00.000-05:00

I have three literature classes this fall. On top of beginning spanish and my creative writing course. So after the first week of school when one of my teachers went on medical leave I had mixed feelings. One less course meant a little less stress, but it also meant taking the course during another semester.

Fortunately they found a quick replacement for her to continue the class. Unfortunately with the new teacher came a new syllabus. And a new set of books.

I was just beginning to like the old (week old that is) ones, having already begun working my way through them. Not my normal reading either mind you, (which of course is the beauty of taking such classes...teaching you to appreciate books you wouldn't normally pick up) and alas I found myself in a bit of a quandry.

Return all my books we weren't using or keep them and continue reading the one I was currently on and enjoying. It didn't help knowing that my husband used to read such books like Don Quixote and Count of Monte Cristo for FUN growing up. As well, he was a science nerd (his words not mine--and by the way...they make a lot of money when they grow up), so not the usual past time one would expect. But he and I were made from a similar mold there. We developed a love for reading early.

So I had a choice. Keep the book I was enjoying, or return it and borrow a different copy from the library or used book store just to see how it ends (keep in mind some of these books are rather expensive in the first place). I chose to return it. Because of course I had a whole new list of books to purchase.

Of course I did this after I did a mad fast read through it to the end so I could get a sense of closure for the character I was so worried about. I miss not being able to take my time though.

What about you? Would you or have you continue(d) to read a book the teacher assigned and then didn't require you to finish? What kind of book was it? Was it worth it?

Trailer Tuesday--Only the Good Spy Young

2010-09-14T07:39:00.000-05:00

Because I'm a big Ally Carter fan. :)

Cookies and Writing

2010-09-10T18:43:00.000-05:00

Are you ready for a mouth watering post? I am, and I've only written about ten words so far. Just thinking about cookies will do that to a person though.

So I've been thinking a lot about writing lately. (When am I not.) The components, voice and construction of taking a tantalizing thought and turning it into something I can hold in my hands; almost taste, it's so sweet and satisfying. Just like cookies.

So here's my recipe for writing...I mean making cookies...I mean...well, okay here we go. (And yes, the picture is of a real batch of cookies made in this very house. D2 made them. I taught her how. Just like I'm doing with her very own book.)

Desire

This is the beginning. I want a cookie. I want it bad. Bad enough to make it myself because the store is too far away and mine will taste better than someone else's anyway. Or at least different. And different is good.

So what kind will I make? aka Genre

There is a vast variety to choose from, with some people choosing to enjoy only one type to exclusion of all others. Others find themselves sampling a vast variety, sometimes one on top of the other. :o) What I choose to write is going to appeal to some, but maybe not all. Maybe nobody but myself. And that's okay, too.

Ingredients vs Components

The ingredients for a cookie differ as widely as the content of one's novel, but there's a few basics you need to have for each one. Beginning. Middle. End. Flour. Eggs. Salt. Or is it chocolate, oatmeal and butter? Anyway, for fantasy you need something uh...fantastical. A Myth, a beast or two, or something other worldly that makes you rethink the realm you currently live in. And then makes you want to hide. Or embrace it. Or whatever. Romance? That's chocolate all the way baby. If it's got lots of chocolate it's a romance. If it's a new type of cookie it might take people a while to delve in. But when they do and enjoy it? They'll rave endlessly and you'll have more people wanting a sample than you know what to do with!

Construction versus Style

My mom made cookies by hand. I use a mixer. Our cookies each came out a little different, yet people still enjoyed them equally as well. If you asked two people to write about the exact same topic and even gave them a recipe (plot, characters, timeline), their cookies would not come out the same. That's called style. Each person has their own, and it changes the dynamics of a story big time! Some like the cake-like texture of my mom's version. Others love the creamier, softer stuff made by my electric mixer. I've even noticed that they TASTE different when they're done. Weird. But true. Sometimes style makes all the difference in the world.

Time

My chocolate chip cookies bake at 375 degrees for 11 minutes (on the nose). The sugar cookies bake at 400 for 8 minutes. The drop cookies don't even require an oven! Of course if my husband is baking the cookies he might leave them in a little longer depending on how how crispy he wants them to be (as in, "I want some dunking cookies tonight.") Talk about too many hands in the cookie pot. But alas, this too is like writing and is not all bad. Agents, editors and publishers will also want a say in the book's final product, so of course the time it's going to take a lot of work and patience to get a book from start to finish.

