A Blog Hop and a Blog Award

Mike Schulenberg must have read my mind last weekend. I was thinking how I haven't participated in a blog hop in forever, and voila! He e-mailed me and told me he had tagged me in the My Writing Process Blog Hop. And then, several weeks ago, my friend, David Walker, had nominated me for the Shauny Award, so I decided to combine the two into one post. This post!

Blog Hop: My Writing Process

The rules, as taken from Mike's post, require one to publish their post on a Monday and tag three people, who are supposed to publish their posts the next Monday. They tag three more people, and the blog hop spreads.

Here are my answers to the blog hop questions regarding my writing process.

1. What am I working on?

As most of you who will read this know, I'm working on the second book of the Adven Realm Adventures. I'm almost half-way through the first draft and I still don't have a title.

2. How does my work differ from others in its genre?

Oh, let me count the ways. The Adven Realm Adventures take place in the Darag-Realm (fantasy) and our world, the Adven-Realm which I've been told is unusual. The books are a genre conglomeration of fantasy/adventure/romance (which apparently bothers some people.) There aren't many fantasies around (that I know of) where the heroine is a parent. There are adult themes, but my style of writing apparently is Young Adult-ish. I'll just stop there, as those are the biggest.

3. Why do I write what I write?

Because I'm a mother and work with children and they are important to me. I write fantasy because I love the fantasy world, with magic, and monsters, and beasts, and heroes, and elves, and where anything can happen.

4. How does my writing process work?

Oddly. About the only thing I know for sure is that I really like using the technique for scene construction Jack Bickham outlines in his book Scene and Structure. It saves me a ton of time and effort.

Developing story ideas seems to work best by talking about the story out loud. It's that external processor thing. My husband is great at letting me rattle on and work stuff out. For some reason it doesn't work as well if I'm just talking to myself. I also daydream a lot.

I've been using a mind map this go round, because the plot is more complicated than in Finding Meara. The sub-plots all are tied to the main plot, and there's a lot to keep track of.

Shauny Award for Blogging Excellence

Here is what David had to say about the Shauny Award:

It was created last November by Doctor Rex (Horty, as she likes to be called) in honor of Shaun Gibson, a Scottish blogger who lives with chronic pain syndrome. I know little about either of these people, but I know Raani has been a faithful follower, and I appreciate the award because it’s from her.

The sentiment in which the award was created is just beautiful and the only rules, if you can call them rules, are these:

Show Humanity, Show Love, Be Yourself, Don’t Be Others, Don’t Gossip, and Share This Award with 10 others.

I am very honored that David thought of me.

So, as for the tagging. Most of the people I would tag are not really actively blogging right now. So, I'll just list the people I believe demonstrate the characteristics of the Shauny Award, who are writers, and they can participate in both or either blog hop if they want to. :)

1.DD Falvo - one of the classiest, self-aware, kindest, talented writers I know. She also happens to be one of my critique partners and I am so lucky.

2. Suzi Retzlaff - Suzi is so loyal and always helpful and supportive. And talented! Another talented writer who I'm fortunate to have willing to give me feedback.

3. Stacy Jensen - Best copywriter I know, as well as web designer and book trailer creator in the making! She also happens to be super nice, assertive in the kindest of ways, and strong.

But! I also appreciate Lexa Cain, Tonya J. Loveless, Linda Hatton, Brin Jackson, Claudine Jaboro, Lara Britt, and Tonia Harris, because they all are inspiration to me as writers and as human beings.

Oh my gosh! This is me adding to this post, because I forgot someone. I don't know how I forgot Roland Yeamons to start with, but he definitely needs to be included. He is the epitome of persevering through adversity. I'm so lucky he's become my tweet-friend. He always has a smile in 140 characters.

Have a lovely week, and I'll see you on Friday.

(Never) Again by Theresa Paolo Blog Hop

My writer's world has been filled to the brim with all kinds of happy. So many of the people I have been following have been experiencing writing success over the last year, whether it be from successful self-publishing, signing agents, and/or garnering fabulous book deals. 

Yesterday was another one of those happy days. Theresa Paolo's book, (Never) Again, released through Berkley (Penguin), had its book birthday!! Yay!!! Virtual confetti and streamers!!

Isn't this a beautiful cover?

When college freshman Liz Wagner hears her ex's voice for the first time since he moved clear across the freaking country, she does what any respectable girl would do: Dive into the girls' bathroom.

