Writings, Musings & Other Such Nonsense

Rolling On And On...

2012-01-24T14:14:00.000-08:00

It has come to my attention (like running into a brick wall) that I need to work at short stories. I simply cannot write a short story.

Well... I can. I HAVE.

I've been writing and working on my short story called "The Wicked One" for some time now. And I either need to set it aside until I figure out the details or I need to condense it down after it is written.

I have a thing about giving far too much information. My mom has also told me I have the gift of gab. I can see someone in the store and talk and talk and talk...

Meh.

I feel the same way in my writing. I feel like I have caught up with an old friend and just keep going on and on about everything. A little more mystery would be nice. People don't need to know EVERYthing, do they? Even in writing?

I know I will get there eventually, that I will polish up this short story and things will be fine. It is the routine, the angst of writing, of starting that new story.

Oh! And I think I have figured out how to start my historical fantasy story... I can't wait!

Do you think you put too much or too little information into your writing?

Posting Past Midnight...

2012-01-23T07:00:00.000-08:00

I'm a night owl by nature. I can't help it. That is the best time for me to write, when everyone is asleep, including the cats and I can work uninterrupted.

Mornings, or shall I say afternoons in my case, are usually reserved for checking emails, responding to comments and trying to read all of the blogs I follow. I don't always comment, but sometimes I try to leave one even if it is a generic, "Great post!" Because, well, half the time they are very good posts.

My husband built me a desk. I absolutely love it and will be working on personalizing it once he gets the backing attached where my shelves will be. Once that is done, it will be more stable. Someday I will be able to afford a comfortable chair. I had to go back to sitting in my recliner tonight. For some reason the whole right side of my body hurt today. Didn't help that I stood too long at work when I could have sat down and taken a break.

My body is protesting winter, that's all there is to it.

So I didn't even get to enjoy my desk tonight. I will have to see how I feel tomorrow and make up for lost time.

I took a really cool picture the other day and will share it with you later this week along with the first of my "character interviews". I've told you all before that some of my characters are based on real people and their characters they created in LoC (Legends of Cosrin). So I have a two parter. Part one is with the actual person, part two is with the character based on them from my first book, Shadow of the Rose, Book One: Adversarius. Adversarius for short... due out this May.

So keep on the lookout! Have a super Monday and a great week!

Working Out The Kinks...

2012-01-17T13:42:00.000-08:00

The Kinks, what a great band...

I got sidetracked right off the bat! It's been one of those kinds of weeks. I'm trying to spend some time working on my short story. I always tend to hit a roadblock, then stop writing and work it out in my brain for awhile. I did have a great epiphany as to where I want this story to go, I just need to push forward and actually keep working on it.

I'm also working on revisions for my second book, Veritas. AND even though I have those two in the works, I have plans to expand on the very short stories I wrote for WDC's (Writing.com) Writer's Cramp contests. They are both very good stories, aren't related to my fantasy writing or my world for that matter and would go great in an anthology of things I want to compile.

Aside from all this and my work schedule, I'm trying to stay afloat and deal with financial issues. Seems like 2012 started off with a bang for lots of people and I got hit with the shrapnel as well.

Oh well. I'll make it through.

But as I was saying, aside from all of this going on, I'm trying to work out a Virtual Blog Tour. I have heard from several of you saying I can hop on over to your place when the time comes. I would like very much to join up with Michael Offutt as his book will be released in May as well. We have completely different genres, but my theory is The More, The Merrier. Even though we're selling different books, there is absolutely no reason why we can't do a tour together. If there is anyone else coming out with a book in May and they're looking to do a blog tour, I'd love to hear from you! We are a working community, after all and supporting each other is what we do best.

So drop me a line if you have a book coming out, or if you don't mind us hacking your blog for a couple of days. I'm also looking for some Blog Tour advice, do's and don't's... things like that. What do you suggest? What advice do you have?

Have a great week everyone!

Something To Look Forward To...

2012-01-14T07:00:00.000-08:00

Meh. I didn't post my Friday Favorites post for two reasons. One, I got busy and two, I drew a blank on most of my favorites and said to hell with it.

I do have a couple of things coming up on the horizon. From now until maybe May, when my book release is due, I will be posting some interviews with my characters.

Most of you know that I have, in fact, based lots of my characters on some friends of mine I used to game with . Legends of Cosrin (LoC) is a text based Role Playing Game. A MuD, if you will. It helped me out in lots of different ways.

What ways, you ask?

Well. First of all, I found the game while working for America Online. (That dates me, doesn't it? Lol!) At the time, it cost $2 an hour. Seriously. And lots of people I knew would play for DAYS! But, me being an employee of AOL, I didn't have to pay to play. Some of my co-workers and I would be logged in to the game while waiting for calls to come in to support.

I got hooked from the get go. After leaving AOL, the game became self sufficient, so to speak and was only $5 a month, then free for awhile and well... anyway I digress.

Around that time I was seriously depressed and found solace in my internet friends. Lots of people got addicted to the internet and chat rooms when it first came on the scene. I admit, I was no different. So I spent a good majority of my time playing LoC. Then I got out of it and later on found World of Warcraft... the rest of this part is history.

But one huge way LoC helped me was with my writing. I had to be the character and because the game was text based (words scrolling on the screen at high speeds) you had to type out your emotions, type out different descriptions of what your character was doing, etc. When we nerds got going with our RP's, (Role Plays) there was no stopping us!

Everyone worked together to make the stories come to life on the screen. People would talk in groups about what they wanted to do and lots of people would just wing it.

One memorable RP (Role Play) story included myself and an entire Fighter's Guild.

Let me back up just a bit. At any given time way back in the heyday of the game, there would be around 200 people logged in to the game. So you were usually dealing with a large group of people over the internet and everyone was playing a character and had to be In Character (IC). Out of Character (OOC) had its own chat room and you had to "Step out of character" sometimes to ask questions or explain situations. Most people didn't know what was going to happen next, it was like a constant, unfolding story.

So anyway, the Fighter's Guild (main place for warrior type characters to train) had to be managed by a Guild Master. There were usually 3 assistants to help maintain the guild, help new people, game commands... lots of technical stuff. People were voted in and had to campaign for the spot. One of our GM's (Guild Master) wanted to cause an uprising and the Guild was divided. People who were supposed to be Comrades in Arms began fighting. A civil war of sorts. So my character (Kayta) and several others began to plot.

Muahahaha!

My character and her half sister wormed our way in to the GM's confidence and basically played the Double Agent scenario. Now, when you get a game full of geeks and role players, you get people who are "passionate" about the game. Everyone gets into character and forget reality. We got harassed both in character and out.

Seriously.

But my whole point of this is to point out just how much this game was like an on going story. If you were going to be gone for any length of time, most people would post a story of where there character had gone. Some went on adventures outside of the city, others would leave to take care of "families". All sorts of sub plots were tossed into this mix.

So, do you see where I am going with this? It was writing. It was writing a huge, epic novel of endless possibilities and proportions. Sometimes a player would quit the game and kill off their character. We would hold weddings, funerals and celebrate the births of "children". We fought gods and goddesses, we became heroes and even Legends.

And a lot of the time, we sat in the local inn and worked on our drinking skill.

Oh, and the bar fights were awesome. Hehe!

So when I speak of Cosrin, it is with fond memories and wistfulness. I have several really good friends that have kept in touch even though we no longer play the game. We connected on lots of different levels.

I came up with the idea long ago to start writing about things we did in this game, but then thought... What if i don't do those stories justice? I would hate to tarnish those memories. So I went a different route, created my own world wrapping it around my dear Cosrin. The main city in the game was called Moorgate. My main city in my stories is called Moordigan.

In the time between now and May, I'm going to introduce you to a more in-depth look at my characters. I'll be interviewing them and I will also be "interviewing" several people behind those characters. Because practically each one is based on my fellow geeks and gamers.

Hope this didn't bore you too much and I apologize for the length of the post. Everyone have a great weekend! I'll see you on Monday.

Writing, Writing...

2012-01-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

I've had a few days off of work. That's the down-side to working part time. Yesterday we had a snow day. Schools closed, my husband's work was closed as was mine. All but one employee made it to my work. I could have made it but it took about 3 hours to shovel out of my drive since the plows were busy trying to make the roads manageable.

So with all this time off I actually had an epiphany about my short story, "The Wicked One". I have to admit, even though my stress lately has caused a bit of a creative drain, it does help to write through it all.

Thanks for all of your comments over the past two days about your Girl and Guy I.Q. It can be difficult to write about the opposite sex. But if you get the gender traits right, the rest comes easily.

I should be getting back into my blogging groove, so look for my usual Friday post.

Have a great day everyone!

Guys And Gals...

2012-01-11T07:00:00.000-08:00

So the other day I posted about girls writing guys well. So guys, how well do you write your girls?

Do me a huge favor, okay? Do not, NOT describe her like your fantasy girl. Come on, you know what I'm talking about. All those comic book geeks (and now gaming geeks) who make their girls well endowed with nice rear ends and impossibly tiny waists.

However, if you like a girl to have long hair, go for it. Same with hair color, eye color and intelligence. Same thing goes for girls as guys. Don't wussify them.

1) Don't make the girl seem so helpless without a man. Give her some spine. She's got to be able to stand upright!

2) On the opposite side of that coin, don't make her masculine.

3) Girls worry about their appearance. Duh. What you may not know is they usually obsess about their best feature.

I get insanely crazy about my hair sometimes. Same with my nails. I take great pride in having an awesome complexion. What expensive products give some women, I get with just soap and water. Don't hate.

4) Women like romance. They can insist they don't, but every girl wants to be swept off her feet. But give her independence.

All right ladies, feel free to add your two cents to this one.

What's Your Guy IQ?...

2012-01-10T07:00:00.000-08:00

This question pertains to you. Yes you. All of you female authors out there. When you have a male character, whether he be your main or otherwise, how well do you know your man?

There have been times when I read about male characters written by females and they're too... feminized.

And not in a good way...

When your guy hits on a girl, is he sweet and shy? Does he blush when she sneaks a peek in his direction? Not necessarily a good thing. You want him to be sweet, shy, possibly flushed a little when a good looking girl glances at him from under her long lashes. But you also want him to man up, right?

They care about their appearance, but less than girls. Most guys don't worry about their hair.

1) They'll usually take a sniff at the closest t-shirt/jeans/underwear and if it doesn't knock them out, they'll wear it.

2) Fingers through the hair counts as combing.

3) If it itches, they scratch it no matter where they are. I think I would laugh my butt off if a character actually scratched...

Oh, and for that matter, since when do characters not have to relieve themselves? Make those boys write their name in the snow. Don't forget to dot i's and cross t's.

4) Boys/men have to "peacock". They strut to impress the girls. They love to wrestle in front of girls if they can get away with it.

5) They want to be protectors. They'll defend their honor, they're loyal to their friends and most of them will defend the girl. Then there is the extreme opposite. The bully.

Most bullies think that defending their sense of honor means fighting everyone who looks at them sideways. Anyone who seems different in any way suddenly will have a huge target on their forehead.

So make sure you do your guy homework. Don't wussify your guy. Ha! My favorite joke from the male human in World of Warcraft is "Cover me! I gotta take a whiz behind that tree."

So what's your "Guy Q"?

Working Through The Stress...

2012-01-09T07:00:00.000-08:00

I want to say thanks to everyone who left comments on my last post. I'm trying to work through the stress of things. I even had a really cool, twisted epiphany on my short story, "The Wicked One".

I know everyone goes through some rough times. I know we're all allowed to vent on our blogs once in awhile. It happens.

So, I have a link here for the Hellfire Herald. This is the blog for the publishing company I signed on with. This particular post caught my eye simply because I write like this guy. You can read the post here.

Before you hop over to read it, let me tell you a little about it. Mostly, it is about writing style. I've told you all before that I am a Pantser. Quite like Elana Johnson. (Hence where that term came from, lol!) I write by the seat of my pants. My characters speak, the movie plays in my head and I frantically try to keep pace. Much like my comrade over on the Hellfire Herald. I write it all out and then later on, I look it over, find the story, the holes and polish that puppy til it sparkles in total darkness.

Okay, now you can go over to that post. I just like it when you linger a little longer over what I write. Have a great week!

Seriously?...

2012-01-06T07:00:00.000-08:00

It is only day 6 of the New Year and I've been hit with a mound of stress. Fear not! I will push through this, because I absolutely. Have. To.

I've got a pretty strong work ethic, but when I was hit with depression and anxiety, it took me down like a cheerleader getting hit by a biker chick. I spent I don't know how long feeling sorry for myself and burying my head under my blankets, afraid to face the world.

Then I went back to work, got injured, spent two years getting two surgeries on my left wrist and dealing with Pain and Torture. (Physical Therapy) Went back to work, got sick again with fluid on my brain and full hysterectomy. Am back to work again.

My whole attitude about things these days has completely changed. I'm tired of pulling my blanket up over my head. So like every other Alaskan, I've had the whole "Suck It Up" attitude. I step out into 10 degree weather to fill a propane tank and suck it up and just do it.

I do have a point here, somewhere. Probably buried under all the snow.

I got hit with some pretty tough financial problems two days ago and have had to deal with some emotional family issues. Sadly, it all hit me at once and I don't feel like I am having a very good New Year.

I know I posted about being positive in your web presence, but I did state you were allowed to whine as long as you got over it. Well, I'm whining. I'm sniveling a bit and I will get over it. I met someone who has been hit harder than me and even though I have nothing to give, I scraped up something and passed it on.

It will get better, not just for me, but for my new-found friend. There will always, always be someone there to support you and help out. If you need a hand, don't be afraid to ask. So bear with me, my friends, while I get over this and figure out the best way to deal with things. It is sapping me of my creativity at the moment and I'm trying to push past that.

Insecure Writer's Support Group...

2012-01-03T13:22:00.000-08:00

It is the first Wednesday of a New Year!!

Trying to write around the holidays is like trying to roller skate in an elevator.

By now, you should all be familiar with Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Support Group. A.K.A. IWSG. If you don't know it by now, where the hell have you been???

So, I was trying to figure out what I wanted to blog about. Well, insecurities, of course. I've been pretty supportive the past couple of posts, I think today I'll be the whimpering, sniveling, insecure writer.

Sort of.

If you've been keeping up with me, you've seen my recent posts, I mentioned creating a web presence. Ways you should act, how you should respond to trolls, (people who try to provoke a negative response from other people while they spend their 44th birthday living in mom's basement...) things like that.

You want people to like you, when you get right down to it. Everyone wants to be liked. There's no reason to be snarky in every post. Bad things will happen, you will vent and get over it. Post something happy.

I want people to like me. I feel bad when people don't. I feel like I've done something to offend someone. I panic when I lose a follower. But I have to stop and think... some of my fellow bloggers have walked away from blogging and their accounts may have just gone "poof!" which is why I lost a follower.

Or I did piss someone off.

I've worked hard and I've been diligent in my writing and revising. But still, what if someone looks at my work and goes into Nerd Rage or something. (Nerd Rage is when a game stops responding, crashes or they read a fantasy book that is totally lame...) Insert me in that last one. I've put my baby out there. I've poured myself into this story and am leaving myself wide open for rejection. The bad reviews are going to come and I will have to suck it up and take it.

Gah!

So many things to worry about, you know? It makes you feel insecure. Who wouldn't feel insecure? I'm still insecure about my writing, but the support of my fellow authors and writers and even readers is what keeps me going. With such a wonderful group like this, we should all be successful.

What are your insecurities?

Well!...

2012-01-02T18:52:00.000-08:00

I've started the New Year off with a bang. I didn't do anything for New Year's eve, which was completely fine. I'm turning into such a homebody. But I gotta do what I gotta do.

I haven't exactly set goals for the new year, but I have decided to make some life changing alterations that I can meet without feeling disappointed in myself for being a slacker. Let's be realistic, right? Right!

I used to drink a soda every single day up until about a year or so ago. I stopped drinking soda and found I felt better and even lost weight. Lately, thought, I've been slipping more often than not. It's easy when you work in a convenience store. You get free drinks. So rather than reaching for the water button, I pick soda. First I only did it once a week, but now I find I drink it more than I should. So I've resolved to go back to my no soda policy. Sure, I indulge when I go out to eat, but I don't go out often enough that it will become a problem. This is something I know I can stick to because I've done it before.

Writing. I've slacked off since signing my contract. I need to get back into the groove of revising and editing. So I have to push myself and stop procrastinating. Again, I've done it before, I can do it again. Easy peasy.

The last thing I want to work on is getting into some semblance of shape. I'm used to changing my diet to eat healthier. We have to, my husband and I. He has diabetes and he controls it with diet. I changed my eating habits to conform to his so we don't have to worry about separate meals or anything I'm eating tempting him. I just need to keep adjusting my diet and add some exercise in there. Gotta keep moving. Even if I look like a dork.

So making some decent resolutions this year will be pretty easy and I know I'll be able to keep them and not feel bad for slacking.