Finished product

Worth it. Enough said

Guess my Poem

2010-09-08T10:00:00.000-05:00

I haven’t written poetry since high school. Don’t know why. Because as I find myself studying it for a class I can’t help but find myself enjoying it once again. Like today.

The object was to take an abstract word and write about it…without giving away the title. I even tried free verse (not my normal style), but alas my heart wanted rhythm and rhyme. So how did I do? Can anyone guess what I wrote about? It’s okay if you don’t…especially if the poem makes you think of something else in your life and gain an appreciation for it.

So without further ado I offer you up my latest assignment:

[??????] by Karen Adair

The floor meets my knees with my hands folded tight, praising God for the day and to have survived through the night.

Warm bodies asleep, and a soft hum in the air, I lift my eyes towards heaven and know that she’s there.

The washer is broke, but it can be fixed. And the dryer still works—a measure of bliss. The children are fighting, but at least they are mine, their voices so sweet the rest of the time.

Cards and flowers, friends so dear; all but one and that’s why they’re here. Music and singing—a peaceful recount—of childhood memories all tuckered out.

They lowered the casket with my mom’s body inside, but I still have my Dad who will stay by my side.

So on bended knee I sing praises above, for her life and mine and the trials of love.

Life, family, faith and time. Time with my mother. Moments divine. Time to grow up and time to live. Time to die and rest from my sins.

I rise for the day and praise God for the night; that without I knew I could not see the light.

*********

5 Comments

Shelli says:

September 9, 2010 at 7:04 pm

Consolation.
Valerie Ipson says:

September 10, 2010 at 10:24 am

Gratitude. Tender Mercies. Hope. Any of those?
- Karen Adair says:
  
  September 10, 2010 at 1:09 pm
  
  HURRAH!!! Valerie guessed it. It was your first one Valerie. I was reflecting on gratitude and noticed how often we express it for all our blessings, but then how those blessings are sometimes disguised as trials. As well, that I should express gratitude at the little things the Lord has blessed me with, instead of always dwelling on what I don’t have. A lot of this realization came of course with the death of my mom, so this was a rather difficult word to tackle. It was interesting though that Shelli first thought of consolation, because when we have difficult trials, sometimes all we can do is feel a small measure of peace…which inevitably grows to gratitude with love and maturity. Thanks for reading it everyone!!!
Gloria Bonnell says:

September 10, 2010 at 11:02 am

How about “On Bended Knee” or “Love Testimony?”
Valerie Ipson says:

September 10, 2010 at 2:17 pm

Sweet!

A little light bulb went off when you said in your comment that many of our blessings are disguised as trials. It always bugged me a bit when people would express thanks for their trials, that just seemed to go against the grain for me. But the reality is, like you said, trials bring forth blessings and we are so grateful for them. Thanks for sharing your poem!

Trailer Tuesday--Paranormalcy

2010-09-07T20:21:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday to me

2010-09-05T06:57:00.000-05:00

Just sayin' :)

Good News!

2010-09-04T09:57:00.000-05:00

No, I’m not getting published…yet. But I thought another tidbit of good news wouldn’t hurt to share.

After years and years of trouble with my teeth, I’m in the final two months of braces. Yeah! They even took off some of them yesterday to help the process along. It was like heaven. I even got to floss without the wires on and let me tell you…NEVER underestimate the value of something so simple. Seriously.

I also met with my college advisor and she told me that my Senior Honor’s thesis could be whatever I wanted. Even something I had already written. So my senior year just got a whole lot easier because I already have my book finished. And here the mentor’s job will be to help me polish it. Perfect. So the reason I wanted to share this good news is to emphasis the Lord’s hand in our lives. Even when we don’t realize it.

I had always wanted to finish school, and the night we got engaged my husband promised to make it happen. For the last seven years (of the twenty we’ve been married) I’ve been working on my associates degree (which I finished last summer) and then took a break to work on my book, including the arduous task of getting an agent. I quit trying when my Mom died and even wondered if I’d ever write again, go to school or do anything besides sleep and cry. This was all at the same time I joined ANWA. Not a coincidence I am sure.