Zach Roberts—the Zach Roberts—is back. And he’s everywhere Liz looks—infiltrating her friend group, buddy-buddy with her brother. It’s enough to ruin college altogether. But what choice does she have but to put on a happy face and pretend he didn't leave her vulnerable and alone in a pile of emotional wreckage?

Pretending works, until tragedy strikes and the only person available for comfort is the one person she wants to stay away from. When Zach turns out not to be the jerk she convinced herself he was, but the boy she used to love, Liz needs to decide whether to open her heart again to the boy who tore it out.

As part of the festivities, Theresa is having a blog hop, where we are supposed to tell what it is we have sworn to never do again, but end up doing anyway.

Thing is, I have a TON of things I say I won't do and end up doing, or swear to do that I don't do.

Probably the biggest is food related. I can be a binge eater - especially of cookies, cake, candy, bread, ice cream, potato chips, goldfish crackers... You know, those foods that taste really, really good. I'll easily down half a dozen or more cookies in the form of cookie dough. Eating a couple of candy bars when I'm stressed is common. I won't even get into my ice cream eating habits.

After I have been a total glutton, the self-recrimination starts. I lost the battle for self-control. I gave in. Again.

Cue the Charlie Brown football cry of anguish. "AAAAUUGH!"

I waddle out to my chair, ask my husband if he still loves me (he always does), get some hugs from my kids and grimly promise myself I'll never, ever eat that much again. And somewhere, in the corner of my mind, I know the truth. It's only a matter of time.

Cue the evil, cackling laughter.

Funny Friday Photos and Day 2 of the Aberration Blog Hop

If you're looking for Day 2 of (and my entry for) Lisa Regan's Aberration Blog Hop, where I list my top five aberrant characters, click here. Otherwise, continue on to Funny Friday Photos below!

Yes, it's Friday again! A weekend and a Monday and then I start summer vacation. This is a very, very good thing. I definitely can use some laughs, so it was quite therapeutic to put together funny photos this week.

You will notice I discontinued with Google+ comments, and went back to plain old blogger comments. The increase in visibility on Google+ was impressive, but a lot of people couldn't comment anymore. I certainly don't want that, so I changed back. 

Last week's winner for funniest photo is:

When I switched back to Blogger comments, I lost several comments, but I believe the transporter accident had the most votes. In any case, it is cute.

Here's some new photos for you!

I never knew cats were able to make corners.

There is something sinister about that duck. Or maybe it's just a little foul. (hee, hee)

Not Pokeball, Pokebird!

Ain't that the truth!

I felt the same way.

I spy with my little eye...

And for the pun of the week - 

Have a very happy weekend. My favorite is the hugging. My second is the cute angle.

What's your favorite?

Aberration Blog Hop

In celebration of the release of her second novel, Aberration, Lisa Regan is hosting The Aberration Blog Hop:  Finding the Most Aberrant Characters.  The Hop runs June 6^th and 7^th so it’s not too late to sign up!

In Aberration, FBI profiler, Kassidy Bishop is on the hunt for serial killer who is an aberration—a freak—even among serial killers.  For this blog hop, list your top 5 choices for the most aberrant (freakish or abnormal) characters in fiction, TV and movies!

Before we get started, let’s take a look at the definition of aberration:

ab·er·ra·tion

Definition of ABERRATION

1 : the fact or an instance of deviating or being aberrant especially from a moral standard or normal state

2 : unsoundness or disorder of the mind

3 : an aberrant individual

— ab·er·ra·tion·al  adjective

From the Merriam Webster Online Dictionary

All participants will be entered to win prizes (Amazon gift cards; signed copies of Aberration in paperback and e-book versions of the book). 

Lara's List of Top Five Aberrant Characters (in no particular order)

1. Hannibal Lector - He's a messed up dude. He's even more messed up in the books than he is in the movies. And, because of his training as a psychiatrist, he can mess up other people, and enjoys doing so.

2. Bad Guy from the Last Oracle by James Rollins. It's been a while since I've read the story, and my book is in storage, so I can't tell you the bad guy's name. However, he made my skin crawl. He was bizarre, and if I remember correctly, in love/having a relationship with his sister. Ick.

