Kerri Cuevas

Sunshine Award

2012-02-25T10:57:00.000-05:00

Kathleen Doyle has given me the Sunshine Award. Isn't it such a pretty award? It reminds me that Spring is just around the corner. Thanks so much Kathleen!

The rules for this award are as follows:
-Thank the person who nominated you
-Write a blog post about it with the answers to the questions
-Nominate 10 other bloggers and let them know

Favorite Color: Blue, purple, and black

Favorite Animal: Cats, Polar Bears, and Elephants

Favorite Number: 3

Favorite Non-Alcoholic Drink: Coffee

Facebook or Twitter: Facebook

My Passions: Crocheting, Sewing, my Farm, and of course writing!

Getting or Giving Presents: Giving

Favorite Pattern: no clue

Favorite Flower: Sunflowers

(source)

I'm nominating the wonderful ladies who are behind the scenes right now writing the Choose Your Own Adventure Bloghop. It's going to be a stellar March!
Diana Nelson
Lucille
Of Thoughts and Words
Claire
J.C. Martin
Cheryl
Katharina
Aun-Juli
Mel Corbett
Crystal Collier
Carly Tuma

Ouija Board--First Campaigner Challenge (of the 4th Campaign)

2012-02-22T13:28:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited that Rachael Harrie's First Campaigner Challenge has started. Click on Rachael's name to see other participants and for more information on what the Campaign is about. Here is the challenge.

Write a short story/flash fiction story in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, including a poem. Begin the story with the words, “Shadows crept across the wall”. These five words will be included in the word count.

If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional), do one or more of these:
end the story with the words: "everything faded." (also included in the word count)
include the word "orange" in the story
write in the same genre you normally write
make your story 200 words exactly!

My flash fiction story is exactly 200 words, in my genre, includes the word orange, starts with shadows crept across the wall, and ends with everything faded. I hope you like it.

Ouija Board

Shadows crept across the wall, and the flame of the candle flickered orange in the darkness. I looked up at Julie because, I know, I wasn’t moving anything. The movable indicator inched toward hello, stopping over it. The clear plastic magnified the word.

Julie’s hand shook, and she pulled it away, sucking in a breath of air. “I swear, I’m not moving it! Let’s do something else instead.”

My nerves quivered, but I wanted to continue. “It’s harmless. Come on, the game is made by Hasbro. Let’s ask a question.”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea.” Julie sighed and put her hands at the edge of the indicator, with mine resting gently on the other side.

I concentrated, “Tell us who you are.”

It was still, so I concentrated more. I opened my mind and took deep breaths. “Tell us who you are!”

Julie sat straight, looking over her shoulder. “Did you see that? I thought I saw a shadow.”

The indicator began to move—I—N—G—R—I—D.

Julie pulled her hand away, but I left mine.

Goose bumps prickled my arm. “Who are you, Ingrid?”

I—AM—GOING—TO—BE—YOU

Everything faded.

Question Tag

2012-02-17T22:48:00.000-05:00

Thanks Daniel for tagging me in the Writers' Platform-Building Campaign question tag game. Here are my answers.

1. If you had one week left to live, what would you do?
Eat whatever I want--chocolate, go to the zoo, and spend every second with my family.

2.What quote inspires you?
"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

3. What movie scene inspires you?
I'm not really a movie guru, so I wouldn't say any specific scene inspires me. I do imitate Star Wars where Luke and Vader meet and Vader says "Luke...I. Am. Your father," *insert breath sounds*

4. What comedy do you end up watching again and again as the years go by?
Harold and Kumar, and I'll be adding The Hangover to my list--total FUNNY!

5. Do you think love can last forever?
Ask me in 50 years.

6. What fictional character could you trade lives with if you could?
Alice from Twilight. She's got a great sense of fashion! I might be lacking in this department. Or Hermione Granger from Harry Potter.

7. What historical character would you marry if you had to choose someone?
I like historical romances with cowboys and Indians. I would choose the Indian. In the story they are always strong, resourceful, and protective of their woman. Damn, I just hit 10 on the dweeb scale.

8. Which do you prefer coffee, hot cocoa, soda, vegetable juice, or water?
Coffee with hot cocoa coming in second.

9. How long would it take you to drive to the beach from where you live?
3 hours

10. What are you currently reading?
Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

11. If you choose an answer to this question at random, what is the chance you will be correct
a. 25%
b.50%
c. 60%
d. 20% D my luck isn't so good

Vicki also tagged me, and here are her questions.

1.What two characters would you like to see battle each other?
Darth Vader and Edward from Twilight. OMG--that would be awesome! Just sayin'.

2. Who is your greatest inspiration?
My Dad is inspiring. He has been gradually losing his hearing and eyesight, and he still lives life to the fullest and does everything he puts his mind to.

3. If you could change places with any book character, who would it be and why?
Clary from the Mortal Instruments Series. She is one tough chick :)

4. Sum up your current WIP in one sentence.
In book two of Deadly Kisses, Aiden, has the devil breathing down his back while trying to save his girlfriend from The Slumber of Death.

5. Are you a plot-driven writer or a character-driven writer?
I say this goes hand in hand. The plot and characters are both important to a GREAT story. For me the characters come to life first, and then everything else falls into place.

6. What is your biggest fear?
That there will be a ban on chocolate and I'll become an illegal chocolate hoarder.

7. When you walk into a book store where do you go first?
The picture book section and then slowly make my way to the YA section.

8. Cats or dogs?
CATS!!!! I have 5 little fluffers!

9. You've just been placed in the Witness Protection Program what's your alias?
Lola Bagolia who works as a bouncer at a club...um, yeah--I don't write fiction or anything. LOL!

10. Would you rather live in outer space or under the sea? Why?
Ok, this question made me want to sing "Under the Sea," from the little mermaid. Since I think flounder is pretty cool, I would rather live under the sea.

11. If you HAD to lose one of your senses which one would you choose to live without?
This was a hard one. Since I HAVE to choose, I'm going with taste *sniffle, sniffle* bye bye yummy chocolate.

Here are Elise's questions

1.Dessert or main dish?
Dessert

2. Coffee or tea?
Coffee

3. Biggest pet peeve.
People who don't use directional lights when making a turn. Arg!

4. Who inspires you?
Other young adult writers who take me to far and fantastical places in a story.

5. If you could speak a (another) foreign language which would it be?
French

6. Star Wars or Star Trek?
As you can tell from the answers above, Star Wars.

7. The best gift you ever received.
My three children.

8. If you could go back and relive your high school years, would you?
Heck no!!!

9. A book you wish Hollywood had left alone.
Eragon by Christopher Paolini.

10. Strangest thing you've ever written a note (e.g., random pieces of paper, your hand...etc)
Don't recall anything, but hubby would say my random honey-to-do-list

11.PC or MAC?
PC (this is like asking Droid or iPhone lol).

(Source)

Here are some Campaigners from my paranormal group that I tagged. Since many of you have already been tagged feel free to pass, or snag one of the three sets of questions above to answer, so we can get to know you better. Come back and leave me your link, so I can read your answers. Thnaks so much Daniel, Vicki, and Elise for thinking me. You guys rock!

Alison Miller
I am HR Sinclair
Megan
Elise Fallson
Yelena Casale
Eileen Wiedbrauk

In the Background of a Writers Life--Inner Demons

2012-02-12T14:53:00.000-05:00

I wanted to be a writer since I was in third grade, but it never occured to me that I should be a writer until many, many, many, years later.

When I began writing ~~in secret~~. I repeated to myself over and over, that I would never consider myself a writer until I became published.

But that was a lie!

I considered myself a writer, when I found confidence within myself and knew I was a writer. That confidence streamed out into my story, making my writing better--stronger. I pushed down my inner writing demons. Of course they come out once in a while, but I reminded myself that I will do this! I will accomplish my goals that I set for myself! I will make my own destiny!

I let the secret out about my writing. Still, my family didn't take me seriously until my book went under contract see the details here. I continued to write on, and it paid off. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is write like you know what you're doing, even when you don't, and never give up on your dreams.

My Inner Demons included
Comparing my writing to others
fear of failing
fear of success
Giving up as others around you aquire agents
stressing over "the wait"
wanting to hurl while writing a synopsis
writing a query letter

What are your inner writing demons and how do you cope with them?

(source)
Also
In the Background of a Writers Life--On Blogging

Fourth Writers' Platform-Building Campaign

2012-02-06T16:06:00.001-05:00

Rachel Harrie's Fourth Platform-Building Campaign has begun. This is a great way to build your blog and find more great blogs to follow. To sign up, click on Rachael's name. It will run until March 17, 2012

Also, there are still more slots for the Third Choose Your Own Adventure Bloghop. Click here for more information and to sign up.

Happy Writing everyone!

Adventurers Wanted! Sign-Ups for the bloghop begin

2012-01-23T07:00:00.001-05:00

Are you looking for an adventure? You've come to the right blog. Sign-ups for the Choose Your Own Adventure Bloghop begins and will run until we get 15-20 bloggers.

In celebration of Chinese New Year and the year of the dragon, our theme will involve a mighty dragon.

You must be a follower of this blog to join, be able to write a small piece to the adventure, and use Google Docs. You must be available the night before it goes live to give the other writers your permanent URL, and lastly go crazy and have fun. It will go live sometime in March, and there will be a vote as to the specific date the bloghop will take place.

This is a great way to connect and get to know other bloggers. The last two bloghops were awesomely fun and I've made great bloggy friends. Looking forward to the next adventure!

To see what a Choose Your Own Adventure Bloghop is CLICK HERE.

To sign up to be a stop on the adventure, use the linky tool below. I'll send out e-mails when we have enough Adventurers.

Giveaway Winner!

2012-01-20T08:00:00.001-05:00

Congrats Kathleen Doyle, random.org has deemed you the lucky winner of Delirium by Lauren Oliver!

