It's Thursday. I've got a couple more weeks until I can focus on all the tasks building up for me.
I have some good news about writing. I have to wait until I get home, as I don't have all the details on my laptop. It is stuff that will keep me busy, that's for sure. And totally worth sharing.
I'd like to offer up some advice to writers, as I find it pertains to them as well as to what I've told my kids.
Everyone falls, everyone falters. You aren't going to make it right out of the box. The thing that will set you apart from others is, allowing those who support you to help get you back on your feet, dust you off, and tell you to try again.
I've spent the last few weeks helping dust off one of my kids. Things are getting better, and can only go up from here. The stress of everything completely wore me down. I had no desire to do anything. I didn't even want to look at my computer, and there were days I didn't want to get out of bed.
It was all so overwhelming, my mind could only focus on helping my kid. I fought a bout of depression over it. I'm better, and I will be getting back to things as soon as I get home.
Thanks for those of you who kept me in your thoughts and prayers. Thanks to those of you who haven't left me. Your support in the writing industry is one of many things that keeps me going. So take my advice up there. It can be applied to so many things.
Have a good rest of the week and enjoy your weekend!
Friday, February 21, 2014
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Breaking Radio Silence...
I'm still here. Still not very active.
Life is just rearing its ugly head, repeatedly, it feels like. I won't sit here and lament and complain. That's not why you read this blog.
Plus, lots of personal stuff I simply don't want to share at the moment.
Needless to say, I'll be out of town for another 2-3 weeks. Depends on how well "things" progress. So even if I wanted to hop back into my normal routine, I couldn't just yet.
I've been writing down things in my notebooks, still trying to sort some story ideas. It keeps me occupied and still involved in writing. I've taken some of my short pieces off of Writing.com and put them up as notes on my Facebook author page. I might list them here as well, or at least, put in links to those pieces. I do try to write off of prompts from WDC (Writing.com) to keep things fresh in my mind.
One other reason I hopped on here today, was to inform any new authors out there to be aware of a company called American Star Books. It is Publish America. They've had so many issues and lawsuits, they have changed their name, yet again. How they keep slipping through the legal loopholes, I'll never know.
I've been told that I can now have my rights returned to me from when I first published with them, as long as I pay them $99. I was also told that my contract automatically renewed if I didn't respond within a certain amount of days of being told I could buy back my rights. Apparently, it was stated in my contract, yet I couldn't find that fine print.
But with their history of dodging lawsuits, it would be a huge waste of time and money I don't have. Maybe someday.
So there is my public service announcement for the year. I hope you are all doing well. I may hop around to some of your blogs, I'm so out of the loop, though. Feel free to update me on your book progresses in my comments! I'd love to hear from you and hopefully, I'll be back soon.
Life is just rearing its ugly head, repeatedly, it feels like. I won't sit here and lament and complain. That's not why you read this blog.
Plus, lots of personal stuff I simply don't want to share at the moment.
Needless to say, I'll be out of town for another 2-3 weeks. Depends on how well "things" progress. So even if I wanted to hop back into my normal routine, I couldn't just yet.
I've been writing down things in my notebooks, still trying to sort some story ideas. It keeps me occupied and still involved in writing. I've taken some of my short pieces off of Writing.com and put them up as notes on my Facebook author page. I might list them here as well, or at least, put in links to those pieces. I do try to write off of prompts from WDC (Writing.com) to keep things fresh in my mind.
One other reason I hopped on here today, was to inform any new authors out there to be aware of a company called American Star Books. It is Publish America. They've had so many issues and lawsuits, they have changed their name, yet again. How they keep slipping through the legal loopholes, I'll never know.
I've been told that I can now have my rights returned to me from when I first published with them, as long as I pay them $99. I was also told that my contract automatically renewed if I didn't respond within a certain amount of days of being told I could buy back my rights. Apparently, it was stated in my contract, yet I couldn't find that fine print.
But with their history of dodging lawsuits, it would be a huge waste of time and money I don't have. Maybe someday.