3. The bad guy in the movie Seven. That movie is the only one that actually made me queasy.

4. The mother of the girl with Down's Syndrome in Dean Koontz's novel The Darkest Evening of the Year. She was so sick and twisted that I had to stop reading the book. (She did mean things to the poor girl. I couldn't read about it.)

5. The bad guy in the movie The Cell. By getting to go into his mind, it's tragic to see just how messed up he is. And even more disturbing is seeing how he got to that point, from being abused as a child. I worked on the Criminal Justice Unit of the State Hospital when I saw the movie and it made me sob at the end, because he was so similar to one of the patients I worked with. It was awful.

There's my entry! I hope you run over to Lisa's blog and sign up so we can all see who your top five aberrant characters are! And I urge you to check out Lisa's book when it comes out, too!

Do you recognize any of my characters?

Does any character come to your mind as most aberrant?

The Overcoming Adversity Blog Hop

Last week I was speaking with a co-worker about some health issues I had when I was nineteen. I wasn’t complaining, but rather explaining about a surgery she had asked me about. Toward the end of the conversation she commented how, based off the stories we’ve shared, my life has been hard. I was shocked, and said so.

The only thing I ever feel bad about is my sister’s death, and even then I know that plenty of people have had worse tragedies. For me, though, it’s my greatest personal tragedy. I’m not looking forward to the next tragedy that trumps it. Because the thing about adversity is that it is a part of life. There is always something to overcome.

I can recount many people who have inspired me by their bravery and tenacious determination to overcome. My mother’s family was dysfunctional. Her father was abusive and her mother distant. She overcame her history to be a damn good mom and taught me more about love than possibly anyone else in the world.

My nephew has Asperger’s Syndrome, and has been misunderstood or bullied most of his short (13 yrs) life. He continues to extend himself, remaining friendly and hopeful, in spite of how people have treated him.

My sister, while in the downward spiral of chronic Multiple Sclerosis, didn’t become bitter at what the disease had taken from her.

But that’s just the beginning. Every day I work with kids who still play and see magic in a world where their parents rob them of their childhood. I see parents who overcome domestic violence, or work a full time job and attend school full time in the short-term, so they can provide a better life for their kids in the long run. I hear of people the world over who come through fire to emerge victorious over adversity.

We have a tendency to give adversity a hierarchy, based on what we are most afraid of. The hierarchy doesn’t negate what one person is dealing with, though. It doesn’t diminish the pain which any of us feel in the midst of adversity. It can, however, give us perspective. The comparison of adversities is what allows me to feel lucky because I haven’t lost a child--even if I did lose my sister. In the end, some may have more to overcome than others, but we all are heroes in our own lives.

The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

I'd seen the Next Big Thing Blog Hop going round this summer and thought it would be a fun one to get tagged in. My dreams have finally come true, thanks to Marcia Richards and Cindy Keen Reynders.

I'm supposed to answer the following questions and then tag five of my soon-to-be-famous writer friends. I obviously answered the questions, but most of the people I know who like to be tagged have, well, already been tagged. Therefore, I encourage anyone who wants to be a part of the blog hop to feel free and cite me as their tagging resource. If you let me know when you are running the post, I'll be happy to link your post on my blog!

I contemplated answering the questions for Finding Meara, which is due to be released in February. I've already talked a lot about that story, though, and will be talking more about it in a couple of months. I decided to discuss the next book in the Adven Realm Adventures series instead. It's still in the early stages, so things could change, but I think the basic structure is ready to be shared.

What is the working title of your book?

Finding Meara Number 2 - I can't figure out a title.

Where did the idea come from for the book?

I needed to plot for another book, watched Harry Potter and thought it would be funny to have a Pixie infestation as a part of the plot.

What genre does your book fall under?

I'm going with Contemporary Fantasy. I can't feel comfortable calling it Urban Fantasy.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Hazel - I have no idea. Because it's written from first-person point-of-view I never see her face. Weird, huh.

Arden - He's kind of like a Legolas (Orlando Bloom)/Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) cross.

Benolt (Arden's Brother) - Viggo Mortensen as he looks in the Lord of the Rings

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

To obtain the antidote to the Pixie bites which bring her son and younger sister to the edge of death, Hazel is forced to choose between the lives of her family and the lives of innocents.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

I'll self-publish.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

I haven't even broken 10,000 words yet. I'm trying to get Finding Meara ready to publish in February, so I'm just working on #2 as I have time.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I honestly know no other books like mine. I write weird conglomerations. I did have someone compare Finding Meara to Charles de Lint, but as I've never read any of his books, I can't say for sure.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

The 2012 Presidential campaign. It's hard to explain.