Thank you to everyone who entered. Don't forget to mark your calendars for January 23th when the sign-ups begin for the 3rd Choose Your Own Adventure Bloghop!

~~~Have a lovely weekend~~~

Book Giveaway: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

2012-01-16T17:53:00.000-05:00

As promised, I'm having a book giveaway in celebration of the new year and finding a home for my book, Deadly Kisses!

I have a hardcover of Delirium by Lauren Oliver!

Yay!

Rules:

Must be a follower of my blog.

Must leave a comment in the comment section with your e-mail address like so emailaddy(at)yaddayadda(dot)com

A number will be chosen at random to decide which awesome sauce follower will win.

The contest will end Thursday January 19th at midnight EST, and a winner will be announced Friday.

Easy peasy!

Good luck everyone!

~Kerri

Welcome 2012

2012-01-07T21:35:00.000-05:00

Hello Bloggerville and welcome to 2012!

This years forecast calls for clear skies and lots of writing.

I throw resolutions out the window and go with things I know, without a doubt, that I'll accomplish.

I hope to make new blogging friends, join more bloghops, and have more giveaways.

So, what about you?

Sign-ups for the third Choose Your Own Adventure Bloghop will begin Monday January 23rd.

Why January 23rd? Because it's the start of Chinese New Year--the year of the dragon! To celebrate, our bloghop will be about a mighty dragon. I look forward to collaborating with you lovely writers who want to join me.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-11T10:59:00.000-05:00

I'm grateful for many things this year, but what I'm most grateful for are blogger friends like you. I'm going to take the rest of the year off, to enjoy the holidays with my family, and work on edits for Deadly Kisses. I look forward to catching up with you in the new year. I'll be planning a book giveaway for January and also, look for sign-ups for the third Choose Your Own Adventure Bloghop. So, see you soon and have a VERY MERRY Christmas.

Review and Questions--House of Diamonds By Karen Jones Gowen

2011-12-05T07:00:00.001-05:00

Please give a warm welcome to Karen Jones Gowen. *insert claps and cheers* She is stopping by today on her blog tour of her current release House of Diamonds.

Before I ask Karen some questions, here is some info about her.

Karen was born and raised in central Illinois, the daughter of a Methodist minister from Indiana and a school teacher from Nebraska, Karen has down-to-earth Midwestern roots.

She attended Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, then transferred to the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. After converting to Mormonism at the age of 20, she transferred to Brigham Young University in Provo, UT, where she met her future husband. She obtained her degree at BYU in English and American Literature.

Karen and Bruce have lived in Utah, Illinois, California and Washington, currently residing near Salt Lake City. They are the parents of ten children. Not surprisingly, family relationships are a recurring theme in Karen's writing.

____________________________________________________________________

Karen this was such a great story and I was wondering if we will see any more stories about the McGill's (crosses fingers)? I have another one roughed in, called "Promise Diamond", about the McGill's moving to San Jose, CA and living there when the big earthquake hits. I also want to feature more of Marcie's sister Linda and the struggles she has in her marriage. So if I do it, the novel would have these two basic stories.

At some points in the story I had to take out my box of tissues. How did writing those intense scenes effect you? I knew I had captured some of those scenes right when I went back in to revise and got a bit teary myself, because normally I stay objective when I write. The story of baby Jordan follows closely what really happened. (My sister who Cindy is based on recently posted her review of the novel on Goodreads.) Marcie's story is more fictionalized than is Cindy's and Jordan's.

Before you go I have one more little question. If you want to follow Karen at her blog, CLICK HERE. For those of you who already follow her and see the pictures of the cookies she bakes that we all drool over, well this question is for you. *winks*

Will you give us your cookie recipe? You have to marry into the family to get it *smile*

Darn it! I tried!

Here is a summary of House of Diamonds.

In this sequel to Gowen’s debut novel, Uncut Diamonds, she follows sisters Cindy and Marcie as they reach a crossroads in their lives. House of Diamonds tells the story of two women, one facing opportunity the other tragedy. Can their bond endure?

Marcie pursues her dream of becoming a published writer while Cindy faces a terrible tragedy. In this gripping story of faith, loss and the transcending nature of sacrifice, Gowen gives voice to a beloved baby who has none. She shows the incredible power that comes to families when they pull together to overcome challenges. It is at these times that a house of pain can become a house of diamonds.

_____________________________________________________________________

If you've been a follower of my blog for a while, you know I adore ~~love, drool over, and make evil plans to get my hands on~~ YA books about creepy dark characters and weird plot lines. Don't faint on me, but yes, I often read outside of that genre. So, when Karen was looking for readers for House of Diamonds, I was happy to answer the call. It was refreshing to read a story with no mythical creatures--just a story about the real world and real people. What I loved most was the authenticity of her characters. Don't call me creepy, but I wanted to hug them all at the end of the story. But enough with the mushy and on with my review and be sure to check out a neat deal from the publisher about House of Diamonds below.

House of Diamonds is a sincere story that will pull at your heartstrings and remind you just how precious life is. It follows sisters Marci McGill, as she raises seven children while trying to attain success in her writing, and Cindy, who is confronting an illness that leaves her young son fighting for his life.

This family goes through inconceivable heartbreak, yet, perseveres through their faith in God and the strength they find within each other. I laughed when the McGill’s were happy and I cried when they were sad. It was easy to connect to the characters and ache with them, as this could be anybody’s family. Karen Gowen has a book with an excellent voice and writing.

Some of my favorite passages:

“Elder Maxwell spoke of God‘s need to let us go through difficult experiences here on earth, experiences to stretch us like violin strings that must be kept taut to play in tune. That we must accept the difficulties which come our way like an obedient child bowing to the will of a loving father, knowing these things are for our good.”

“Until she reminded herself that this man was only a doctor, a pediatrician, he was not God. Only God would have the final verdict on the outcome of baby Jordan‘s life experience.”

“Wanting did not guarantee results. It only meant that you have an ache and a hunger for something, not that you will get what you desire.”

______________________________________________________________________
To Buy House of Diamonds:

Order a print book House of Diamonds from the publishers website and get Uncut Diamonds for free! <-----Yay! Thanks Karen!

House of Diamonds for the Kindle or for the Nook.

House of Diamonds is now available on the new online bookstore, Celerytree.com, in all formats.

If you are interested in more books by Karen CLICK HERE to visit her website.

Thanks Karen and happy reading everyone.

Week Five: Upcoming Dark YA

2011-11-30T04:00:00.011-05:00

This is the last week of I Love Dark YA Blogfest hosted by YAtopia. It has been fun reading other participants posts and it's always fun to make new blogger friends. Thank you for following my blog! And thank you YAtopia!

The theme for this week is upcoming books.

Some upcoming books that I can't wait for are...

Wings of the Wicked (Angelfire book 2) by Courtney Allison Moulton February 14, 2012

Last Rite (Book 3) by Lisa Desrochers May 2012

Torn by H.M. Ward (Book 3 of Demon Kissed) November 10, 2011

The Clockwork Prince (Infernal Devices) by Cassandra Clare December 6, 2011

City of Lost Souls (Mortal Instruments) By Cassandra Clare May 8, 2012

I have no problem with my house looking like this.

So, what is on your must have list?

Help Harry Help Others

2011-11-27T22:19:00.000-05:00

I'm really excited to announce that the Campaigner Challenge 2011 ebook is now available for purchase.

There are 176 flash fiction stories from 81 different authors. There is a story in here for everyone. All proceeds will go to "Help Harry Help Others" for cancer research.

Click here for the links to purchase this book.

And thank you for your support!

Week Four: I Love Dark YA--#YASAVES

2011-11-23T04:00:00.013-05:00

How has Dark YA impacted my life? That's the theme for this week brought to you by our hosts at YAtopia. So here I go getting all sappy on you.

My inspiration to become a YA writer lays in all the books that took me to faraway fantastical places. Characters that were flawed, dark, with edgy topics. My thirst for a good story that ended and I still needed to know what happened next.

It's nice to know when I type THE END, well it's not really an end, because I envision where my characters will be in say 10 or 20 years. There never will be an actual end and that makes me happy.

I easily lose myself in my writing and the world I'm creating and when someone reads my book, I want them to do the same.

Now it's not dark, but a recent book I read, Inheritance (Eragon series) by Christopher Paolini left me breathless, happy, and hungry for more after finishing the series. I hope Eragon lives on and Christopher revisits the magical world he has created. After being in Alagasia so long, like Eragon, it was hard to leave.
Here is an article from The Wall Street Journal by Christoper about saying goodbye Click Here.
So, thank you young adult authors and thank you Yatopia for hosting this great bloghop.

What books or authors are your inspiration? Or what has inspired you after reading a certain book?

AND

Week Three: Dark YA Movie and Music Fun

2011-11-16T04:00:00.003-05:00

Welcome to week three of I love dark YA and thank you hosts at YAtopia. I would love to see The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan come to the big screen.

Why should it go to the big screen? Here is a blurb from Goodreads.

In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But, slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future—between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?

Coming soon to a theater near you, The Forest of Hands and Teeth. Starring Selena Gomez as Mary.

Theme song by Linkin Park, "Waiting for the End."

Who would you add to the cast?

Week Two: I Love Dark Ya-Flash Fiction

2011-11-09T04:00:00.026-05:00

This week our hosts at YAtopia wants us to write a 500 word or less flash fiction story about the picture below. This picture didn't inspire me at all. Like zero and zilch. I knew if I was to complete this weeks post for the bloghop, I was going to have to reach down deep to my muse to get creative.

So I flipped her over and walla! Some inspiration. My story came in at 363 words.

Control

The girl dangled upside down from the tree holding her hands to her face crying. She had walked right into the hunters trap. He ensnared her fast and his ego swelled. Her ankle was red from being bound in the thick rope, but he only cared about winning.

He hid behind a tree with a satisfied smirk on his face. The fog rolled in off the river cloaking the girl like a blanket, but she wasn’t safe—not even close. He had watched and waited, isolating her from family and friends. He followed her every move like a lion seeking its prey. He would own her.

Even when he was hunting her the girl looked over her shoulder smothered by his presence. He liked that it drained her energy, threatening to take all her life giving air, and suffocating her until she felt defeated. It’s how he captured her to begin with.

He would have his way. The girl would comply because he would cling to her like morning dew affixes to a blade of grass. He came out from behind the tree making his presence known. It would always be known from here on out.

The girl struggled. Her eyes were puffy and red. Her hair hung like a curtain of silk, but she was still pretty. His mouth quirked up and his chest puffed out as he walked toward the girl with a silver blade.

The blade sliced through the rope with a single swipe and the girl fell to the ground. Her crying turned to loud sobbing. She rubbed at her ankle, but he pulled at her arm until she stood.

And then the crying stopped.

White light flashed around her. Her frown became a wide smile. Her shoulders pulled backwards until her back was straight. She now stood taller than the hunter. The hunter’s eyes widened.

“You will only make me feel inferior if I allow it and news flash, I won’t allow it!”

The girl walked away limping leaving the hunter sitting on the ground crying, wallowing in his self- pity and doubt.

The girl prayed for the hunter before the ground opened up and swallowed him whole.

For more flash fiction stories visit YAtopia for a list of participants.

Week One: My Favorite Dark YA Books

2011-11-02T04:00:00.012-04:00

There are so many great dark YA books, it's hard to say which is my absolute favorite. I love settings that takes place in the depths of Hell, have an epic war between good and evil, and a touch of romance. I've come up with two books that landed in my top 10 list.

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton was epic. Loved it!

Ellie is haunted by nightmares and the nightmares really happened--but in her past lives. Ellie dies to be reincarnated again and holds the power to hunt and kill reapers. She meets Will. Will isn't any ordinary boy, he is her warrior. He waits for her to be reborn to wake her dormant powers. Every time Ellie comes back it gets harder and harder for her to remember. Ellie realizes her and Will have a love that spans centuries.

Why I love it--It's dark, they hunt monstrous grim reapers, Will is great, Ellie is a kick butt heroine, and it is full of awesome!

Wings of the Wicked is coming out in February and I *squee* can't wait.

Ok, another stellar read is Demon Kissed by H.M. Ward.

Here is a blurb from Amazon and enough said.

The Valefar boy tricked Ivy Taylor into kissing him, but he took much more than a kiss—he stole her soul and left her within inches of death. By surviving, Ivy is drawn into the conflict between the Martis and the Valefar. The war between these two immortal forces has raged for millennia without distraction. Until now.

Ivy is an anomaly—she is the only person who has ever walked away from a demon kiss alive. Her survival gives her unique and deadly abilities. Too powerful to ignore, Ivy is a threat to both armies. These two ancient enemies will stop at nothing to kill the seventeen-year-old.

Surviving is nothing new for headstrong Ivy, but her survival has never depended on another person before. This time it does. And if she misplaces her trust, she's dead. To her horror, she starts falling in love at the worst possible time—with the enemy. He appears to be protecting her. But she can't be certain if he is trying to help her, or help himself to her power. For Ivy, trusting the right person is the difference between love and survival, or a deadly demon kiss.

Cursed (Demon Kissed 2) Is out now and it delivers!

A notable mention is Personal Demons and Original Sin by by Lisa Desrochers.

I'm excited to find out what makes my fellow bloghoppers lists! Click here to see and thanks YAtopia!

Trick or Treat

2011-10-28T04:00:00.004-04:00

Hello Halloween blog hoppers and thank you Jeremy Bates for hosting such a fabulous event. I hope you enjoy my blog and give me a follow, I shall follow you back.

I like to write about things that go bump in the night, so naturally I LOVE Halloween! It's a rule in my house that we must watch Night of the Living Dead. In fact I was a zombie for Halloween last year *cue the girl who screams running into the cemetery*.

Also, Sleepy Hollow (1999 film directed by Tim Burton). The Headless Horseman storyline was done extremely well.

You have to watch (or read) The Amityville Horror for the ultimate creep and sleep with the blanket over your head experience.

and some notable mentions...

Rosemary's Baby

Carrie

Bram Stoker's Dracula

The Wolfman

The Vampire's Assistant

Beetlejuice (Beetlejuice...don't say it)

An American Werewolf in London

For a spooky Halloween read go visit my blogger buddy, Crystal Collier, An Interview with Death.

Be sure to take some candy before you leave!

What is on your Halloween movie or book list? And what are you going to be for Halloween?

Ahoy! Sea Serpent?!?! The Choose Your Own Adventure Bloghop Starts Here

2011-10-23T20:46:00.003-04:00

Ahoy Matey! Welcome to your adventure, but beware of what lurks under the water.

It all started with Rachael Harrie's Platform Building Campaign last May. The Campaigner's in my group went on a bloghop expedition to find the Abominable Snowman. Now, the Choose Your Own Adventure Bloghop is back again. This time I invited ALL of the Campaigners to take part. 17 writers answered the call! This bloghop is a collaboration with those fabulous Campaigners. We each wrote a snippet that will take you through an adventure, forcing you to make a choice that will send you around bloggerville. As you make your way through the adventure please follow and leave a comment for these fantastic writers.

Crystal Collier

Jessica Aspen

Cheryl Reifsnyder

Randy Lindsay

Susanna Hill

Deana Barnhart

Kelda Crich

Claire Hennessy

Cheree Smith

Mildred Holmes

Ms. Saba

Cathy Von Hassal-Davies

Angela Perry

Mel Corbett (Mel also did all of our badge artwork)

C. Janelle Tuma

Katharina Gerlach

Madeline Baratos

and me

Kerri Cuevas

Look for sign-ups in January if you would like to participate!

Now let your adventure begin.

Ahoy! Sea Serpent?!?!

Something in the water catches your attention. You lean over the railing and a giant creature with shimmering green scales seems to be swimming toward the boat. Your jaw drops open and you’re frozen in place. Never in your life have you seen anything so massive before.
Whales are big, but not as huge as the creature you are about to encounter. You try to scream and alert someone, but no sound comes out of your mouth. You are too mesmerized by the scales on the beast, each the size of a human hand and shiny. Its body moves with accuracy toward the bow of the ship.

Your trip to the Bermuda Triangle was not one of your brightest ideas after all!

Your knuckles turn white from clutching onto the railing, and you close your eyes bracing for impact. You wait

And wait.

And wait, but there is no impact.

You open one eye and then the other. You look down into a pair of glowing green eyeballs that are staring up at you.

Click on your option.

Do you: Arm yourself and prepare to fight?

Or

Do you: Stay where you are and hope it’s friendly

Do You Listen to the Voice Urging You to Go Up?

2011-10-23T20:03:00.002-04:00

You Listen to the Voice Urging You Up

The voice in your head nags at your subconscious and the water starts to numb your limbs. The light is fading and so does the image of your beloved. The voice in your head gets louder and becomes clearer. It snaps you out of a lull.

Go up, or you’ll die!

You listen to the voice because you won’t die like this. You kick your feet and move your arms frantic to go upward where you see a sliver of light. Your brain is telling you to take a breath, but to do so now would be a mistake. So you fight the urge and focus on the voice.

You can do it! Faster!

The muscles in your legs begin to burn and your lungs might burst, but you continue up toward the surface. The sliver of light is expanding , getting brighter. The dark water turns into warm aqua swirls, but pieces of the ship are falling around you making their way to the bottom of the sea. The light reflects off of something shiny plunging down past you. You say goodbye to Captain Contemptuous’s blade.

Keep going and swim to the right!

Yes, swim to the right, because the last thing you remember before plunging into the water was the sea serpent. You look in the direction you think the ship was in and you don’t see its dark shadow on the surface anymore, or the sea serpent. Maybe it swam away.

Hurry!

You look up and can see the blue sky through the water. You gain one last surge of energy and kick your legs breaking through to the surface. Warm sea air enters your lungs and circulates through the deprived cells of your body. The voice disappears and the fuzzy mist in your mind goes away.

Your eyes adjust to the sun and you look around to nothing. There is no ship. There is no sea serpent. There is no captain and there is no crew. But there is a piece of wood. Your fatigued muscles manage to lift yourself onto the wood, and you close your eyes hoping another ship will find you.

* * * *
“Ninety- nine bottles of beer on the wall, ninety- nine bottles of beer. You kick one down and smash it around ninety-“

You stop muttering because the piece of wood you’ve been floating on, for what feels like an eternity, stops with a jerky thud against a rock. You put your hand over the edge, but instead of water you feel rocks and sand.

Your body is stiff, your skin is stretched and burning from the sun, but you roll off of the wood. You squint and if your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you, you see a lush tropical forest in the middle of an island . You smile and stand on shaky legs.