My husband’s aunt (Liz—I love you) had spent many a family reunion talking to me about writing (which she knew I loved) and about ANWA. Well, the day before my mom took ill I had a moment of inspiration to contact Liz and ask her about ANWA. I thought this would somehow be connected to my desire to get published and that Heavenly Father was helping me. Turns out he was going to use ANWA for that purpose, but to also help me cope with her eventual death.

The ANWA sisters were full of prayers and hope and support…without any but one even having ever met me before. The chapter meetings gave me a reason to show up during my grieving and I slowly began to write again. My decision to go back to school was another message/answer from Heavenly Father. I wondered though if my time spent writing was for nothing now considering I had worked for so long on my book. Because school would force me to let it sit a whie.

But then He said that my writing would help me in school and that school would improve my writing. ??????? I pondered those words for a while and gained some understanding; then just this week understood them even better. Aside of receiving an academic scholarship for my previous excellence in school, already having my book done and critiqued (by lovely ANWA sisters) has given me the confidence to face future scrutiny in the classroom, as well as refine my writing and eventually help me to get it published.

This answer came through inspiration, and was like the most beautiful circular answer I ever experienced. Now as I realize that my completed writing will actually HELP me to get my degree—and ease my senior year(because it’s already done) I feel the Lord’s tender mercies again for his interest in my life.

Without prayer and inspiration I don’t know where I would be personally (let alone my writing). I know that these two years of schooling will go by quickly, and yet the Lord has allowed for me to continue working on my story. And what a story it is! I feel so loved!!

And my ANWA sisters are part of that love from our Heavenly Father. I owe you all so much and I pray for your daily success in life and in writing. I Love You all!!!!

Karen

********************

8 Comments

Rebecca Talley says:

September 4, 2010 at 8:58 am

What a wonderful post. ANWA has been a blessing in many ways in many lives and I’m glad you’ve been blessed by it. Isn’t it wonderful when we recognize the Lord’s hand? I’m excited for you to finish school and publish your book!
Tanya Parker Mills says:

September 4, 2010 at 10:47 am

That’s great news about your braces and school load, Karen, and I’m so glad ANWA could be there for you at such a difficult time. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful tribute to a terrific group of women headed by a visionary.
Deb Eaton says:

September 4, 2010 at 11:00 am

Wow! What an inspiring post! Life can hand us some real doozies for set backs! Like you, I have much gratitude for the people that Heavenly Father places in our path to help us along the way…and ANWA! What a blessing as I realize my goal to write! Thank you for your beautiful post!
Wendy Jones says:

September 4, 2010 at 11:49 am

Thanks for sharing this, Karen! I’m so happy for you and am excited to see where your story goes.
Valerie Ipson says:

September 4, 2010 at 2:12 pm

Such a beautiful tribute to ANWA and a reminder to seek the Lord’s help in all aspects of our lives. Enjoy school and writing!!!
Shelli says:

September 4, 2010 at 2:29 pm

Yay for happy news! Thank you for sharing the beautiful story of your journey with us. It’s amazing to find out how much our Heavenly Father has in store for us.

Hope you’re relaxing and enjoying your long weekend! You deserve a little time to catch your breath.
Joan Sowards says:

September 4, 2010 at 11:52 pm

Great post. I love ANWA, for it has helped me in so many ways in my writing. I’ve loved getting to know the members and gleaning what I can from their knowledge. Best wishes with school, braces, and family–but especially your writing.
Jolene says:

September 5, 2010 at 3:46 pm

Thank you so much for posting this.
It’s wonderful when take the time to look around us and see how our Heavenly Father is watching out for us.
Best of luck with your degree!

Obsessed

2010-09-01T15:11:00.000-05:00

Yeah, that's me. Obsessed. Well at least when it comes to a certain dog. Snoopy to be exact. So I thought I might take a moment to explain my obsession. At least for those who might be wondering why on earth it's all over my site. All over my twitter. In my house for that matter.

It started with my glass snoopy "bank" which I spent my youth filling with money (and then emptying). Currently it's filled with pennies and sits prominently on my end table. Don't know why I have it filled with pennies. That's just where pennies go. And everyone in my house knows it. Maybe it's because it makes my clear glass snoopy look brown. Seems about right considering the real life version I own(tri-color).

So yeah, I love Snoopy. Especially the high flying "ACE" who is constantly after the Red Baron. That dog just never gives up. I love it!