What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?

If you like contemporary fantasy, action, forbidden love, and some humor sprinkled in, my book is for you. I believe my ideal reader is aged-out Twilight fans (twenty-somethings and up).

What are you working on right now?

Christmas, Blog-O-Thon of Doom and My Book Cover

Is that not the most eclectic title ever? 

First, if you are curious as to what exactly a Blog-O-Thon of Doom is, read this post for a definition. 

As part of the Blog-O-Thon, I must write a short post with a Christmas theme. Last time I recounted some of my favorite holiday memories. This time I'm going to share with you some thoughts I have about giving at Christmastime.

I used to, misguidedly, feel superior over people who pay special attention to giving at Christmas. Who were these selfish people who only think of others one time of the year. How much better the world would be if everyone would share the wealth year-round. Yep, I was pretty judgmental. It's a character trait I try to beat into submission every day.

Now, my perceptions have changed. I still think the world would be amazing if everyone would be as thoughtful year round, but I also have come to appreciate the kindness the holiday season brings out in people.

You see, November and December are two of the more emotionally trying months at my job as a school social worker. Bad things happen to families, caused sometimes (often?) by their own bad choices, and the children are left to suffer through the aftermath of Dad ending up in jail, increased domestic violence because of the stress of the season, Mom gone to rehab, and kids not getting presents because they just don't have the money.

There is nothing in the world sadder than a sad, hurting child.

That's why I've come to really appreciate the giving of the season. People's hearts open and so do their pocketbooks. I am able to help make children's lives a little happier, and ease the worry of the parents who couldn't "do Christmas." I can give new coats to children and watch their faces light up with joy that such a beautiful, seventeen dollar coat is theirs, and it even has a matching hat and gloves.

My faith in humanity, which takes a beating the other ten months of the year, is renewed. I believe again that people do care about more than the bottom line and that there's hope for all of us. So thanks to all of you who give and care, whether it be just at Christmas or year round. Either way, your kindness is a little ray of hope in a sometimes struggling, dark world.

Now - lets stop being all depressed. 

Briane Pagel kindly allowed me to give away his book, Up So Down, to a random commenter, so I could participate in the Blog-O-Thon. 

Last month Kimberely Gabriel won a copy, and now you can be the next lucky winner! Just leave a comment to enter and I will announce the winner on Friday.


I don't have my own book to give away yet (which is why Briane let me give away one of his) but I do have my book cover now! Here it is!

Now I just need to get the inside finished and I'm ready to roll! I'm in the middle of final edits (a huge thank you to my feedback friends) and am still aiming for a release in February. Stay tuned for further information!

How are your writing projects going?

Are you ready for Christmas?

The Merry Christmas To All (e)Book A Day Traveling Blogathon (of Doom!)

Today is the day! It's my turn to host The Merry Christmas To All (e)Book A Day Traveling Blog-O-Thon (of Doom!) or The Blog-O-Thon (of Doom!), as I've come to call it.  The Blog-O-Thon actually started on November 23rd and will continue every weekday until December 24th.

Participating bloggers picked a day or day(s) and will post "something to do with the holidays," as well as give away one (e)book to a randomly-chosen commenter on their post.  

You may be wondering how I can do this, considering I do not yet have a book to give away. Quite easily, the Blog-O-Thon's creator, Briane Pagel, offered to let me give away his new book, Up So Down.  Since I really wanted to participate in a Blog-O-Thon (of Doom!), I jumped at the chance.

I'll have a special surprise for my next Blog-O-Thon (of Doom!) post on December 18th. I'll be sharing the cover for my own novel, Finding Meara, whose tentative release date is in February.  I'll also be giving away another copy of Briane's book, Up So Down.

Random Memories of The Holidays

When I think of Christmas, three separate memories pop into my mind.

My Eeyore today. He's almost 39 yrs old!

The first is one of my earliest memories. When I was two and a half Santa brought my sister a large stuffed Pooh-bear and me an Eeyore. I actually remember finding them under the tree. Eeyore was my best night-time buddy until well into adulthood.  At first he kept me safe from aliens and things that go bump in the night, and then I just couldn't go to sleep without him in my arms. Some people need music, I needed Eeyore. I'm okay with that!