Animals that were drinking from a stream scatter from your presence. You start to run toward the fresh water, imagining it going down your dry throat. Finally there, you walk into the cold water splashing it onto your body. You cup your hands to let the liquid pool in your hand and bring it to your mouth.

If you never get rescued at least you have food and water.

With your belly full of water you start to exit from the stream. You notice shiny blue and green, oval shaped rocks at the bottom. You reach down and pick one up , admiring its unusual texture.

The rock begins to shakes. You watch wide eyed as the surface begins to crack. You lean in close to peer into the hole. Two green orbs look back at you. Great, it looks like you found the sea serpent’s nesting ground.

The End

Do you go back: And still go

Do you go back: Stay with the boat

Or

Start over

It's a Book Birthday for The Chain of Souls--Also a Contest

2011-10-22T07:00:00.002-04:00

Congrats to my blogger buddy Maria Zannini on her book Chain of Souls.

Here is a blurb from Amazon. Click here.

Book Two of the Second Chances series.

Banished from Heaven for refusing to harvest an unwilling soul, Liam Chase drinks to forget night after night until the Angel of Death pays him a visit.

For the price of a few humans souls, Ziva promises to get him reinstated into Heaven. Liam doesn’t doubt her influence, but milking humans of their light is an unspeakable crime, punishable by eternal oblivion.

He’d rather rot on Earth than commit such a heinous sin. But the Angel of Death didn’t get where she was by taking no for an answer. Ziva is a huntress of extraordinary skill and cruelty. If he refuses, his loved ones will be her next targets. And Ziva never misses

Ziva has already set her sights on Shannon, the soul he once refused to harvest, and his beloved servant, Evie. He’ll do anything to keep them safe, even if it means his death.

But something goes wrong just as he concedes, and the chain of souls picks a new mistress before he has a chance to deliver.

Brought before the most feared angel of Heaven and Hell, Liam discovers he has failed to protect those he loves, and now they too could share his fate.

I look forward to reading this!

Also, you can visit my other blogger buddy Meradeth at Write Stuff for a book giveaway contest!

Announcment

2011-10-20T22:38:00.002-04:00

I've always wondered how this moment would go down, what it would feel like, and what I would say. I cheered for so many wonderful bloggers out there who have made their special announcement. I waited anxiously for their (amazing) books and followed them through their journey imagining it would one day be me.

Well....

I'm still on cloud 9 and I'm just going to spit it out. When it sinks in and I stop pinching myself, I'll tell you more about my journey. But here goes.

My story, Deadly Kisses, will be published by WiDo Publishing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, I try really hard to contain myself from using multiple exclamation points for one sentence, but I think this might be an exception.

To celebrate I'm passing out cupcakes.

And some drinks, a fresh cup o' Joe. Enjoy and thanks for celebrating with me!!

I will have to think of a contest to celebrate even more! And DON'T FORGET TO STOP BY MONDAY FOR THE EPIC CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE BLOGHOP!

For those of you who are looking to participate, I will set up another one after the holidays. Sign ups will be here, at this blog, in January!

A Story of Epicness!

2011-10-17T12:21:00.000-04:00

October 24th is fast approaching and I'm totally excited to bring you another Choose Your Own Adventure Bloghop for your reading entertainment! Get ready for total epicness! Ahoy! Sea Serpent?!?!

There are 17 writers and ONE HUGE ADVENTURE! So, take your Dramamine and don't forget a life jacket. As you go through your adventure, look for the picture below.

I'll see you next week--as long as the sea serpent doesn't get me first *grins*!

In the Background of a Writers Life—On Blogging

2011-10-08T17:26:00.000-04:00

I have no problem embarrassing myself telling you some of the crap things I used to do blogging. Really, It’s okay and I love my blogger buddies, so entertaining you is my top priority *grins*.

So, I really sucked when I first started blogging—I’m a work in progress.

I actually used to shout out my peeps in a Lady Ga Ga type way. Thank goodness Bloggerville intervened and someone did a blog post on what NOT to blog about. Now, I make it more subtle and if I write in tiny print no one will really notice, right? Can you see this now? Good you can't see it! Thank you Elana Johnson for showing me the ropes! Click here for her blog posts on building a better blog.

I once wrote a ballard from Mr. Schuester. If you dare to go back and read my pathetic posts. I apologize in advance for the missing pictures. It is Google+ fault.

I also debated having a contest on how many spelling errors followers could find in one post. Yeah, I now edit.

But, I blogged and I blogged some more. I visited blogs and read a lot of blogs and sooner than later it sunk in.

You can do it. Keep working at it and blog happy!

What crazy things have you done or learned from blogging?

My Mother's an Imago

2011-09-27T14:17:00.002-04:00

Rachael Harrie is at it again with another crazy challange. Here are the rules.

Write a blog post in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, whether flash fiction, non-fiction, humorous blog musings, poem, etc. The blog post should:

include the word "imago" in the title. (DID THAT)

include the following 4 random words: "miasma," "lacuna," "oscitate," "synchronicity," (DID THAT)

If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional and included in the word count), make reference to a mirror in your post. (DID THAT)

For those who want an even greater challenge (optional), make your post 200 words EXACTLY! (AND DID THAT)
______________________________________________________________________________
Upon doing some research the random words above are actually words. Yes, Rachael did do that! This was quite the challange. Here are the terms according to Wikepedia and about.com to help you understand my flash fistion story below.

* In biology, the imago is the last stage of development of an insect, after the last ecdysis of an incomplete metamorphosis, or after emergence from the pupa where the metamorphosis is complete. As this is the only stage during which the insect is sexually mature and, if it is a winged species, has functional wings, the imago is often referred to as the adult stage.

*The miasma theory (also called the miasmatic theory) held that diseases such as cholera, chlamydia or the Black Death were caused by a miasma (ancient Greek: "pollution"), a noxious form of "bad air".

*a lacuna is a gap (in text)

*oscitate To gape; to yawn.

*Synchronicity is the experience of two or more events, that are apparently causally unrelated or unlikely to occur together by chance, that are observed to occur together in a meaningful manner.

Let me know how I did and if you enjoy this please CLICK HERE to vote! I'm #136
_____________________________________________________________________

My Mother’s an Imago

My bed shook and I woke to oscitate at an angry mother shaking my mattress. Joy. She was in a lovely mood. At least I still had ten minutes before the bus came. With luck it would be late again due to Delany losing another contact.

My mom complained, “Get your lazy butt out of bed!”

I smiled thinking of ways to sick some miasma at her. Then she would go back to bed and forget all about me going to school today. What a synchronicity that would be.

I dressed with clothes that were on the edge of my bed. I checked the mirror to see if my frizzed hair was tamed. That was a BIG no, and then I shoved an orange in my backpack.

“Don’t forget your report. Although the lacuna’s are sure to get you an F.”

I took the papers and headed for the door, “Love you mom.”

“So, how’d we do?”

“Vocabulary-check, Science-check.”

My mom clapped, “and what am I today?”

“Imago, because I know how much you like ladybugs.” I smiled.

“And drama.”

“Double check!”

“Love you honey. I’m glad we had this study session.”

I left knowing I would ace my tests.”

Passing on an Award.

2011-09-25T12:00:00.003-04:00

This award has been passed on to me from Saba at Of Thoughts and Words! Thank you. Give her a visit, she has a great blog.

Here are the rules

Anyone who accepts this is asked by the person selecting them to do three things:

Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post.

Share 7 things about yourself.

Pass this award along to 15 discovered blogs and let them know about it.

7 things that you are dying to know about me *wink wink*

1. I LOVE fall in New England. Pumpkins, apple pie, festivals. YAY!

2. Cape Cod Salt and Vinegar Chips are the best.

3. Once my dog jumped on the latch and hit it just right and locked me out of the house in my pj's--true story.

4. Pathetic joke my daughter told me that makes me laugh every time. "Why didn't the skeleton cross the road?"

"Because he had no guts!" Ha ha ha!

5. OMG OMG OMG I can't wait until the Mortal Instruments comes to the big screen.

6. Never ever watched Sex in the City.

7. Ryan Seacrest every Sunday on America's Top 40 :)

Now to pass this on to 15 peeps(I'm doing my buddies in Campaign Group #32)! Sorry, if you already received this award. I guess that makes you 2x special.

Vote for a GREAT cause--Kitty Lovers!

2011-09-14T09:39:00.004-04:00

I know us writers have a tendency to love our kitties! They inspire our stories (and boss us around to do their will). They keep us company when we are determined to finish a scene late into the night (how dare you interrupt their beauty sleep). You just have to love them!

Last December we had to make the painful decision to put our Cat, Lucky, to sleep due to ongoing medical issues. I want to tell you his story...

Thirteen years ago when I lived in Rhode Island, I noticed my neighbors cat looked skinny and hungry, so I left food out for her. The next month I was pretty darn proud of myself that she looked really fat! More time passed and I didn't see her. One day we were expecting a hurricane. I was worried for her until my sisters dog, Lexus, started barking at the truck tire. I thought she was going crazy. There inside the tire was one small, skinny, grey cat with green goop that sealed both his eyes shut. We never saw mama kitty again, but the rest is history!

Fast forward to last week. We had already taken in 2 kittens from a neighbor, but I really wanted an older cat. To me, there is something special about adopting an older cat that needs a home. I feel like, Lucky, would approve. So, we went to our local shelter and found a special friend! We instantly loved Tara and knew she was coming home. The next time we went Miss Theodora aka Teddie pulled on our heartstrings and she to had to come home! They are GREAT cats!

TARA

THEODORA aka Teddie
(Teddie's daughter is still at the shelter looking for a home. She looks just like her mom and is super sweet. I REALLY want her to find a special home because she is awesome. If you live in the area, please consider her. I really love her also!)

I want to thank TARPS (The Animal Rescue & Protection Society) in Vermont for taking care of our special friends until they could come to their forever home! Mary, Brandon, and all the volunteers are amazing.

CAN YOU PLEASE VOTE FOR TARPS in VT! YOU CAN CLICK ONCE PER DAY. TEDDY AND TARA THANK YOU! CLICK HERE

Tag! Your It!

2011-09-08T17:36:00.001-04:00

I've been tagged by Claire Hennessy at her blog Crazy California Claire and now I must tell you Bloggerville 10 random facts about myself. Well, your in luck because I'm totally random.

#1 I just adopted 2 kitties from the TARPS animal shelter, Tara and Teddy! A writer needs someone to talk to while typing away.

#2 I'm rather annoyed when my child pointed out I had a darn hole in my jeans on my butt and told me the color of my undies. I wonder who else got a good laugh because I went out like that ALL DAY.

#3 I love my Silkie chickens like they were little puppies!

#4 I have a tendency to be an obsessive cleaner.

#5 I almost fainted in the middle of Sears the other day while looking at power tools (More info to come on that).

#6 I hate cooking and could survive on Kraft mac-a-cheese.

#7 I like cemeteries and went on a historical walk and learned all about stone art, who knew death heads were cool.

#8 Have an obsession with True Blood on HBO

#9 I need to get ink for my printer, make an eyeglasses appointment and get pine shavings...sorry don't want to forget what I need to do.

#10 I think blogger friends are the bestest!

And now to tag 5 other peeps. YA group 6 rocks, I'm tagging you! Here goes.

Mel Fowler @ Adveture Writes tag your it!
Stephanie @ Word By Word tag your it!
Alison Miller @ Left Brained by Day; Write Brain-All The Time tag your it!
Margo Kelly tag your it!
J.A. Bennett @ A Book, A Girl, A Journey tag your it! (Click now and listen to my favorite song on her post)

First Campaigner Challange

2011-09-06T21:16:00.000-04:00

The first Campaigner Challenge is this week and I'm super excited. Here are the rules.

Write a short story/flash fiction story in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, including a poem. Begin the story with the words, “The door swung open” These four words will be included in the word count.

If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional), use the same beginning words and end with the words: "the door swung shut." (also included in the word count)
My story is exactly 200 words and I managed to use "The door swung open" and "The door swung shut."

This story is dedicated to all the students starting school this week. Good luck!
___________________________________________________________________
Good Grub

The door swung open. A meatball whizzed by my head landing with a splat on a locker before sliding to the ground.

The cafeteria was wild with protest. I wanted out, but someone pushed me in and used me as a shield. Spaghetti stuck to my neck.

“Down with school lunch,” they screamed.

I held my brown bag, picked off the wet noodles and ducked trying to make my way to the courtyard.

At the food counter angry lunch ladies waved spatulas and the principle’s bald head was now covered with sauce and overcooked carrots.

Crumbs of a dried brownie rained down into my hair. I clutched my brown lunch bag and made a dash to the door while avoiding the milk cartons and puddles.

I was one step away from food fight freedom when someone pointed and said. “You. Class President. Do something!”

I wanted to get food out of my hair, I wanted quiet; I wanted to forget that I, Jessie K. Burgenstein, was class President.

I climbed and stood on the table. “Principle Taylor I demand we have McDonald's on the menu!”

It went quiet. They cheered. The lunch ladies stormed out and the door swung shut.

Meet your Choose Your Own Adventurers!

2011-09-05T22:39:00.001-04:00

I was away for the Labor day holiday babysitting and totally doing the Auntie thing. I may have fed the babe a Boston Cream donut and pretended they were organic *evil grins.* I also may have snuck in cookies and other highly processed goodies. Super Auntie!

But, I'm glad to be home in the comfort of my pajamas and back in Bloggerland. I would like to welcome and say hello to all the new followers *221!!! Faints and dies* #IheartCampaigners

A small intro--Besides being the crazy cat lady I write YA fiction--the weirder the better--Urban fantasy and Paranormal Romances. I'm an avid reader and enjoy helping other authors promote their masterpieces. Give me a shout if you would like to be interviewed or would like a review (hairballs optional).

The first Campaign challenge has been posted by, the one and only, Rachael Harrie. Go check out her blog to see what the Campaign is. I'll be skipping doing tons of laundry from the mini vacation to get working on the challange. Yay!

Also, my list has closed and we have--get this--19!!! Yes, 19 writers who will write part of the Choose Your Own Adventure that will have you traveling through Bloggerville. It's going to be crazier than the last one. I'm shooting for the end of October, so stay tuned for details.

Without further adieu, I introduce to you, our Adventurers. (click on their names to visit them. I will also be adding them to my sidebar so you can easily find these fantastic writers.)

Crystal Collier
Jessica Aspen
Cheryl Reifsnyder
Randy Lindsay
Susanna Hill
Deana Barnhart
Kelda Crich
Claire Hennessy
Cheree Smith
Mildred Holmes
Kate Lineberger
Saba
Cathy Von Hassal-Davies
Angela Perry
Mel Corbett
C. Janelle Tuma
Katharina Gerlach
Madeline Bartos

Adventurers Wanted! Sign-Ups for the Bloghop begin.

2011-08-26T00:01:00.004-04:00

Did you join Rachael Harrie's Campaign? Are you looking for an added adventure? You've come to the right blog. Sign-ups for the Choose Your Own Adventure Bloghop begin and will run all week or until we get between 15-30 bloggers.

In this adventure there will be a sea serpent!

You must be a Campaigner and a follower of this blog to join.

You must be dedicated to write a small piece to the adventure within a short span of time, use goggle docs, work with your partner to write opposite decisions...do you run...or do you fight...da da dum. You MUST be available the night before it's to post to give your permanent url, and lastly have fun and go crazy!

If you are interested click on the badge (The Adventure Starts Here) on my sidebar to see what it entails and I hope you will join the fun using the Linky tool below. Once there are enough victims I'll send out an e-mail with more info. (FYI-Your e-mail is under lock and key and I would never use it an a spammer, or annoying type way).

This is a really great way to connect even more with awesome people and I look forward to the next adventure!

Do you want to be a Campaigner?

2011-08-22T10:12:00.001-04:00

The Third Writers' Platform-Building Campaign invented and hosted by Rachael Harrie will begin soon. The list is now open until August 31st so hurry on over and sign up if this is something you are interested in. For all the specific details CLICK HERE.

It is a fantastic way to meet awesome sauce peeps and build your followers list. During the Second Writers' Platform-Building Campaign, I hosted a Choose Your Own Adventure Bloghop for my buddies who were in my group. I will soon be hosting another one for only fellow Campaigners who are also blog followers.

If you are interested click on the badge on my sidebar to see what it entails.

You must be dedicated to write a small piece to the adventure within a short span of time, use goggle docs, work with your partner to write opposite decisions...do you run...or do you fight...da da dum. You MUST be available the night before it's to post to give your permanent url, and lastly have fun and go crazy!

This was so much fun to do and collaborating with 14 other writers was totally cool beans! This will run during the Campaign. The theme for this adventure will be a ship with a sea serpent.

LOOK FOR SIGN UPS NEXT WEEK!
Have a wonderful lovely day :)

So like OMG, OMG, AHHHH!

2011-08-15T10:42:00.000-04:00

No, I didn't get a request for a full on my manuscript.

No, I didn't win the Mega Bucks and become an instant millionaire.

No, I didn't turn my kids room into a library overflowing with books and a desk made of cherry wood.

But...

But...

WriteOnCon is coming!

Yeah, polish up your material and get ready to mingle with others and have some fun!

WHEN: Tuesday August 16th-18th

WHERE: In your pajamas and online www.writeoncon.com

Check it out, and also coming soon to a computer near you...

My blogger buddy Rachael will be running her third Writers Platform Campaign from Monday August 22 to October 30th.

Head over to Rach Writes for all the details! Beware if you land in my group I will be doing another choose your own adventure bloghop again. I was thinking sea monsters and a ship! For more details on that, click the badge at the top of the sidebar.

2011-07-31T10:29:00.000-04:00

I knew I was blogger MIA, but seriously one month! Holy cowza! What have you all been doing and what have I missed around Bloggerville?

I've been out of touch with the world except for a few select bad summer TV shows including Teen Wolf and The Nine Lives of Chloe King. What can I say I'm a sucker for cheesy TV, but Weeds and True Blood promise to be an amazing season.

So, why the disappearing magic act?

Poop hit the fan....

I had to make some hard decisions on the farm while other decisions were not mine to make. Cryptic messages to spare you from the details.

Butt stuck to chair...

I was determined to rewrite, revise, and edit my story by summer to begin to query again.

Kids driving me nutty...

Day trips, family fun, and countless hours of questions and wanting snacks. If I hear them say mom again, I might faint.

Things I've learned this summer...

Tree frogs sound like crickets and if you go near one at the edge of a pool they WILL jump on you, even moms need a day off, The heart is strong and even the worse pain will heal in time but everyone heals in their own way, Harry Potter was the "to see" movie of the summer, you can accomplish anything with determination and will, and the 100 degree days were not nice and reminded me why I love to live in New England.

Hope everyone is having a GREAT summer!

Everlasting by Angie Frazier

2011-06-21T10:52:00.001-04:00

Everlasting by Angie Frazier

Book Cover: 4/5 stars

Story: 4.5/5 stars