Happy New Year, everyone. Now you can sit back and relax until Valentine's Day.

Resolutions? What Resolutions?...

2011-12-31T16:35:00.000-08:00

Hmm, I resolve for 2012 to blog every day. I resolve to write 2,000 words a day. Perhaps even do yoga twice a week and ...

Who am I kidding? I sound like a politician, making promises I don't intend to keep. Or can't keep due to extenuating circumstances.

Hehe, see I can even use legal jargon. Maybe I should have been a lawyer?

Okay, so you. Resolutions or no resolutions? Do you keep 'em or do you chuck them aside after the first week like your trash?

Have a happy New Year!

Internet Presence...

2011-12-29T07:00:00.000-08:00

There is something pretty spectacular when you read a blog and the person is very professional, light hearted and funny at times.

No, I'm not talking about me. Professional? Me?? *Snorts*Anyway, I've come across some blogs where the people aren't anywhere near decent. If you're trying to get somewhere in the publishing industry or you are somewhere, don't be negative. All. The. Time. Seriously.

Being positive, offering up advice, sharing your experiences... those are important. Make people want to read your blog and keep reading and commenting. I've sort of stopped following or commenting on some blogs because the people are kvetching about not being accepted or how other people are being "mean" in their reviews or comments.

All. The. Time.

I know I have ranted on this blog, but I don't keep gnawing at the same bone every time I post. I do try to move on and look for the positive in things. I've worked hard to get my internet presence and I don't want to lose it by always being pissy.

I dread the day I get the bad review. I'll get more than one and I'll have to suffer through each one. I'll have to focus on the good reviews. I'll need help with it, I'm sure. I can't rise to the bait of the bad reviews. The trolls, they can be tricky and they will make me want to explode all over the internet and all over them. I'm gonna want to find their house, ring the bell and break their knee caps when they answer the door.

But I can't and I won't. No one else would. It isn't professional. Give me five minutes to whine about it and tell me to get over it. It's all good, we're cool like that.

So get out there, make your internet presence a GOOD one and put the negativity outside in the cold, without food and water, where it belongs. Follow people on Twitter, get on Facebook, blog and be positive in your blogs. Don't be a whiner. If you want people to read your work and like you, be selective about what you put out there. Yeah, you're gonna have bad days. Doesn't everyone?

So tell me, do you continue to follow people who are constantly negative or do you put them to the wayside?

Review: Flash Gold...

2011-12-28T07:00:00.000-08:00

I'm very, very new to reading Steampunk. Let me just say, I've liked the Steampunk genre... or at least liked hearing about it and was intrigued. I've read my first novella of Steampunk and I'm hooked!

This is one of the first pieces I have read and enjoyed, so here's the review!

Flash Gold, Lindsey Buroker
Available: Amazon, Smashwords
Website: http://www.lindsayburoker.com

Product Description:

Eighteen-year-old Kali McAlister enters her steam-powered "dogless sled" in a race, intending to win the thousand-dollar prize and escape remote Moose Hollow forever. The problem? Fortune seekers and airship pirates are after her for the secret to flash gold, her late father's alchemical masterpiece.

With her modified rifle and a pocketful of home-made smoke bombs, Kali wouldn't normally hide from a confrontation, but taking on a whole airship single-handedly is a daunting task. Unfortunately, the other racers won't assist her--they're too busy scheming ways to sabotage her unorthodox sled.

When a sword-slinging stranger shows up, wanting to hire on as her protector, she's sure he has ulterior motives, but he's the only one interested in helping her. The question is...why?

An 18,000-word (80 page) novella

My thoughts:

This was a really fast read for me. Which sometimes doesn't mean a whole heck of a lot, since I tend to be a fast reader to begin with. But when I state it was a fast read for me, that simply means the overall flow of this story was spot on. Lots of action, lots of fun dialogue and an interesting setting. It has its fair share of typos and errors, but nothing so much as to slow down your reading enjoyment.

I'm new to Steampunk, at least reading it. This is one of the first books I have read and I really enjoyed it. I like the era, I like the concept of steam powered stuff and including magic in the mix just makes it that much cooler.

Kali is a spunky (yes, I used the word spunky) girl with some serious trust issues, but for good reason. I really like some of her inventions, but don't want to give too much away! The fact that there are bounty hunters and even pirates (Pirates!!) make this story even more enjoyable. I really got hooked on this first book and look forward to the rest in the series.

I give this novella 4 out of 5 skull and crossbones.

Holidays Are Over...

2011-12-27T07:00:00.000-08:00

Well Christmas is over and we're almost into the New Year! I had an awesome holiday so far and expect to have some fun on New Years. Maybe I'll get totally outrageous and play with my new World of Warcraft Miniatures game!

Woot!

Nerd. I know. We've had this discussion before.

More than likely it will be a night spent with the family, of course. I'm usually not that fond of driving around on New Years. There's some pretty stupid drunk drivers.

I hope you all had a great holiday as well. Have a safe New Years and keep an eye out for another book review of a new author I found. Half the time, these authors are new to me, but maybe not to you. I'd still like for you all to drop by and leave a comment.

The rest of the week will be spent working and doing some housework, maybe do some writing. If I don't post anything else this week, I'll get back on it next week. Have a great week just in case!

Review: The Book of Deacon...

2011-12-26T07:00:00.000-08:00

My reviews these days are few and far between. But when I find a book I like, especially by a self-pubbed author, I like reviewing it simply to help that author gain exposure.

So here we go!

The Book of Deacon, Joseph Lallo
Available: Amazon, Smashwords
Website: http://www.bookofdeacon.com/

Book Description:

Myranda is a young woman more interested in staying alive than being a hero. Orphaned by a continent-spanning war that has gone on for decades too long and shunned for failing to support it, she has been on the move since she was only a child. One can hardly blame her when she thinks that the chance discovery of a fallen soldier's priceless cargo is the moment that will change her life. No one could predict just how great that change would be. It will lead her through an adventure of rebels and generals, of wizards and warriors, and of beasts both noble and monstrous. Each step of the way will take her closer to the truth of her potential, of the war, and of the fate of her world.

My thoughts:

I've said it before and I will say it again... I'm a sucker for fantasy. I liked this book. Joseph Lallo has a nice writing style and the story flows really well. I do have to admit, I saw a lot of typos, grammatical errors and repetitiveness. Those are probably the worst comments you'll see from me about this book. However, these are critiquing comments.

The story of Myranda and her faithful reptilian companion is a very good one. It is the first in a series and I am looking forward to the next two books. There are some interesting creatures in this story, different views on magic and how the characters utilize it. I also have to say, that while this is fantasy, the story may be long, but it keeps going and only slows down ever so slightly. Not enough to bore you, though. I've read some books that you just wish they would get on with it, but this story is one that delivers just the right amount of information as it goes along. The information given paints the picture of the world that Myranda lives in and even though it is in some pretty heavy turmoil, there are areas I would love to see in real life, of course.

I would definitely suggest this book to other fantasy readers. I give it 3 and a half Skull and Crossbones out of 5.

Taking A Break...

2011-12-19T16:08:00.001-08:00

I want to wish you all a Happy Holidays!

I'll be taking this week off due to work and of course the holidays. If I am able, you'll see me the week after Christmas, otherwise, I will see you all in the New Year!

I've had a wonderful 2011.

Moved into a new place, got a job, had surgery (which has made me feel SO MUCH better), spent time with my mom, had my son move up to Alaska and was accepted by Hellfire Publishing.

Woohoo!

So I am off. But will leave you with some Christmas/New Year's funnies.

Holidays...

2011-12-17T07:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas is creeping up on me so fast! I don't even have my tree up yet. I'm sort of sad about this as Christmas is one of my most favorite holidays. Ranks right up there with Halloween, usually.

For some reason, I just don't feel much in the Christmas spirit. The day after Thanksgiving, Christmas music was already on the radio at my work. Black Friday, well that is always a joke. I can't imagine people mauling others for the latest deal on a DVD release or new video game.

Is that truly the "Reason for the Season"? I certainly hope not.

These last couple of months have been stressful. We moved, we had to put our oldest kitty, Colby, down. Our family unit has been split up and work has been increasing for me gradually. Seems like every time I asked my boss for more hours, I got them and something would happen. She's been a very understanding, kind boss and I am thankful for her and my supportive co-workers.

Things just still seem 'off' for me. Probably because my daughter is out on her own and my son is living with us. All sorts of changes and adjustments that I am still not used to. Don't get me wrong, I am happy about having both my kids here with me finally. But all of this has been a hard change. I'm feeling more of an "empty nest" syndrome than I thought I would. I'm dwelling on the fact that my son will be 18 in February and well, he'll be next to move out.

Sometimes the holidays get to me. I don't mean for this post to be all doom and gloom. I look forward to spending time with my family and perhaps we can get that tree up this weekend. Then it will feel more like Christmas and I can focus on having a happier New Year.

If I don't post much this week, I want to wish all of you a safe and happy holiday!

Revealed: What Am I...

2011-12-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

Alright! You've had a day to post your comments to my little writing prompt from yesterday. If you didn't get a chance to read it, go ahead and do so now.

If you did read it and left a comment, I'm going to reveal to you what point of view I was writing from.

Ready?

Are you sure?

Okay, okay, I'll stop.

I was writing from the point of view of a glass sitting too close to the edge of a table. How's that for a writing prompt, eh? You guys were awesome with your guesses and practically spot on! Way to go!

Prompts are usually a good way for me to break out of a writing funk. I have a couple of short stories I wrote for the Writing Dot Com "Writer's Cramp" contest. You have to write 1,000 words in a day with the prompt they give you. I had one win and another got awesome reviews. They were so close in proximity of posting, I couldn't be greedy and win both, could I?

Would have been nice, but no. So I took the comments to heart. Lots of people wanted me to expand both stories. So I am working on that and perhaps I can place them all up for you to see. I've hit the 3,000 word mark out of 10,000 on my short, "The Wicked One" and will hopefully have that up soon as well.

Have a great day and see you all tomorrow!

What Am I...

2011-12-15T07:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, my blogger's block kicked in. So I went over to my favorite prompt sites and I have a little something for you. Try to guess the point of view I'm writing from if you'd like a bit of fun.

Here goes...

"I'm going to fall," I say to no one in particular. "I've never been quite this close to the edge before. What if a good stiff breeze comes along? Will I shatter? Will everything inside of me spill out to be exposed?"

"I've seen it happen before, you know. Perhaps I will survive the fall, but if I hit just right I may break. I can't believe how close to the edge I am. I have never been in this position before and quite frankly, I'm scared."

"In all of my existence, I have been on more stable ground. I have always known my place, how far from the edge I've been. Sure I have come close to the precipice, forgotten a few times, even. Once, I stood upon a pedestal for days on end. But I've always come down. Secure in a firm grasp."

"I don't know what will happen this time. Perhaps the dog will walk by, his tail wagging carelessly and I'll be done for. Once I have gained any sort of momentum, there will be no stopping my fall. Even if someone were to see me and dive under me, I may very well break. Perhaps I will hurt that person as well, cutting into them like that, should I crack. What am I to do? I've never been taken advantage of like this in the past. People just think they can place me anywhere, not giving a second thought to my surroundings. They all think that I'll be all right. That nothing can happen to me. Perhaps I should just push it from my mind. If I fall, that will teach them to be more cautious of anothers fragile state. Would they learn the lesson? Or will they be just as careless with others as they have been with me?"

Okay. Think about what I have just written and tell me if you can guess what I am. I look forward to hearing your guesses! Have a great day, everyone!

One Of Those Days...

2011-12-14T16:18:00.000-08:00

I'm sitting here watching Twitter scroll on by and put up a Tweet myself.

"What to blog about... What to blog about..."

I get a response from Tahlia Newland: "Blog about not knowing what to blog about. Staring at the blank page, etc."

Good idea! There are days I just don't know what to blog about. I will scan through the other blogs and most times an idea will trigger or I will expand (hijack) someones topic.

There are days when I am on a roll and can blog several different things and then schedule them in advance.

However, yesterday was a bit of an emotional strain. Today, I'm tired and drained. My daughter was driving to school, hit black ice and went off the road. She is fine, banged up, bruised and shook up, but fine. She wasn't wearing her seat belt. After a look at the scene, she's lucky to be alive.

She'll be spending the next few days with us. Then we need to determine what to do about her car.

So yeah, today is an off day for me. I can't conjure up much to blog about but feel the need to blog.

What triggers non-blogging days for you? Do you force through it or do you just wait until something inspires you to post?

Best E-Mail Ever...

2011-12-13T07:00:00.000-08:00

Okay, well, second best email ever! I got a notice from Publish America yesterday that my book has not sold a single copy in over a year.

Woot!

I know, strange thing to be happy about. But seriously, I have been waiting for this day for some time now. They are releasing my rights back to me two years early!!!!

OMG!!! I'm so happy and excited and it couldn't have come at a better time.

I no longer have that Damocles Sword hanging over my head.

I just had to share! Woohoo! ::Does the happy dance::

What's Worse Than A Query...

2011-12-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

Getting endorsements!! *Gasp!*

I spent a few minutes before work yesterday looking over some blogs. As you all know, my sister-in-law, Cheri Chesley, published her first book last year with Cedar Fort.

I've been following the blog ever since. Their authors all contribute their shared knowledge and experience on the blog site. That is where I stumbled upon this little tidbit. Getting Celebrity Endorsements.

If you can brave querying, submitting or even... yes, even self publishing... do you think you have the guts to ask for an endorsement? From an author you love and admire?? Can you? Can you really!?

Yeah. You can. Silly. What did you think I was going to say? That you can't?? Pssh. You should know by now that I have absolute faith in all of you and you can do whatever you put your mind to. Especially asking for an endorsement.

So, I certainly did not mean to hijack the blog subject from Trina Boice, but I took it to heart. So I figured it might help any of you out who may be looking into something along these lines as well.

Did I email anyone? Actually, I did. Two of my most favorite (well technically three) authors/artists out there. Sorry, I couldn't get that appointment to hold a seance to contact Tolkien from the other side. Who knew mediums were so booked up this time of year?

Hope you all have a super Monday! I'll see you all later this week.

Friday Favorites, Fantasy Art & A Funny...

2011-12-09T07:00:00.000-08:00

Wheee! It's Friday again! My work Christmas party is tomorrow. Should be fun. Doubt it will be the kind of raucous affair you see in movies, lol!

Anyway, on to the topic of Friday!

Favorite books/authors: K. C. May has remained in my mind as a favorite. I'm beginning to like Joseph Lallo as well as a shameless plug for my friend Carol Marrs Phipps. What can I say? I'm a sucker for Fantasy.

Favorite movie: This is an oldie but a goodie! Well, old for me anyway. When I listed my top 10 favorite movie quotes, it reminded me of it. Near Dark. One of the funny, campy things about the movie is how the vampires are a bunch of cowboy-like misfits. Okay, well vampires are misfits anyway... lol! But these guys are just... well can't explain it very well. Have to see the movie.

Favorite music: I'm going to go with the Pogues and add to it, Flogging Molly as well as The Tossers. I love the music! Rowdy, fun, Irish!

Fantasy art:

And the funny:

Have a great weekend!

The Day After...

2011-12-08T14:10:00.000-08:00

I want to thank everyone for all your comments yesterday. And a huge welcome to my new followers!

I love all the topics that come up during IWSG, the comments, the discussions. Alex, you've come across something wonderful and thanks for thinking of the idea!

Everyone seems to have Mr. King in their sights, wanting to knock him off his "lofty perch", someone said. I find that rather amusing, actually.

King was big in his day and it just seems to me that when he fell to the wayside it hurt his feelings. He tried too hard to get his glory back without just letting it go and accept it gracefully and tastefully.

Now, you all know I am not much of a Meyers fan, but King takes it a bit too far, trying to rub Rowling's success in Meyers' face. I saw a couple of minutes of a YouTube video where a fan of Meyers was telling King where to go. That's putting it nicely. But I couldn't watch the whole thing. Why?

Weeeellll.... to be honest, I sort of agreed with one of King's comments about Meyers. I don't want to get into details, I know some of my followers like the 'Twilight' series.

While having a fan like that could be flattering, I don't know that I would want anyone that fanatical about any of my books broadcasting their opinion of me like that. Honestly, it was sort of creepy. It felt like this person was, while sticking up for Meyers, acting as if it was her job to put King in his place. Will King ever watch it? Maybe. Maybe not. But the fan seemed to be trying a bit too hard to use large words, but when her temper got the best of her, she faltered. Maybe it was just me. Either way, I don't usually watch those sort of things on YouTube. I prefer watching episodes of "The Guild".

King just needs to step out of the limelight and let the others in his field have their moment of glory. I like his books, don't get me wrong. But it did get to a point where I did get bored with a couple of his books. Sadly, I haven't picked up a new one since. I guess I am an Old School King Fan. We'll just leave it at that.

