Sunshine Award

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)

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.

***Thank you for voting! Ouija Board came in 6th place! I'm glad you enjoyed 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

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

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

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!