Summary from the authors website:

Sailing aboard her father’s trade ship is all seventeen-year-old Camille Rowen has ever wanted. But as a girl of society in 1855 San Francisco, her future is set: marry a man she doesn’t love, or condemn herself and her father to poverty. On her final voyage before the wedding, the stormy arms of the Tasman Sea claim her father, and a terrible family secret is revealed. A secret intertwined with a fabled map, the mother Camille has long believed dead, and an ancient stone that wields a dangerous - and alluring - magic. The only person Camille can depend on is Oscar, a handsome young sailor whom she is undeniably drawn to. Torn between trusting her instincts and keeping her promises to her father, Camille embarks on a perilous quest into the Australian wilderness to find the enchanted stone. As she and Oscar elude murderous bushrangers and unravel Camille’s father’s lies, they come closer to making the ultimate decision of who - and what - matters most.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Angie lives in my neck of the woods and I got to see her in person at a local book signing (*insert squee*)! She was super nice and my kids were just ecstatic to meet "a real life author."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My review:

Camille would rather be on her dads ship sailing, than attending parties of society in San Francisco. She lived for the open seas, but this would be her last voyage on the Christina. Upon her return she would marry Randall, but she was drawn to Oscar. Her last voyage ends in tragedy when the ship sinks and her father meets a watery death. Learning her father's secret, Camille starts on an enchanted adventure with Oscar to learn the truth of her family, with a chance to bring her father back from the dead. The love between Camille and Oscar blooms, but obstacles get in their way as they go into the Australian wilderness. It is a dangerous place and before long Camille will have to make a choice between the two people she loves.

Angie's writing is beautiful and magical. I will be reading the sequel, THE ETERNAL SEA, as soon as possible because I don't want Camille and Oscar's story to end. This is a great summer read!

Guest post by Maria Rainer--How to Work as an Online Freelance Writer

2011-06-07T07:00:00.003-04:00

Maria Rainier is a freelance writer and blog junkie. She is currently a resident blogger at First in Education where she’s written on online botany programs along with food science technician jobs. In her spare time, she enjoys yoga, playing piano, and working with origami.

Welcome Maria and thank you for chatting with us today. This is a fantastic topic, so sit back and enjoy this post!

How to work as an online freelance writer

If the thought of spending your days at home working as an online writer sounds like a dream come true, then believe it or not your dream can easily become a reality if you have the proper skills and requirements.

If you completed a university or college degree, whether it be in Journalism or English, you will find it incredibly easy to get hired to work as a freelance writer. If you don’t have a degree you may find yourself running an uphill battle, however this doesn’t necessarily mean that an online writing job is out of reach.

In order to prove that you have the proper talents and skills required to work as a freelance writer, it may be a good idea to look for different publications or even blogs that will be interested in publishing your writing. This way when you apply for the job you can send the employer examples of your writing. (Be sure to include the links or clippings of your articles in your resume as well).

Suite101 is one site that is known for publishing freelance articles; however, if you’re hoping to get a job in a specific writing field, (such as science, for example), it may be a good idea to scope out different science publications and blogs so you can focus on one specific topic.

Another important necessity when it comes to working as an online freelance writer is to have an Internet connection as well as a laptop or computer. Some employers may ask you to conduct interviews with professionals over the phone, however this is very rare.

Where to find jobs online

One of the best ways to find online writing jobs is to look on sites like Craigslist, LinkedIn, or even international job posting sites like GumTree. The important factor to keep in mind is that you shouldn’t limit yourself by just searching for jobs in the city that you live in. The key to finding online writing jobs is to look in other cities, or even other states and countries, but make sure that the job posting states that you will be required to work online.

Once you apply for a writing job and get a response that states the employer is interested in hiring you for the job, you may be required to write a test or practice assignment so your (hopefully) future employer knows your writing style and talents.

Once you get hired, be prepared to spend a lot of time on the Internet, so be sure that your laptop is in tip top shape so you can work on your writing every day. Also, because you will have to submit your articles online, make sure you keep all of your assignments in a folder that is easily organized, or even use your e-mail account to organize all of your assignments and submissions.

Payment

Sometimes employers will pay you a flat fee per article, while others may pay you on a contract basis so you will be required to complete a certain number of articles in a specific time frame.

Most employers will pay you via Paypal, so you may be required to sign up for a Paypal account and that way your employer can e-mail you the payments. Some employers may even put you on their company payroll or even send you cheques via snail mail, however, this is not as common.

Tag I'm It!

2011-06-03T17:49:00.002-04:00

My great blogger buddy, Natasha, from Writes by Moonlight tagged me in a meme. After I answer my questions I get to tag three bloggers. So, here I go. Don't get bored okay.

If you could go back in time and relive one moment, what would it be?
It would have to be when I volunteered working at Roger Williams Zoo on the weekends. I loved working with exotic animals, but the zookeepers I worked with were what made it memorable! I don't think I ever laughed so hard in my life. There were many almost pee in my pants moments than I can remember. Hello Rodney Dangerfield.

If you could go back in time and change one thing, what would it be?
Ah, the dreaded question of all time. Sure I would change some little things. Like, every time I saw a penny, I should have picked it up and saved it. I could go on vacation or something. Honestly, nothing. Absolutley nada. The past is what made my present. I take each day as it comes--the good, the bad, and the ugly.

What movie/tv character do you most resemble in personality?
Ha ha, my hubby will attest that I'm the worst at remembering actors/actresses from movies. He is the movie buff so I'm going to have to resort to desperation and ask him.
Me:"Honey, what movie/tv character do I most resemble...and be nice."
Hubby: "I guess the real housewives reality show is out then."
Me: "I said be nice!"
Me: "Oh forget it."
Hubby: "I know, Frankie from The Middle."
Me: Rolls on floor laughing, "Omigod, you're right!"

If you could push one person off a cliff and get away with it, who would it be?
Woa, this could be used against me in a court of law. I have to zip my lips and stay hush hush. I mean I would never ever want to throw someone off a cliff. What kind of person do you think I am, sheesh.

Name one habit you want to change in yourself.
I wish I could go to sleep at a resonable time. The life of a night owl, sigh.

Describe yourself in one word.
Quirky

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

Why do you blog? Answer in one sentence.
It's my way to connect with other like minded people and overtake Bloggerville by hostile takeover Bawhahaha!

Who am I tagging?

Madeline
Lisa and Laura Write
Cara

Maria Rainier will be doing a guest post next week about how to work as an online freelance writer.

Bio: Maria Rainier is a freelance writer and blog junkie. She is currently a resident blogger at First in Education where she’s written on online botany programs along with food science technician jobs. In her spare time, she enjoys yoga, playing piano, and working with origami.

Review of THE STORY BOOK

2011-05-26T07:00:00.003-04:00

You can find David Baboulene at

His blog The Science of Story

His website

Facebook

and you can follow his tour at UK and Beyond Book Tours

When I was asked to review THE STORY BOOK by David Baboulene, I was a bit leery. Reading books on the subject of writing can be iffy—is the book overloaded with information, will it tell me the rules, will it be a snoozer, or will I be left with a feeling of being overwhelmed? Then I read David’s credentials as a published author, scriptwriter, and PhD scholar in story theory and they impressed me enough to give it a go.

All of my fears were laid to rest. My first reaction was “Where was this treasure when I wrote my first story?” (You know the one; it’s now buried in the backyard.) THE STORY BOOK is the holy grail of writing books. It gives you the information using diagrams and examples from both movies and books that are easily identifiable. You are sure to walk away with an understanding of the foundation of what goes into a good story and the confidence to write something that is marketable.

Guest Post by David Baboulene on Subtext

2011-05-24T07:00:00.010-04:00

David Baboulene is a published author of two humorous books, two children’s books and The Story Book - an academic work on story theory. He also has three film production deals, two in Hollywood and one in the UK.

He works as a story consultant with training and development organisations, aspiring and established writers and producers. He is also working at Brighton University on his Ph.D. on the critical importance of subtext to a story’s power. David writes extensively on his subject, including his monthly column in Writing Magazine and Writers' News.

Welcome David and thank you for being here today!

Subtext – The Most Critical Tool in the Story-Teller’s Box

What is subtext? Why is it important? Author and story consultant DAVID BABOULENE explains why subtext is fundamental to a story’s quality.

All writers are told that subtext is the ‘untold’ or ‘underlying’ story, and that stories must be delivered in subtext. Make no mistake - this is true. Without subtext, you literally have no story. However, what the great and the good fail to tell us is how in the world we are supposed to go about telling an ‘untold’ story? How do we bury our story, and still tell it, apparently without mentioning it?

So they give us examples. A character takes a girl by the hands, looks her in the eyes and says, ‘I love you.’ And the audience gasps, because they know that he’s about to leave her for another woman. This is all well and good, but still doesn’t help us understand how to deliver our stories ‘in subtext’.

What we need to know is what writers do to generate subtext.

Creating Subtext

Subtext results from what I call ‘knowledge gaps’. When you craft into your story a difference in the knowledge held by different participants, you introduce a knowledge gap – and simultaneously create intrigue and engagement. This is most easily expressed from the audience or reader perspective:

If the audience knows more or less than any character in the story,

you have story delivery in subtext.

So there are two basic forms of subtext, based on whether the audience knows more or less than a character:

Revelation Subtext

Take a mystery story. We follow the detective through all the events, we see all the clues, and we try to predict whodunit. Then the detective arrests the blonde, and we think, ‘Wha-what? The blonde? But she’s innocent! She’s the victim!’ and our minds go racing back through all that has gone before to try and establish what the detective spotted that we didn’t. The audience knows less than the detective, and revelation subtext is built into the story.

1 - Revelation Subtext

Privilege Subtext

As the detective bravely climbs the dark staircase towards the attic, his candle blows out and a chill runs through us all, because we know that there is an axe-wielding maniac waiting for him behind the door at the top. Knowledge gaps whereby the audience knows more than a character generate Privilege Subtext.

2 – Privilege Subtext

Within these two types there are at least ten mechanisms for introducing knowledge gaps. By introducing a mysterious character; by using a subplot to influence another plot; by raising questions in the mind of the audience (particularly ‘I know what the protagonist wants - how is he going to get it?’); by playing on audience pre-conceptions (just because he looks like a policeman doesn’t mean he’s not a criminal...); subterfuge (a character with a secret, an alter-ego, lies and deceit are all wonderful examples of subtext);

Other less common types of subtext exist, using implication and suggestion, metaphor and allegory, and a character’s subconscious aims, but we are best to leave these for another day.

The more the audience has to work to make up the story for themselves in the knowledge gaps, the finer the story is perceived to be, so make it your business to understand subtext. The quantity, depth and persistence of knowledge gaps in your story directly relate to how well your story engages an audience.

This is my specialist area and the subject of my PhD thesis. If you would like more information do please get in touch and I will send you the relevant chapter from The Story Book.

Cheers!
David

You can find David on Facebook

his blog The Science of Story

his website

and his tour page with UK and Beyond Book Tours

Look for my review of THE STORY BOOK on the 26th. For more great story tips follow David's blog.

Yeti? The Abominable Snowman Expedition STARTS HERE

2011-05-16T20:05:00.005-04:00

Welcome to the adventure, but beware of what lurks in the dark.

It all started with Rachael Harrie's Second Platform-Building Crusade. There were over 200 of us. Then it was further broken down into groups according to what genre you wrote in. Us Group 9 Crusaders consisted of horror, urban fantasy, and paranormal romance writers for young adults.This bloghop is a collaboration with those thirteen fabulous Group 9 Crusaders. We each wrote a snippet that will take you through an adventure, forcing you to make a choice that will send you around bloggerville. As you make your way through the adventure please follow and leave a comment for these fantastic writers.

Meet the fantastic Crusaders of Group Nine.

and me

Kerri Cuevas

I just want to thank Rachael and all the Crusaders for a great couple of months. You guys ROCK! I can't wait for the third Crusade from Monday, August 22, 2011 to October 31, 2011.

Maybe there will be another choose your own adventure, da da dum!

YOUR ADVENTURE STARTS NOW

All evidence suggests that the cave before you is the home of the abominable snowman. The cold sting of snow whips at your face and you are relieved to enter the massive stone shelter. You hope that the creature has set out tea and biscuits for lunch, because you ran out of food hours ago.

The snow crunches beneath your boots. As you walk deeper into the darkness snow turns to frozen dirt. There are patches of matted fur frozen to the walls and the ground is littered with scat. This must be the right cave. You shudder with anticipation and walk forward, but the light from outside is fading.

You put your backpack on the frozen ground and open it. The cider in your thermos has gone frosty, but you drink it anyways. You double check that the battery in your camera is powered up. You take out your flashlight, click it on, and continue into the cave.

You are now in total darkness except for the round stream of light from your flashlight. You point it to the left and it reflects over the icy cavern. You run it along the edge of the wall to see how far back the cave goes, but the light catches movement. You gasp and drop the flashlight and see a dark shadow coming towards you. You bend down to pick up the flashlight and it fumbles out of your hands. You finally grip it and shine the light at the shadow. It is coming at you fast and the hairs on your neck prick up.

Click on your choice.
Do You: STAY AND FIGHT
Do You: RUN

Chomp Down the Candy Bar

2011-05-16T19:57:00.005-04:00

                                                 Click here to go to the beginning

You eye the candy bar on the ground. It’s your favorite, Almond Joy. What can you say, sometimes you feel like a nut--and you must be to search for the Yeti. Your stomach grumbles in angry protest as you eye the open blue package on the ground. You can taste the rich chocolate in your mouth mixed with sweet coconut.

For a split second you forget the camera and reach down to pick up the bar, but you feel hot breath brush your cheek. You look up to see the Yeti staring at you with pleading eyes. His mouth is hanging open and drool dribbles out onto the ground.

He takes a step back. When you stand up he is sitting on a rock leaning into his hands crying. “Do you want some?” You ask holding out the Almond Joy.

Your hand is shaking as the Yeti looks up and meets your eyes.

“I would love some,” he sobs, “if you let me have it I'll give you food for your journey back home and do anything…except.”

“What?” You ask. Your voice shakes and you clear your throat afraid he wants to keep you his hostage.

“Just don’t tell anyone I’m here. I don’t want to be a lab rat and locked in a cage.”

You breathe a long sigh of relief; your breath comes out in a thick fog. “I can do that.”

You smile and hand the Yeti the last of your Almond Joy. Sometimes you don’t feel like a nut and just want to make the Yeti happy. Who knew?

The Yeti moans and licks his thick furry lips as he eats the candy bar. He stands up rubbing the thick white fur on his belly.

“Shall we take some pictures?” The Yeti asks.

You take out your camera and half smile and laugh nervously.

“Let’s do this!” He roars.

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

The Yeti was like a superstar and eager to pose for you. He leaned on a rock with his arms crossed over his chest. He made a silly face that made you laugh. He let you stand next to him as he draped an arm over your shoulder.

“Hey, same time next year?” The Yeti asked.

“Same time and I’ll bring plenty of chocolate. Later buddy.”

You walked out of his cave and would miss the big furry Yeti.

  Go Back: Run
Go Back: Let the Yeti Talk
  Start Over

The Adventure Begins Tuesday

2011-05-16T07:00:00.004-04:00

Come one and come all to the choose your own adventure bloghop. It will go live Tuesday, May 17th at 12:00am. Adventurers wanted, but beware of what lurks in the dark.

The adventure starts here, but every choice you make has a consequence.

Meet the fantastic Crusaders of Group Nine.

and me

Kerri Cuevas

I just want to thank Rachael and all the Crusaders for a great couple of months. You guys ROCK! I can't wait for the third Crusade from Monday, August 22, 2011 to October 31, 2011.

Maybe there will be another choose your own adventure, da da dum!

Winner and Review of LONG MEMORY

2011-05-13T07:00:00.006-04:00

LONG MEMORY (Weavers's Circle Book Two) will be released May 16th by Lyrical Press. So, mark your calenders.

From page one Charlotte draws you into the world of Beth and the residents of Weaver's Circle. For years Beth has lived with Nonie and has cared for the woman with Alzheimer's --but Nonie's memory is getting worse. When James, Nonie's grandson she can't remember, lands on her doorstep the sparks begin to fly between him and Beth. Will he stick around long enough to help his grandmother and Beth? Will his mother, who accuses Beth of stealing from Nonie, get in their way? No spoilers here!

Charlotte's story has it all from heartwarming characters, annoying mothers that spy, a strong heroine, a hunky man, and a sizzling book cover. LONG MEMORY is a charming, cozy, story and one I would recommend putting on your to read list. You don't need to read the first book to understand what is going on, but it will leave you wanting more!

You can find LONG MEMORY at Lyrical Press

WINNER IS TRISHA! Give me an e-mail and I'll hook you up!

Interview with Author Charlotte McClain and Giveaway

2011-05-10T07:00:00.005-04:00

Today author Charlotte McClain is rocking the house chatting about her upcoming book release by Lyrical Press on May 16th, Long Memory (Weavers's Circle Book 2).

                                                insert *claps and cheers*

Welcome Charlotte and thanks for hanging out with us. My comments are (bold).

What inspired you to become a writer?

The Empire Strikes Back. I became a reader when I found The Hobbit in 5th grade, but when I saw Empire I really wanted to be in that world and I created a lot of fan fiction doing it. Then I wanted to start creating my own worlds.

What was your road to publication like?

Long and winding. I started out writing science fiction and fantasy, but I had a terrible time finishing anything. My stories were always ended up being more about the relationships between the characters than the technology or the magic and once I had to deal with that I lost interest. I have unfinished epics hidden in boxes and on old disks I can't even access anymore. So I shifted my focus to romance.