The second is the year I was twelve years old.  My sister and I always used to get a doll.  That was our tradition and when I was twelve, even though I really didn't want a doll, I didn't want to admit I'd grown up that much.  I wasn't ready.  So, I put a doll at the top of my list, and it was the last year I received a doll from "Santa."

The last memory is Christmas not so long ago. About seven years ago, as a matter of fact.  My firstborn's due date was the first week of January but I began labor Christmas afternoon. My husband and I played Lord of the Rings on the Playstation and waited for things to pick up.  Our little guy took his time and was finally born two days later - on my father's birthday!

My question for you? 

What is one of your favorite Christmas memories?

Leave a comment for the chance to win Briane Pagel's newest release, Up So Down.

When "Bumpy" takes his sister's fiance out for a night on the town, a mysterious drowning crashes through their lives like a wrecking ball into an already-crumbling wall. Sarah mourns her lost lover by halfheartedly joining a group dedicated to proving there is a serial killer on the loose and jealously guarding her dying mother, while "Bumpy" moves to Las Vegas to take up a new career, only to accidentally stumble into his old one.

Through the course of a year that unfolds haphazardly and out-of-sequence, Bumpy and Sarah try to figure out how much of the past they ought to hold on to, and how much of the future is worth looking into.

Also, you can find more great giveaways by visiting the athors below on the days listed.  Have fun!

11/30: PT Dilloway, on his blog "Tales Of The Scarlet Knight,  Author of "A Hero's Journey."

12/1: Vanna Smythe, on her blog, author of "Protector: Anniversary of the Veil, Book One." 

12/3: Cindy Borgne, on her blog "Dreamer's Perch," author of "Vallar"

12/4:  Michael Offutt, on his blog SLC Kismet, author of the trilogy "A Crisis of Two Worlds"

12/5: Tony Laplume on his blog Scouring Monk, author of Monorama.

12/6: Briane Pagel at his blog Thinking the Lions

12/7:  PT Dilloway, on his blog "Tales Of The Scarlet Knight,  Author of "A Hero's Journey."

12/10: Andrew Leon, on his blog Strange Pegs, (theauthor of The House On the Corner and Shadow Spinner.

12/11:  Briane Pagel at his blog Thinking the Lions

12/12: Tony Laplume on his blog Scouring Monk, author of Monorama.

12/13:  Briane Pagel at his blog Thinking the Lions

12/14: PT Dilloway, on his blog "Tales Of The Scarlet Knight,  Author of "A Hero's Journey."

12/17: Andrew Leon, on Strange Pegs, (the author of The House On the Corner and Shadow Spinner.

12/18: Lara Schiffbauer, on her blog Motivation for Creation.

12/19:  Tony Laplume on his blog Scouring Monk, author of Monorama.

12/20:  Briane Pagel at his blog Thinking the Lions
  
12/21: PT Dilloway, on his blog "Tales Of The Scarlet Knight,  Author of "A Hero's Journey."

12/22: Vanna Smythe, on her blog, author of "Protector: Anniversary of the Veil, Book One." 

12/24: Brian Pagel at his blog Thinking the Lions

The Great Star Wars Blogathon

The Grumpy Bulldog showed up here about a week ago, and invited me to participate in the The Great Star Wars 100 day Blogathon.  Since I love all things Star Wars - and blog fests - this seemed like a fun thing to participate in.

Each day, there is a trivia question posted, and a variety of ways to earn points, that culminate in a winner at the end of the Blogathon. I currently don't have any points, but that will be rectified after the end of this post!

Since I don't expect to be the winner of the Blogathon, I'm looking at the trivia section of the blogathon as a fun way to learn about Star Wars trivia.  I enjoy the witty repartee that goes on in the comment section, as well.

Three of the ways I can get points is by entering the Bi-Weekly Star Wars Writing Challenges (you get 100 points for those!), referring people to the blogathon by mentioning it on my blog (check!), and to have someone I referred comment on Briane Pagel's blog, mentioning my name as the referral source (we both get 50 points for that!)  So, if you're interested in joining, head over to Briane's blog and say I sent you!

Sourced from The Best of Everything, who got it from I don't know where!