So there is my public service announcement for the year. I hope you are all doing well. I may hop around to some of your blogs, I'm so out of the loop, though. Feel free to update me on your book progresses in my comments! I'd love to hear from you and hopefully, I'll be back soon.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Book Review: Deadly Dancing (A Mars Cannon Novel) by Nicolette Pierce
Title: Deadly Dancing (A Mars Cannon Novel)
Author: Nicolette Pierce
Pages: 184 File Size: 416 KB
ASIN: B008L8IXUM
Purchase: Amazon
About the book (From Amazon):
Sexy, male exotic dancer Levi Mann had a secret and a long list of aliases. But there was one item on his agenda that wasn’t a secret—he wanted her—Mars Cannon.
Gorgeous E.M.T. Evan West had no secrets; he loved women. But this time he set his sights on Mars, and he’s not about to back down.
A stalker wanted Mars, too—dead.
Events Coordinator Mars Cannon just wanted to get her job done, her boss off her back, and her feisty, trouble-making eighty-year-old neighbor to stop shooting paintballs at people. All goes wrong when a mysterious stranger flirts his way into her life, and she finds she’s strayed into a serial killers path. Now Mars needs to outsmart two irresistible men and outrun a killer; all while deciding between the two men who could be so right and so wrong for her.
My thoughts:
Now, you all know I'm not much a romance reader. Especially when it comes to books that has every other page lathered in sex scenes. I'm happy to say this isn't one of those books! And I loved it. Don't get me wrong, there are some steamy scenes in this book, but the author leaves you to your own imagination instead of laying it all out on the pages for you. No pun intended.
Mars is a hard working, average girl, despite her nickname. When Brett crosses her path, strange things start to happen. Notes on her windshield, harassing, graffiti on her car, you name it. But there are two men in her life and she can't figure out if newcomer, Brett, or flirtatious Evan, is unknowingly creating the havoc in her life.
This book was a fun, fast read for me. Characters were well developed and funny as all get out. I even laughed out loud! It takes a lot for me to get that worked up over a book and characters. So, kudos to Nicolette for that.
There were some typos and errors, again, not a lot of books are without them these days. Nothing major that will throw you off for too long.
All in all, I have to give this book a rating of 4.5 skull and crossbones.
Author: Nicolette Pierce
Pages: 184 File Size: 416 KB
ASIN: B008L8IXUM
Purchase: Amazon
About the book (From Amazon):
Sexy, male exotic dancer Levi Mann had a secret and a long list of aliases. But there was one item on his agenda that wasn’t a secret—he wanted her—Mars Cannon.
Gorgeous E.M.T. Evan West had no secrets; he loved women. But this time he set his sights on Mars, and he’s not about to back down.
A stalker wanted Mars, too—dead.
Events Coordinator Mars Cannon just wanted to get her job done, her boss off her back, and her feisty, trouble-making eighty-year-old neighbor to stop shooting paintballs at people. All goes wrong when a mysterious stranger flirts his way into her life, and she finds she’s strayed into a serial killers path. Now Mars needs to outsmart two irresistible men and outrun a killer; all while deciding between the two men who could be so right and so wrong for her.
My thoughts:
Now, you all know I'm not much a romance reader. Especially when it comes to books that has every other page lathered in sex scenes. I'm happy to say this isn't one of those books! And I loved it. Don't get me wrong, there are some steamy scenes in this book, but the author leaves you to your own imagination instead of laying it all out on the pages for you. No pun intended.
Mars is a hard working, average girl, despite her nickname. When Brett crosses her path, strange things start to happen. Notes on her windshield, harassing, graffiti on her car, you name it. But there are two men in her life and she can't figure out if newcomer, Brett, or flirtatious Evan, is unknowingly creating the havoc in her life.
This book was a fun, fast read for me. Characters were well developed and funny as all get out. I even laughed out loud! It takes a lot for me to get that worked up over a book and characters. So, kudos to Nicolette for that.
There were some typos and errors, again, not a lot of books are without them these days. Nothing major that will throw you off for too long.
All in all, I have to give this book a rating of 4.5 skull and crossbones.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Book Review: Unknown by Melissa Pearl
Title: Unknown (The Elements Trilogy)
Author: Melissa Pearl
Pages: 276 File Size: 3778 KB
ASIN: B00DCEORZA
Purchase: Amazon, Smashwords
About the book (From Amazon):
One prophecy...Two seekers...A journey into the UNKNOWN.
*****
Darkness is covering the land. As the city of Mezrah grows with power and greed, the rest of the world can only stand by and wait for their inevitable destruction. The only hope against this growing power is an ancient prophecy that people have stopped believing in.