The first full length novel I completed was Three Alarm Tenant in 2001. Harlequin considered it for five agonizing months before they finally passed and by that time I'd written Spark of Desire and half of the upcoming Stuck By Lightning. The rejection took the wind out of my sails so I wrote The Rock Star's Retreat entirely for my own pleasure. I wrote several other things without ever thinking about publishing them and in about 2004 a friend challenged me to write a story using the name Kent Farrington for the hero. I was mulling that over when the whole idea of One Ring To Rule came to me. Which I wrote and mothballed with everything else because who was going to publish a novella length romance set at a comic book convention?

In 2007 I was in Korea when the Gather First Chapters Romance contest was announced. I decided to enter Three Alarm Tenant and got to work getting it ready. Then in July my laptop was stolen while on vacation in the Philippines and of course nothing was backed up. I started over using the notes I had managed to salvage and with help from my critique partners in time to enter and got into the semi-finals before I got too busy to campaign anymore. Not long after was the Amazon Breakthrough Novel contest which I also entered Three Alarm Tenant in and it made the semi-finals there as well, but I was on my way from Korea to Chile via the US during a March blizzard at the time so I had even less time to campaign.

During the summer of 2008 I was tightening up One Ring To Rule when I discovered the Romance Divas forum. I was hanging out there when Renee Rocco posted that Lyrical Press was accepting submissions down to, I don't know, 15,000 words? Being oblivious I said, hey I have something for that. Renee responded that she would be looking for my submission so I had to find out who she was. Yeah, the publisher. I'd opened my big mouth and now I had no choice. I submitted One Ring To Rule late on Wednesday July 2nd knowing that I was leaving town the next day and wouldn't be able to obessively check my email for the rejection I expected. Color me surprised the next morning when I had a contract. That weekend I started writing Long Memory. Since then I've published five titles with Lyrical with Struck By Lightning slated for November release and I've also worked with Freya's Bower, Liquid Silver and Wild Rose Press.

And I moved to Abu Dhabi.

(Your road to publication sounded more like an adventure and your diverse traveling must be great inspiration.)

I have previously worked with Alzheimer’s patients and you not only pegged Nonie in this book, but the effect it has on the people who love them. What made you use Alzheimer’s?

I based Nonie on my husband's grandfather who has not died, but left us years ago. He was a lovely man, very helpful and kind and now he's answering the television remote when the phone rings. Watching the dynamic between Bert and Maxine I started wondering how I would handle it, and then I started wondering about someone else handling it. I wrote most of the story while visiting their house for the weekend so I had Alzheimer's right in front of me.

Who was your favorite character to write?

All the characters are very dear to me, even tertiary characters. Many of them will eventually get their own stories. I think in this one Jean was my favorite. She's kind of a combination of my grandmother and my great aunt. When I was little I used to stay with my grandmother everyday while my mother was in college and then started working. I have vivid memories of long days spent with Gramma and Aunt Gert and the way the two of them interacted.

Can we expect a Weavers's Circle book three and can you tell us what character will be in the spotlight? (Crosses fingers it will be Jean)

Probably not Jean. After writing Secrets Everybody Knows I felt really guilty about the hero's sister's lot in life and I'm about halfway through that story. I also want to write Sheriff Daniel's story because he's got some history around why he came to town. That one was about half written on the laptop that was stolen in the Philippines so it's taken some getting back to. I also plan to write Lily and George's story. I'm going to be playing around in this town for a while.

(Woohooo!)

If you were a superhero who would you be and why?

Now you realize that not only have I read comics, but I've written them. I'm still heartbroken that both times I was in the DC offices, Denny O'Neill (the editor of Batman) was out. I would love to be Batman. His quest for justice appeals to me. In particular I'd like to be Frank Miller's Batman. Failing that I'd love to be Marvel's Nomad. Or with Marvel's Nomad because he was hot.

(We have Batman in the house, lol. Love it!)

What was the last book you read?The last book I finished was City At World's End by Edmund Moore Hamilton. I'm currently reading Kim Harrison's Pale Demon which I borrowed electronically from my home library in the US to my iPad in Abu Dhabi. How cool is that?

(Oh my gosh, you can do that? Fantastical! The Hollows series sounds good and is on my to read list.)

Thanks so much for hanging out with us today. You were so much fun to interview!

LEAVE A COMMENT AND ONE RANDOM PERSON WILL WIN A COPY OF LONG MEMORY FROM CHARLOTTE!

You can visit Charlotte at Lyrical Press
                                          Her blog
                                          Liquid Silver
                                          Freya's Bower

Upcoming Events

2011-05-04T08:41:00.005-04:00

May is fantastic with many great things scheduled!

May 10th Interview with Author Charlotte McClain about her upcoming book release Long Memory (Lyrical Press, May 16th) and giveaway!

May 13th Review of Long Memory by Charlotte McClain

May 17th Be prepared for a bloghop of EPIC poportions. So EPIC it will leave you hanging off your seat. Da da dum...

Keep your eyes peeled because I would like to put another bloghop like this together in the next couple of months.

May 24th A guest post by David Baboulene author of The Story Book

May 27th A review of The Story Book by David Baboulene

COOL BEANS!

Final Crusade Challange--Show Not Tell

2011-04-22T13:17:00.000-04:00

Rachael Harrie's platform building Crusade has been amazing and I'm sad to see it come to an end. I made many new blogger friends and will continue to visit all their fantastical blogs. There are many talanted people out there doing wonderful things!

The final challange is here and this is what we have to do.

Show Not Tell Crusader Challenge: In 300 words or less, write a passage (it can be an excerpt from your WIP, flash fiction, a poem, or any other writing) that shows (rather than tells) the following:

You're scared and hungry
It's dusk
You think someone is following you

And just for fun, see if you can involve all five senses AND include these random words: shimmer, saccadic, substance, and salt.

Phew! I know crazy, right? I'm always up for a good challange though, so here goes it.

The Hunted Doe

I know where I will hide if I can only get there. Thin branches whip across my cold face as I run faster through dense brush. Everything is a blur and the distant ocean breeze rustles my fur.

The crunch of dead leaves is getting louder behind me sending my heart thundering.

Acid churns in my empty stomach, but I refuse to acknowledge it. All I can think about is being caught if something is really following me—hunting me.

The setting sun shimmers off the ocean in a distance, an ocean I hope to see again if I survive the next couple of minutes. But I need the safety of the forest now. I continue to run as salt in the thick air burns my parched throat. I swallow, but it doesn’t help ease the fire.

I knew leaving the forest at dusk was dangerous, but I had to take the chance of getting to the lush grass next to the sand dunes. It’s a good substance, but I never got to taste its sweetness today.

The low grunting is getting further away and I slow down. My hooves sink into the soft earth. The saccadic movement in my eye stops and my hiding spot comes into focus.

My ears move to the sound of loud footsteps to my right. My body twists and I leap off the ground as I bolt toward the thickest part of the brush—my hiding spot.

I push through it going further away from the hunter. He won’t get me today. My heart slows and my lips find dry grass. It will have to do.

I can try again when the sun shines bright. I need to eat more for the growing baby in my belly.

Hey, How You Doin?

2011-04-18T19:36:00.001-04:00

Thought I would catch up with my blogger friends to see what everyone is doing.

It's been a slow blogging month for me because I've been busy being a mama goat, seriously. Two girls, one boy, and one more goat due Sunday. Busy times at the farm.

The upcoming days of May bring shiny new ideas, a start on a sequel, a group 9 secret Crusade project (don't worry will spill the details soon), and an interview with Charlotte McClain on her upcoming book release (May 16th from Lyrical Press) LONG MEMORY. I also have a list of demands...

-More sunshine, less rain.

-Glee will finally win at regionals and Sue Sylvester will get slushified.

-Someone will get me tickets to go see Matthew Morrison aka Mr. Schuester in concert.

-And will someone please give Charlie Sheen a happy pill.

So, what have you been doing and do you have a list of demands?

Kindle Book Love

2011-04-06T09:26:00.002-04:00

So, I have recently become a Kindle app junkaholic and wanted to share some fantastical (very affordable) reads with you.

I enjoyed reading the Trylle trilogy by Amanda Hocking and the enchanted world of Wendy. It is an addicting story that leaves you scrambling to download Torn and Ascend the second and third book in the series. The emotions are raw, the characters are likable and the twists and turns will stop your heart.

At 99 cents it's a great deal. Switched

Also by Amanda Hocking My Blood Approves (there are four books) If you are a Twilight fan I would give this a read. It's a fun little series even though there were many similarities between Twilight.

Again only 99 cents.

The Heat by Heather Killough-Walden (The Big Bad Wolf series). The Heat is a hot little read with steamy werewolves with addictive addictions.

For only $1.00 give it a look.

If anyone has more suggestions leave it in the comments. Tell me are you a e-book reader junkaholic?

Second Crusade Challange

2011-03-21T09:36:00.000-04:00

Rachael Harrie has got a fantastical challenge this week for us Crusaders. If you haven't heard of the Crusade click on my badge on the sidebar for information. If you're looking to participate in a blogfest visit Rachel's blog for a list of what is going on in Bloggerville.

Also, there has been a new blog started called Write Hope. There are some stellar things to bid on (Holy STELLAR things) with proceeds benefiting the victims of Japan.
Gander on over and take a peek.
The Crusade Challenge:

Write a flash fiction story (in any format) in 100 words or less, excluding the title. Begin the story with the words, “The goldfish bowl teetered” These four words will be included in the word count.

Everyone is very welcome to take part, though only Crusaders will be eligible for the prizes. Entries over 100 words will not be considered. Entries will be judged on various criteria, including originality, word count, and entertainment value.

Here is my entry at 100 words (and my very first flash fiction story ever).

Midnight Dreams

The goldfish bowl teetered on the edge of the flimsy nightstand and crashed to the floor.

I didn’t think. Only react.

The goldfish slithered through my fingers. I scooped it into a glass breathing a sigh of relief.

I turned to the bobcat. Orange fur shined in the moonlight. He rubbed against my leg purring. “Stop shape shifting in the house. My pet is not your dinner!”

John jumped on the bed, fur disappeared and his lip quivered. “Can I have you for dinner instead?”

I slid between the blankets. He nibbled and licked at my ear. “Yes, oh yes.”

New Mama of the Four Legged Kind

2011-03-16T11:23:00.002-04:00

Hey there Bloggerville! Please excuse my lack of non-useful posts and commenting this week. The stork has brought a new little bundle to our friendly farm. We will be very busy bottle feeding kids for a bit, but promise to be useful again sometime soon. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy ooooogling cuteness!

Update: Meet Stormy. Thanks for the GREAT suggestions!

Any name ideas? Her mom is Sirrus like the cloud. All previous kids have the sky theme going on. We already have Starlight, Twilight, and Moon. Can't wait to hear what you think of!

Passing Lovely Awards On

2011-03-11T09:33:00.001-05:00

Madeline at Capricious Existence sent me two fabulously lovely awards! Here are the deets on them.

1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.

2. Pay it forward to fifteen other blogs you have newly discovered.

3. Contact those blog owners and let them know they've been chosen.

4.Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award.

1.Share 7 things about yourself.

2.Award 15 or so recently discovered great bloggers.

2.Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award.

3.Seven things about me...

Here we go...

1. I have a rock collection that I started when I was a kid and now my kids add to it collecting with me. My favorite piece is a Rose Quartz. The oldest one is a petrified chunk of bark.

2. I have an obsessive music streak and have been know to be attached to my ipod like a blankie. My favorite kind of music is dark and morbid.

3. I pretend that I'm a karate ninja with stellar skills. We are talking about Charlie's Angel type of skills.

4. I always wanted to be a veterinarian.

5. Deep dark fantasy, bare back horseback riding. Sigh, one day.

6. I would jump through hoops for dark chocolate.

7. I have two German Shepherds, but I'm a cat lady. One inside kitty and three hang out in the barn at our friendly farm.

I'm fortunate to have friended so many great new blogs during the Crusade. So, I'm passing this along to some FANTASTICAL new friends!

Fiona's Thoughts She is a brand new blogger and has started a forum. I would love it if you went for a visit and gave her a follow!
Surrounded By Books
My Writing Bug
Seeking The Write Life
Falling Leaflets
Carrie Keeps Typing
Quitting My Day Job
My Inner Fairy
Lauri's Blog

Happy Friday everyone :)

Books With Fuzzies

2011-03-03T09:25:00.000-05:00

Books about fuzzies --and especially talking fuzzies--remind me of my childhood. I couldn't read enough of them. I'm glad my mother wouldn't let go of my childhood things because she kept most of my books! My kids are now enjoying them as much as I did--total coolness, right!

These are the things dream are made of.

A couple of my favorites include...

Gentle Ben By Walt Morey (Bear)
Sounder By William H. Armstrong
The Tough Winter By Robert Lawson (Woodland critters)
Julie of the Wolves By Jean Craighead George
I, Houdini By Lynne Reid Banks (Hamster)

My avid book reading daughter, is very fond of books about horses. About 85% of her collection contain some kind of critter.

So tell me what are some books you and your kids enjoy?

This post was inspired by the lovely ladies at Confessions From Suite 500 and a book they blogged about called A DOGS WAY HOME By Bobbie Pyron.

Stop by to see them and meet my doggies Sera and Kal, and also PeeWee who is one cool pup. Woof!

House Keeping

2011-02-24T08:00:00.014-05:00

This yummy looking Blogger award comes from Brenda Drake Thanks Brenda. You're a fabulous blogger buddy! (Go visit because she has March giveaways)

And here’s how the award goes:

1. Thank and link back to the person that gave this award.
2. Share 4 guilty pleasures that you have.
3. Pass the award along to 6 other sweet blogs

I have so many guilty pleasures it is hard to just pick four, but here it goes.

1. Anything coffee flavored. I prefer Dunkin' Donuts extra cream, and extra sweet! I could eat coffee ice cream every day. I even make my own home made ice cream!
2. Coconut. Almond Joys, Mounds, coconut flavored coffee cream, ice cream. Yummy!
3. Dark chocolate, especially Hershey's.
4. Sweet and sour chicken. The more the chicken is drowned in sauce the better.

Now to pass the award on to those who always make me smile when I'm down or frustrated.

Rachel Harrie who invented the Crusade! Thanks for all the hard work!

Cheree Smith Thanks for the stellar book reviews. Go say hi to her because she has lost an hour -seriously!

Lydia Kang Medical Mondays always make me smile! Hello fellow Crusader!

New blogger buddy and fellow Crusader E.J. Wesley I'm totally jealous of his blog name!

Ben Spendlove New blogger buddies make me smile, and so does supernatural powers!

Kelly Bryson Thanks Kelly for your critique post. That made me smile!

AND I'm sneaking in one more just because it's my blog and I can.

To my hubby over at CK Droid who keeps me out of the stone age and in the loop with all this smart phone stuff! How do you shut off the Android again???
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wow, it seems like this was such a busy week in Blogland! So many amazing things going on.

There is a contest at the DNA Writers Blog from gift cards, books, to critiques! Go over and check it out.

Weronika Janczuk is also giving away Learning to Swim By Sara J. Henry. It sounds amazing! Go check out the first chapter on her blog.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Crusader biz-ness I am finally, finally following each one of your amazing blogs. So many creative people out there it makes me HAPPY!

NOW I can get back to a regular blog and commenting schedule prepare for my stalkdom --da da dum!

In order to do this I will be trying out Google Reader. I have each blog organized in folders, and even got around to subscribe to all our Wordpress friends. It might take a couple of days to get the hang of it *says the girl who can't shut off her smart phone*

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What you all have been waiting for, right?

The results of the first Crusade challange, because I told a fib.

The secret: I do sing when cleaning the house

Annoying habit: I do make up crazy lyrics and sing them, mostly to my kids!

The lie: I’m jealous of Days of Our Lives and their bloviate story lines. I want to write plot lines where my character dies only to wake up in a coffin alive. Then a "Stefano Dimera," makes a look alike of the “dead character,” having them infiltrate the good guys.

I'm on a Days rant and am SO SICK OF THE SAME PLOT LINE. Think of something else would ya!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One last thing....

I want you all to meet my new writing buddy. I had a name list going on at Facebook. My sis-in-law suggested Katniss from the Hunger Games. I think she will be called Katnip! We shall see if it sticks.

The First Crusade Challange

2011-02-20T18:42:00.003-05:00

Welcome new followers and fellow Crusaders (click on my crusade badge for more info on the fantastical Rach). I’m excited to follow so many great blogs, and I look forward to getting to know you better. But I have some confessions about me that you should know about. Please don't let this deter you from ~~stalking~~ following me.

Here goes...

I run like a rabbit when Glee is on, and Mr. Schuester is the coolest thing since Edward from Twilight (It is only because he sparkles like a tiara)! Mr. Shue also inspires me to make up silly lyrics to songs and sing them while house cleaning. Katy Perry and Mr. Clean eat your heart out.

Now, Edward, only inspires me to never have 80's hair again. Higher hair is not cooler. We have Mike Posner for cooler!

I still think New Kids On the Block is bad ass, and I would totally blade it to the stage to touch Joey Mac….just sayin.

I’m jealous of Days of Our Lives and their bloviate story lines. I want to write plot lines where my character dies only to wake up in a coffin alive. Then a "Stefano Dimera," makes a look alike of the “dead character,” having them infiltrate the good guys. Although, EJ’s British accent does make me swoon over my TV.

Anyways, I wouldn’t say I’m an angel, but I consider myself a nice person. I’m a worshiper of chocolate and anything coffee. But my most favorite thing in the world is my family!

*walking out of the confessional now* I didn't swear on a Bible, and one thing might not be true. Can you guess?

A shout out to group 9 and their fuliguline awesomeness!

PS Crusaders I BEG you to lose the word verification for comments. It would save lots of time and I so want to have time to visit all blogs :) There is even a spam button if you use blogger *bats eyeslashes* Pretty please.

Where Does Inspiration Come From

2011-02-16T09:22:00.001-05:00

Apparently inspiration can come from anywhere! Even in the middle of a shower, when you're lathering up your hair. I bought Suave (rosemary and mint) shampoo based on ONE the bottle was green TWO it reminded me of summer working in the garden and THREE it smells like a herb garden. I admit this winter is making me miserable. I'm trying to think of greener days any way I can, and NO I'm not carrying around sniffing Suave shampoo to get a summer high.

So yes, I was lathering up my hair and I had a lightning strike in the noggin moment. There has been this question about a character that I have been asking myself for at least a month. I am a HAVE TO KNOW type and sometimes on the dramatic side.

I know I drove my family nutty. They would ask how my day went, and I would respond with I need to know why my character can see Grim Reapers! I know she likes to dress like a biker chick, I know why she took a spastic fit during Science, but why can she see DEATH! Just a little creepy. Thanks to Suave I KNOW, I really know. The sad part is my subconscious knew all along because I sprinkled bits and pieces throughout my MS. It was just my brain catching up with what I already knew. Sigh....

So tell me your lightning strike moment.

Book Love giveawayWinner!

2011-02-14T07:00:00.008-05:00