You know what's even better? How they're just the cutest dogs on the face of the planet. Okay, granted there are lots of cute dogs out there, but for me? It's a beagle. Something about those eyes and ears just speaks "LOVE ME!"

So a few years back when we decided to get a dog, what did I name my beagle? Nope. Not snoopy. Why? Well for one, our dog is a girl. And two, I always loved the name Megan. Don't ask me why I never named one of our girls Megan. I guess it just didn't fit.

Until now. Actually her pedigree name is much longer, but I won't bore you with that. :)

Needless to say, I love my dog. Look at that face? Can you blame me?

So what about you? What are you obsessed with?

Trailer Tuesday--Lipstick Wars

2010-08-31T08:17:00.000-05:00

Today's Trailer just makes me want to smile. And boy did I need one this week. Hope you enjoy a little bit of joy and a delightful mystery to boot. Happy Tuesday!

Self-Portraits on our MC's

2010-08-27T08:03:00.000-05:00

People.

I love them. Truly I do. But when I want to get to know them better, how do I go about it? Talk to them? Interview them?

"Hi, my name's Carrie. I have seven children. And a dog."

Okay, that works. But what does that really tell you about me? My name and that I either love children or merely enjoy gaining lots of weight every year or so and then trying to get it all off again. (Yeah, right.) You can see I have a dog, but does that mean I'm happy about it? (I am, btw. She's a beagle--hence my obsession with Snoopy)

But you can see that there's more telling than showing in my intro, and surely not enough information to get a true picture of who I am. How I would react to a given situation. What sort of things annoy me. Are our characters facing the same difficulty in our story? Are we merely telling people about them or are we painting an accurate picture of who they really are? If not, how do we go about doing so?

First off, we need to know our characters. Truly know them. There are many ways to go about doing this, but here is one technique I learned recently that you can use to understand them better.

We're going to make two lists.

List ten things that describe your character, that if you were to change or eliminate that one thing they would no longer be the same person.

For example: "I am a mother with seven children." If you were to take away any one of those seven children, or all of them, I would no longer be a mother (in the same way). In fact, I would probably fall apart, but I digress.
Another example: "I have faith in God." Now I guarantee that if you took away my faith I would totally change as a person. I wouldn't act the same, pray the same (or at all), and my goals in life would change dramatically. So my faith is an integral part of me.

Next:

List ten things that describe your character that if you were to take them away or change it wouldn't truly change them as a person.

"I love popcorn." Okay, so maybe some of you would die or fall apart if you didn't get your daily or weekly fix. But can you honestly say that it would change your personality that much? Probably not.
"I eat chocolate for breakfast." I must really be hungry this morning to be using food as my examples. But the fact remains that if I didn't have chocolate for breakfast, I would probably find something else to eat. And in this case that's probably a good idea. :) I don't think it would redefine me though. Not like one's faith, or status as a mother.

I really enjoyed this concept; understanding that there are distinct things that make up an individual. And that by listing them, sometimes you can get a better idea of who that person truly is. You may never understand them fully, but you can use their traits, likes, dislikes, to paint a vivid picture of them and then use your story to build around them. In fact, you may find that you can add more life to your plot because of this information.

I mean, hey. What if taking away someone's popcorn truly resulted in a mental breakdown. And why on earth would that happen? Hmmm...now that sort of thinking has the makings of a marvelous mystery. Maybe it's time to continue my list. :)

Trailer Tuesday

2010-08-24T19:30:00.000-05:00

In honor of today's excellent release by Suzanne Collins I give you....

Mockingjay

Trailer Tuesday

2010-08-17T16:27:00.000-05:00

Book trailers rock! And not just because of the cool music people choose to go along with their story. I'm what they call a visual learner, so I have a special appreciation for books that suddenly come alive on the screen. Okay, it doesn't hurt when they use beautiful people as well. Hey, I'm human.

So in honor of my newfound love (of books...not the people--I am married after all) I'll be posting a new book trailer each week for your enjoyment. And because I'm so nice (read: couldn't decide which to post first) I chose TWO to get you started. JUST ONE WISH by the amazing Janette Rallison and FABLEHAVEN: KEYS TO THE DEMON PRISON by Brandon Mull. Two stellar reads with some intense action and...okay, maybe just a little romance.