My thoughts:
This is a fantasy I could sink my teeth into. It's got a lot of the fantasy elements I'm looking for and it isn't complex. It is a nice, easy read.
What I liked about it: The characters, Kyla and Jethro, were well developed, as were the rest of the cast of characters. There is a bit of intrigue in here, something you wouldn't have expected until you reach the end. I certainly didn't, and I'm usually pretty good at guessing what my happen. I was way, way off on this one.
Kyla is a young princess and only surviving heir to the throne. Her father and brothers were killed in a brutal war, one in which they were severely outnumbered. Jethro is her lifelong pal, born on the same day, they have a connection that cannot be severed. Especially not now.
What I didn't like: I have to admit, I felt that the budding relationship, the adult one, between Kyla and Jethro took precedence over all. It wasn't a "background" story. Near the end of the book, I wanted to call up the author and say, "Okay, I get it. They have feelings for each other!". Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to be mean. I'm just not huge on romance taking over a story that is clearly destined to be a great, epic tale. There were some typos that sort of threw me off, but no book is every perfect, we all know that.
My rating:
All in all, I have to give this first book in the series a 4.5 skull and crossbones rating. Well done!
Author: Melissa Pearl
Pages: 276 File Size: 3778 KB
ASIN: B00DCEORZA
Purchase: Amazon, Smashwords
About the book (From Amazon):
One prophecy...Two seekers...A journey into the UNKNOWN.
*****
Darkness is covering the land. As the city of Mezrah grows with power and greed, the rest of the world can only stand by and wait for their inevitable destruction. The only hope against this growing power is an ancient prophecy that people have stopped believing in.
My thoughts:
This is a fantasy I could sink my teeth into. It's got a lot of the fantasy elements I'm looking for and it isn't complex. It is a nice, easy read.
What I liked about it: The characters, Kyla and Jethro, were well developed, as were the rest of the cast of characters. There is a bit of intrigue in here, something you wouldn't have expected until you reach the end. I certainly didn't, and I'm usually pretty good at guessing what my happen. I was way, way off on this one.
Kyla is a young princess and only surviving heir to the throne. Her father and brothers were killed in a brutal war, one in which they were severely outnumbered. Jethro is her lifelong pal, born on the same day, they have a connection that cannot be severed. Especially not now.
What I didn't like: I have to admit, I felt that the budding relationship, the adult one, between Kyla and Jethro took precedence over all. It wasn't a "background" story. Near the end of the book, I wanted to call up the author and say, "Okay, I get it. They have feelings for each other!". Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to be mean. I'm just not huge on romance taking over a story that is clearly destined to be a great, epic tale. There were some typos that sort of threw me off, but no book is every perfect, we all know that.
My rating:
All in all, I have to give this first book in the series a 4.5 skull and crossbones rating. Well done!
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Keeping You Posted...
I haven't been on for some time. I won't be back for some time. I'm currently in the midst of dealing with some stuff and well, I can only do so much.
I know most of you will still be here when I get back. As for the rest, I totally understand if you move on, drop me, whatever. Right now, I'm in over my head.
I'll be back when I can. Until then, keep writing!
I know most of you will still be here when I get back. As for the rest, I totally understand if you move on, drop me, whatever. Right now, I'm in over my head.
I'll be back when I can. Until then, keep writing!
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
An Update...
I've been working my little (okay, not so little) butt off these days. Some of it is art/crafty kind of stuff, some of it is writing.
I'm having to figure out what to do about my writing, only this time, creating a good writing space. Where my main computer is located, I get distracted by so much stuff. Even when I put the headphones on and turn on the music.
My laptop is in another location and it's difficult to use, especially when I don't have everything I need on my laptop.
My ideal workspace? A completely different location than either of my two computers at the moment, but I don't want to go out to a cafe to write.
No, I'm going to have to bring my main computer outside where I am, set it up and work with that space. It will mean becoming a bit of a hermit, but hey, I'm a writer. I'm a bit of a hermit anyway, right?
What would your ideal writing office look like? I like this one:
But I also like this one:
Maybe a combination of the two, I don't know.
I'm having to figure out what to do about my writing, only this time, creating a good writing space. Where my main computer is located, I get distracted by so much stuff. Even when I put the headphones on and turn on the music.
My laptop is in another location and it's difficult to use, especially when I don't have everything I need on my laptop.
