Dog Days of Summer--Bloghop

Jeremy Bates, is hosting this fine event which will be full of good company, barbecues, and fun! So hop around, and join the blog party.

Today's topic is What is your favorite activity thus far.

There is one summer activity I do enjoy, and I can only do it when the time is right. Going too soon can be disappointing, and too late is for the birds.

It isn't an expensive activity, and anyone can do it. Wearing something nice isn't required, but I recommend bug spray and a hat.

In New England from mid-July to mid-August is the best time for BLUEBERRY PICKING!

I like finding wild blueberries. The berries are smaller than ones that you find in the supermarket, but they're taste is the BEST! As a canning and preserving fanatic, I pick as much as I can. I know, I'm doing a good job when my fingers turn blue, and my kids call me a smurf.

I make blueberry cheesecake, and blueberry pies. But the bulk of the berries get turned into a delicious jam that I can for the winter and Christmas gifts.

CLICK HERE for my recipe from an earlier post and ENJOY!

In the Background of a Writers Life-How to Write-Inspiration-

So you want to write, and you Googled "how to write," or "writing tips," and numerous articles popped up about the craft. If you read each one you'll notice a common theme, that each article is different. Which leads me too...

Learning to write isn't linear. It can't be solved in a simple equation with a solution.

When I first started to write, I had this image that there was a method that would get me easily from point A to point B. I read every blog I could, every "how to" article, and have tried many ways to organize my stories (outlines, bubble charts, box charts, software, post-its, etc.). I'll admit that all the buzz in my head about what I should, or shouldn't be doing, drove me crazy. After many years, I've come to realize, like our stories, we're all unique how we write and plot. We all have our own style, pizzazz, and spark that makes our writing, well, US and ONE OF A KIND!

There is no right or wrong way, which makes writing the most versatile job on the planet!

What works for one writer doesn't necessarily work for another. Some of us are organized, being meticulous as we go along. Others write total word vomit, rewriting ten plus drafts. Some like a chart to see their plot laid out, while others chart in their heads.

So, go ahead and experiment as to what works best for you and your story.

What have you been experimenting with, or what works best for you?

Book Review--A Mystic Romance

Hey all!

I hope you're not like me and slacking on your summer reading list *looks down in shame.* I'm out of the loop as to what new books are even coming out. It's time for me to get with the program.

My friend, Nancy, has just published her book and asked for reviewers. I like her writing style, so I offered, and reading, A Mystic Romance, was a good start to my summer reading list.

Book: A Mystic Romance
Author: Nancy Cavanaugh
Website: http://amysticromance.weebly.com/
Amazon link
Rating: 3.5/5 stars






My Review

Jenna has had it with her cheating boyfriend. Breaking up with him was the best thing she did, but her small act of vengeance lands her in hot water. Leaving New York City, to start over, would have to be on hold, until she could get herself out of trouble with the law, and her ex. She's looking to mend her broken heart and start all over again in Mystic, Connecticut.

This was a fun summer read, capturing the readers interest right away. It's not your typical romance story, where you meet the love interest within the first few chapters. The main character, Jenna, is dealing with a break up. The story progresses through her ordeal, getting her romance towards the end of the book. A Mystic Romance, was a quick read with a twisty ending.

Tell me what is on your summer reading list, so I can add it to mine :)

Another round of edits have gone back to the editor (who has the patience of a saint), and now I've been playing with my camera. It's perfect timing, as the flowers are blooming and smelling all pretty. The lake has been as still as glass, and beauty is everywhere. If you haven't taken a vacation yet, feel free to have a vacation on me, to New Hampshire, as I see it. Enjoy!

This flower is so darn neat!

This was cool how the clouds reflected right off the water.

Anyone have exciting plans this summer? I need to work on my summer reading list.

Author Kindness

Hello Bloggerville! Well,  it has been a busy month. I haven't had the time to blog, but I miss you all.  I've been busy on my farm and with edits for, Deadly Kisses. The edits have been killer, but I've been trying to imagine the light at the end of the tunnel. The light seems far off and dim, but I might get a release date soon, so that's encouraging.

My only hangouts have been Facebook. During one of my Facebook surfing sessions, Elana Johnson, author of Possession asked if anyone's local library needed a copy of her book.

HECK YES!

And my small town library wants to send their many thanks. Possession now sits proudly on the shelves of their young adult section with a squeaky new card slot inside (yes, we still use a card catalog).

SO, THANK YOU ELANA FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!

Also, I finally have my author website up and running. It's still in its infancy, but check it out and let me know what you think.

www.kerricuevasbooks.com

Blog ya later,

Kerri

Happy Mother's Day

Building an Author Website

The time has come to have an author website! It still sounds really weird, having a website about me and my book. Weird, but totally cool at the same time. Ya know?  But I'm really excited about this task. At first I didn't think I would be able to create it myself, but with some research, a creative hubby, and looking at other author websites, I've decided to give it a go.

Here's what I did, to begin to make this website happen.

Web Hosting and Website Builders
I've decided to go with Weebly. It's free, but with a small fee, you can have your own domain name. It's as easy to use as blogger, and creates a professional look. It provides good hosting with email support should problems arise. It seems great for what I want to do.

Choose Layout and then a Theme
I chose a lavender background that will have pictures on the side.  I wanted the website to showcase things around New Hampshire as a theme.

Original Artwork
This is what scared me the most. It turned out to be fun. Creating digital art was easy peasy, and you can do it too. Seriously, you can! I went on my Android phone, using an app called PicSay Pro. It was a couple of bucks, and my kids can even use it. They put devil horns on my picture, and then put in word bubbles that say "clean your room." Did I tell you, I live with comedians?

Anyways, deviled horn pictures aside...

 Here's a couple of things my hubby and I came up with. The first picture is the original, and the second one is the transformed masterpiece.
                                                                                                                                                               

I took this picture at the Cathedral of the Pines in New Hampshire.

    A tree in my backyard.

 A funny little statue I had in my garden.

I even created one of the pictures while in Boston at a Red Sox game. Luckily, I didn't miss Big Papi's two home runs. Go Sox!

Now that I have a website layout, a theme, and pictures, all I have to do is add the content. I hope to put it live in a couple of weeks, and I'll keep you updated on any tips or tricks I learn along the way.

I'd love to read comments about your websites Bloggerville.