Do you have suggestions for more? Let me have it. I'd love to include your book trailer or the one you love in my post each week. Happy viewing! I mean reading. :)

Top Ten

2010-08-17T09:56:00.000-05:00

Top Five things I WON’T miss when school begins:

The deluge of cups and food all over the kitchen counters.
Tripping over endless toys throughout the day.
Excessive noise which prevents me from reading and writing effectively.
Endless video games which adds to the excessive noise.
Late night movies which yeah…adds to the excessive noise.

Top Five things I WILL miss when school begins:

Having everyone make their own food–even though it destroys the kitchen.
Watching my children play with each other and all the “new” toys they find buried within the toy closet.
All the noise that keeps me company during the day and reminds me of why I’m a mom.
Playing video games with my kids, and watching their smug faces when they beat me–fair and square.
The freedom of getting up when I want to after staying up with the kids all night to watch a late night movie.

*sigh* Six more days until all our roles change, and my kids are a little less like kids and a little more like tiny adults. And me right along with them. My kids are already rooting me on, so maybe we can all find a way to keep each other sane for the next 180+ days. Wish us luck!

***********************8

1 Comment

Shelli says:

August 17, 2010 at 6:50 pm

I’ve got the same kind of ambivalent feelings going on. I’m excited for the kids to be out for the summer…and then I’m excited to have them go back in the fall. Let’s just say that I might be ready for a little me time!

Good luck with the new school year, for all of you!

Mmmmmmmmm

2010-08-13T09:55:00.000-05:00

My daughter made these today.

Hmmmm I may have to ask her to do this again. For a contest. What do you think?

2 Comments

Shelli says:

August 14, 2010 at 1:12 pm

When you come to visit, will you please bring your daughter and this recipe? Looks delicious!!!

Karen Adair says:

August 15, 2010 at 10:32 pm

You bet Shelli! And yes, they were

Treasure Tuesday--delayed

2010-08-12T09:53:00.000-05:00

Wait, today’s not Tuesday? I thought today was Tuesday. It has been for the last, I don’t know, three weeks? Must have lost track of time. No surprise. Well, not in this case. In reality I’ve mastered the art of looking surprised. Practiced for enough birthdays now to…well, last me a hundred years. Or at least for 21 more.

This was the–what did I say, three weeks?–21st time I’d eaten cake and you know what? I really hate cake. Never liked it in the first place. But that doesn’t stop Mom from making it. Every single year. And I’m not just talking about the last three weeks during which I woke up, got out of bed, and promptly burst a thousand balloons on the floor. Sigh. I knew they were there. How could I miss them? And to think the balloons were MY idea. A few birthdays ago that is. Wait…scratch that…a MILLION birthdays ago.

See, the day has kept repeating itself. Over and over again. All because I wished over my stupid birthday cake that my birthday would never end. I was only thinking about Michael Draper and how dashing he looked staring back at my puckered face. Puckered as in leaning in for a kiss…not puckered over the stupid cake that I never blew out. Stupid trick candles. But if I never blew them out, then how come this day kept repeating? I tried everything to make it stop. Even ran away from home. Stupid, I know. But at least I took someone with me. I figured if I woke up from my nightmare then the punishment would be totally worth it. And hey, if I didn’t? Well, no consequences.

And that my friends was the smartest move I ever made. And believe me, I’ve had some smart ones. But I figured that if I wasn’t going to get in trouble (or didn’t care because it would mean the day was finally over), that I might as well make the most of it. So I went bungee jumping (skipped school to do it–hey it’d be there tomorrow, right?), sky diving (don’t ask), and even registered to vote. That last one was more exciting than you think considering I’m only fifteen. But really, I feel like I’m thirty. A tired thirty. A ‘I can’t believe this day is never going to end and why do boys have to make my life so complicated’ tired thirty.

Now, that’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy kissing Michael for three straight weeks. I mean, hey, it was a great kiss. Then I realized that was the key. Maybe if I didn’t make it such a great kiss then I could wish for something else when it came time for the stupid candles. So I tried it.

Nope.

Tried hitting him instead.

Nada.