My ideal workspace? A completely different location than either of my two computers at the moment, but I don't want to go out to a cafe to write.
No, I'm going to have to bring my main computer outside where I am, set it up and work with that space. It will mean becoming a bit of a hermit, but hey, I'm a writer. I'm a bit of a hermit anyway, right?
What would your ideal writing office look like? I like this one:
 |
| I might get too distracted by the window, though. |
But I also like this one:
 |
| This is okay, as long as no one else is in the room. |
Friday, January 10, 2014
Friday Faves & Funnies...
It's Friday! It's a New Year and I'm rarin' to go!
So for my faves this week, I'm going to highlight my favorite parts of my trip down to Arizona.
First, was the drive there and back with my SIL: Darla. I got an opportunity to get to know her a lot better than before! We had only met twice before, and only briefly. I've had plenty of opportunity to get to know my fellow author SIL, Cheri, so this was a great thing for me!
Then, getting there and spending time with my brother and SIL, Michelle, and their family. It was an awesome visit and I got to bond with the kiddos, teaching them how to make paracord bracelets. They had a blast, and so did I.
And of course, spending time with my best pals, Lynn, Tonya and Lauri. Great visits and I didn't want them to end. But I also had a chance to meet up with an old high school friend of mine and her husband. We hadn't seen each other in 15 years!!! Wow. But we had a great visit. Our hubbies hit it off really well. In fact, we didn't get a chance to talk much, but that's okay. That's what future visits are for, right?
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday, and got everything you wanted. And I hope you and your loved ones were all safe.
First, a piece of fantasy art to share. I've been finding some more cool pics on Facebook. I need to pay more attention to the artists, though, so forgive the lack of credit.
And now for the funnies!
So for my faves this week, I'm going to highlight my favorite parts of my trip down to Arizona.
First, was the drive there and back with my SIL: Darla. I got an opportunity to get to know her a lot better than before! We had only met twice before, and only briefly. I've had plenty of opportunity to get to know my fellow author SIL, Cheri, so this was a great thing for me!
Then, getting there and spending time with my brother and SIL, Michelle, and their family. It was an awesome visit and I got to bond with the kiddos, teaching them how to make paracord bracelets. They had a blast, and so did I.
And of course, spending time with my best pals, Lynn, Tonya and Lauri. Great visits and I didn't want them to end. But I also had a chance to meet up with an old high school friend of mine and her husband. We hadn't seen each other in 15 years!!! Wow. But we had a great visit. Our hubbies hit it off really well. In fact, we didn't get a chance to talk much, but that's okay. That's what future visits are for, right?
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday, and got everything you wanted. And I hope you and your loved ones were all safe.
First, a piece of fantasy art to share. I've been finding some more cool pics on Facebook. I need to pay more attention to the artists, though, so forgive the lack of credit.
And now for the funnies!
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Insecure Writer's Support Group...
Well! Lookit that, I made it! Was hoping I would have enough time once I got back from my road trip to do an IWSG post.
If you'd like to know more about the IWSG, you can find information with the man who started it all, Alex J. Cavanaugh. We post our insecurities, or our advice to those with insecurities, the first Wednesday of every month. Let me tell ya, the end of 2013, I NEEDED these posts.
However, my road trip with my husband and sister-in-law down to Arizona was most inspiring.
I've got goals, again, people! While a lot of them won't include writing, I am trying to get back into the craftier side of my life.
No. I'm not selling my skills as an assassin.... although...
No. No, that's not what I mean by craftier. Tempting, mind you. But I'm more into jewelry making and stuff like that. I'm also looking into quilting. I've wanted to quilt for some time, but never had the time or funds. Well, time, I have plenty of!
I've also had several book/story ideas over the last couple months. The thing I need to do now, is implement them and get writing. I'm so close to being done with book two, that I don't want to begin something new until I've got that complete and have book three waiting in the wings. So that means, writing out these seriously long synopsis es (synopsi?) and flesh them out later. But at least I have several things to keep me occupied if I get stuck on one, I can flip over to another.
Wow. I can't begin to tell you how happy I am to have a purpose again. To know what it is I want to do with my life. I had a bit of a mid-life crisis, there people. Scary crap, I tell you what.