~~~WINNER~~~WINNER~~~WINNER~~~
The contest is now closed. The poems were wonderful, and I had some snarfing moments! Thanks everyone for participating in the Valentine's Day pre-order giveaway. Random(dot)org has announced the winner as lucky #1Brenda Drake. Congrats! Give me an e-mail with your choice of book.

Welcome new followers and fellow Crusaders! I look forward to cyber stalking all of you!

I heart my blogger buddies and I heart books. What a great combination because I feel like giving a follower one pre-order that is on my HUGE list of MUST READ OR DIE BOOKS (for blog purposes I will have to narrow it down, gulp). My Valentine's day gift to you. This contest will close tonight at 12pm EST.

So, all you have to do is make up a silly Valentine's Day poem and leave an e-mail
email(at)blank(dot)com
Leave it in the comments . A random number generator will determine the winner of a fantastical pre-order below!

Roses are red

Violets are blue

Make me laugh with a silly poem

and I'll heart you!

Your choice will be one from the following list.

Possession By Elana Johnson (June 7)

City of Fallen Angels (Mortal Instruments, book 4) By Cassandra Clare (April 5)

Wildefire By Karsten Knight (July 26)

The Liar Society By Lisa and Laura Roecker (March 1)

Hard Bitten (Chicagoland Vampires, book 4) By Chloe Neill (May 3)

Forever By Maggie Stiefvater (July 12)

The Dark and Hollow Places By Carrie Ryan (Forest of Hands and Teeth, book 3) (March 22)

Dead Reckoning (Sookie Stackhouse, book 11) By Charlaine Harris (May 3)

The Crusades

2011-02-12T14:29:00.001-05:00

Rachel Harrie is on a Crusade to connect writerly folks.
Join the Crusade by Feb 12! That is today, so blog on over to see her.

It Was a Dark and Stormy Blogfest Contest

2011-02-07T09:15:00.009-05:00

The Dark and Stormy Blogfest contest hosted by Brenda Drake judged by Weronika Janczuk IS ON!

I am posting the first line of my story. Please help me spruce it up.

Name: Kerri Cuevas

Title: The Kiss of Death

Genre: YA Fantasy/Supernatural/Romance

It was the old man's lucky day because I was good at being a Grim Reaper.

Update: I am going with the one below. Thank you for all the great suggestions and good luck!

It was the old man's lucky day because I was his Grim Reaper.

Another update. So after having more time to mull over the first sentence I should have went with this. I promise to stop updating.

I am dead, the old man would soon be dead, and I'm the Grim Reaper that will collect his soul.

Another Amazing Contest

2011-02-05T15:02:00.000-05:00

It was a dark and stormy blogfest contest hosted by Brenda Drake judged by Weronika Janczuk on February 7-9.

Pay It Forward with Shelli

2011-01-30T20:06:00.001-05:00

Shelli Johannes- Wells who is represented by Alyssa Eisner Henkin from Trident Media Group is paying it forward in a BIG way!

CLICK HERE Get a box of tissues (it's a GREAT story) and head over to her blog Market My Words!

ALSO I added a blog in my side bar Flashy Words for fans of flash and micro fiction, so check it out.

Captain Jack Sparrow

2011-01-24T16:38:00.000-05:00

So happy! Standing up and doing a happy dance!

Confessions of a Mother and a School Project

2011-01-11T09:35:00.001-05:00

When your kids come home from school and announce they have a project due, do you cringe and feel like it's parent busy work? Confess I can't be the only one. They already have piles of homework. There isn't enough time in the day for sports, showers, cooking, cleaning, and all the other gazillion things that has to be done before midnight. Not to mention, I really want to spend quality time with them before bedtime. So we help a bit.

My third grader needed to make an animal in their natural habitat, in a shoebox for Science. Cool! Easy as pie!

Confession:
No shoebox, ran out of construction paper

It could be due the 12th, 13th, or 19th. Okay, weird

No specific instructions. Please don't let me give my kid a big fat F

It totally sucks that my kid can't go outside to collect leaves and such to add to her project because THERE IS SNOW AND LOTS OF IT which led to the below.

Hubby and I did 3/4 of it! Internet searches for images, superimposing, copying, printing! PARENT BUSY WORK!

Yesterday I get "Mom everyone brought their project in already. Did you finish mine?"

I hang my head in shame and make her paint and glue everything together which takes five whole minutes. She brought it to school today!

Happy New Year

2011-01-03T16:01:00.001-05:00

Seasons Greetings

2010-12-13T08:48:00.001-05:00

See you next year everyone! Blogs will start up again in 2011. May all of you have a wonderful holiday season!

The Reveal! The Dare!

2010-12-08T10:31:00.001-05:00

During my NaNoWrimo interview series I asked the five lovely ladies a truth or dare question. No one was brave enough to take on the dare! Maybe the dare was a bit crazy to add into their NaNo story!

Here was the big dare! They had to write it into a scene.

Banana cream pie!

In your face!

Dear character

2010-11-30T09:20:00.001-05:00

NaNo is finished and I have a very rough first draft. If I could only apply NaNo year round I could see the creativity flowing. I fear the internal editor will break out of the closet next month. Yikes!

During NaNo a participant in my region posted Dear (character name) and you had to write a letter to them. I was SO in! This really helped to break up writing and get into my character's head.

Here was mine.

Dear Bee,

      What is wrong with you? As your friend who secretly is doing everything to mess up your life and back you in a corner, I beg you to reconsider your love interest. He is a Grim Reaper for jeepers crow. You will die for loving him. Don't get taken back for those baby blue eyes, look at the ugly black cloak he wears. It's a crime not having a sense of fashion. I understand you are the only one who can see death, but I would have to vote no! Yup, not so healthy of a relationship. I would suggest you join the group YES I AM A PSYCHO!

PS I think your brother is pretty cute, can you give him my number :)

                                                                                           Thanks,
                                                                                           Me

Give it a try and show me what you've got :)

A side note my kids think the Whip My Hair song is the hottest thing going. Help me! They go around the house whipping their hair around. It's an epidemic *looks to right, then left*

Ending NaNo with a bang! Welcome Cheree Smith.

2010-11-24T07:00:00.005-05:00

NaNo is coming to an end. Crazy, right? Just think by next month you could be drowning in revisions or you could take a much needed vacation. I'm opting for a vacation with lots of eggnog (preferably spiked)!

Sit back and relax because Cheree Smith is ending my NaNo interview series with a BANG!

You can visit Cheree at her blog Justified Lunacy

If you want to buddy Cheree her NaNo username is cherry_chez

Current word count 48912/50000

Tell us what the name of your NaNo story is Scripted

What is Scripted about? The only thing Michaela remembers is her name, but that's probably because it's embroidered into the jumpsuit she finds herself wearing when she awakens aboard a plane. After being forced to jump out of it before crashing, she finds herself trapped on an island where is given details about who she is. Michaela feels like she's been given a character to play, and everything she's been told isn't the truth. Michaela has to piece together her life and distinguish between the truth and the script she's been given to play. Can she escape from the island before she becomes the person they say she is?

Why in the world do you NaNo? It actually forces me to write and get something completed. I have a habit of starting projects and then being sidetracked by something else. This helps me focus.

Do you plan for NaNo or are crazy like me and NaNo on the fly? I had an outline of a plot to start with, but had to chuck that away on day 2 when my characters didn't want to follow the story I had imagined.

Where did you get the idea for Scripted? From watching so much reality television. I found it funny that for being reality it is very scripted and the show only shows what they want. My original story was about a girl who went to school on a reality television show, now I was intrigued about whether a person without any memories could be programmed to follow the character that someone else has created for them.

What is your down and dirty tip for upping your word count? Turn off your self-editor and DON'T erase anything. The more times you rewrite sections the lower the count will be, even if you hate it, keep it.

Quick it's day thirty at five at night and you have 45,000 words, what are you going to do to finish? Probably pull an all nighter.

Cheree I truth or dare you! truth

If you were a character in any story, who would you be and why?
I actually would like to be a character out of another story I'm writing called Swayed. My MC is Jace and she's a strong girl who is a bit geeky at heart (but doesn't like to show people that side). After playing a video game she finds out that she has been given super powers. Her power is the ability to open wormholes and transport herself to another location. That would be a cool power to have, and a time saver.

Thanks so much for stopping by Cheree and Good Luck! I think she will be in the winners circle pretty soon!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Stay tuned next week I will reveal the big dare no one was brave enough to accept.

NaNo interview with Lisa and Laura Roecker

2010-11-17T07:00:00.004-05:00

Holy mother of chocolate bars can you believe we are seventeen days into NaNo. Thats's right HALF WAY! Where did the time go? Yup, drooling over keyboards,drinking gallons of coffee, and praying they will show re-runs of Glee all month.

Take that coffee break because the Fantastic sister duo is rocking the house LISA and LAURA! **jumping up and down clapping and then doing a happy dance**

Lisa and Laura Roecker are sisters-turned-writing-partners and their first book THE LIAR SOCIETY releases March 1, 2011 by Sourcebooks Fire.

Website: www.lisaandlauraroecker.com
Blog: http://lisa-laura.blogspot.com

Laura and Lisa (see how I mix it up so I don't play favorites) I'm so excited to have you here today! It has been a pleasure and tons of laughs to follow your journey. We all eagerly await for your book in March. Thanks for hanging out with us today and answering some burning questions we are all dying to know!

If you want to ~~spy on~~ buddy LiLa their NaNo username is LisaLaura

Current word count 17,583/50000

Tell us what the name of your NaNo story is BLOODLINES

What is Bloodlines about? Amnesia + An Abduction + Family Secrets + False Identities = BLOODLINES

Why in the world do you NaNo? This is our first time ever trying and honestly it is so much fun. Granted there are two of us, so we flip the document back and forth and aim for 2,000 words a day! The owner of the document has it from midnight to midnight, but we've been known to write past curfew much to the dismay of our husbands.

Do you plan for NaNo or are crazy like me and NaNo on the fly? We tried to do NaNo on the fly, got frustrated and came up with an outline. Now our outline doesn't work anymore and we're back to NaNo on the fly. I'm sure we'll be frustrated any day now and have to adjust our outline. With two writers, writing by the seat of your pants doesn't work as well!

Where did you get the idea for Bloodlines? This idea is a combination of a bunch of random ideas we've gathered over the last few months. We had actually started writing it before November and had to scrap everything and start again. But the characters have all stayed the same and we're super-excited about them. There are sisters in this book--woohoo!

What is your down and dirty tip for upping your word count? It's all in the details. We usually spew out the plot of our chapters and before sending off, read back through and add all of those sensory details that help the reader visualize our scenes. And, although it's near impossible, we've really tried to silence our inner-editors and just put words on the paper. This is tricky, but once you get the hang of it, the words really start to flow. And seeing that number tick up is incredibly motivating! I mean we've never written 17,000 in 10 days before!

Quick it's day thirty at five at night and you have 45,000 words, what are you going to do to finish? Ugh...thinking about this kind of gives me a stomach ache. My biggest fear is wrapping up the novel! I think we'd have to play hot potato on this one, but in a matter of hours. We would each be responsible for 3,000 words and hope for the best!

LiLa I truth or dare you! truth
If you were a character in any story, who would you be and why?
In this story, Laura is most definitely Laney, the nice and sometimes shy sister and Lisa is Rina, independent and bitchy. HA!

Thanks ladies!

Day Sixteen! The light! The light!

2010-11-16T09:04:00.000-05:00

If you were on Bloggerville this morning and saw my oops for a nano second, darn! If you didn't ha ha! I thought I scheduled and didn't and ya know. I blame it all on my big, clumsy fingers. BUT you're going to have to wait until tomorrow to read my NaNo interview with Lisa and Laura aka Laura and Lisa aka LiLa.

It is day sixteen and we should be halfway through NaNo with 25000 words of vomit written! It's halfway from the beginning, but still halfway to the light at the end of the tunnel. I find myself writing crap the more I get behind to catch up. I often daydream about killing off a character and then bringing them back to life for kicks. Right now my NaNo project mirrors the image below. Notice the small beam of light.

I'm still going to spew out vomit to reach that light of poop at the end of thirty days. In the end I hope to have the makings of a cool plot and interesting characters. My light could possibly end up looking like below image instead. Notice the bigger stream of light but I'm not sure if the dog just had a big bum.

Nancy Cavanaugh Takes the Stage

2010-11-10T08:25:00.002-05:00

We are ten days into NaNo and I hope you are plugging away and not pulling your hair out. Take a break, grab a cup of coffee and please welcome Nancy Cavanaugh. **gives a woot woot and claps**

If you want to buddy Nancy her NaNo username is crafty1_nh

Current word count 0/50000 As of 10:30 a.m. on day 2 I have 2,733 words

Thanks for hanging out with us today and answering some burning questions we are all dying to know!

Nancy take it away! Nancy A. Cavanaugh is a single, work at home mom living in Keene, NH. She shares her tin can with her teenage daughter, two bratty cats and a Betta fish named Phreddie. She works from her living room doing freelance writing, web design and desktop publishing. Nancy has one self-published book, Mini Tales, which can be bought for the Kindle or as a PDF from her web site at http://www.nancyacavanaugh.com . You can follow her NaNo journey at http://aepyornis.weebly.com/nano-blog.html.

Tell us what the name of your NaNo story is The Egg Mystery (David and Brian's Eggcellent Adventure)

What is The Egg Mystery about? David Stitson is 16 years old and the new owner of a large house and all of his grandmother’s possessions, including a large crate in the attic. David and his best friend Brian Jacobs discover the crate contains a huge egg and a letter with a hidden surprise. Follow along as David and Brian discover more about the egg, the bird who lays it, and the surprise as they find themselves on a plane heading to Madagascar. Mystery and adventure abounds.

Why in the world do you NaNo? I love to write and I love challenges. I just wish they did this in the summer when there are fewer family commitments and no major holiday in the middle of it all.

Do you plan for NaNo or are crazy like me and NaNo on the fly?
I have tried to do NaNo on the fly and was fairly successful. This year I did a lot of planning, like writing out a full plot summary (or mostly full) and creating a character list with some of the details filled in about each character. Age plays a huge part in the story so I needed to figure all that out first. Ack! Answering this just made me have a rethink on part of the story, thankfully not the part I'm working on.

Where did you get the idea for The Egg Mystery?
I was doing research on the aepyornis, an extinct bird native to only Madagascar, for a non-fiction book I want to write for kids. I discovered that the Denver Museum of Nature and Science has two aepyornis eggs that are whole, or mostly whole as one has a hole at one end and something rattling around inside it. No one, as far as the guy knew, had looked inside, which is unfathomable to me. It triggered a story idea about a museum curator's daughter finding out about the rattle inside and doing her own investigation. When she looks inside she discovers a map from Madagascar. She and her best friend tag along on an expedition to find more eggs and bones, then sneak off to follow the map with a guide they hire. Eventually they find a valley or something with hundreds of aepyornis. The next day I had a rethink and came up with the version of the story I'm writing now.

What is your down and dirty tip for upping your word count? Copy/pasting: "I thought I could, but I couldn't so I'm typing this instead." Just kidding. I have no tips for that. I just plan on trudging along, following the story summary or going wherever the story wants to take me.

Quick it's day thirty at five at night and you have 45,000 words, what are you going to do to finish? I will make sure they have provisions then I will close myself in my bedroom and tell the child and cats if they do anything to distrub me it will cause the end of the world and if that happens it will be all their fault. I'll add in something about not wanting to have all that guilt so it is best that they just not disturb me. That or I'll just threaten to pull her Internet access and take away all the cat toys if they do.

Nancy I truth or dare you! truth

If you were a character in any story, who would you be and why? Hands down, Nancy Drew. Well, for a long time it was because we had the same name, but as I got older it was because we had the same first name AND she got to go on all these super fun adventures with her two best friends and occasionally her boyfriend too. The seemingly endless supply of money to support the adventures was a bit of a lure too.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Why NaNo???

2010-11-09T09:12:00.001-05:00

It's been fun interviewing my fellow Wrimo's. My favorite question to ask was why do you NaNo. So, I thought I would give you my reason. By the way come back tomorrow to read my interview with Nancy Cavanaugh. It is stellar!

Ah, November the days are getting shorter, the holidays are just around the corner, apple pie smell wafts in the air, AND WE NEED TO WRITE 50000 WORDS IN A MONTH!! Are they NUTS. I love it!

I love kicking my internal editor in the closet, I love swearing at her and telling her to shove it, and go suck on a dirty sock. I love being on a deadline, and to know if I can accomplish NaNo then I can do anything (well not anything). I love knowing that there are a gazillion writers doing the same and if I need support or a pep talk they are there in cyber world waiting to help. I love connecting with other writers in my state, and possibly meeting up with them. I look forward to my daily check in with my region, I love reading all the blurbs. Oh gosh all the numbers and stats, yea awesome! What about 30 covers in 30 days? FUN! I love all the hype.

Wow was that a mouthful or what? Steven Tyler eat your heart out.

AND what about the young writers program. What a great opportunity for the young folks. I'm so excited that my excitement rubbed of on my daughter, and then rubbed off on her friends and school! How easy is it to print out a flyer from the site, give it to your kid to hang at school. Great stuff.

BTW 13600/50000

Give me your best Steven Tyler about NaNo!