What about you? Did you have a successful IWSG day? If you ever make it big (or not so big) will you know when its time to bow out and just let your books speak for you?

Have a great rest of the week everyone!

Insecure Writer's Support Group...

2011-12-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

Wow, is it the first Wednesday of the month already? I almost forgot!! Glad I didn't.

If you don't know what the IWSG is by now, you can still find the information over at our Ninja Captain's blog. Click here.

I'm torn between two topics this time around. So I think I will go with the one I have seen the most about these days.

As authors and writers, published or unpublished, we all have an inner secret desire. We look great on paper. We answer the repetitive questions over and over with rehearsed answers. We don't want to look like we're desperate, greedy or vain. We don't want to seem as if we might be jealous or envious of our successful colleagues. We don't want to lose a possible fan or a good review.

So what is this inner desire I speak of? We all want to be SOMEONE. We want to stick out of the crowd. We want our stories to be told, yes. Of course we love to write for the sake of writing! We are absolutely addicted to the written word. We put ourselves through so much to become published and we're totally devastated when we aren't.

But what happens after we get published?

Some books seem to just pop right out at you and have TONS of rave reviews. You go to the author's blog and they have a couple thousand followers, they're talking about all the fan mail they get and their website. Woo! To die for. We friend them on FaceBook and stalk them on Twitter. They're on the bestseller list.

But doesn't a small part of you wish that your book was that successful? Don't you want that kind of fame?

Who doesn't?

I have to admit, I have visions of fame dance in my head now and then. It is a basic human desire to want to become immortalized. Why do you think women strive to look younger as they get older? The fascination with vampires and wanting to BE a vampire. (There are people out there who state they are vampires in real life...) All the cosmetic surgery and scientific breakthroughs to live forever, what's it all about? It is about individualization, immortality.

We all want our books to be popular, overnight sensations and yes, even best sellers. We dream of them being turned into movies and making millions.

And you know what? There is absolutely nothing wrong with that! Everyone dreams.

But when you find yourself unhappy with second best... stop. Breathe. Take a look back down that road you just traveled. What really is more important?

Becoming famous?

Or...

Getting your story out there and having it be loved by a total stranger as much as you love it and loved writing it?

Depending on what you have written, don't you want your story to help someone? To change a small part of their life? Because, quite frankly, it is the people you have affected in your life that immortalizes you. They pass your story on to their friends and family and so on and THAT is how you live forever.

Help A Fellow Author!!...

2011-12-06T15:11:00.000-08:00

I was browsing through my blogs that I follow and happened upon Anne Bradshaw's recent blog. I will copy and paste the post here but I want you all to go over to her blog for links and details.

Click here for links (Just in case they don't work) and read below. From Anne's blog directly:

Danyelle Leafty, author of the Fairy Godmother Dilemma series, has become really sick, and it would be great to help her out. Here is a message from her husband about what happened:

Danyelle had been working very hard to get her series up before Christmas.Then "IT" hit. Some kind of pain was there all day and by 10:45pm, she started experiencing unbearable pain that went until 12:15am when I got home. I got our four kids out of bed and loaded up, then helped Danyelle into the car and drove her to the ER.

As soon as we pulled into the hospital parking lot around 1:00am, our
six-year-old autistic son flipped out. He hates doctors. He didn't want to
be there, and I didn't want to leave my wife. I contacted someone from our church who volunteered to sit with our kids at home so I could stay with Danyelle.

Turned out to be a kidney stone. We got Danyelle home around 4:00am.
Luckily, during the last two days a great lady has filled in for me at work, so I could wait on Danyelle hand and foot, and tomorrow my mom is coming.

Having Danyelle get sick right when she was working on releasing her books has been very stressful. We'd appreciate any assistance anyone has to offer to help us get the word out before Christmas.

Three of Danyelle's books are available as eBooks, and she has five total for this series. Here are the three on Kindle: The Fairy Godmother Dilemma: Catspell, The Fairy Godmother Dilemma: Firespell, and The Fairy Godmother Dilemma: Applespell.

Her website.
Her blog.
Her Facebook account.
Her Facebook Author Page.
Her Twitter Account.

Thanks everyone for showing her some support!

Promised Pics...

2011-12-04T14:17:00.000-08:00

So I promised you all some pics awhile back. I wanted to finally post them up here and share, so here you go!

To the left you'll see the cool hourglass my kids got me for my birthday.

In the middle here is the view from my new house. I took this pic while standing in the sun room and looking out the window. Notice the moose if you look closely! Sadly, he has Christmas lights tangled in his antlers. Didn't seem to bother him, but maybe the other moose were making fun of him...

And the next one here is the cool little niche in my house where my bookcase resides at the moment. (Ignore the mess!)It will soon be my cool little writing area. My husband is going to build me a desk and then to make sure company doesn't see my huge mess, we're going to build a nice folding screen that I can decorate. That way my area will be hidden from sight and private enough for me to hide behind and write!

And finally, the one on the left I took while the leaves were changing color. We were driving by the lake in town where all the float planes land and I just couldn't pass up the opportunity. Especially seeing the way the clouds were reflected in the water.

So there are the pics I promised. I like to share Alaska when I can. Oh! And I will share one last one. This one is of my kitty, Gir, acting like a bibliocat and perching on my bookcase as if she were the Queen of the Paperbacks. She's so cute!

Hope you all had a great weekend and have an awesome Monday.

Writing Work...

2011-12-01T15:07:00.000-08:00

It's funny. Since my announcement of signing my first book contract, I've found myself still browsing blogs with writing advice.

Do all authors still work at trying to be better? Do they work at making the next book better than the last?

Yes. They do.

At least that is my sincere hope. I would hate to think that they just keep writing and cranking out their work without giving it a second thought after getting the first one published.

I have taken a bit of a break since signing my contract. My next project is going to be a short, 10,000 word piece called "The Wicked One". It is one that I am going to self publish on Smashwords when it is done. Then back to work on revising "Veritas". In between, I have a couple of other short stories I want to expand on and put up on Smashwords as well.

I've got a friend that is willing to do artwork for me. In the meantime, is there a way to work on cover art for myself? I don't have Photoshop.

So do you still work at being a better writer or do you just let it all fall where it may?

Author Support Post...

2011-11-30T07:00:00.000-08:00

Well, it has been awhile since I have done a post like this. I'm trying to keep up with these and promoting as I discover people. I've just begun reading a new author by the name of Joseph Lallo. Click on his name to get over to his website.

While I am only at the beginning of this book, The Book of Deacon, I'm finding that I like his writing style and his idea for this book. I'll more than likely be getting the rest of his books as soon as I have some spare cash. (Ha! What is this thing I speak of??)

You can find a list of his books over at Smashwords.

Once I am done with the book, I will put up a full review. But he's a new favorite and seems to be self published. I love finding these little gems when looking for books.

I'm also looking for some suggestions as far as books go. No romance unless it has a really good plot, please.

Another author I've stumbled across and not exactly sure how long she's been at it, is Cricket McRae. I read her book, "Lye In Wait" and adored it. The MC is a home crafter and she even supplies some recipes for things at the end of the book like lotion bars. I used to love doing stuff like that and the recipe sounds amazing. I can't wait to try it!

So there are two authors I'm supporting. Who's on your list?

Top Ten Movie Quotes...

2011-11-29T07:00:00.000-08:00

I'm a huge fan of movies. If you couldn't already tell. I'm a horror movie buff, with the occasional chick flick thrown in the mix. I do love a good action flick and adore epic movies. Over the years, I find myself quoting from movies more than I do from books.

Thank goodness for Goodreads! I find quotes I like all the time!

But to pass some time and to get back into the swing of blogging again, I thought I would post up my top ten favorite movie quotes.

And in advance, pardon the language.

10. "Well I'll be g** damned! Shit-kicker heaven!" ~ Zephyr from Near Dark.

9. "Normal denotes a lack of courage." ~ One of the aunts from Practical Magic.

8. "I'm feeling a little woozy over here!" ~ One of the killers from Scream, after being stabbed.

7. "Where do these stairs go?"
"They go up!" ~ Venkman and Co. from Ghostbusters.

6. "And there was much rejoicing." ~ Monty Python's Holy Grail.

5. "Why cut his heart out with a spoon?"
"Because it will hurt more!" ~ Sheriff of Nottingham from Robin Hood.

4. "Two bits, four bits, six bits, a peso. All for Zorro, stand up and say so!" ~ Zorro from Zorro the Gay Blade.

3. "If you can see me, what am I doing?" ~ Sydney from Scream on the front porch, picking her nose.

2. "Feel better?"
"Yeah. Hey, wanna get pancakes?" ~ Marvin from Red after shooting the bad guy in the head to make sure he was dead.

1. "Did you really call my parents? My mom and dad are gonna be so mad!" ~ One of the killers from Scream.

Yeah, more than one reference to Scream in there. Sorry. And for the life of me I can't remember the characters name!!!! Oh well.

Hope they at least made you giggle. Have a great day!

Monday Again...

2011-11-28T14:13:00.000-08:00

Usually the Monday after Thanksgiving is pretty slow for me. On Black Friday, I typically would hide out in my house. Being in a small town, though, I had to work and that was all right. The stories kept pouring in about how crazy people got.

Cyber Monday, well normally I don't hang out on the internet on that day either. Things tend to slow way down. But I haven't posted in awhile.

I was watching Vampire Diaries on Netflix. It's not bad. But it got me to thinking...

Who started the whole Vampires walking in daylight stuff? I know Blade could. Then again, he's one bad ass vampire slayer.

Edward, well, we won't go there. Sorry to any Twilight fans....

Now we have Stefan with a special ring. I think. Hey, I only watched a couple of episodes. Don't even know if Damon can walk in daylight.

My gripe with vampire and zombie novels has always been this: Do something different for pity's sake!!!

Well, these days, most authors are doing something different with vampires. Not sure about zombies simply because I am not a big zombie fan. I don't know why, please don't hurt me for that statement.

One thing is for sure, though. Vampires have been brought out of the darkness over the years. They can walk in daylight, so they are no longer the Creatures of the Night we once knew. Oh, and I will give kudos to Ms. Meyers for making her vampires vegetarians, so to speak.

Hope everyone had a good holiday weekend. Where applicable of course. Hehe!

Friday Favorites, Fantasy Art & A Funny...

2011-11-25T07:00:00.000-08:00

I've missed doing these. I enjoy adding my Friday posts to all the others out there, even if it isn't part of a blog hop or meme.

Well, getting right to it, I have a new author to add to my favorites, so here we go!

Favorite books/authors:

Jessica Bell. Yep, that's right. Her book, String Bridge, really touched my heart. I'm sure you all got to see my review of her book. If not, you can go here. But I really connected with Jessica's MC, Melody. As I said in my review, this is a super rare thing for me. Most characters I read about are dear to me, they become beloved, but I don't always get that super strong connection. I have been in similar situations as Melody, that is what pulled at me most. So now Jessica and her wonderful writing talent have become one of my favorites!

Favorite movies:

I'm a sucker for a chick flick once in awhile. And I have to lump these three movies together because I will absolutely watch all three of them over and over and over again. Usually when I'm on my own because otherwise I'll be picked on horrendously. So what are they? Becoming Jane, Pride and Predjudice with Kiera Knightly (even though I don't like her much) and Matthew McFadyen (who I do like lots!) and Sense and Sensibility with Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant and the delicious Alan Rickman.

Favorite Music:

Have I mentioned Jimmy Eat World? I'm sure I have in other posts, such as the April A-Z blog challenge. I love this group and the other day at work, I swear the radio station was having a marathon of their music. I got to hear lots of my favorite songs. This is one of my favorite groups and probably always will be.

Okay, now for the Fantasy Art:

And because I am not a Dallas Cowboys fan AT ALL, I particularly like this funny:

Haha! Have a great weekend, everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving...

2011-11-23T07:00:00.000-08:00

The holidays are upon us! I'm tempted to just run away screaming. But this year is going to be extra special because my son is here with us. I feel complete as a family once again.

Around my house, we alternate years in the way of Traditional Thanksgiving or Traditional Christmas meals.

One year we'll have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner of turkey with all the fixings and then a non-traditional dinner for Christmas. Such as Chinese food, Mexican or Italian. Then the next year we switch that around to have the non-traditional Thanksgiving and then the traditional Christmas feasts.

This year, we're striving for Greek. Anyone know what a traditional Greek Christmas dinner consists of? I might just have to make it up as I go along. I just want Gyros. Hehe!

I've also been working all week. I asked for the extra hours and got them. I'm not complaining, we need the money to make up for our hasty move. It just means I have to make sure I get the major things for the meal prepared in advance. Most likely I will be doing lots of baking tonight. I have a couple of pies in the freezer all ready to go. I can mix up the green bean casserole (yuck!) and have it ready to just throw in the oven. My family likes it, I don't. I don't like sweet potatoes or yams either.

I hope you all have a wonderful, safe Thanksgiving! I will see you all after the madness.

It Is Official...

2011-11-21T07:00:00.000-08:00

Yep, I signed my contract with Hellfire Publishing and mailed it off. Apparently, they got it, lol! I was told on FaceBook that they had received my signed contract.

Now comes the hard part, right? All the work in getting it ready to make available for sale. The marketing, the blog hops. All of it.

As soon as I have a release date, I will be making plans to do a virtual blog tour. Have the virtual release party and all of that. I would love for any of you willing to have me over for a book blog tour to either leave me a comment here or get a hold of me via email. I have it listed over there in the "About Me" section.

I will provide all the information you will need to make it as easy and painless as possible. If anyone would be up for reviewing my book, again, let me know!

It is Fantasy. Just giving you a heads up. Not everyone likes the fantasy genre. However, I have had people who don't like fantasy tell me that they like what I write. Just sayin', not braggin'. Lol!

So let me know. I absolutely will return the favor. I know a few of you have some release dates coming up and even though I was in the middle of moving and trying to sort my internet issues, I did manage to help Jessica during her release of "String Bridge". Which I adored by the way!!! (Nice extra plug, huh?)

Have a great week, everyone!

I Feel Good...

2011-11-19T07:00:00.000-08:00

It is nice to be back online and catching up with you all. I had far too many posts to filter through, so it might take me awhile to get to most of them and at this point, don't expect much response from me. I will keep up with the newer posts of course.

My husband will be making me a desk soon. We have a nice little niche with recessed lighting that I can cover up with a folding screen to hide the mess when need be and to open up while I am working. Our new place has an awesome view of the bay. I'll take some pics and show you maybe tomorrow if I can find my SD adapter for my computer.

One thing about the new place, we can view the small airport from here, so at night we see a flashing light and figured out it was coming from there. Funny, the strange things you notice about the new places you move into.

I also have one wall with three huge windows. My husband and my son both put their computer desks in front of those and covered one with a blanket to keep out sunlight until I get some bamboo blinds.

I just can't wait to get my desk so I can finally put my map back up and get back to work on my writing stuff.

Speaking of, keep an eye out for a post from me. I am hoping to have a short story completed and ready to go for sale. It is called "The Wicked One" and should be around 10,000 words. I'm trying to give myself a deadline, now that I actually have internet back up and can possibly make that deadline rather than sitting out in public somewhere trying to make it available.

All right! I hope you all have an awesome weekend. I'll see you around. Finally!

Interview Re-Post...

2011-11-18T12:57:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! Hope all is going well for you this week. Things have finally worked themselves out on my end of it all.

My good friend, Carol Marrs Phipps, co-author of Elf Killers, reposted the interview she did for me on the Hellfire Herald over on her blog. She has very few followers, but she's new to the blogging and all that and I thought perhaps I would link you all over there. If you didn't get to see the interview, well, here's your chance!

Go here to read it. Tweet it, FaceBook it, send some people on over and show some bloggy love.

It is good to be back! And I will be posting again soon. I have lots of catching up to do. Whee!

I'm Back!...

2011-11-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

Well, up until yesterday our internet was still down. I had a post all planned lamenting this fact while I sat at McDonald's yesterday.

So we were scheduled to have internet on the 16th. My husband got home from work, busted out the modem and our new router and got all set. Then I got a text message while I was at work about how he couldn't get online. He had tried to call tech support, but the phone company said he wasn't listed as a person who could discuss the account... whatevs. I had him on there.

As luck would have it, there was a phone outage in our area and they put in a repair ticket. So I went home and checked the phone out after preparing a blog post for you all about how I was still offline. Just as I got in and kicked off my shoes, the repair guy showed up!

Woohoo!

So yes, after that whole long diatribe, I am back online and now have to get back to work. My second job, you know, the writing and entertaining you all. Woohooo!!!!

Can I just say how much I have MISSED YOU ALL!!!!!! <3

String Bridge by Jessica Bell Review...

2011-11-17T23:18:00.000-08:00

This was supposed to go up today and it is listed in my blog as October 31st, for whatever reason. I need to post this so you can all see it. I was a draft at one point and apparently saved it for the day I created it.

The original post is here.