The current Writing Challenge is: between now and Sunday, March 25 (you can still sign up - and mention my name!), post a 250-words-or-less Fan Fiction Fan Fiction, in which one of your characters from a story you wrote tries to write a piece of Star Wars Fan Fiction.

Disclaimer:  I am not sure what fan fiction looks like, or sounds like, so I did my best. Please be kind. :)


Twelve year-old Quinn, who is Meara's brother, is making an appearance from Finding Meara.  He isn't technically writing fan fiction, but he is creating fan fiction verbally, so I hope it meets the criteria of the blogathon.

*****

Quinn pulled the box of Lego Star Wars pieces out from under his bed.  Sifting through the various sized and colored bricks, he picked out Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker.  After a little more searching, he located the light sabers and found Princess Leia. 

With practiced movements, he created a box, and put Leia inside.  He set Darth Vader in front of the box, and said, “All right, let the battle begin.”

Luke sidled up to Vader, light saber in hand.  “Let Leia go.”

“Never,” Darth Vader said.

 “You won’t win.  Evil always loses.”

“You can’t kill me.  I’m your father.”

Quinn scowled, and thought about his own father.  Darth Vader would be a better Dad.  He sacrificed himself to save Luke from the Emperor.  Lucian would never do that for him.

He fingered the Vader figure, and wondered if Luke could have killed Darth Vader, if he knew there was no good left in him.

He pushed Luke toward Vader. “I will kill you, sperm-donor.”  Luke slashed at Vader, who ignited his light saber, and easily parried the blow.

“You are no match for me,” Vader laughed.

“Oh yeah!”  Luke advanced on Darth Vader, light saber whirling.  Vader fell beneath the ferocious blows.

Quinn popped Vader’s head off, a satisfied grin on his face.

*****

On Friday, I have my first Life List Club Milestone Party.  There will be prizes involved, so please don't let my blogathon entry scare you away, and come back on Friday!

I'm an Irish Wanna-Be

It's true.

I'm pretty sure my jealousy of those who are Irish began in the third grade.

That year, Tisha McCarthy (the red-haired, only-child who got to have a tent set up in her basement) smugly proclaimed that she didn't have to wear green on St. Patrick's Day, because she was Irish.  Italian is my dominant heritage, and it wasn't nearly cool enough.

Italian's don't have a party that lasts an entire day.  We do have the mob, but it's not quite the same.

Later on in life, I read a fictional book about St. Patrick, the Tuatha de Danann, and a prominent rainbow (I think it was the rainbow that connected the faerie world and the real world, but it's been about twenty-five years since I read the book, so I can't say for sure.)

St. Patrick (although in the book he was known as only Patrick) got involved with the Queen of the Tuatha de Danann, and it was quite romantic to my early teenage heart.  The descriptions were vivid and beautiful, and so I became even more enamored with Ireland.

A quick note about the landscape of Ireland.  You have to understand that where I grew up (and currently live), it is brown for nine months of the year.  We have three months of green, and then everything dies off because of lack of water.  The plains are beautiful in their own way, but the pictures of Ireland are breathtaking, full of moisture and life, and as different to my reality as any fantasy world out there.

In the early nineties, the movies the Commitments and The Full Monty came out.  My sister loved The Commitments, and The Full Monty is still one of my favorite movies.  I think we related to the quirky humor in the movies, and the fight of the underdog to change their place in life.  Once again, there were cool accents, bold characters, great music, and fun stories - all set in Ireland.

Last year, a dream finally came true.  Growing up, my Grandmother (the Italian one) told me that I had Irish in my Grandfather's lineage.  I thought  she was wrong, and that it was Scottish, because the lineage is connected to Scotland.  Last year, at the Scottish-Irish Highlands Festival, I finally got it all figured out.  I was informed that my paternal last name comes from the Ayr region of Scotland, was part of the Kennedy Clan, and that the Kennedy Clan moved back and forth across the straight into Ireland.

I very well could be Irish!

Well, just a little bit, but still!

Do I still have to wear green on St. Patrick's Day?

Memes and More

It's my turn!  Thank you Cindy Reynders at Saucy Lucy Wisdom and Nicole Pyles from The World of my Imagination for giving the chance to participate in this fun meme. (I feel weird using the word meme, just for the record.)


The rules, as I'm sure most of you know, are:
1. Go to page 77 of your current MS/WIP
2. Go to line 7
3. Copy down the next 7 lines, sentences, or paragraphs, and post them as they're written.
4. Tag 7 authors, and let them know.