So I suppose, this is where I give you advice. Even if you feel you've lost your way, strayed from the path, or anything like that, it's okay to take the time you need to re-evaluate things. Figure out yourself before you can figure out anything else.
Thanks for all of you who sat here and supported me, listened to my whining (!) and gave me the encouragement I needed. I can't say thank you enough. But thank you!!
If you'd like to know more about the IWSG, you can find information with the man who started it all, Alex J. Cavanaugh. We post our insecurities, or our advice to those with insecurities, the first Wednesday of every month. Let me tell ya, the end of 2013, I NEEDED these posts.
However, my road trip with my husband and sister-in-law down to Arizona was most inspiring.
I've got goals, again, people! While a lot of them won't include writing, I am trying to get back into the craftier side of my life.
No. I'm not selling my skills as an assassin.... although...
No. No, that's not what I mean by craftier. Tempting, mind you. But I'm more into jewelry making and stuff like that. I'm also looking into quilting. I've wanted to quilt for some time, but never had the time or funds. Well, time, I have plenty of!
I've also had several book/story ideas over the last couple months. The thing I need to do now, is implement them and get writing. I'm so close to being done with book two, that I don't want to begin something new until I've got that complete and have book three waiting in the wings. So that means, writing out these seriously long synopsis es (synopsi?) and flesh them out later. But at least I have several things to keep me occupied if I get stuck on one, I can flip over to another.
Wow. I can't begin to tell you how happy I am to have a purpose again. To know what it is I want to do with my life. I had a bit of a mid-life crisis, there people. Scary crap, I tell you what.
So I suppose, this is where I give you advice. Even if you feel you've lost your way, strayed from the path, or anything like that, it's okay to take the time you need to re-evaluate things. Figure out yourself before you can figure out anything else.
Thanks for all of you who sat here and supported me, listened to my whining (!) and gave me the encouragement I needed. I can't say thank you enough. But thank you!!
Friday, December 20, 2013
The Most Stressful Time Of The Year...
I miss all of you, my wonderful blogger pals...
It's my own fault, however. Okay, well, not entirely.
I shall attempt to explain. Hubby and I moved from Alaska to Washington and are currently staying with friends. More like our friend, their parents and daughter. Our friend's father was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma prior to our getting here. They're older (I won't divulge age, that's rude) and lots of health issues. Our friend has psoriasis and the arthritis that accompanies it. So while he has done a great job of taking care of his parents, it's affecting his physical health, too.
Okay, so with that being said, "Dad" went into the hospital and we're trying to be optimistic, but it doesn't look good.
Hubby and I have been helping watch the daughter, clean, cook, well... practically anything we can help out with, we do so. We're meant to be here, to help, we know that.
So I have to say, writing and blogging have been put on hold. With the holidays and everything else, it's pretty scattered around here.
After Christmas, I'll be traveling for a week or so to go visit family in Arizona. I was trying to surprise people, but I can't keep stuff like that a secret, so the cat is out of the bag... stuff that furball back in! So I won't be around for awhile after that either. I'm hoping to have my IWSG post scheduled by then. Here's hoping.
On the off chance I don't post anything for a bit, I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Joyful Kwanzaa, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! I will definitely see you all in 2014.
It's my own fault, however. Okay, well, not entirely.
I shall attempt to explain. Hubby and I moved from Alaska to Washington and are currently staying with friends. More like our friend, their parents and daughter. Our friend's father was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma prior to our getting here. They're older (I won't divulge age, that's rude) and lots of health issues. Our friend has psoriasis and the arthritis that accompanies it. So while he has done a great job of taking care of his parents, it's affecting his physical health, too.
Okay, so with that being said, "Dad" went into the hospital and we're trying to be optimistic, but it doesn't look good.
Hubby and I have been helping watch the daughter, clean, cook, well... practically anything we can help out with, we do so. We're meant to be here, to help, we know that.
So I have to say, writing and blogging have been put on hold. With the holidays and everything else, it's pretty scattered around here.
After Christmas, I'll be traveling for a week or so to go visit family in Arizona. I was trying to surprise people, but I can't keep stuff like that a secret, so the cat is out of the bag... stuff that furball back in! So I won't be around for awhile after that either. I'm hoping to have my IWSG post scheduled by then. Here's hoping.
On the off chance I don't post anything for a bit, I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Joyful Kwanzaa, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! I will definitely see you all in 2014.
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