This is the re-post:

While I am still doing book reviews over here at My Chaotic Ramblings, this one is a personal favor and honor for me to do here on my own blog.

This one is for Jessica Bell, also known as The Alliterative Allomorph.

Jessica has written a book, String Bridge, and has done an album to go along with it.

I've already posted lots of this info on Nov. 11th for the Chart Rush on Amazon.com, this post is for the review. So, here it is.

About the book:

Greek cuisine, smog and domestic drudgery was not the life Australian musician, Melody, was expecting when she married a Greek music promoter and settled in Athens, Greece. Keen to play in her new shoes, though, Melody trades her guitar for a 'proper' career and her music for motherhood. That is, until she can bear it no longer and plots a return to the stage--and the person she used to be. However, the obstacles she faces along the way are nothing compared to the tragedy that awaits ... "Jessica Bell's STRING BRIDGE strummed the fret of my veins, thrummed my blood into a mad rush, played me taut until the final page, yet with echoes still reverberating. A rhythmic debut with metrical tones of heavied dark, fleeting prisms of light, and finally, a burst of joy--just as with any good song, my hopeful heartbeat kept tempo with Bell's narrative." ~Kathryn Magendie, author of Sweetie, Tender Graces and Secret Graces, Publishing Editor of Rose & Thorn Journal

"Poet and musician Jessica Bell's debut novel String Bridge is a rich exploration of desire, guilt, and the difficult balancing act of the modern woman. The writing is lyrical throughout, seamlessly integrating setting, character and plot in a musical structure that allows the reader to identify with Melody's growing insecurity as her world begins to unravel ... String Bridge is a powerful debut from a promising writer, full of music, metaphor, and just a hint of magic." ~Magdalena Ball, author of Repulsion Thrust and Sleep Before Evening

My thoughts:

I have to say when Jessica first asked me to read the book for a review, I was slightly hesitant because ... well, I'm not much of a women's fiction sort of gal. But upon reading the very first sentence, I was hooked. Which is yet another thing that doesn't usually happen to me.

By the end of the first chapter, I had bonded with Melody in a way I have rarely bonded with a character before. At least not one that wasn't of my own creation. Jessica packed a pretty solid punch. Melody, or Mel, is a wife, a mother and is working to make ends meet in a career she really didn't want. When she met her husband, Alex, she hoped that his being a promoter would help her get some gigs. Stage fright be damned.

Mel gets pregnant and has a beautiful daughter, smart as a whip, too! But what really connected me to Mel (aside from her name of course) was the fact that she was worried about ending up like her mother. Mel's mother has some serious issues, not your typical mother picking on daughter kind of issues either. The sort of things that make you want to call up your own mother and say, "OMG thanks for not being like THIS!".

I can't say much more without spoiling the book. But I will say I cried when Mel cried, I celebrated when Mel celebrated, I became frustrated when Mel became frustrated and angry when Mel became angry. There were lots of different things that happened to Melody that I have had happen to me, so I connected on lots of different levels there. But Jessica's outstanding talent brought it all home to me, pulled me in and allowed me to share in this woman's life. I got to peek inside the windows and watch events unfold.

Thanks, Jessica, for asking me to read this book. Thank you for writing it and for having the courage to submit it to be published. Excellent book! I am certainly going to recommend this book as much as possible.

Not Quite All There...

2011-11-11T14:40:00.001-08:00

So I am sitting at my local McDonald's (yuck) to use their internet today. I still have not heard from the phone company on when to expect my broadband to be up and running. I had been on top of this just before we moved and was getting it all set up and now they dropped the ball.

SO.

I'm still not sure when I will be back online. I'm completely missing out on NaNo. Good thing no one has sponsored me, I'd feel highly embarrassed and ashamed. I am working on my revisions of Book Two: Veritas as well as a short story that I'm looking into putting up for sale on Smashwords or something, myself.

I want to thank everyone who has left me comments on the past couple of posts! I normally am very good about responding, so thanks so much! I look forward to getting to know my new followers when I return.

I hope all is well with everyone. I'm enjoying my cute, quiet, little place very much. Good thing we moved when we did, as it has begun to snow here and I put off getting my snow tires on. Gah! So now I have two on, by Monday I will have all four. But I don't exactly enjoy sliding all over in the snow.

Take care and see you all (hopefully) soon!

Hellfire Herald...

2011-11-09T07:00:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! Unless things were changed, there should be an interview with yours truly over here at the Hellfire Herald!

Drop on by and check it out! I'd love to hear from you over there as well. Thanks!!

Another Author Support Post...

2011-11-06T11:00:00.000-08:00

So, I posted last week about promoting new and self pubbed authors. I've got one more for you today and then I will post again next week.

And if you are reading this, I'm in the process of moving and have decided to schedule several posts so as not to get too far off track of the blogging.

Okay so here we go:

Lacey Weatherford, author of "Of Witches and Warlocks: The Trouble With Spells". From what I understand, Lacey is a self pubbed author. She has a whole series out with the above mentioned book as well as several other books. I have a blog link here where you can rummage around and find the books.

I did a review for this first book here. Now, I have to tell you and I'm being completely honest. I rated the book 3 stars. Why? Well, read the review to find out. But I will add this: While I did rate her book low and was sort of snarky in my review, I would have liked the book better had certain elements been dropped. Again, see the review. Her writing, however, was very good. She did manage to create images in my head of characters, but didn't develop them as much as I would have liked.

She's gotten tons of reviews on her work, though and the majority rules. She's gotten four and five star reviews from lots of different people. Mine is just a drop in the bucket and only my opinion. I'm also not a young adult who might find this book really good. Matter of fact, I would recommend it to my niece in about a year when she's a little older. I think she would enjoy it if she stays in her paranormal phase. We'll see.

So there you have it. Another indie author I want to promote, although she and K.C. May probably don't need the help. Lol! Simply because they seem to have a good, solid following. I'm just adding to it.

Moving Update...

2011-11-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

Well, looks like I will get internet next week. At the moment, I can use dial up for free.

...

Meh.

Anyway, things are going well. I have a couple scheduled posts and should be back up and running in time for a few upcoming things.

Thanks everyone for your comments on yesterdays post! I will have to take some time to catch up with all of you once I am back online. In the meantime, keep on keeping on! Or ... whatever.

Have a great week, weekend and all that jazz!

IWSG...

2011-11-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

That stands for Insecure Writer's Support Group. It is the first Wednesday of every month, of course, and hosted by the Ninja himself, Alex Cavanaugh. ::Cheers::

This is where we, as writers, stand up and either whimper about our insecurities or try to give helpful advice.

Well, I have whimpered a lot in the past couple of weeks and so last time I went with being supportive. Sorry for scaring the pants off of some of you. Not my intention, was trying to be helpful. Hehe!

I'm going to try and give it another shot here.

Writing is hard as hell. I know, yet again not a great way to be supportive or give good advice, right? But bear with me.

We write, we edit, we polish and wipe the sweat from our brows. We repeat the processes over and over til we just know we have it right. We start shopping around for an agent or publisher and submit our work. Rejection seems to come in droves.

How many of us follow the rules of the person or place we're submitting to? Do you read the guidelines and sort of gloss over what they are asking for? Do you look at your manuscript and shrug and say, "Eh. It'll do."?

I hope not. But, there are those out there who don't do the research necessary to the agent or publisher. And this is the supportive part.

Do yourself the favor of doing the research of what each individual wants. Modify things to form what each agent is asking for or how the publisher would like you to submit your work.

A few examples: Tor Books ~ These were the FAQs for submitting to Tor Books. They want things done a particular way, just like Penguin/Daw Books do. While Tor wants the first three chapters, nothing more than 40-60 pages or less than 10,000 words, Penguin wants the entire manuscript with a cover letter. Tor wants a dated cover letter AND synopsis of the entire book. Penguin doesn't mention a synopsis and wants you to mail the entire MS, unbound, no electronic submissions allowed. Tor wants a physical copy as well. 7 Realms Publishing only accepts submissions by invitation.

Of course, these are all fantasy places and all places I researched for submission purposes. But you get my point. You can't just create a generic package and expect everyone to want the same thing. I suppose it is different for agents, but even the few agents I scouted out all wanted different things as well. Different word count synopsis, cover letter, no cover letter... You have to tweak your submission package as much as you have to tweak your writing in the editing stages.

If you do your homework/research and send EXACTLY what people are asking for, you may get farther than just a simple form rejection. I've been rejected by Tor, (But that was before editing...) didn't even get my foot in the door with 7 Realms, chickened out on sending to Penguin until I got things polished up... rejected, rejected... and this was all before I started blogging or even knew what the hell I was doing. So I went about things a little backwards... meh. Story of my life. Now, however, I know and understand the importance of each and every hoop we jump through to get published and just how much RESEARCH affects our chances of moving forward.

Now, go get 'em!

Darkspell Releases Today!...

2011-10-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

Oh, imagine the bliss author Elizabeth Mueller must be feeling at this moment! Why? Because her book, 'Darkspell', releases today. On Halloween!

It is a perfect day for her book release and we couldn't be more proud of her!

So hop on over to Elizabeth's blog and find out where to purchase this book!

Go on, shoo! Don't make me egg your house...

Review: String Bridge by Jessica Bell...

2011-10-31T01:23:00.000-07:00

While I am still doing book reviews over here at My Chaotic Ramblings, this one is a personal favor and honor for me to do here on my own blog.

This one is for Jessica Bell, also known as The Alliterative Allomorph.

Jessica has written a book, String Bridge, and has done an album to go along with it.

I've already posted lots of this info on Nov. 11th for the Chart Rush on Amazon.com, this post is for the review. So, here it is.

About the book:

Greek cuisine, smog and domestic drudgery was not the life Australian musician, Melody, was expecting when she married a Greek music promoter and settled in Athens, Greece. Keen to play in her new shoes, though, Melody trades her guitar for a 'proper' career and her music for motherhood. That is, until she can bear it no longer and plots a return to the stage--and the person she used to be. However, the obstacles she faces along the way are nothing compared to the tragedy that awaits ... "Jessica Bell's STRING BRIDGE strummed the fret of my veins, thrummed my blood into a mad rush, played me taut until the final page, yet with echoes still reverberating. A rhythmic debut with metrical tones of heavied dark, fleeting prisms of light, and finally, a burst of joy--just as with any good song, my hopeful heartbeat kept tempo with Bell's narrative." ~Kathryn Magendie, author of Sweetie, Tender Graces and Secret Graces, Publishing Editor of Rose & Thorn Journal

"Poet and musician Jessica Bell's debut novel String Bridge is a rich exploration of desire, guilt, and the difficult balancing act of the modern woman. The writing is lyrical throughout, seamlessly integrating setting, character and plot in a musical structure that allows the reader to identify with Melody's growing insecurity as her world begins to unravel ... String Bridge is a powerful debut from a promising writer, full of music, metaphor, and just a hint of magic." ~Magdalena Ball, author of Repulsion Thrust and Sleep Before Evening

My thoughts:

I have to say when Jessica first asked me to read the book for a review, I was slightly hesitant because ... well, I'm not much of a women's fiction sort of gal. But upon reading the very first sentence, I was hooked. Which is yet another thing that doesn't usually happen to me.

By the end of the first chapter, I had bonded with Melody in a way I have rarely bonded with a character before. At least not one that wasn't of my own creation. Jessica packed a pretty solid punch. Melody, or Mel, is a wife, a mother and is working to make ends meet in a career she really didn't want. When she met her husband, Alex, she hoped that his being a promoter would help her get some gigs. Stage fright be damned.

Mel gets pregnant and has a beautiful daughter, smart as a whip, too! But what really connected me to Mel (aside from her name of course) was the fact that she was worried about ending up like her mother. Mel's mother has some serious issues, not your typical mother picking on daughter kind of issues either. The sort of things that make you want to call up your own mother and say, "OMG thanks for not being like THIS!".

I can't say much more without spoiling the book. But I will say I cried when Mel cried, I celebrated when Mel celebrated, I became frustrated when Mel became frustrated and angry when Mel became angry. There were lots of different things that happened to Melody that I have had happen to me, so I connected on lots of different levels there. But Jessica's outstanding talent brought it all home to me, pulled me in and allowed me to share in this woman's life. I got to peek inside the windows and watch events unfold.

Thanks, Jessica, for asking me to read this book. Thank you for writing it and for having the courage to submit it to be published. Excellent book! I am certainly going to recommend this book as much as possible.

Okay...

2011-10-30T14:52:00.000-07:00

So the move is coming up. Looks like I might be without internet for like a week, hopefully less, but I am not holding my breath.

In that time, I will be revising book two of my series, Veritas. I know, I was supposed to make Veritas book three, but when I started thinking of the content in each of the books, the truth starts to come to light about some things in book two rather than book three. And Bellum (which means War in Latin) is the final book. I'm going to love writing some war scenes!

Once book three is done, I have the stand alone book about Black Rose ready to revise. It was completed and tucked away. Then I have two more stand alone books. One about Nightshadow and one about....

Sorcha!

Yeah, the idea popped into my head the other day while cleaning. Sorcha will get her very own book. A few people have mentioned how much they like my pyrate, so there we go. It will be a good story on the high seas. I love pirates!

I'm thinking of switching my story for NaNoWriMo to one of the historical fiction books I have had simmering in the back of my brain. Might be a good time to work on those. At least hammer out the details of it all.

Hope you are all having a great weekend! Happy Halloween and bring on NaNo!

Moving Next Week...

2011-10-27T13:15:00.000-07:00

No, not moving my blog. Moving into a new place. That means I may not be online for a week or so. If you don't see anything posted, don't fret. I did schedule two posts, though.

One being the IWSG (Insecure Writer's Support Group). That is always a must.

Can't recall the other one. Lol! Oh well.

I'm going to be spending lots of time finishing up whatever packing I have to do. So everyone have a great rest of the week and an awesome weekend! Do some trick-or-treating for me too, as I will be moving. Woot!

Idea Hacking...

2011-10-26T14:29:00.000-07:00

I was over at C.K. Bryant's blog and am sort of tapping into her latest post.

How many is too many in a series?

The discussion was based around the House of Night series by Kristen and P. C. Cast. These are young adult paranormal romance books. Key word here is Young Adult. They're fast reads, well done and all, but I stopped at like the 5th one. There are 13 in the series.

The premise of the story is good, but when I left a comment, I referred to fantasy series.

Two authors that I adore were very good at writing series. David Eddings and Melanie Rawn. Eddings wrote a series of books, five in the series. The Belgariad. Then, using those same characters, wrote five more books, The Malloreon. Then, two more books sprung from those, Belgarath the Sorcerer and Polgara. I devoured every single one of those books. I loved the characters, the humor and the fact that the story kept moving.

Rawn did the same thing, sort of. Three books in The Dragon Prince series and then three more in the Dragon Star series. She used a majority of the same characters. In the first series, the children of the main characters were young. Then in the second series, the elders are really elders and it is the children, grown up, who do the fighting. Well written stories that moved along.

Of course, I have read other series and trilogies. But once the third book is done, there are very few "spin-off" books. Unless of course you read Forgotten Realms or Dragonlance. Those characters intertwine in lots of other stories, make cameo appearances...

I'm trying to think of other series I have read, but can't focus on what is on my bookshelf because my books are packed. Lol!

But anyway, the original question was, how many are too many in a series? You have Harry Potter which has seven, plus three books associated with it. Tales of Beedle the Bard, Quidditch Through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. You also have the whole Redwall series of books by Brian Jaques. I still don't know how many books are in that series. A Series of Unfortunate Events... I could go on.

So what do you say? How many is too many?

This Is One Post I Can't Schedule...

2011-10-25T13:23:00.000-07:00

I'll be making a small change to my blog profile, but even though I will only be changing a couple of words, its a super huge deal.

*Ahem*

I have gotten a contract from Hellfire Publishing. My book, Shadow of the Rose, Book One: Adversarius, has been accepted and will most likely be a Spring/Summer release!

This is sort of why I was scrambling to get the query and synopsis done. Awhile back, on FaceBook, Dawn Binkley (HP Editor) had mentioned to me that they accept Fantasy submissions. So I thought, hmm... why not? That is when I began editing, looking for beta readers, working on the query and synopsis.

I polished them all to the best of my ability and followed the submission guidelines to a 'T' and was accepted. I submitted the work on my birthday. XD That was my present to myself.

I've done my homework this time. The only thing I can find out there that slams Hellfire is on the Absolute Write Water Cooler about grammatical errors on their website. The contract is sound and pretty average. In my heart, I feel this is a good fit for me, a better start than before with the Evil PA.

So there ya go! I'm super excited! Woohoo!!!

Blogger Block...

2011-10-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

I feel like I am having Blogging Block. Not really writer's block, but close enough. I just know I will be offline for a week when I move and I'm trying to get some posts up.

I may put up some new pages here and gear it up for more of a website look and feel. I'm really liking my new look.