From Finding Meara, here are my lines (Hazel is speaking, talking to her half-brother, Quinn):

“What are they?”  I scanned the trees, looking for any sign of the magician who had been hurt helping me.  

I didn’t see him, and I didn’t see Garron, either.  Since getting Meara back, Lucian had lightened up on finding me.  Maybe he figured we would come to him ourselves.  I was a little worried, since that was exactly what we were doing.

“Earthforce magic uses the elements to effect change in the world, kind of like Wicca, only stronger.  Lifeforce magic uses the energy found in living things to work change.”

“How come you can use both?”

That's them! I'm pretty sure that they will change once I get that far in revisions (maybe this week - I hope), but for now, there they are.

The "more" part of this post is that I was also tagged by Cindy Reynders.  There were some interesting questions, so I picked out the ones I hadn't answered yet and will answer below.

If you could do anything tomorrow, what would you do? Edit, revise, all day long.

Describe your happy place.  Being out with my family.  I miss them terribly when I'm gone.

What was your first happy memory?  Getting a stuffed Eeyore toy when I was two and a half.

What was the scariest thing you've ever done? I can't think of anything.  I am anxious by nature, so lots of things seem scary, that aren't really.

What is the funniest thing you did today? I'll go with ruining the group dynamic at the table I sat at during the workshop I attended about relational aggression.  As part of an activity, we had to tell the other table members if we would trust them or not.  All of them were strangers to me, so I told them I didn't trust any of them (with that disclaimer of course - they were strangers).  I guess I offended them.  Nobody talked to me the rest of the day.  I actually thought it was pretty funny.

What is the strangest place you've ever got a story? I used to pull cards (one verb card, one character card, and one setting card) to come up with story ideas.  I ended up with a person with mental illness, a bank and sex.  It became Phantom Deposit, the story that was published in Steamy Screams, and the only story I've been paid for.

Where do you write? Usually on the couch with my netbook.

If you just won a ticket to anywhere in the world, and you had to take me, where would you take me and why? Tough to say.  I want to go to the British Isles some day.  I also would like to see Chichen Itza in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico; Assisi, Italy; and go back to Machu Picchu or the Redwood Forest, so I don't know where we'd end up.

Now, I get to tag seven people for the Lucky 7 meme and they can answer the tag questions, too, if they want.  The lucky seven are:

Tony Slater at Adventure Without End
Emilia at My Imaginary Beings
LG Smith at Bards and Prophets
Mike Schulenberg
Gary Gauthier at Literary Snippets
Sonia G. Medeiros
Susan Fields

Don't forget the Blog O'Hop this weekend - go sign up if you haven't yet!  I've also been invited to the Great Star Wars Blogathon, so if you see a couple of Star Wars related stories, don't be surprised!  If you want to know more, go here.

It's Getting Hot in Here!

Happy Valentines Day, everyone!  Today, to celebrate this fine day of relationships and romance, I am participating in the long awaited "It's Getting Hot in Here" Blog Hop.  I am to share one of my favorite kissing scenes from a book I've read, from my own WiP, make one up, or write about one of my own memorable kisses.

I decided to go with a scene from a book I've read.  I looked all over for my copy of the Anita Blake book where she finally succumbs to Jean-Claude's attentions, but I appear to have lost my books!  So, I'm going for my other favorite relationship, which is between Stephanie Plum and the incredibly sexy Ranger.


(from Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich, published by Bantam Books, 2011)


I was trying to concentrate on the security system, but I was already a little buzzed from the wine.  Ranger was close, and I wanted him even closer.  He was warm, and he smelled faintly of something unbelievably appealing.


"Babe?"


His face was inches from mine. "Mmmm?"


"Are you listening?"


"Yes." No.


My relationship with Ranger is well defined.  We both acknowledge the desire existing between us.  Ranger's made it clear he'll take advantage of any opening given.  And I've struggled to keep my openings closed.  My position more has to do with self-preservation than my allegiance to Morelli.  Morelli chose to back off on commitment, and I agreed.  Maybe some day that will change, but for now we have a comfortable working arrangement.  My arrangement with Ranger isn't nearly so comfortable.  It's frustrating at best and borderline scary at it's worst.  Ranger lives by his own code of conduct. He's an honorable guy... just not by normal standards.