Brenda Drake is in the Spotlight

2010-11-04T07:00:00.003-04:00

Today we have the lovely Brenda Drake visiting and answering questions about NaNoWriMo. **Shouts and claps**
Visit her Blog at Brenda Drake Writes

If you want to buddy Brenda her NaNo username is Brenda Drake

Current word count 1636/50000

Thanks for hanging out with us today and answering some burning questions we are all dying to know!

Tell us what the name of your NaNo story is. Knight Owls

What is Knight Owls about? When seventeen-year-old Graciela Zamora's Spring fling drowns right before their date, she's about to discover that there's a fine line between the living and the dead and if she doesn't heed the warnings in the diary of girl killed in 1904 she may very well cross over that line.

Why in the world do you NaNo? This is my first year participating and I just thought it would be challenging and fun to try it.

Do you plan for NaNo or are crazy like me and NaNo on the fly? I planned for NaNo, because I didn't want to get blocked. I researched every setting and the traditions of each place, printing pictures of them. I then picked my characters, did bios on each, and found pictures on the internet that resembled them. And finally, I wrote out ideas for scenes to prompt me if I get stuck.

Where did you get the idea for Knight Owls? I was hiking the foothills of my neighborhood with my walking buddy. She was talking about the college her daughter attends and its crazy traditions. They were so fantasy like and mystical that I was inspired to write a story about a girl going there and finding out that she is more than an ordinary girl.

What is your down and dirty tip for upping your word count?
I've set a goal of writing 2000 words a day for 25 days and then I'll have five extra days just in case something happens. You know, like, life stuff getting in the way or something.

Quick it's day thirty at five at night and you have 45,000 words, what are you going to do to finish?
Accept failure

Brenda I truth or dare you! Truth

If you were a character in any story, who would you be and why? Though I absolutely love my MC, Gracie, I would definitely be Hannah, she's a Kate Hepburn wanna be and she is so like her. She's going to be a blast to write about. She's the comic relief of a sometimes dark ghostly story.

Thanks again Brenda. Now go get writing!

Next week Nancy Cavanaugh is up to bat.

NaNo update

2010-11-03T08:46:00.000-04:00

We are three days into NaNo and my word count is 3066/50000 If only blog posts could be added all us bloggers would be set! Truth be told I wouldn't have got this far without the support of others.

So how am I going to make it to December?

My album of choice this November is Taylor Swift with Speak Now. The song Dear John is priceless!

Beverage will be hazelnut coffee, on the strong side.

Fuzzy animal buddy are my button quail chicks I hatched last week.

Desperate pleading to my kids that housework is fun.

So how are you guys/gals in blogger land doing?

Stop by tomorrow for my NaNo interview with Brenda Drake.

Step Three and off we go! The Blurb

2010-11-01T08:58:00.000-04:00

If you are a newbie to National Novel Writing Month this will help you to get started. By the way today is November first if you haven't checked the calendar, and THE PARTY HAS BEGUN! It's never too later to sign up.

Writing a story blurb for NaNoWriMo can help keep your story on track. Sure it can veer off and do crazy unexpected things, but in the scheme of things you don't want to lose perspective of the characters motivation. So here is mine that I put together last week.

Aiden
The life of a reaper is easy you track, kill, and collect the soul for escort to the other side. Bee was next on Ad's list when the birth of her twin cousins upset the balance of death in her family.(Conflict that sets story in motion) When he goes to deliver the kiss of death to Bee he is flooded with a warmth he hasn't felt since his human life. His hesitation traps part of his soul in Bee making her immortal like him, and the only way he knows to get it back is to kill her with his scythe. (the incentive moment) But killing her isn't so easy when she brings light to his darkness, and not killing her would mean he would be forced to ascend. (character motivation) Sometimes being a grim reaper sucked.

Beatrice
Bee could always see the Grim Reapers who collected souls. She accepted it as a part of herself long ago, and even used it to warn her cousin Sabrina of her death. When the reaper comes after her next she tries to convince him not to kill her, but first she has to convince herself that she doesn't love him. Loving him is a dangerous game when one kiss could kill.

So, I hope that has helped. Don't forget to fill out your NaNo profile and for the love of chocolate START WRITING!

FYI- Scrivener beta program is out for Windows (FREE). Woohoo! It's pretty neat and I'll be giving it a try to see if it will be worth buying when the full program hits shelves next year. I like the feature of a split page for editing. Anyone use it for their Mac's?

Another FYI. I'm very excited to announce my first interview series for NaNo. Stay tuned for these Wrimo's!
Brenda Drake
Nancy Cavanaugh and she also has a website, click here

Six Days to Go NaNoWriMo, Step Two: The Setting

2010-10-25T09:31:00.001-04:00

Let's hope by now you have a good idea about your characters. That's all you have been thinking about since I posted last, right? Alright, good! Moving on.

The setting. Da Da Dum.....

If you're like me and have had a brain fart about setting here are some down and dirty tips to get your brain moving.

-Be really lame and use somewhere you know. Yup, my dudes are going to live in a small New England town like me. It's going to be Fall with colored leaves and apple pies. I spent yesterday hiding because they came after me with a pitchfork because they wanted to party in New York City. SORRY NOT THIS TIME. Crud, I ducked from a shovel being thrown.

-If you have a certain scene in mind do a Google image search. Pictures and art are a terrific way to spark imagination. I Googled historical cemeteries in my state this weekend. I know I'm the pillar of happiness!

-Make up your own world. Then you don't need to figure anything out.

Good luck! Be ready, next up is the BLURB.

My NaNoWriMo

Name: Kiss of Death
Characters: Aiden the lost soul vs Bee the free spirit
Setting: Small New England town, population under two thousand, season Fall
Words: 0/50000
User name: kerri192804

Countdown to NaNoWriMo, Step One: Characters

2010-10-19T12:43:00.001-04:00

Pick a title for your soon to be creation because you will have to put it in your profile :)

Now, quick establish your main characters. Here are some tips to get started.

Look to people around you and ~~steal~~ borrow their personality traits.

Use media outlets like your blog, Facebook, or Twitter to get opinions of others. Feel free to ~~steal~~ borrow their ideas.

Google is your best friend. So, don't be afraid to Google until your fingers come off about personality traits. A whole slew of them pop up, and can help you get a feel for how your character will be.

How about those type A and type B personalities.

If you're really stuck then stick to the basic-ya know- the bad boy vs good girl, opposites attract, the tortured soul, the mean girl, the bully, the princess and so on. You can always multi-layer their personality and change it by the end of those 50,000 words.

AND if all else fails get ten pieces of paper. Write your favorite characters of all times from shows or movies that you would die without watching again. Fold it. Put it in a hat and pull one out and use it!

I told you quality is getting thrown out the window but I warn you if you are serious about the story good luck with revisions bawhahaha!

My NaNoWriMo
Name: Kiss of Death
Characters: Aiden the lost soul vs Bee the free spirit
Words: 0/50000
user name: kerri192804

Blogging on the Go

2010-10-11T15:14:00.000-04:00

The juggling act of life can get crazy at times. Kids, soccer, work, supper, writing. How can we forget the endless work of pets, dirty dishes, and laundry. And HOW can we fit blogging into the mad dash of colored balls in constant motion bombarding our creative time? Easy B.O.T.G. dear friends.

BLOGGING ON THE GO

Thank you modern technology!

I should mostly thank hubby though for hijacking my old out of date phone and replacing it with a smart phone. I admit to being terrified at first. Yup, like afraid to touch it and how the bleeping heck do you turn it on terrified. I liked my phone that you flipped and dialed. Simple, and to be honest I picked it out mostly because it was purple.

But then something happened......

Something marvelous.

Something fabulous.

I figured the darn thing out and cut blogging time in half. Yes I said that right, IN HALF!

Now I blog at the bus stop, at soccer when my kids are taking a water break, in line at the supermarket. There is no limit!

Just ignore my previous ranting post about dissing the commercials that say "there is an app for that."

I am now a fan of smart phones and happen to love the blogger app.

For anyone who has one and needs a push to maneuver the thing go to the blog

CK Droid

Watch for more posts on this modern marvel of B.O.T.G.

SO, does anyone use the blogger app? Spill the beans and tell me how you like it.

Eat What the Brain Wants! Chocolate!

2010-09-29T10:26:00.002-04:00

So, I may be a little obsessed with eating chocolate. It is like my brain food. I mean I don't go crazy and eat it like a mad woman wearing it on my face or snarfing down five chocolate bars a day or anything. But a small piece a day is my reward! My brain wants it and I don't deny myself the delicacy.

Well BOOO YA it is actually good for your health. Just the excuse I need hahahaha! Chocolate that contains 60% cocoa can improve your heart health, lower blood pressure, reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) but wait because that is not all. IT INCREASES BLOOD FLOW TO THE BRAIN. WOOHOO! I feel smarter already, don't you? It also boosts serotonin levels that helps with mood and get this GREATER CONCENTRATION. Beat that little Debby.

Why you ask. Well since chocolate is made from plants it contains benefits of dark veggies. Hell ya, but gosh don't tell the kiddies since Halloween is coming soon. It's got antioxidants and free radicals going on. Rumor has it that there is only 1/3 bad fat in it!

So, you want a little something something while writing you have my permission to EAT SOME CHOCOLATE!

Here you go, pass some around. Hey, I saw that share now. So what is your brain food?

Creating Compelling Characters

2010-09-24T07:00:00.005-04:00

What makes a character compelling? Is a characters likability in the eye of the beholder? Maybe, but maybe not.

We as writers have the power of words. Words are powerful and give us the ability to make a reader fall in love with a character or loathe a character. Watch out because writers will put a spell on you dear readers! So, how are we as writers going to make you love or hate a character?

Know your characters better than they know themselves. Know what makes them tick early in your writing and create a character profile. It is a great way to get to know those fabulous characters that live in the depths of our brains and come to life through our words!

Here are some ideas to add in a character profile.

-Age

-Past experiences- good or bad experiences, environment they grew up in, their family, friends.
     A teen who grew up in New York City will sure think and act different than say a teen who grew up in the middle of Kansas.

-Character motivations-What internal and external motivation makes that character tick.
        Think character goal, motivation, and conflict.

-Physical appearance- eyes, weight, height color hair.

-Environment- Do they live in the country, city, or another planet?

-Quirks-bring on some bad habits, nail biting, hair twirling, addiction to candy.

-Actions- how do characters react to negative or positive situations? Are they followers, take control of situations, or run away morphing into a mouse?

-Style-Do they wear overalls and don't care about what they look like or are they addicted to shopping at the Gap?

-Hobbies-What brings them happiness?
              Need a hobby? CLICK HERE for 101 hobbies

-Pet peeves-We all have them! Bad driving, not putting the toilet seat down, leaving laundry in a pile
on the floor.
               Need ideas? CLICK HERE for a list of 500 pet peeves

Now quick take that character and slap some handcuffs on them, don't forget to read them their Miranda rights. Take them to the local precinct. They are in a room now with a one way mirror. You put a cup of day old Joe in front of them and take off the cuffs. First you do good cop. Then you walk out of the room behind the mirror and put on a wig. You go back in and do bad cop. Interrogate the heck out of them and be amazed at the things you learn from your character!

                                           Happy Writing!

I just want to add a link. The ladies of SEEKERVILLE have a wonderful and informative post on developing characters today also. They write christian fiction and their blog was the very first blog I read on writing and they have become blogging mentors for me. It is an example of how just because you write a certain genre doesn't mean you can't learn a thing or two by writer's of a different genre. (Oh and I love their books). Variety is the spice of life!

I LOVE experiments. For anyone who is ever afraid their writing will mirror another writers, go see Elana's blog (in the side bar to the right) for a full list of participants who are blogging on this same topic. I guarantee that the 80 plus participants will all having something different to add! Bring on those compelling character!

Contest Alert!

2010-09-14T11:26:00.001-04:00

There is stuff going on in the blogosphere today. Epic stuff! The epic of epicness! So epic you will....

Well how about I throw some links out to you and you can check it out yourself.

Click here and click here and also here

Enjoy!

Have a Brain Fart? 50 Things to Blog About

2010-09-13T10:33:00.000-04:00

2. Favorite shows

3. Something random

4. Reality shows

5. Character motivation

6. A cool craft

7. What not to wear

8. What would Nancy Botwin say (Weeds)

9. Glee

10. Creating a character arc

11. Internal and external character motivation

12. The Query process

13. A vacation

14. A much needed vacation

15. A playlist

16. Pictures that have inspired a story

17. Coffee

18. Chocolate

19. Most common spelling errors

20. Grammar lesson

21. Inspiration

22. Book review

23. Interviews with other bloggers

24. Movie review

25. Your dog or cat

26. Share writing techniques

27. Outlining

28. Synopsis writing

29. A hobby

30. History lesson

31. Your kids Science experiment that has gone wrong (or right)

32. Memorable characters

33. Books we can't live without

34. Books that have gone to movie

35. Sagging middles (and not baby got backs but stories)

36. The crazy 80's

37. Using social media outlets

38. Promoting yourself through your blog

39. Branding

40. Paying it forward with a contest/giveaway

41. Venting and ranting (But not offending or negative to others please)

42. Clip art

43. The Smurfs

44. Creating worlds

45. Must try bakery's in every state

46. Technology

47. E-books

48. Kindle

49. Funny pet peeves

50. Hollywood trash

If all else fails blog about something that your fellow blogger has blogged about that has inspired you (obviously not word for word) and don't forget to give them props!

Have any others to add to the list?

Sir Fartsalot hunts the booger

2010-09-03T21:56:00.001-04:00

My trip to Borders was suppose to be just to browse, yeah as if! The agenda was browsing because I have been stalking my mailbox for Mockingjay, Paranormalcy, and Clockwork Angel. I think the mailman is scared of me because he holds up mace like I'm a rabid dog. *wink, wink*

But....

Of course, there is always a but. I found a funny book for my middle grade child. Let me explain. She is nine, loves squishy stuff (play dough, slime) anything with dirt, fart noises, boogers, butts, and talking about poop. Yup, she is one of a kind and she is mine!

Introduce the perfect book for her. I couldn't resist. Yes I know this will be the talk of the house for weeks to come but the twinkle in her eye when she read the title was absoulutly PRICELESS! She has been on the couch reading us funny parts about farting all night.

Sir Fartsalot hunts the booger
By Kevin Bolger

As the hubby was oogling sports magazines I sat down and started reading. I busted out laughing and I got curious looks. What is this adult woman doing in the kids section reading a book about Sir Fartsalot? Well, one my last baby started kindy and I am home childless. It is habit to head to the kids section and I need time to let it sink in. Two it's really funny and I'm snatching it from my daughter the second she is done.

Synopsis:

Sir Fartsalot's on a quest to defeat a villain most foul!

Things really stink in the Kingdom of Armpit. King Reginald the Not Very Realistic has had it up to here with his naughty son Prince Harry, who loosens the tops on all the Royal Pepper Shakers, teases the moat monster, and prefers magic tricks to rescuing fair damsels. Even Sir Bedwetter can't rein in the prince's Royal Clowning Around!

Enter Sir Fartsalot—the bravest, boldest, FARTIEST knight in all the land! Sir Fartsalot's on a quest to solve the riddle of the Foul West Wind—a green, ghastly odor that turns up wherever danger's lurking. Misbehavin' Harry decides to play the biggest— and boogeriest—prank of all time! He convinces Sir Fartsalot that The Booger, a frightful, dreadful, repulsive villan, is on the prowl. Harry, Sir Fartsalot, and the knight's old buddy Sir Knotaclew set out on a hilarious quest to rid the world of the Dreaded Booger, Once and for All!

Then when that book pops up on the book website a whole slew of funny is plastered on the screen (The Day My Butt went Psycho, Pencil of Doom, Just Disguisting). I think I'm changing reading habits people!

Bluberry Jam

2010-08-25T09:43:00.004-04:00

You have seen the rambling and randomness. I bet there is more randomness than the random number generator. Yes, I can just hear everyone begging me to stop. I just can't help myself. Hey if I had more chocolate over here the rambling might stop, just sayin. I have chatted about writerly things. Um, between the randomness, oogling Eric Northman from True Blood and comparing things to Nancy Botwin from Weeds. But where the heck did the crafty crafts go????

Now if I was smart I would do a weekly blog of crafty crafts but because I blog what my hazlenut coffee with lots o' cream and a pinch of sugar brain is telling me, I don't. I have been feeling the crafty again though. I'm not lost in la la land in a current WIP and have been having fun querying. Yes, I said fun!! Horrors! Don't get me wrong some days I hang off the edge of my seat, but then I lay off the caffeine and put on Blue October. I may wail, I mean sing, "Hate Me." Oh, I finally know ALL the words. Screech! Then Adam Lambert, "What do you want from me" and no I will not vlog it.

I must admit that you all make it fun querying. Why?? What is she nuts? No! Well Write on con and all the support on bloggerville is inspiration enough. So shout outs to you all and also to hubby who just loves answering one million question about basketball. And now on with the show.