If all else fails I will, at the very least, pull some old posts. Maybe even drop some excerpts on you guys. That would be good. Wish I had a scary story to post for Halloween. Meh. Oh well.

So let's see what I can pull from the dredges.

Support Your Fellow Authors...

2011-10-23T13:28:00.000-07:00

First of all, I have a new look. Took me freakin' days of obsessing over it to get it the way I wanted. But that's just how I am. I get my mind on something and I can't break away til it is done or I get so frustrated I just drop it.

And thank you, Michael, for suggesting I use my blog as my website. (I wasn't following your blog OMG ::Facepalm::) I think that is what I will do, but at the moment I am very much in love with my cute little flash site. Here is the link for that.

Now, back to my title. Supporting your fellow authors. There aren't enough hours in a day to do what we do, let alone help another author push their books. We have jobs, we have families and friends and other commitments and obligations.

Completely understandable!! But, what if you took some time out every so often to just mention a brand new or indie author you have read? I am not proposing a blog hop. I'm not even asking you to do a review. Just simply, if you find a brand new author or self pubbed author that actually has a good book, post it up here and give us all a link.

I sort of make it a habit to look up books on Smashwords to see if I can find ones that have no ratings or reviews yet. If the book description looks decent, I'll read it. If I don't like it, I don't post anything, but if I do like it, I review it and give it my honest opinion.

The first people I want to post about are brand new authors from Hellfire Publishing. Husband and wife, Carol and Tom Phipps (This link takes you to the blog). They wrote 'Elf Killers'. I met Carol right out of the blue and she and I have become really good friends. I'm looking forward to the series they are working on right now. But, by all means, if you like fantasy, check out my review. If you know someone who likes fantasy, maybe you could recommend the book. Also, I know the blog is simple and I don't know if she has a website. I've offered up my services if she needed any help with anything. Since, you know, I'm such an expert... ::snorts:: But I did get my blog all pretty.

Anyway.

On to K. C. May. She is an indie author and I first came across her book, 'The Kinshield Legacy', while be-bopping around Amazon looking for some books for my Kindle. Being the El Cheapo that I am, I was looking for free or under $2 books. I found the first book for like .99 cents and paid whatever the full price was for the second book in the series because I loved it that much!
K. C. has a website here. Her book is here. And I don't even know if she has a blog... I'll check. Aha! She does. Right here. I did a review for her book over on My Chaotic Ramblings and I also posted the review on Amazon.

Okay, so there are two authors I have promoted. You can either share a link to my post to get their name out there or you can write your own post. I'd greatly appreciate it and so would these authors. It would also be cool if you would do the same on your blog. You know, pull a newbie out of the hat and promote the hell outta them. We need all the networking we can get!

Character Names...

2011-10-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

And how the heck to come up with them!

Laura over at Writing Unleashed left a comment for me the other day. She wanted to know how I come up with fresh names in fantasy and story ideas.

Well. Let me tell you! ::Rubs her hands together gleefully::

I have a couple of name generators I go to. Seventh Sanctum, Rink Works, Serendipity, etc. They're all very good, but Seventh Sanctum is my fave by far. But half the time a name in their list sort of works for me. Others are perfect. But even if I use a generator, I still want to make my names unique. So when I saw 'Bassin', I thought... ooh! Alabassin. He's my young prince and Kayta's love interest.

Speaking of Kayta, she was my original Dungeons and Dragons character. When coming up with her name, I used my middle name, Kay, and added the 'ta'. She's been around since I was 19.

Nightshadow was a character in Cosrin, the online role playing game, and she was an assassin there as well. I just figured she was good at hiding in the shadows and wore clothes black as night.

When trying to rename some of the characters from Cosrin for my books, lots of names just came off the top of my head. Like Talaver (Tale uh ver), Farrehn (Far ehn) and Vendras (Vehn drahs). I just plucked those out of the ether. Same with Senweis (Sehn ways).

Now that list I showed the other day of what not to do when writing fantasy, I said a couple of them applied to me. One was "don't use an apostrophe in a name". Well, bugger that, I have a couple of names like the world itself is named Eir du'Brusai (Air do brew sigh). Kayta's last name is Ni'adzul (Knee add zool) and Alabassin's is Li'endrin (Lee en drin). I also have a continent named Istlandu'us (Ist land us). Those sort of came off the top of my head as well.

Now Nightshadow is an assassin and part of the D'raetus Pastiniir (There's that apostrophe again) and it is pronounced 'dee ray tus past ih near'. They are the elite of the elite as far as assassins go. I got that name mixing Latin and Drow, a form of Tolkien's Elvish language. I have translator sites for those. There are lots of things I used Latin and Drow for. Some names I don't want to use the traditional and go for the mix. When I wanted to call my wizards something else, I thought of the Magi and decided to spell it 'Mahjii'.

A friend of mine came up with the name Kefferlings (kehf er lings) for my elf cat race. My husband came up with Dargorians (Dar gore ee ehns) for my humanoid dragon race. I think I got Firlochians (Fur low key ehns) off of a generator. I didn't think Firlochian sounded much like a name and more like a race.

As for story ideas? I'm going for a somewhat generic plot with this trilogy. Tyrannical king wants to gain more power and is trying to wipe out the only force that can stop him, which happens to be Kayta and her family and armies. An arranged marriage where the intended groom would rather be married to another and a few more twists and turns I won't mention because it will spoil it. I also have another book in the works that will focus on Black Rose. He was my husband's character from Dungeons and Dragons and we've made him a champion of a deity. He'll be fighting an Elemental, in this case an Earth Elemental, that accidentally stepped into the summoning circle of a Mahjii and got possessed by a powerful demon. You'll have to ask my husband how he came up with that one.

Okay, so sorry to ramble on! But hope that answers some questions.

Have A Hardhat...

2011-10-20T16:28:00.001-07:00

Excuse my dust while I sit here and play with Blogger. I'm trying to find a background and image that works for me.

Thanks for being patient!

Wanting A Change...

2011-10-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to find a way to change my website up a bit. So when I logged into Webs.com, I thought, maybe I should just go ahead and upgrade.

...

Yeah, so not worth it.

It's great for a free site, but the fact that even WITH the premium upgrade, I don't get to change up the background that much the way I want it. I'm not a good HTML person. I don't do code and hate asking for someone to help me so I can get a nice one done.

Plus I'm cheap. I want it free.

I know, I know... insert lewd comment here, right?

In this economy with me just barely getting back to work, I can't afford a whole heck of a lot to begin with. But when I am told that getting an upgrade will include a domain name (it doesn't, have to pay extra) or email addresses (can't get 'em without the domain) I sort of expect to get what I'm paying for. Not be sent to other sites to get those extras.

Ah well. So now I am looking around for another place to put up my website. One that will allow me to tweak it how I want to, baby.

I'll either be posting a new link to a new site or I will be back here spitting nails and asking for some suggestions.

Hope you all are having a great week!

Writing High Fantasy...

2011-10-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

Half the time I use this blog to post about "Oh, I'm moving" or non writing related stuff. That's the Musings and Other Such Nonsense of this blog.

I seriously need to get back to the "Writing" part of this blog. I'm looking around for some fun topics and trying to offer up advice I've been given along the way. Right now, I'm going to write about what I know best. Fantasy.

I have discovered that what I write is closer to High Fantasy. I'm sure I have said this before in previous blogs. Maybe I haven't. What classifies it as High Fantasy?

Well, according to Wikipedia: "High Fantasy is defined as fantasy fiction set in an alternative, entirely fictional (secondary) world rather than the real or 'primary' world."

That's pretty much what I write. My stories are set in a world of my creation. If you've read any of this before, you can just pass over my blog today. I won't be heartbroken. But I have talked about this before. However, I have lots of new followers so I'll pretend I'm a broken record.

There are lots of 'Don'ts' in writing fantasy, more specifically, high fantasy. Personally, one of my pet peeves in fantasy is graphic sex scenes. I sort of have issues with this to begin with, but it really gets on my nerves in fantasy. I'm a sword and sorcery kind of gal. I want to get lost in an epic tale with mystical creatures, wizards duking it out and honorable knights battling the forces of evil. I do not want to know who is sleeping with who... (Insert needle scratching on a record sound here).

I mean really, would you have wanted to know the sordid details between Samwise and the sweet girl, Rosie, from the tavern? How about Aragorn and Arwen? You want those details, write fan-fic and leave it at that.

Some of the other don'ts, according to lots of fantasy authors out there: Don't have a orphaned, young boy who doesn't know he's supposed to be king living with a kindly old grandfather who happens to be a wizard.

Been there. Done that. Dozens of times.

If you write fantasy, don't plagiarize either. Making up your exotic sounding names is all well and good. Even more fun! I've used several fantasy name generator sites, but they all said the same thing: Feel free to use these names! Basically giving you permission. I still have changed and altered those names, but a good majority of them have just come off the top of my head. I have pages upon pages of notes with names. But to take a name from say, "Conan the Barbarian" (the old one with Schwarzamuscle) and use it in your book... meh. Unoriginal and copy-catting. Combine that with the use of Tolkien's Elvish, (which, by the way you are NOT allowed to use, I was told) and you're still copy-catting and not working at being unique or even slightly creative. Trust me, a book comes to mind with these two no no's and at least a dozen more.

Gods in disguise? Done. Quest for magical artifact that will save the world? Done. Kind kings duped by evil magicians/advisers? Done and done. I have a whole list and I found it while Googling. Look here, if you write fantasy. If you don't write fantasy, you still might get a good laugh out of it. But if you do write fantasy and any or all of those apply, you might get a little butt-hurt. You've been warned. A couple apply to my writing, but no worries. It is hard to write fantasy and NOT come up with a couple of those things. Writing styles are infinitesimal, I mean, I've been told I write like Tolkien. But I don't. I still have my own unique twist and so does everyone else.

So I hope this is helpful to fantasy writers out there looking for a good start. It does help to write what you know if the majority of your information is fantasy. I'm a nerd and proud of it. :D

It Hasn't Lost Its Charm...

2011-10-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

I've been browsing through my older posts and one in particular caught my eye.

What do you love to create?

At the time, I posted just about everything related to what I was writing. Now, while most of the answers are still the same, I'm discovering more about what I love to create.

I know I griped a lot about the query, the synopsis and all of that. In the end, I'm happy to say I actually did find a positive to it all. Writing the query and the synopsis forced me into breaking out of my comfort zone. I'm not comfortable writing those things. They suck. But I did it.

Editing and using beta readers... same thing. Scared me half to death to release what I wrote into the arms of strangers, but I did it. And that helped my writing as well.

Even after all of that, I still love creating every bit of my characters, my world, my stories. I'm not sure I will ever give it all up. It would take some serious maiming or death. And if there is any maiming to be done, it'll be by me... just kidding. ;) Maybe. Halloween brings out my dark side. Muahaha!

Halloween Approacheth...

2011-10-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

If you all don't know by now, I'll tell you. Halloween is like, my favorite holiday EVER! I love it. I don't know why. I'm also a huge horror movie buff and always enjoyed my brother's Halloween parties. He would play like a two hour long tape (yeah...VHS) of all the scary parts of every scary movie. It was awesome. People would be glued to the TV.

Later on, after the parties stopped and his kids got a little older, he started doing a haunted house in his carport. I got to help the first year before we moved away to Alaska. It was the best!

You would think with all this horror influence in my life that I would write horror/thriller novels. I tried my hand at it once and failed horribly.

Now I'm thinking I need to keep working on that vampire story I started, but vampires are quickly becoming over done. We'll see.

Also, if you don't already know it by now, author Elizabeth Mueller's first book will be released October 31st! Fitting, considering it is titled 'Darkspell'. Congrats to you Elizabeth and I so look forward to reading your book!

I Love Weekends...

2011-10-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

Saturday was a long day for me. Not complaining, but was up at 5:15 a.m. and went to work until early afternoon. After dinner (BBQing, yes, even in the cold... you should have seen us grilling fillet Mignon in below zero weather...) we watched two movies. Green Lantern and Scream 4.

I have to say I like Green Lantern. It was decent and a movie I would watch again. (Ryan Reynolds... hehe!) But Scream 4 topped the night.

I've always been a huge Scream fan. I don't take the movies seriously. (Kind of like Insane Clown Posse) So watching them is absolutely fun for me. My daughter thought it was hilarious because of the look of amusement on my face. We're talking stab fest, here people. What's not to love?

Hmm... that was my dark side speaking. It tends to scare people. Unintentionally of course.

It's funny... I think I could write a really good thriller/horror if I could just figure out a good plot to write about. I tried my hand at horror once and failed miserably, but with my dark imagination I bet I could blow Mr. King away.

Maybe not. He scared the pee out of me with 'Pet Semetary'.

I Gave In...

2011-10-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I did it. I signed up for NaNoWriMo and to make sure I stick to the commitment I've even gone over and got a sponsor page.

You can see it here. I've kept my goal small. $250. If I don't make that, no worries, but at least I am going to give it a shot.

When I do NaNo this year, I posted up my second book in my series as my novel. Then I got to thinking about it, I have a different story idea that I have sort of put on the back burner because I need to do lots of research for it. But I can get the whole premise down on 'paper' and then fill in what I don't know from there. And I'm going to keep it a secret til I'm done... hehe!

You know you love the torture...

So there ya go! I'll be doing NaNoWriMo!

Review: The Kinshield Legacy by K. C. May...

2011-10-15T06:55:00.000-07:00

I have another review up over at My Chaotic Ramblings.

This chick writes fantasy old school, baby. Go check it out!

Friday Favorites, Fantasy Art & A Funny...

2011-10-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

Woot! Another Friday has rolled around. Brings me closer to my moving day.

Without further ado, here is my Friday Faves:

Favorite books/authors:

I have to go with book series here this time around. My all time favorite series were the Forgotten Realms and Dragonlance books. They myriad of authors writing from the same world totally fascinated and inspired me. I would love for my world to be like that someday. Just hand over copies of the dozens of notes I have, the maps... let people run with it like those books. That is what I imagine for my world. May not happen though, but I will still dream. I have a whole section on my bookshelf that has nothing but Forgotten Realms. Tantras, Sojourn, Iron Helm, The Ogre's Pact... they're tucked up in there by Isaac Asimov and David Eddings. I even wrote a fable back in high school inspired by some of the characters from Dragonlance and all those.

Favorite movie:

All of the X-Men movies. I enjoyed X-Men First Class very much. Has to do with James McEvoy I think. Yum. I collected the comics when I was younger. I was the kind of girl who blew the nerds' minds. A girl. A pretty girl. She plays D&D AND collects comic books?!

Yeah, that was always fun. I get the same sort of reaction when I tell people I play World of Warcraft. If I had a dime for every time someone has typed into world chat: "Girls don't play WoW" I'd be rich...

Favorite music:

So with my son hanging around now, I can tell I heavily influenced his choices in music. I got him started on Flogging Molly and The Pogues, the Chieftains and all that. Now he's listening to bands similar to those and I'm asking him who they are. It's great! So now I have to jack his iPod and steal some of his music. Hehe! It's all good. I still need a larger iPod. I don't have enough room in 8 gigs for all the music I like.

Fantasy Art:
And the funny:Have a better weekend than this kitty.... lol!

What Inspires?...

2011-10-13T12:58:00.000-07:00

You know, I look back over the last 6 months or so and see how much I have grown as a writer. Going through the processes of the query letter, the synopsis, the editing and all that. Makes me very glad I have author friends out there willing to help.

See, I'm like that as well. I don't want to drag down any author. I would rather help and promote them. I want to read what you have before you send it off to find your typos. Only because they're my pet peeve. (She says as she makes error after error and has to hit 'backspace'...)

I even look on the Cosrin boards every so often and cringe at what I wrote there. But that's okay.

It's just nice to reflect every so often on what I have done in the past. What inspired me so much still inspires me today. I absolutely love writing. Even with all the headaches. But, that's how we learn, right?

So do the things that inspired you to begin writing still inspire you today?

My Week...

2011-10-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

Just keeps getting better and better.

Tuesday was my birfday. First time in 5 years I had both the kids with me AND my mom. Word!

I got an hourglass. I'm going to find out how long it is and use it for writing and ... well lots of things. I love hourglasses. I got a nice decorative bottle with a cork for my kitchen deco. I got a very cool pirate ship that could double as a tiny wind chime. And a dragon holding a sword letter opener. I got some fuzzy slippers, a new jacket. My daughter's boyfriend made a vase for me and they put in some beautiful roses. Her best friend bought me cookies. (Yeah, she knows me well.)

Went out to dinner with my family and a friend. It was just completely awesome! I keep trying to spread some good vibes to all of you!

No NaNo For Moi...

2011-10-11T15:26:00.000-07:00

I would like to do NaNoWriMo this year, since I skipped last year. But, same thing happened this year as last year. I started working. I'm sure I could juggle it, but trying to submit my first book, write the query and the synopsis and everything else on my plate, I sort of have to decide what else to add.