"What did I just say?" he asked.  And the corners of his mouth almost smiled.


I leaned into him a little.  "I love the way you smell.  It's sweet and citrusy and clean and very sexy."  My lips accidentally skimmed across his ear when I spoke, and I think I might have sighed a little.


He lifted me out of my chair, pulled me into him, and kissed me.  His lips were soft on my mouth, his hands were firm on my back, his tongue touched mine, and heat swirled through me and went straight to my doodah.


*****


I've just got to love anyone who writes "doodah" as a euphemism for "those" spots!


Now I get to go and find out what everyone else's favorite kissing scenes are. Thanks for stopping by - I'll be visiting you soon. :)

I'll Tumble 4 Ya Bog Hop and LLC Friday

Oooh!  I'm so excited to be participating in the I'll Tumble 4 Ya Blog Hop, and I'm also excited to offer you blog hoppers a two for one post!  Besides the blog hop, for me this Friday is Life List Club Friday, which means my fellow LLC'er, Sonia Medeiros, is guest posting at Motivation for Creation.  She decided to join in the hop, so I'll post her entry first, and then mine will be underneath hers.

Just a Little Crush by Sonia G. Medeiros

I'm thrilled to be hanging out at Lara's blog this Life List Club Friday. Lara's invited me to join in the I'll Tumble 4 Ya blogfest...by fessing up to my 80s celeb crush. So here goes...

Wait for it...

Wait for it...

ALF!

What? Not buying it?

I mean...sure, he's a little height challenged. Okay and maybe he's in need of a good depilatory. And he might have been just a wee bit too old for me but...

Still not buying, huh?

Oh, alright. My real 80s crush was...

Ricky Schroder. In all his Silver Spoons glory. By the time I started watching the show, it was already in reruns but Ricky, with his adorable smile and open face really made my tween heart go pit-a-pat. Pretty sure I wrote "Mrs. Ricky Schroder" all over my school notebooks and had our wedding all planned out.

I think ALF was going to perform the ceremony.

So, spill already. Who's was your 80s celeb crush.

Sonia G Medeiros is a writer of fantasy, science fiction, and horror. She’s the author of more than a dozen short stories and flash fiction pieces, blogs at WordPress, and is working on her first novel, a dark fantasy. When she’s not wandering along the tangled paths of her wild imagination, she wrangles home life with one fabulous husband, two amazing, homeschooled children, a part-alien half-chihuahua and two cats who battle each other for world domination.

You can find Sonia on Twitter and Facebook.

Blog Hop Part Two: Lara's Crush

Since I was ten in 1981 and graduated high-school in 1989, the 80's are full of teeny-bopper crush memories.  I was going to include runners up, but I started adding people, and was getting too many photos, so I decided I'd stick to my main crush of the 80's.  I started crushing on them in 1984 and it kind of still goes on today, although in a much more mature way.  I hope. ;)

And the winner is...

Duran Duran!!!


This would not be a surprise to anyone who went to high school with me.  My parents practically knew the songs as well as my sister and I did.  If I told you all the stupid things I did back then because of crushing on Duran Duran, you'd never respect me again, so it's my dirty little secret!

Here they are circa. Seven and the Ragged Tiger in 1984.

I had to include this one, because they are actually smiling.  My mom even thought Nick Rhodes has an amazing smile.  Unfortunately, many of the pictures I found were those serious, model type photos they were famous for. 

Here they are (everyone except the guitarist, Andy Taylor, who doesn't appear to want to rejoin the band), still rockin' the guy-liner, in May, 2011.  In March, 2011 the band released All You Need is Now.

I guess we all grew older, so I won't hold the wrinkles, hair loss, and excess poundage against them.  Actually, I think they have held up better than many of their 80's contemporaries.  They still put out great music, too, and I found out several months ago that Simon Le Bon, the lead singer, has had a blog for a long time where he reviews science fiction novels. Who knew!

So that's my entry into the I'll Tumble 4 Ya' Blog Hop!  I've enjoyed revisiting my 80's crushes, and am so excited to see who everyone else picked!  I'd also like to say a huge "Thank you" to Sonia for playing along! 

 If you haven't had too much of me, you can always head over to Jenny Hansen's blog, More Cowbell, where I am guest posting on how to deal with goal achievement difficulties.  Have a great hop!