So I gave up trying so hard. Which is totally unlike me. I mean, I excel at everything, though I work really hard. And I mean REALLY hard. You’d think someone like me would really go places, but most of the time I was going insane. Working all day, studying all night. Michael told me to slow down, but I didn’t think he meant it. I learned a thing or two about taking it slow. I mean, when the day keeps repeating there’s really no need to go fast. You can learn a little patience. Learn a little about life. Not worry that everything will pass you by. I had time to finally smell the roses.

And that’s when I knew I was done. With the wish that is. I went to sleep with Michael’s rose in my hand, dreaming of tomorrow and how sad I would be when the rose was gone. I was going to hold onto it for as long as possible.

And woke up…with the rose in my hand.

************************

Next week’s prompt is up in the air. No, seriously. Write about the first time you went sky diving. And if you haven’t? Well, aren’t imaginations, great?

A post of EPIC proportion!

2010-08-12T06:29:00.000-05:00

Okay, the last few days have been pretty epic with the WriteOnCon conference going on, but that's not the epic I'm talking about (yet). I'm talking about the book!

See, my son's a gamer. Well, so are my girls, but they're not the ones who gave me the book to read. "Epic?" I asked him. "I like the title, but what's it about?" He answered, "Think Guild Wars."

Ahhhh. That I've heard of. In fact, I have my own character. Does that make me cool? My family thinks so. It's pretty hot, actually. The character that is. The game...eh...I don't have time to both play and write (doesn't stop my husband from using my character--hmmm, should I be jealous?). Anyway, somehow Conor Kostick managed it. He's the author of the book Epic, which I had the privilege to just finish reading.

And what a read it was. Think Hunger Games. Haven't read it? Then think social climbing in a world where there's only one controlling entity that determines how, what and when you get things. Food, clothing, work, you name it. The whole society is run by Epic, a virtual game that determines your ranking in the real world based on what you do in the game. Earn a thousand bezant in the game? Spend it in real life.

The game was created to alleviate violence and allow people to work out their differences in the game. And for the most part it worked. Only a few random acts slipped through, and those people were thus exiled. Just like the main character's father. But he had a good reason, and it's one that compels our hero to join forces to end the game. Before it can end his own life.

Intrigued yet? I was, and I had long since stopped playing the game. But I love the cooperation it fosters in my children as they team up together and help each other out, because the death of one in the game usually results in the death of another. Just like in the book. So, as a mother I loved it. As a past gamer?

EPIC!

Why we need contests

2010-08-10T09:08:00.000-05:00

I won.

4th place, that is, and you can bet that I've been flying high ever since I found out. I mean, I ran my heart out in high school and hardly won a race. This month alone I've won three different contests. And this one takes the cake!

Thank you Roni and Julie and all the wonderful sponsors who participated. You made a lot of people happy!

So what did I do to celebrate? Eat chocolate? Throw a party? No...I sat down to write. Before my luck ran out. Well...

Yes. You guessed it. *sigh* But at least it waited until bedtime. That way I could sleep off my disappointment and let night wash away my fears. Because, hey! I won a contest!

So what happened that burst my bubble so fast? I tried to write a query.

Yes, that's right. I was so excited about winning that I decided to do something hard. And then promptly failed. But that's okay. There's a reason they teach classes on these things, and why writers seem to dread them so much. I mean it's hard enough to write the book let alone shorten it down to a page. If I wanted to tell my story in so few of words I would have made it a short story instead. But alas, I wrote a book. A very LARGE book. Several in fact.

And one day I will see them in print. Other than in my own house, that is. And that is why I woke up this morning and started again. Just like I do everyday. I told myself I could do it. That it was worth it. That my only problem was that I was eager to share my story. My WHOLE story.

So I pulled out my pen. Pulled out my paper. And pulled out my pain, my protagonist's pain, and then asked...so what's the problem? Then smiled. I know her pain, and it's a lot like my own. And I know that just as I solved her dilemma so she'll help me solve mine. And together we'll see the light of day.

Just like I felt yesterday when I won. Ahhhh, the power of winning. So here's the deal. We need more contests. Me included. Only this time I'll be the one giving stuff away. Very soon. Because if there's one thing I learned is that we need hope. We need each other. And we need contests to help us remember that writing is fun! Exciting! And full of prizes...even if it's not full of good queries. But hey, maybe someday I'll have one of those too. You never know.

And neither will you unless...yes, you guessed it...unless you dair to try!