My social eyes are far larger than my social stomach.

If I can swing it, I'll wing it. We'll see.

So I am moving on November first. Sort of fitting, it being a moving day for the Fey. All Saints Day. I've got boxes in the house and the cats are still in the "Ooh! What's this?!" Stage. Soon, they'll panic and run. Can you blame them? Getting their furry little butts stuffed into a duffel bag with air vents...

We're having beautiful weather this fine October week and my week has started off with a great bang. I'm hoping you are all having a good week, I'm trying to spread the glittery love!

Howdy, Happy Campers!...

2011-10-10T11:29:00.000-07:00

It's Monday! Woot! Yeah, no, I am really not that happy it is Monday. But I am happy about several other things.

First, I think I finally got a handle on my query letter. We'll see if it works. Second, I'm now working on my synopsis. On that note, does anyone out there have any links for writing the long synopsis? I've been trying to research this and all I get are links for help on writing the synopsis. Go figure.

My son is here! I brought him to school today. Woohoo!

And on top of all of this... I'M MOVING!!!! Hooray! I've spent nearly three years with bad or rancid water in one way shape or form. Moving back towards town, we'll be back on city water. One place had a well, but out where we were it is hit or miss because of mining that had been done. The water had bacterial iron or something to that effect. We filtered it, we could bathe, wash clothes and dishes but we could not drink it. So we trucked in water. When we moved, we had a cistern. It was fine for awhile, then one of the seals broke and dirt got into the water system. So again, we had to bring home drinking water. Gah!

That is why I am so happy to be moving. At least we will be closer to town again this winter.

My new job is going well. I'm finally getting the hang of things and not making so many mistakes. I'm just sad that all of this going on will be taking away from my blogging, but I will do my best to maintain it. I am going to make sure I have a few posts done and scheduled, ready for you all. I will also keep you all posted on my writing/submission process. Totally excited. Moreso than I should be, I suppose. But who cares! Lol!

Hope you all have a great Monday and a good week.

Friday Favorites, Fantasy Art & A Funny...

2011-10-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

I've scheduled this post because I've gone to get my son who decided to move up here to Alaska to live with me. Woot!!!

So here we go, it's Friday!!

Favorite books/authors:

K. C. May. I'm currently reading the first book in her fantasy series called "The Kinshield Legacy". She has quickly become a new favorite of mine in the fantasy world. She's kickin' it Old School, baby. THAT is what I like. I mean seriously, check this out:

"The Kinshield Legacy is a rousing good fantasy tale, with nice characterization and some ferocious action. These days I read primarily for business rather than pleasure, but I found myself eager to return to this novel." ~ Piers Anthony, Author of the Xanth novels

Yeah, baby. Woot! I'm certainly going to be purchasing more of her books. K. C. May rocks.

Favorite movies:

Lord of the Rings. Don't know if I have ever stated this before, but I am now. Why is this trilogy of movies one of my favorites? Well, I have to go back a bit. I tried reading "The Hobbit" when I was like... 12. Could NOT get into it for whatever reason and gave up reading any of Tolkien's stuff. So fast forward about 20 years and you have me role-playing online and writing fantasy. I got into a conversation with some friends about fantasy and one of them had named his character Treebeard and another was Elendil. Someone commented on nice LotR references. I said, "What?" and got slammed with comment after comment of "How could you claim to write fantasy or even LOVE fantasy and NOT READ TOLKIEN!!!??" Insert shame. Fast forward to like a year later and me getting a critique on some of my earlier writings. I was told I have a "Tolkien-esque" writing style. I sat there and said, "Oh, ok. Thanks."

*ahem*

That was about the time the first movie was going to come out so I said, fine. Whatever. I'll go see what all the fuss is about.

I got hooked. I cried at the delayed reaction to the compliment I got. I went home and the next day got EVERY BOOK from the Hobbit to Return of the King. I read every single one before the next movie came out. I am not just a fan now, but a practical EXPERT on these books. lol!

Favorite music:

Concrete Blonde. Love their music. Used to listen to them a lot when I was younger and now have my kids hooked on their music as well. Woot!

Fantasy art:

No clue where I got this, but I like it.

And the funny:

Have an awesome weekend!

Insecure Writer's Support Group...

2011-10-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

Holy Crap! (Pardon my language...) It is that time of the month again and I am not talking about female issues...

I'm talking about Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Support Group!

So do I want to be an inspiration this time or a whiner? I've been whining enough lately I think, so perhaps I will go the route of inspiration!

So you're a new writer, eh? Think you have what it takes to get your book done and out there? Are you ready for that kind of commitment? Seriously, this isn't a "Of course I'm ready for commitment" kind of date just to get it in the sack and then ignore its phone calls until it finally gives up and you have moved on.... And by 'it' I mean your book.

Your book and its characters will stalk you. Editing will give you nightmares. Query letters will put you in the loony bin bound up in a straight jacket.

So where is this inspiration I spoke of?

Well, think of this. You have a book, all nice and shiny. Finished. Complete! You have submitted it to agents/publishers and you got accepted! Your book comes out, your successful, you do blog hops and book signings. You went to war with all of the above and you WON!!

The road to get there is paved with your blood, sweat and tears. This isn't a picnic, you know, but the rewards in the end are so worth it. Ask any author who has come to the end of the road, ask them if they would do it all over again to get to that final place. The answer would be a resounding, "YES!".

Of course, the winding road won't look like the pic above. It'd look more like the road to Hell.

But that's okay. You have created something special, wonderful and unique. You have people reading and reviewing your book. Most people like it. I say most simply because you'll get the oddball "Troll" out there who will post a snarky review because they have nothing better to do than try to elicit a response to their negativity giving them a false sense of power.

Or, they just don't like it.

That is okay, you can't please everyone. But you will please a good majority of them! So work hard, wipe that sweat from your brow when it comes down to crunch time. Cry when you are frustrated. Bleed a little when you get harsh criticism. Those cuts will heal, you'll develop a thicker skin and you will emerge Victorious!!

In the end, it will all be worth the pain, torment and frustration. It's like having a child, raising it and sending it out into the world to stand on its own two feet. You'll be very proud of it and yeah, you will want to do it again.

New Book Review Up...

2011-10-04T13:40:00.000-07:00

I've just posted a new book review over on My Chaotic Ramblings if you would like to check it out.

You can go here to see the review of: Of Witches And Warlocks: The Trouble With Spells.

Have a great day!

Two Word Tuesday...

2011-10-04T12:51:00.000-07:00

I was on Facebook and Writing.com posted up a blurb: "Two word Tuesday. In two words describe the status of your muse."

One person responded with "On task."

I responded with "On strike."

I may have stated that revising has become the bane of my existence. Well, now I have to REVISE that statement...

I like revising, I hate queries. Only because it is so difficult at the moment. Like revising, I had never had the tools and skills to do what needs to be done, so I hated it. Now my attention has shifted to queries and my cross-hairs have followed. I'm finding the resources I need, just like I did with revisions and the like. It may become easier in time, but at the moment, it's making me grind my teeth.

Next will be writing the synopsis. That should be interesting. I'm the kind of writer that writes first and does the synopsis later. I need to do the synopsis first, then tweak it as needed.

But the best news of all: I got my 200th follower!! Give me a Woot! Thanks for following me, I love hearing all of your comments and if you just drop by and lurk, that's okay too. Have a great rest of the week!!

Friday Favorites, Fantasy Art & A Funny...

2011-09-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

It's Friday!! And I get to do inventory. Woo. Hoo. Just kidding, I don't mind. Gives me a chance to get to hang out with my co-workers and get to know them a little better.

So on with the favorites!

Favorite authors/books:

One of my favorite books, one I really should read again, is "Watership Down". I have to encourage my daughter to read it as well. Whenever we drive home from town or go into town, we always pass by this storage place that has a very large lawn near the road. There are lots of bunnies there. Now, these are not your typical Alaskan bunny mind you. These are bunnies that someone had as pets, then something happened and the bunnies were let out into the area. So they're all sorts of colors. And darn cute!

Favorite movie:

When I did the top ten WORST movies ever in Alex J. Cavanaugh's blog hop, I had listed all the sequels done to "Highlander". However, "Highlander" the original is one of my favorite movies. Granted it was cheesy and there never really was any explanation as to how they became immortals, but I liked the movie itself. No idea why.

Favorite music:

Concrete Blonde. Good group. As Halloween nears, I keep thinking of their song, "Bloodletting (The Vampire Song)". When we first moved to Alaska, my daughter was in middle school and had been dying to take guitar lessons. Well, she ended up with a built in teacher with my brother-in-law. She learned the bass guitar first and that song was one of the first ones she picked up. She then moved on to the six string and we now call her the capo queen. She likes to use the capo quite a bit in her recent works.

Fantasy art:

John Howe's "A Hobbit Dwelling". I love the hobbit houses, I want to live in one. Hehe!

And the Funny (Felt it was appropriate):

I Want This...

2011-09-29T12:36:00.000-07:00

I used to have a yoga mat, but it slipped a little and then deteriorated. By becoming the cat's new chew toy. I certainly didn't want them chewing on something that could be potentially toxic, but this one is made with biodegradable rubber and uses a non toxic softening process.

Yoga is good for you, this mat is good for the environment. So yeah, I want one!

More Musings...

2011-09-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, when I posted, I was just beat. True, the chaotic mess that I call my life won't last forever, thank goodness. But it is beating me up, physically, emotionally, mentally. I can still feel the effects from my surgery and know that I am not completely, 100% myself just yet. But I can function and now have to get used to being on my feet while working. Good thing is, there are stools to sit on when it is slow. Woot!

It also didn't stop me from going over my book and doing a little more editing. I know that 62K words is a little short for a fantasy novel, but how do I lengthen it without giving away what should go into book two?

And make sure it doesn't sound like the filler that it is.

Tough call. But I know I will figure something out. I'm also revising my query, working on the synopsis, waiting to hear back from a couple of people. I'm still excited about it, even if I am so freakin' tired I can't keep my eyes open...

Again, I'll get used to the new routine. Have a great rest of the week and see you all soon!

Chaos...

2011-09-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

Well. As of today, this will officially be my 4th day of work. One of my co-workers is on vacation and will be back next week so at the moment, my schedule is hell. It's all right, I need to get used to being on my feet for over 8 hours a day again. That is something that doesn't take me long to do as long as I have the right shoes. Which of course... I don't. But, no worries.

The only other thing going on is my mom was supposed to leave here and return home on Sunday. Unfortunately, she ended up in the hospital and they won't let her travel just yet. I keep telling her she really didn't want to go home anyway. Hehe! Nothing super serious, but it is keeping me hoppin'. I have to rearrange her flight reservations, bring her stuff she needs, work, pick up my daughter from work, come home, make dinner.... oh, was I supposed to write something? :Snorts:

No matter what, I am going to keep my writing/blogging schedule as best I can. Even if I have to schedule blogs two weeks in advance and just catch up on reading blogs when I am home. I don't want to take a super long hiatus like I did last year. It was very difficult to get back into the writing and blogging routine I had been keeping. The only time I will really take a break is when I move, which has been put on hold.

Other than that, I am enjoying my job! Hope you all are having a fantastic week!

Work...

2011-09-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

Woot! I got a job and will be working part time evenings. Which is good for me, I'm a little night owl. As long as if I ever have to work a day shift I don't work late the previous night. Eh, it's all good. I can sleep when I'm dead, right?

Also, I got EXCELLENT feedback on my query. Thanks to everyone who was over at Matthew's blog and posted their comments and gave their support. MUCH appreciated!!

So back to the revising board with the query. Then continue to work on the other stuff.

I just wanted to post up here and let you all know that if my blogs become a little sporadic, I've got lots going on. However, I am going to do my absolute best to maintain things here and do what I can, when I can.

Have an awesome rest of the weekend!

Foregoing The Usual Friday...

2011-09-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

Wow! Can I just say I feel the love. Bloggy love! I needed some of that right now.

If you have not already seen it, my Query was posted up at Matthew's place. The Quintessentially Questionable Query Experiment (say that five times fast!). You can see it using the link. He is posting up the critique of it today.

I'm trying not to chew my nails.

Okay! So let's just get off that subject for a moment. I wanted to look back at the long, rough, winding road this poor story has taken. You all saw my post on my personal horror story. If not, you can see it here. Don't let the title fool you.

Now here I am, polishing it up, using Beta Readers ( I LOVE YOU GUYS by the way...), writing a query (gasp!) and a long synopsis (double gasp!). These are things that at one point, I didn't think I would ever be doing. I never thought I would have a blog, meet such cool, supportive people or even be asking my awesome artist buddy to do me up some artwork for this tale.

But I also have to give credit to my characters. Boy... does that sound weird. But seriously, their voices clamored in my head until I gave in and rewrote the story and didn't give it up. Do you know what its like to wake up at 3 a.m. to a whiny assassin? She usually isn't whiny. That's what woke me up.

I can't thank the people I dragged into all of this enough. The Betas, the friends and family and yes, even you blogger buddies of mine. All of you authors and writers and reviewers and critique-rs.... All of the advice, support and patience in dealing with the questions of "How do I get there?".

For every single blog I follow I have garnered some shiny tidbit of advice that I have utilized. I may not have commented or said thank you, but I did try to let you know that I listened. So thanks! Thanks to you all.

Now to just get published. Ha!

We Interupt Your Daily Musings...

2011-09-21T16:44:00.000-07:00

So, I sort of have to get this all off my chest before I explode.

Sometimes, Facebook really should not ask what is "On my mind?". First, let me rant a bit about Facebook and the changes. Even the media has articles out about the overnight changes and how much people are hating it. Personally I feel as if I am being forced back to MySpace and the high school angst it provided just to keep things simple.

Really, Facebook? Did you have to go and change YET again? Go find something to do, go outside and play. Read a book... do SOMETHING!

Ahem.

My rant prior to that had been about this generation of kids and how all they know how to do is get what they want and consume resources like mad without a thought to their consequences. However, if the children are this way, most of the parents are to blame.

Generation "I Deserve!" has parents that "Give You What You Want So You'll Leave Me Alone, OMG Why Did I Have Children?!" or the also popular, "Give You What You Want Because God Forbid I End Up Like My Parents!".

My facebook status simply stated: To all children of the I Deserve generation... all you really deserve is a good, swift kick in the rear.

Stop begging and pleading for what you want and do what everyone before you ever existed did. Work for it. EARN it. Become a contributing member of society, not a pain the... yeah.

If you are not old enough to work, do your chores, do your homework and basically behave. THAT is your job. Don't call up your mother at work and practically scream into the phone about how your cell phone bill hasn't gotten paid yet.

Review: The Emerald Talisman by Brenda Pandos

2011-09-21T16:30:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! You know I do book reviews on this blog as well as rant about writing stuff. I've decided that since I do reviews over at My Chaotic Ramblings anyway, I would just start posting said reviews over there.

So here is the link to this Review! Show some bloggerly loves!

Reject Me, Please...

2011-09-20T13:23:00.001-07:00

Wow, just saw that this will be my 299th post. Awesome!

I just have to share that this past week or so, I've been feeling more and more like a "grown up" writer. I've been researching publishing companies, I've been looking on Absolute Write's: Writer's beware section. This is the place where people can give you their personal feedback and experiences with companies and or agents.

I've written my query letter. I'm working on my synopsis. My betas are reading my revisions. And the only thing I have panicked about is my query letter. But that's okay, it is going to be reviewed and critiqued. But I'm a big girl, I can handle the rejections that come my way now. A few years ago, if someone had said a bad word about my writing I would have crumbled. But now? I have quite a thick skin.

I feel like I can now validate any sort of writing advice I put up here. Things I can tell you what worked, what didn't. It is a bit of a strange feeling. An the oddest part is, I'm sort of looking forward to getting some rejections.

International Talk Like A Pirate Day...

2011-09-19T18:09:00.000-07:00

I've got one word for you. Arrrgh!

In celebration of Talk Like A Pirate Day, I thought I would give you a couple of jokes and my pirate scene excerpt from my book. Whaddya say?

Aye Mateys! Here we go. First a couple of jokes for you:

How much does it cost a pirate to get his ears pierced? A Buccaneer! (A buck an ear...)

What is a pirates favorite kind of socks? Arrrgyle!

What is a pirates favorite letter? Arrrrggghhh!

And last but not least: A pirate walks into a bar with a ship's wheel dangling from his crotch. The bartender says, "You realize you have a ship's wheel dangling there, don't you?" to which the pirate responds, "Aye! It's drivin' me nuts!"

Yeah, I hear the groans and boos from here. Hehe! Okay, here is my excerpt. Enjoy!

Merydwen had risen high up in the cloudless sky when several of Toreg's crewmen dragged Trinara, Hedric and Nalatha, the young Nobleman's daughter, up on deck. Yorn and Kalurn had died from their wounds several days ago, their bodies thrown over the railing into the ocean without ceremony. Nalatha shrieked and cried as they dragged her towards the main mast and shackled her there. Trinara held her chin up as they shoved her and Hedric roughly, trying to incite a response.