The craft is a super easy Blueberry Jam recipe

1.Wash blueberries well. (especially if they are picked off the bush. You would be surprised how many bugs get in there)

2. Put bluberries in pan over medium heat and mash with a potato masher. If you want a smoother jam use the blender but for an easy jam potato mash it.

3. Add sugar or splenda to taste. I throw in a half cup at a time. Mix and taste.

4. Add pectin to thicken it. Or not if you don't have any. It just won't be as thick.

5. Put in 1/2 cup lemmon juice if canning the jam OR store in fridge in air tight container.

ENJOY!

~Winner~

2010-08-13T08:00:00.002-04:00

Congrats to the cooking and canning blog for winning Single White Vampire!

Hope whoever attended write on con enjoyed the conference and learned a thing or two. I had a blast this week and want to thank everyone who made it possible. It was amazing and if you missed it don't worry everything will still be there. Check out the wealth of info and be prepared to be blown away!

Have a great weekend!

~Day 4~Last Day to Enter Book Giveaway!

2010-08-12T08:00:00.002-04:00

Thanks everyone for playing along and hope you enjoy the books. I will mail them out all at once. Today is the last day for a chance to win. The last book is Single White Vampire By Lynsay Sands. The contest will close by midnight tonight. Good Luck!

Roundhouse publishing editor Kate C. Leever's first letter to her newest legacy author was intended to impress upon him growing demand for his "vampire romances." Though he'd expressed little to no desire for publicity, book tours or the like, it was clear that this was a writer waiting to be broken out. Correspondence with Mr. Lucern Argeneau tended to be oddly delayed, but this time his response was quick and succinct.

But Kate was adament: Luc will attend a romance convention to meet his fans. By hook or by crook,despite his reclusive nature, odd sleep schedule and avoidance of the sun, the surly yet handsome Luc was going to be recognized as the real charmer a nationally bestselling author should be. But soon Kate wouls learn that his novels were more biographies than bodice rippers, and it'd be her neck on the line.

A sweeter surrender, or more heartwarming a love story-his own-Luc has yet to write.

The winner (using the random.org number generator) of Glimmerglass is Chenderson! Snail mail addy please.

Book Giveaway Day 3

2010-08-11T08:00:00.002-04:00

Just have to say that WriteonCon is pretty freakin awesome! I spent most of the day lounging in comfy clothes just chillin with the kids and writerly peeps. Oh and it's my dog's Birthday. Happy 6th to Sera!!

For day three of the giveaway we have Glimmerglass By Jenna Black
To win just leave me a comment and spread the word that there is only one more day left of the contest. The contest closes at midnight and the winner will be picked randomly (lets face it your chances are pretty darn good that you will win something lol).

Dana Hathaway doesn't know it yet, but she's in big trouble. When her alcoholic mom shows up at her voice recital drunk, again, Dana decides she's had enough and runs away to find her mysterious father in Avalon: the only place on Earth where the regular, everyday world and the captivating, magical world of Faerie intersect. But from the moment Dana sets foot in Avalon, everything goes wrong, for it turns out she isn't just an ordinary teenage girl- she's a Faeriewalker, a rare individual who can travel between both worlds, and the only person who can bring magic into the human world and technology into Faerie.

Soon, Dana finds herself tangled up in a cutthroat game of Fae politics. Someone's trying to kill her, and everyone seems to want something from her, from her newfound friends and family to Ethan, the hot Fae guy Dana figures she'll never have a chance with...until she does. Caught between two worlds, Dana isn't sure where she'll ever fit in or who can be trusted, not to mention if her world will ever be
normal again.

The winner of yesterday's drawing by the random number generator (gotta love randomness) Melissa Comfort. Congrats! Send me your snail mail addy please.

~Contest Day 2~ WriteonCon Day 1~ Party on!

2010-08-10T08:19:00.001-04:00

Today's giveaway is Bitten By Kelly Armstrong! Leave me a comment, follow, and spread the love to play along. See you at WriteonCon

Elena Michaels seems like the typically strong and sexy modern woman. She lives with her architect boyfriend, writes for a popular newspaper, and works out at the gym. She's also a werewolf.

Elena has done all she can to assimilate to the human world, but the man whose bite changed her existence forever, and his legacy, continue to haunt her. Thrown into a desperate war for survival that tests her allegiance to a secret clan of werewolves, Elana must reckon with who, and what, she is in this passionate, page-turning novel.

Don't forget today is take home Tuesday at The Knight Agency Blog
You never know what new book you will discover!

Winner of the Freak Observer Is Lucille!! Congrats! Send me your snail mail addy please.

Lets get this party started-Day one!

2010-08-09T08:05:00.001-04:00

It's getting hot in here! The Freak Observer By Blythe Woolston is heating up this blog! Leave a comment by midnight today and a random name will be selected and announced Tuesday. Good luck and come back for another chance to win! On a side note don't forget (Ha,Like we could forget) WriteonCon starts tomorrow, a kidlit online FREE conference! Woohoo!

For eight years, Loa Lindgren's world ran like one of those mechanical models of the solar system, with her baby sister, Asta, as the sun. Asta suffered from a genetic disorder that left her a permanent infant, and caring for her was Loa's life. Everything spun neatly and regularly as the whole family orbited around Asta.

But now Asta's dead, and 16-year-old Loa's clockwork galaxy has collapsed. As Loa spins off on her own, her mind ambushes her with vivid nightmares and sadistic-flashbacks-a textbook case of PTSD. But there are no textbook fixes for Loa's short-circuiting brain. She must find her own way to pry her world from the clutches of death.

Paying it Forward SO Mark Your Calendars

2010-07-31T10:51:00.004-04:00

It's a glorious sunny day here in Whoville today.

So what is a gal to do when her computer has crashed and burned not once but twice? Duh, go shopping! I had to come on the old and ancient one just to connect today. Not to mention my iTunes library is GONE! I know the horrors. Grrrr.

Anyways, the pay it forward event...(ignore the crazy one coddling her laptap crying "come back")

This is to the fabulous duo Lisa and Laura, who so kindly had a pitch contest and decided to do a critique of everyone's query. How awesome are they. So, I am spreading some love AUGUST 9-12th. Don't forget to take a visit to their very funny blog. Tell them I sent you to ~~torture~~ talk to them !

All my fabulous followers have to do is leave a comment on the contest day and give me a shout out on their blog to help me spread the love to others. I'm thinking gift cards and books!!!

If there is a book you want me to get for the contest, let me know :) I'm up for requests! Want some romance, young adult, crime mystery, funny, gory...well you get the point lol!

Monday update Contest Giveaway Aug 9-12th

-The Freak Observer By Blythe Woolston (Just have to add this one in! Congrats on her new book!)
Click here to visit her blog

-Glimmerglass By Jenna Black

-Bitten By Kelly Armstrong

More to come!

Dog Days of Summer

2010-07-20T10:47:00.000-04:00

Is anyone else having trouble anchoring down with your computer to write? Summer writing has been a challenge. If it wasn't for Writeoncon I might have been lucky to get one sentence a day done. There has been the beach, sun, True Blood on Sundays, summer reading, fireworks, kids, more beach. Crazy!

Some Tips to get anchored

Put down all the shades and pretend it's raining outside.

Imagine your favorite character from True Blood will do bad things to you when you complete a chapter.

Have some bubbly and write whatever comes to mind.

Think of Lady Gaga's ugliest outfit, and just think how much more artistically gifted you are than her fashion designers.

Ok how about some real tips...

Take it day by day

Try to set a daily goal as to what you want to accomplish

Keep your goals simple. If it's creating a scene for your story while sitting on the beach or imaging a non control freak character like Edward while watching Eclipse. Come on you can't tell me he isn't one.

If all else fails bribe yourself. When I accomplish this sentence I'll go to Dunkin' Dounuts and treat myself to a Coolata

Happy Writing!

Summer Books I have read

The Girl Who Played With Fire By Stieg Larsson

Fragile Eternity & Radiant Shadows By Melissa Marr

Salem's Lot By Stephen King

In the Darkest Night By Patti O'Shea

Some Girls Bite & Friday Night Bites By Chloe Neill (repeat read so I can refresh my brain to read the new 3rd book)

Claire De Lune By Christine Johnson

Sookie Stackhouse Series By Charlaine Harris

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner By Stephanie Meyer

Tales from the Sideline Blogfest

2010-07-08T21:57:00.006-04:00

Cheree at Justified Lunacy hosted a tales from the sideline blogfest featuring a minor character. When she first announced this blogfest I knew exactly the scene to share. It is a short scene and the only one were the sidekicks are in the spotlight. I had FUN writing it and hope you enjoy!

Minor characters: Jared and Scott (werewolves)
MC: Jana (wolf/vamp) Elliot (wolf)
Scene setup: After duking it out with the bad guys they cram into Elliot's Mustang to go home.

    Elliot threw the keys of his prized possession to Jared through the open window of the car. A grin spread across his face.

       “Seriously man?”

      “Dude today is your lucky day.”

        Scott looked at Elliot still outside and yelled. “What you don’t trust me to drive?”

       Elliot opened the back door and closed it gently.“No way Scott. Not after you wanted to run over pedestrians last week to give as a gift to your vampire girlfriend. I don't want my car messed with blood. Gross.”

      “But she likes organic blood and if you hit them just right they only break not bleed. I would have definitely gotten my way with that kind of gift.”

        Jana cleared her throat. “Why don’t you just bring her a live victim.” She was part of the gang when they stopped minding their manners around her. Burping and farting became part of the normal conversation.

     “Don’t encourage him would you.” Elliot rolled his eyes. “Man how did you stand sitting back here. My legs are going to be numb being crammed for so long.”

    “Don’t worry maybe Jana can rub them better for you,” Scott joked. He was going to rag on Elliot the whole trip since he wasn’t driving.

      “Is that like legal because she is your sister by law or something?” Jared asked.

     Scott chimed in again poking fun of them until Jana couldn’t take it anymore. She leaned over and planted her lips firmly on Elliot’s with a quick release.

      “Does that answer your question? You know that we’re not related so stop.”

      “You better watch out for her. She is a little she-wolf!”

       “Grrrr!” Jana bared her teeth at them.

      Now not cursed Elliot allowed his heart to race at the feel of her lips. Maybe there was hope for them yet. That kiss would surly keep him up all night.

    “Your boyfriend doesn’t mind you kissing werewolves?” Jared asked Jana.

      He just had to ask. “He never was my boyfriend. I mean we acted like it but it was never spoken or official or anything like that.”

      “What a stupid vamp! Heck if you’re not taken I’ll ask you out.”

      Elliot gave a low growl and smacked him in the back of his head. There were minions in the parking lot who were looking over with curiosity. “Drive before the humans call animal control on us.”

    Scott and Jared started talking about the Red Sox and Jana was glad because she was drained of energy. She snuggled into Elliot’s warm body ready for the long car ride home. Elliot didn’t think twice to respond by wrapping his arm around her.
     “Get some sleep babe!”

      “Elliot….thanks for …everything.”

     “What can I say I’m awesome!”

     Jana laughed. “You are something!” Her eyes closed drifting into sleep. It wasn’t a peaceful sleep that would leave her rested because nightmares took over. She couldn’t tell if it was real or the stress of the day playing tricks in her dream.

I'm jumping off the diving board

2010-07-07T22:48:00.000-04:00

I sucked it up. I did! Maybe I was having a crazy moment because my computer crashed. Maybe because I feel like a burnt piece of bacon from sitting on the beach. No, it had to be kids on school vacation. Yea they were making me crawl up the walls like Spiderman. Ha, more like hide in my hidey hole with a bar of chocolate. Hmm, maybe it is all the excitement from Writeoncon.

Well whatever happened to me I jumped off the diving board and opened myself up to Facebook. Watch out family and friends the bloggy peeps are coming to town. Will it be a hostile takeover????

Okay don't make me look stupid here. Give my Facebook badge a click if you want to see how pathetic I am about Farmtown. I really need a virtual farm to keep busy because I don't have a real one right outside my door. You think my goats are jealous because I am cheating on them with virtual ones? Maybe.

Anyways, there I am :)

Here is an FYI sunblock does not work! I possibly could be more red than a cooked lobster. Ouch and ouch!

Character Goals, Motivations, & Conflict

2010-06-28T13:06:00.000-04:00

Everyone has their own secret formula when writing. There is no ~~write~~ right or wrong way. Here is mine. I start with my favorite part: characters, personalities, and names. Up next I establish the characters goals, motivations, and conflict. I think this is just as fun as playing with baby goats. Okay, so if you're not a goat person we can insert puppies or kitties. If you're not a puppy and kitty person insert snakes and lizards.

Goal- n. 1.object of ambition or effort; destination    (What your character wants)

Motive- n. 1. thing that induces a person to act in a particular way; incentive   (What makes them go after their goal)

Conflict- n. 1a. a state of opposition b; fight struggle v. 2. clash; be incompatible (What is going to get in their way)

When thinking about my characters goals and motivation I factor in their past history, personality, and their internal conflicts. Throw in some external conflict and we have some good drama going on!

Let's play with the classic boy wants girl scenario....


Meet the boy who wants the pretty girl. We will call him Bob. Bob is insecure chews on pencils and resents his parents.

Throw in some conflict, a wizard. He seeks him out to change him into a hunk.


                                                                        and more conflict a wolf who wants him for dinner.

Don't forget the boy's motivation. Megan Fox. Oh la la.

Some internal conflict. I am a lion hear me ROAR!

Yea, it's kinda like that! Hmmm let's hope Bob finds the wizard while avoiding the wolf. Will Bob get the girl or continue to chew his pencils for the rest of his life. Roar Bob roar! You can do it!

So tell me where do you start with a newbie story?

Dudes seriously this is funny!

2010-06-21T20:40:00.000-04:00

Okay, so I'm not one for posting videos unless they are worthy of your viewing entertainment! Seriously I love Snoop and after this song for the HBO show True Blood I love him more! OMG I just about rolled on the floor with laughter! If you haven't seen his music video yet give it a click.

Kerri Cuevas

Sunshine Award

Ouija Board--First Campaigner Challenge (of the 4th Campaign)

Question Tag

In the Background of a Writers Life--Inner Demons

Fourth Writers' Platform-Building Campaign

Adventurers Wanted! Sign-Ups for the bloghop begin

Giveaway Winner!

Book Giveaway: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Welcome 2012

Merry Christmas

Review and Questions--House of Diamonds By Karen Jones Gowen

Week Five: Upcoming Dark YA

Help Harry Help Others

Week Four: I Love Dark YA--#YASAVES

Week Three: Dark YA Movie and Music Fun

Week Two: I Love Dark Ya-Flash Fiction

Week One: My Favorite Dark YA Books

Trick or Treat

Ahoy! Sea Serpent?!?! The Choose Your Own Adventure Bloghop Starts Here

Do You Listen to the Voice Urging You to Go Up?

It's a Book Birthday for The Chain of Souls--Also a Contest

Announcment

A Story of Epicness!

In the Background of a Writers Life—On Blogging

My Mother's an Imago

Passing on an Award.

Vote for a GREAT cause--Kitty Lovers!

Tag! Your It!

First Campaigner Challange

Meet your Choose Your Own Adventurers!

Adventurers Wanted! Sign-Ups for the Bloghop begin.

Do you want to be a Campaigner?

So like OMG, OMG, AHHHH!

Everlasting by Angie Frazier

Guest post by Maria Rainer--How to Work as an Online Freelance Writer

Tag I'm It!

Review of THE STORY BOOK

Guest Post by David Baboulene on Subtext

Yeti? The Abominable Snowman Expedition STARTS HERE

Chomp Down the Candy Bar

The Adventure Begins Tuesday

Winner and Review of LONG MEMORY

Interview with Author Charlotte McClain and Giveaway

Upcoming Events

Final Crusade Challange--Show Not Tell

Hey, How You Doin?

Kindle Book Love

Second Crusade Challange

New Mama of the Four Legged Kind

Passing Lovely Awards On

Books With Fuzzies

House Keeping

The First Crusade Challange

Where Does Inspiration Come From

Book Love giveaway~~Winner!~~

The Crusades

It Was a Dark and Stormy Blogfest Contest

Another Amazing Contest

Pay It Forward with Shelli

Captain Jack Sparrow

Confessions of a Mother and a School Project

Happy New Year

Seasons Greetings

The Reveal! The Dare!

Dear character

Ending NaNo with a bang! Welcome Cheree Smith.

NaNo interview with Lisa and Laura Roecker

Day Sixteen! The light! The light!

Nancy Cavanaugh Takes the Stage

Why NaNo???

Brenda Drake is in the Spotlight

NaNo update

Step Three and off we go! The Blurb

Six Days to Go NaNoWriMo, Step Two: The Setting

Countdown to NaNoWriMo, Step One: Characters

Blogging on the Go

Eat What the Brain Wants! Chocolate!

Creating Compelling Characters

Contest Alert!

Book Love giveawayWinner!

Book Giveaway Day 3