Around them, the crew laughed and pointed in their direction, calling out insults and jibes, making rude gestures. The iron cuffs around Trinara's wrists cut into her skin. The blood trickling down her hands.

“Enough!” a man bellowed from up on the quarterdeck. “Shut it, you bunch of rum swiggin' barnacles.” Trinara recognized him as he had paid them a visit down in the brig. Now he descended the stairs, pushing his way through the crewmen on deck to stand before them.

“Toreg.” Hedric said coolly.

“I said shut it, filth.” Toreg struck Hedric hard across the face, snapping his head back against the wooden mast they had tied him to. “You will speak when I tell you to speak.”

Around them, the crew laughed maliciously and shouted their agreement. A few of them taunted Hedric and Trinara while others harassed Nalatha.

“Leave her be,” Hedric growled at the nearest pyrate. They all laughed loudly as Toreg walked around Trinara.

“They don't take orders from people like you,” Toreg snarled. He stood with his face inches from Hedric.

“But you do, don't you Toreg. How much coin did Li'endrin drop in your slimy hand to attack us? I bet you've been holding out on your crew, haven't you? Have you split that with them yet?” A few murmurs could be heard from the crew as they looked about, casting cold glances at their Captain. For the moment all of the attention turned to Hedric, the young girl forgotten.

“I have no idea what you are talking about,” Toreg said. He moved over to the girl and unlocked the shackles holding her to the mast. “Now then, how about a little entertainment for the crew?” Toreg pulled the girl towards him and turned her to face Hedric. She struggled trying to pull away from him, but he held her tightly against him, one arm wrapped around her chest and the other gripping her face, contorting her features.

“Let her be, Toreg.” Trinara pulled on the chains holding her in place. “She's done nothing to you.”

“Or for me for that matter. I intend to let the crew have some fun once I am finished with her. It's been quite some time since we've been able to stay long in any port. Your warships have seen to that.”

“You haven't been able to rest because you have Sorcha on your tail,” Hedric said. “Don't try to pin the blame on me.”

Toreg snorted and pushed the girl roughly towards some of the men standing off to one side and moved to unlock Trinara.

“I wouldn't unlock her if I were you.” Hedric grinned, watching Trinara carefully. “She'll grab the first thing she can use as a weapon and run you through. I've seen her use spoons before.”

“I think my crew can handle her well enough,” Toreg sneered. He unlocked one of her wrists and stepped back quickly, letting his crew surge forward.

“Ship ho!” a voice suddenly called out of the moonlit night.

“All hands, man your stations!” Toreg barked out commands and everyone on deck scattered, scrambling to follow orders. “Bearings!”

“She's right on top of us, Cap'n.”

“She?” Toreg squawked.

“It's Sorcha, Cap'n.”

Toreg ran to the railing and saw Sorcha's ship closing fast. All of her lamps were out, she had been sailing dark. The moonlight shone off of the white sails of her ship and suddenly a large fiery orb caught Toreg's attention.

“She's firing, Cap'n!” the look-out called down.

“I can see that for myself!”

The orange ball of flame grew larger as it got closer and Toreg squealed before running for cover. The burning ball of pitch flew high above the heads of the crew, slamming into the mainsail and burning its way through before falling to the deck. Soon after, ballista flew high and fast, unlit but trailing flaming rope. Even if the bolts missed their marks, the ropes landed across the rails and decks, igniting everything in their wake.

Toreg looked up and saw that each of the sails had been set alight and his ship slowed in the water, coming to a stop. The creak of the ship and the crackle of flames could be heard for just a moment, then panic set in and crew scattered in every direction. Some ran for water to douse the flames while others passed out weapons to prepare for the imminent fight.

“Cap'n,” the lookout called down, his voice hoarse from the smoke. “She's increased speed, she's heading straight for us. Cap'n brace for impact!”

Toreg snapped out orders but they went unheeded as the crew scrambled to put out the fires. The flames had almost gotten under control when suddenly everyone was knocked from their feet as Sorcha's ship rammed Toreg's. The sound of wood cracking filled the dark night and everyone tried to find something to hold on to. Nalatha, having been released by the pyrate holding her, now teetered near the port railing, arms pin-wheeling as she tried to regain her balance. Another jolt as Sorcha's ship pushed into Toreg's sent the girl over into the water.

Trinara had one hand free of the chains and as Toreg slid past, she grabbed for the keys clutched in his hand. She jerked them free with a hard, painful twist and released her other hand from the shackles.

“I'm going after Nalatha,” she shouted to Hedric, tossing him the keys. Toreg tried to scramble back up to the mast to retrieve his keys, but the ship listed hard to port. Shouts could be heard from the other ship and as Toreg and his men tried to gain their legs, Trinara sent up a silent prayer of thanks that Sorcha Lilanthroe had found them.

“Don't be stupid,” Hedric tried to tell Trinara. “She's gone overboard.”

“That doesn't mean she's dead. You just make sure Sorcha gets us both out of the water.” Trinara turned on her heel and let her momentum take her to the railing where she clumsily dove into the water to save the young Noblewoman.

On deck, Toreg shouted orders at his crew, his voice cracking with panic.

“Hard to starboard! Weigh anchor!”

“Too late,” a woman yelled over the din. “There is no where for you to go.” Sorcha leapt onto the deck, sword in hand and a grin on her face. “I have been looking forward to this day, you sad excuse for a dung heap.”

“Let's get this over with, then,” Toreg said, drawing his own sword. He shook so badly, he could not hold his sword straight. He put on a brave face, but as soon as Sorcha advanced, he yelped and ran. Sorcha gave chase, practically all over the ship. At one point, Toreg hid behind the mast where Hedric remained chained and lashed out at the woman from either side. Sorcha snarled and smacked his sword away as if swatting at an irritating fly.

“Stop playing around, you fool!” she hollered.

Someone slammed into Sorcha from behind, pushing her into Hedric. She jabbed upwards with her elbow, connecting with someone's head as Hedric kicked out with his foot, pushing the person off of the female Captain.

“Thanks,” she breathed, winking at Hedric.

“Anytime. Just get us out of here, will you?”

Toreg appeared to the left of Hedric and instead of dodging his wild swing, Sorcha grabbed his wrist and tugged hard. Toreg's face met the mast with an audible crunch and he sank to the ground.

“Cap'n!” Fromas shouted out a warning. Sorcha whirled in time to see two of Toreg's crew closing in on her, swords raised. She pulled a dagger from her boot and began to parry the blows, twisting from side to side as each of her attackers struck. She turned and brought the pommel of her cutlass down hard on top of the head of one, then twisted again, shoving her dagger between the ribs of the other.

Shouts and the clang of metal on metal surrounded her, but she focused all of her attention on yet another assailant, sending the blade of her cutlass over his throat before turning back to where Toreg still lay in an unconscious heap. She raised her blade over the still man's head. Before she could swing down, she was tackled from behind and rolled along the deck with another of Toreg's faithful. They were loyal, she had to give them that much. The man's weight crushed her to the deck and his dagger bit into the flesh of her shoulder.

Suddenly the man was lifted to his feet and the point of a sword burst from his chest, spraying Sorcha's face with blood. As the man dropped lifelessly to the ground, Hedric offered a hand to her, helping her to her feet, one hand still locked in the manacle, but free from the mast.

“Thanks,” Sorcha grinned. “Wasn't quite sure how I was going to get out of that one. Unai must love me.” Hedric just shook his head and grinned in spite of himself.

Sorcha grabbed one of the lamps that still glowed brightly on the deck and smashed it, sending oil and flames everywhere. She returned to where Toreg lay and quickly decapitated the man, holding up his head and hollering for the fighting to cease.

“To the Plains of Afterlife for all who followed this filthy cur!” she yelled, raising the head again. A cheer from her crew erupted. Fromas brought her a burlap sack and she dumped her prize into it unceremoniously. All of Toreg's remaining crew dropped their weapons to the deck with a loud clatter.

“No quarter!” Sorcha snarled.

Every last one of Toreg's men were killed on the spot. The ship burned brightly in the night as Sorcha and her men took their wounded back to her ship. Hedric grabbed Sorcha by the shoulder and spun her around.

“There are two women overboard,” he said, releasing her as he caught her glare. “We need to pick them up.”

“Since when are we a rescue vessel?” one of her men muttered, overhearing the comment.

“Since the last time we pulled someone out of the drink,” Sorcha sighed.

“What?” Hedric stared at the woman. “What are you talking about?”

“Never mind, lad. Don't worry your pretty little head about it. Let's get those girls, shall we?”

Worst Movies Ever Blogfest...

2011-09-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Alex J. Cavanaugh's Worst Movies Ever! Blogfest. First, if you don't know who Alex is, get your tail over to his blog and check him out. Because, seriously...

Now, today is also International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Arrgh! So ye filthy bilge rats best be payin' attention or I'll be throwin' yer barnacled carcass into the brig!

Now that I got that out of my system, I can begin! So I just want to say this first: This is just my opinion!! Don't get butt hurt if I list a movie here that you absolutely adore. These are just movies that, IN MY OPINION.... suck. Lol!

So in no particular order, here we go (and some of them I just won't comment on...):

1) Prince of Space

2) Highlander 2: The Quickening. (All I can say is... really? They should have just stopped with the first movie. Granted I like the show... but yeah...)

3) Highlander: The Source (Please read above comment.)

4) Howard the Duck. (Yeah, I will catch hell for this...)

5) Green Slime

6) Warlock (Liked it when I was what...12?)

7) The Car (Satan has awesome wheels... XD )

8) Earth Girls Are Easy

9) Frozen (Stranded on a ski lift... well duh! But wolves?????....??)

10) What Dreams May Come

Again, this is just my opinion. Some of them I didn't comment on much because it's been ages since I even saw them. Part way through I might mention...

Frozen was horrible, but like a bad traffic accident I couldn't turn away, so my daughter and I made it into our own "Mystery Science Theater 2000"! That part was fun.

The Car was scary when I was a kid, then later just made me go "I liked that???"

Never even got far into movies like Howard the Duck or Earth Girls Are Easy... I watched What Dreams May Come just to see if it might get better. It didn't. Hence why it's on the list!

So what do you think were the worst movies ever? I'll be hopping over to find out!

In Preparation For I.T.L.P.D....

2011-09-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

ITLPD. Come on, you know what it means. International Talk Like a Pirate Day!! My Favorite holiday, besides Halloween of course. In the course of my gearing up for it, I have a pic of my in pirate gear to share. Old pic... I need an updated one!

I'll be joining Alex's blog hop on Monday: 10 Worst Movies Ever! And I just may do it Pirate style.

In the meantime, perhaps I can share some little known facts about pirates with you.

First, pirates wore whatever they could get their greedy, filthy little hands on. These pirates you see in the movies with the cute little torn off pants or the gorgeous Captain's coat? Yeah. Most of the lesser crewmen wore dresses if that is all that was available for them to wear. Imagine being pillaged by a guy in a lacy dress, bodice untied and loose... ::Snorts:: Kidding of course. Most sailors had to be good tailors as well, what with sewing up sails and the like. But they did take the material of whatever they found to patch up what they wore or made do with whatever they could throw together.

Pirates who have a patch or peg leg or even a hook... Well, they're just bad pirates. Get out of the way when something is flying at you. Sheesh. Seriously, hooks were a bit too cliche. If they lost a hand, chances are they didn't put anything on the limb. But a leg? Well yes, they did use wooden legs. Want to teach THAT pirate a lesson? Douse his leg in termites. Ha!

Pirates would wear a gold earring so that if their body washed ashore, there would be a way to pay for his burial.

And I will ... hmm... what could I give you guys aside from lashings from the Cat o' Nine Tails to the person who can tell me what Keelhauling is.

I already know. Good luck!

Friday Favorites, Fantasy Art & A Funny...

2011-09-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

Friday... ooooh Friday. I'm supposed to have these revisions done and sent out to my Betas again. I can do it. Won't take too awful long, I'll just let them find my errors.

Kidding! Okay, maybe not so much.

Anyway, it is Friday, so here you go!
Favorite author/books:

Don't know why I forgot all about Dan Brown. It wasn't until I was posting something somewhere about him that I thought... duh, how could I forget him? I love The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons. Those two books rocked. I have yet to read anything else from him at the moment. My TBR pile is about to topple over and bury the cats.
I watched both of the movies and loved them as well, but as usual, the books were better.

Favorite movies:

Gran Turino. One of THE best Clint Eastwood movies I have ever seen. I love that movie and if you haven't seen it yet... WHAT is wrong with you?? I could watch it over and over again. I haven't seen much of the early Clint Eastwood stuff like Outlaw Josey Wales or Every Which Way. I have seen most of his movies and my other favorite is Unforgiven. That was a decent movie, but Gran Turino surpasses it by far.

Favorite music:

I'm torn on which of the two I should mention today. Faun or Nightwish. I absolutely love them both equally and when asked to choose on Twitter, I failed epically. Back when I had published with Publish America (don't take my word, look here and here and here) I wanted to do an audio book. Still do. I sent a message to Faun and asked if I could use their music in the background and they sent me a letter with permission. I'll have to ask again. Nightwish is just as good, in my opinion, even if different styles of music. I have a friend over in Germany who got me into Nightwish. Thanks Natalie!

Fantasy art:

This is quickly becoming my favorite. I use just the face for most of my avatars around the web now, but give her black curly hair and green eyes and she'd be my Kayta. :D

Now the Funny:

Ha ha! Have a great weekend!

Don't You Hate It When...

2011-09-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

I'm on a revision high of some sort. I can tell I'm working my hardest on this book simply because of the lack of sleep, the odd dreams when I do sleep and the fact that I'll get something I need to add/change in the book and it will eat at me until I get it done.

I'm rambling, which is fine. I tend to do that anyway. But I do hate it when an idea crops up in my brain JUST as I'm falling asleep and, bad writer that I am, don't have a notebook near my bed. I stressed all night that I would forget what I wanted to do, but I was so tired I didn't want to fire up my laptop at 4 a.m.

What do you do when you get that idea during the night? Do you stagger out to the computer, hoping you don't knock your shin against the chairs and wake up the whole household? Do the pets stare at you like you're a moron for pulling a blanket around your head to cover the glare of the monitor? Or do you just ignore the voices in your head until you finally drift back to sleep?

I Want This...

2011-09-14T14:47:00.001-07:00

I absolutely would love this. It is solar powered and brings to mind catching fireflies in a jar. I remember summer nights in the midwest when I was a kid, I LOVED catching lightning bugs as we called them.

To have something like this is not only a great reminder of those days, but seems to me it would be very soothing to have around. They would be great at dinner parties! Yeah, I want this!

Coming To The End...

2011-09-14T03:40:00.000-07:00

I've been revising my little tush off these past few days. I can only hope that my revisions have made a stronger, cleaner story.

I can't wait to be done, though. I've spent more time on my computer in the last few days than I have in a very long time.

It will be well worth it, though. I'm not worried about that. Excitement is just eating away at me. Then comes the whole query/synopsis stuff.

Book two is almost ready for the tough revisions. Book three is sort of on the back burner, but well mapped out. Lots of stuff happening, yet not convoluted to the point where people will be confused.

On a completely separate topic, I'm adding pages to my blog page. (Yeah, I finally figured out how to do that... duh) Any thoughts or ideas as to what you'd like to see up there? I'm thinking of changing the "Excerpts" page to "Favorite Character Quotes". Not just from my book, but from others as well.

Hope you all are having a good week! I'll see ya soon.

Unique Marketing...

2011-09-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

So, with new followers, new people messaging me and the like, I have a bit of a story to tell. Don't worry, it does fall in line with the title. I used a unique marketing tool at one point, but the idea belonged to my friend Jenna Miller.

I have to go back about 5 years ago. I was living in Tucson, Arizona and we were making the decision to move to Alaska. The job market in Arizona took a major nose dive.

At any rate, that is also around the time I thought I was ready to publish my book and began trying to figure out how to go about it. I didn't have a blog, I didn't belong to any writerly websites. I did have a MySpace page though...

I happened across Publish America. Now before I get into gory details, let me just say I met some cool people through PA, people who knew exactly what they were getting into and made it work for them. This is also how I met Jenna.

Publish America accepted me right off the bat. I got all kinds of excited and went to work doing what they asked me to do. I thought, at first, could this be too good to be true? No rejection? Really? But the more I got wrapped up in things, the further I pushed that thought from my mind.

Then my book came out. $24.99 was the cover price (gah!) and the first cover they did made it look like a bad Harlequin romance (Yeah, I know I will catch flack for that comment, too). The girl looked nothing like my MC. Did they even read the book? Then came problem after problem. They changed the cover, they omitted an entire chapter and said it was my fault, that I had signed the statement saying it was ready to go. More and more bad things piled up. I started searching the forums to find people who had similar issues. I didn't want to be a whiner.

I met Jenna in the fantasy forums. Seemed like she and I were the only two out there who had written fantasy, but PA's website listed tons of other authors. We couldn't contact any of them. We decided to help each other any way we could. She found the entire 3,000+ comments on AbsoluteWrite.com about Beware of Publish America. We started reading and we both just felt sick.

That mistake right there changed my writing and how I go about things today. But it helped Jenna and I. We made a group called Word Weavers. We had a MySpace page for helping other authors get their foot in the door and warned them of the dangers of not doing your research.

So what's this unique marketing tool I talked about? Author Trading Cards. You can see mine below and just to show you what a huge hit it was, here's the link to the online Trading Card Museum.

Now, I'm taking a huge risk here. I have to ask you, and it sounds REALLY weird.... DON'T BUY MY BOOK. If I make no sales, my contract ends that much sooner. I have found a legal way around my contract. What I am writing now is completely different, it isn't the same story. The title is changed and I'm using my married name as author. It can in no way be associated with what I have previously done with the exception of my characters and my contract ends in two years anyway.

So there it is. That is what happened to me, for the most part, that made me a better writer and more aware. I got super depressed about PA for a long time until I began talking to people to find a way around the contract and put this mistake behind me. However, there is a positive to PA. I wouldn't have met Jenna and the countless other authors she and I helped back then. Most of those people were super shy about writing and promoting and we helped them gain confidence. So something good came out of it all.

My name is Mel and I am a Publish America survivor. Ha ha!

Someone Is New To Blogger...

2011-09-12T14:25:00.000-07:00

Okay, so maybe he's not THAT new, but he is back to blogging and needs some of our writerly support. You know, the kind of support that only people who've struggled with writing can give.

Bryan Tann is a paranormal author. He's working on a series of Vampire books and has a fan page on FaceBook, a blog here now and hangs out at the AbsoluteWrite water cooler.

Yeah, I hang around that water cooler as well. That's why I don't get anything done! We just sit and talk and tell jokes until the boss... wait, writers don't have bosses...

Anyway! Here is the link to Bryan's blog. Drop on by, follow if you want, say hello. Offer up some suggestions and see if there is anything you can do to help.

Hmm... I think he should join Alex's Insecure Writers Support Group. Hehe!

Who Am I?...

2011-09-11T15:34:00.000-07:00

I know a lot of you now see my signature, read my "About Me" section and all that and know my name is Mel. (Wow, I sound like the Earl show.) But it doesn't fully explain... well... me.

Why do I use the handle "Caledonia Lass"? I'm sure I have told this story before, but I've got lots of new followers and will tell it again. :)

That's a fun story in itself.

First of all, I'm half Scottish/Irish. My other half is Dutch. I have relatives on my Dutch side that have traced our family tree all the way back to the 1600's in Netherlands. My grandparents came over to America when they were young. I'm second generation Dutch on that side of my family in America. My mother is the youngest of 11 kids. I'm the youngest of 4 and the youngest of 53 grandchildren.

I'm very proud of my Dutch heritage, but know little of my Scottish/Irish heritage.

I do know that I am from the clans MacGregor, McLeod, Williams and one other I always forget. But I am drawn to my Scottish/Irish heritage. The sound of bagpipes stirs something in my blood. I want to visit Scotland in a bad, bad way. I also want to trace my family history, but don't know where to begin.

Anyway, way back when I was playing Legends of Cosrin, I became good friends with a guy who was Scottish. At the time, he was the only person I had confided in about my writing and he encouraged it to no end. I told him what I was writing, I would send him my stuff and he'd give me honest feedback. So when I came across Writing.Com, I struggled with a user name. I didn't want people to know who I was, I was super shy about my writing and confidence was severely lacking.

So I asked him, give me a user name! And he came up with Caledonia Lass. I've used it everywhere. He knew my heritage and when I asked him what the heck Caledonia meant, I immediately agreed that was the best name he could come up with that fit me perfectly. Most people know how to find me with that user name and I have no intention of ever changing it. He was one of my very best friends and when 9/11 happened, I knew where he worked and scrambled for days to get in touch. He survived, he is okay. But when the game went the wayside of better things to do with our time, I lost touch. I've kept his email but haven't gotten any responses, but that's okay. He was in my life during a time when I needed to be placed on the right path. So every book I write will always have a special dedication to him because of that.

So thanks, Herb! I wouldn't have come this far without your friendship and support!

A Couple Of New Outlets...

2011-09-10T15:34:00.000-07:00

I belong to lots of different places other than FaceBook and Twitter where I can actively post and stuff.

Stuff. Lots of stuff.

One of the places I found a very long time ago is AbsoluteWrite.com. I found it through a friend of mine who I had met when I first "published". Absolute Write had a HUGE long post about Publish America.

At first, the posts made me feel like I wanted to throw up. I couldn't believe I had not followed one of THE first rules of publishing: RESEARCH!!!! But the more I posted, the more I became a part of the community. This was the first site of mine to fall to the wayside when things got hectic for me. Because even though I was welcomed there, I still felt embarrassed for being a fool.

The other site I joined right away during my PA fiasco was WritersCafe. They're an awesome little community as well. I feel like I want to prove that I have taken advice and have become a better writer and know to do my research these days.

Not sure how many of you utilize these two sites. But if you don't, I would recommend it. There's lots of useful information, places to market, things like that. You can find me in either places listed under Caledonia Lass. That's my user name and I'm sticking to it. ;) I shared my two short stories from Writing.com's writing prompt contest. I don't know what else I will share, but we'll see.

Have a great rest of the weekend.

I'm A Bzz Agent...

2011-09-09T13:02:00.000-07:00

I've recently joined the world of Bzz Agent. It is a website where you share your opinions about products, good or bad. They give you the things to try.

I'm currently trying for this product:These are blender bottles, they can mix just about anything from your daily protein drinks to pancake batter. Or just to use as water bottles.

During the rest of the week, there are a couple other things I would like to try, so you may see more posts.

You all know me. I'm more than happy to share my opinion.

Thanks for indulging me in this post. Have a great weekend!

Friday Favorites, Fantasy Art & A Funny...

2011-09-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

Another Friday has arrived. I'll get right to the favorites!

Favorite authors/books:

I've mentioned Stephen King already, but now I need to mention Peter Straub. Why? Simply because of their two books they collaborated on. "The Talisman" and "Black House". "The Talisman" is what got me interested in Peter Straub's books. I still get thrills and chills when I recall "Ghost Story". Other books I've read were "Julia", "Shadowland" (Awesome book!) and "Floating Dragon". Those are the ones I can recall at the moment. I love his writing style. When I found him, I felt he was far creepier than King. Blasphemous, I know.

Favorite movies:

I recently watched "War of the Roses" again. It had been several years since I've seen it and I still like it. My favorite part is where she makes her pate and tells her ex hubby it was made out of his dog. Still a good movie after all these years!

Favorite music:

Cake! I love Cake. They're one of my most favorite bands EVER. The fact that their music is so diverse, no two songs sound alike. THAT is what I love most. I also like real cake, you know... chocolate, black forest cake...

Fantasy Art:

This is what I used to make my banner for International Talk Like a Pirate Day

And now the funny:

Have a super weekend!

Late To The Party...

2011-09-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Wednesday! (Yes, Mel, that was very good but we all know that. The calendar told us.) It was also the first posting from Alex's Insecure Writing Group.

First, let me just say, Alex. Pure Genius.

I'm finding that I want to leave a comment on everyone's post! But I was a bit late to the party.

I had plans for Wednesday, plans to get up, visit everyone's blog for the big event. But I was met with, "Need to get up early, I have plane reservations to make." That was from my mom. I don't want to see her visit end, but I dragged my butt out of bed after a bout of insomnia and went to the travel agency. I was so flipping tired, I took a nap. But it didn't end there. I've been promising her we'd go play Bingo before she left. So we went.

I won $7.50 because I had to split a $15 pot. But better than nothing at all!

By the time I got home, settled things for the night and fired up the laptop... I made it to 8 other blogs. Out of 125 people!

But that is okay, my plan got pushed back a day. So I will be visiting, commenting and following.

Now I just want to say: Awww! You guys are so cool. Thanks for the comments left by all of you wonderful, insecure writers! I haven't gotten around to leaving my own personal comment, but thanks everyone for dropping by!

I'll be seeing you soon unless of course I've already left you a comment.

Have an awesome rest of the week!

Insecure Writer's Support Group...

2011-09-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

Hi there, I'm an insecure writer and my name is Mel.

I know, I've already done a similar post like this, with that beginning.

So what am I insecure about in my writing? The better question would be what am I NOT insecure about in my writing. I worry and stress over the smallest things. I worry about how I am ending my sentences. Am I using a preposition? Am I changing tense again in the middle of a sentence? Because I am prone to do that very thing.

Most of all, I worry that my plot is too weak, that people will just look at it and say, "Oh for the love of God how did this manage to get published???" and throw it away.

I worry about even getting published. I'm constantly worrying and changing things to make the story stronger. I have about a half dozen or so characters I have to juggle and discovered my focus is on two of them more than the others in the first book.

So how do I fix all of this? I revise and rework those sentence structures I am so worried about. My plot may seem weak, but in all actuality, it is the basest of urges. War has been started for lesser reasons.

I know I will eventually be published. I just have to work at it and listen to the suggestions (if I get any) when rejected.

As for my characters, this first part of the story is supposed to focus on the two right now. The focus shifts later on and everyone gets their chance in the spotlight. So it works out.

The thing is, the more I worry and stress, the more I push myself to write better, cleaner stories. I have a tendency to change POV right in the middle of something and have now cleared up that little habit by sticking to the POV I am in.

Write your story, get it all out before you go back to polish it up. If you don't get it all out, sometimes you won't know where it is going to lead. Don't be afraid to make a mistake.

I've made one of the biggest mistakes I could have ever made in my writing career. Early on I didn't do my research on the publisher and I got scammed. But it has made me a better writer. I have done everything in my power to fix that mistake. I've changed the whole story, which I would never have done had I kept going the way I was going. Talk about major plot holes.... But because I changed the story, I have an even stronger one. One that I find more captivating and hope others feel the same.

The thing that making that mistake has helped me with the most? My confidence. I never would have thought I could be a blogger, get on Twitter or FaceBook and do what I do. I would never have created a website. And I certainly never thought I would have the amount of followers I have. I am so very grateful for each and every one of you, even if you don't always read my posts or leave a comment. I try very hard to read all of your posts and comment, but there are only so many hours in a day.

Be sure to check back next week. I have lots of insecurities. :D

Friday Favorites, Fantasy Art & A Funny...

2011-09-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

Okay, so getting back to my regularly scheduled Friday post... I hope you enjoy this one.

Favorite books/authors:

I think this week I will list J. A. Jance. I absolutely adore her books and her style of writing. The fact that she's based one of her characters in Arizona had nothing to do with me liking her books. Yeah, I'm lying. I don't miss living in Arizona, but I did live there for 20 some odd years, it's hard not to miss some aspects of it. The heat, I don't miss at all.
Back to miss Jance. I've read all of her Joanna Brady mysteries. Not so much the J.P. Beaumont ones, I don't know why. I think I like the female MC over the male. Even though strong female characters are more prominent these days, they weren't around so much before and I still find it refreshing. I know, weird. That describes me to a tee.

Favorite movies:

I think you knew this one would be showing up eventually. All of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies! Yes, even this latest installment of the movies was actually pretty good. I liked the mermaids, but my husband loved the last movie simply because Kiera Knightley wasn't in it and yelling, "Fierah!" (As opposed to "Fire!" every time they shot a cannon... okay so she did get the word right ONCE out of all three movies...) I liked the story of Will and Elizabeth, don't get me wrong. But somewhere out there in the buzz of things, she sort of bit the hand that fed her by stating she refused to do another "stupid" pirate movie. Hello? Girlie, those movies MADE you.
Okay I'll get off my soapbox.

Favorite music:

ZZ Top. Yep... love those long bearded, crazy car boys. It's been a while since I have heard much of their music, but when I do I keep snapping my fingers and saying, "Dammit I have to add them to my iTunes!" Meh. I still forget and just snapped my fingers again... I'm old school, what can I say. I love all sorts of music, but I'm still a sucker for stuff I listened to when I was a kid.

Okay now for the fantasy art:

I absolutely adore the fantasy artwork of Ruth Thompson. This is one of my favorites:

Okay and now for the funny... in the spirit of Monty Python... :

Have an awesome weekend everyone!

Getting Close...

2011-09-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

So I'm getting close to closing in on my final word count. I'm getting excited to show my beta readers the changes I've made, the couple of additions I have put in. I'm hoping the feedback is good. I'm sure it still needs work. I think the over all flow of it has improved, though.

I'll have to give it a good once over, because as well all know, spell check doesn't catch correctly spelled words used in the wrong context. Are/our, heed/head... yeah. Those.

I am getting nervous about working on the query, the long synopsis...

Okay. Not nervous.

Scared. As. Hell.

Yeah, that about sums it up.

What do you do to calm the nerves, ease the mind while querying? Do you work on something else? Do you bite your nails? Call people names?

Tell me what you do!

It's Hard To Be Humble...

2011-08-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

Unless of course you're a writer.

I don't think I've met an egotistical writer. At least not an up and coming one. Not that published, established authors are egomaniacs. They're confident in their craft.

As an unpublished author, hopefully soon to be published, I can be confident. Egotistical... not so much. Yes, this is my "baby" I am presenting to the world. People will be kind but some will be downright mean. Let's face it, if people don't like a book and get to write a review, they get to hide behind their computer monitor and be as snarky as they want.

It is sort of like having another kid. You give birth to it, raise it and send it out into the world hoping you have done a good job. That this child will be a productive member of society.

While your book isn't your child, you certainly are presenting it to the world. Your name is all over that book and what's inside is a complete and total representation of... wait for it... YOU.

*Gasp!*

So now it begs the question: Did you represent yourself well?

Doesn't matter if you are self-published or went through a publisher. Did you represent yourself well? Did you polish that work to a shine? Did you edit, revise and edit again? Did you send it out to people? Did you get feedback? And most importantly... did you listen?

I'm learning that while I may be a good writer, I STILL have room for improvement. I think back to when I started writing and let me just say: WOW.

It's like looking back at my artwork from when I was a kid to now. The scribbling outside of the lines to working my butt off for perfection.

So, I can sit here before you and say, "Man, I love my characters!" or "I love this part!" and it won't come across as egotistical. At least I hope it won't. I'm just proud of the work I have done and will be just as proud when I am published and see my name on the cover. Just like I would be proud of my own kids.

Are you proud of what you've done?

Show Don't Tell...

2011-08-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

I've recently had my eyes opened to lots of different things I do in my own writing. Things that, now that they have been pointed out to me, are much easier to spot.

One of the things I tend to do is show the reader what is happening rather than telling them. Things that are vital to a good story. I've recently come across a couple of books where showing and telling were very blatant. It made me frustrated while reading. In one instance, the author told the reader of dialogue happening but no dialogue ensued. It was really rather frustrating. So I'm being very careful now to make sure that I don't irritate my readers in this fashion.

Another thing I came across was point of view switches that happened in such rapid succession that it was very hard to keep up with the story in some places.

Its funny how, when working on these things myself, they crop up in other books more frequently. I'm glad I am taking on this task of re-working my books and gaining so much knowledge that I grow in my own writing. I think of all the advice I can give to authors out there who, after having faced numerous rejections, is to look at exactly what is being said about your work by others and fix it.

I've been so impatient at times I want to just throw my hands up in the air and say forget it, I'm going to self-publish. But what good will that do me? If I try to go the traditional route and get the feedback I need to grow and learn as a writer, I'm harming myself more than anything.

I have nothing against self publishers. I know several authors who have gone the route of traditional publishing, rejected over and over and who do follow the advice of others. Even after polishing their work to a blinding shine, they're still rejected and go the way of self-publishing and are very successful. So for some it has worked.

For me, though, I'm realizing more and more that I still have so much to learn that going the traditional way is what will teach me these things. I need the rejection and feedback to better myself. After that, who knows? But I am confident that I am learning quickly and will have no problem finding a home for my books. But only when the time is right.

So I hope those authors out there who have been so impatient as to just rush their diamond in the rough read this and think a bit longer and heed the advice given. Revise, edit, repeat!

Winner Of Elf Killers...

2011-08-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

So with the help of Random.org, I drew a winner for the giveaway!

And the winner is:

Christina over at Diaries of a Sunflower!

Congratulations! Drop me an email, Christina and I will send off your free copy of the eBook, Elf Killers by Carol Marrs Phipps and Tom Phipps.

Woohoo!

Review: Rise of the Raven by Steven J. Drennon...

2011-08-28T14:02:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, for those of you who don't know... My Chaotic Ramblings has moved over to Wordpress. So when I do a book review over there, I will link it for you.

I just did a review for Rise of the Raven by Steven J. Drennon.

There's the link. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.