Halloween is a beloved holiday for many throughout the United States. You can easily find carved jack-o’-lanterns, costume parties, and trick-or-treating in any neighborhood. One tradition is visiting the local business sponsored haunted house. I have a confession to make. Haunted houses really scare me! I know that it’s all pretend, but I can’t see to remember that while taking the tour. There are some haunted house stories that people believe are genuine. Do you believe in haunted houses?
I hope everyone has a safe, fun Halloween weekend. Today's video is dedicated to my virtual friend AG, also know on Twitter and in the blogospehere as @RegectedRiter. Why? Because AG makes me smile, laugh, and wish I could be a funny playwright. Oh.. and AG has special feelings for Mark. *wink* Find AG's blog at http://regectedriter.wordpress.com/ .
Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!
UPDATE 10/29/11 : Heather (commenter #7) was drawn by random.org to receive Brooke Moss' book, The What If Guy. Congrats, Heather! Here's the screencast of the drawing.
Top Ten Things a Man Can Do For His (Author) Wife
First off, let me just say thank you for hosting me on your blog, Brinda! I’m super excited to read your book, The Waiting Booth, and it’s officially on my queue. Squee! I’ve only recently started reading YA fiction, and so help me…I’ve been missing out on a genre that really does rock.
Well, let’s get right down to it. Brinda, we authors are admitted plate spinners. In my life I wear several different hats at a time, none of which seem to fit correctly, as my hair is so d*mn big. I am a wife, a mother, a chauffer, a cook (albeit an unskilled one), a nurse, a laundress, a personal shopper, a therapist, a referee, and—of course—an author of romantic women’s fiction. There are days when I will get vast amounts of my work done, but will look around only to realize that my house still looks like Bosnia. Or days when the house will sparkle and shine like it has been cleaned by a Stepford wife, only to pass by a window or a mirror and catch a glimpse of my haggard, PJ wearing, zit faced, bed headed hotness. I can honestly say that if it weren’t for my husband who is willing to help me out, and hold it all together when my writing muse is calling, I would be a basket case.
Er…well, an even bigger basket case. Let’s be real.
Many men have no idea what to do in order to help their author spouses out. Do they take off their shirts and flex their muscles in front of you, to act as your “inspiration”? Um, no. Do they whisper sweet nothings into your ear and nibble on your neck, in order to “churn up scene ideas?” Um….not that either. And yes, my nerdy husband has tried both. And no, neither of them worked. I mean, he was cute and all, but come on. When it’s time to work, it’s time to work, mmm kay?
If you really want to help me….really want to impress me….really want to get my creative juices flowing and bring my muse out in full effect…and maybe even manage to get some make-out time with me later (And yes, I just said make-out time. I went there.)….then follow these simple instructions, gentlemen:
1.) Leave me alone. If I say it’s time to work, that’s not innuendo for anything else. If I have deadlines haunting my dreams and characters talking in my ears night and day…I need some space to write. I’m sorry. I know that hurts your feelings, but come on. That just means you get the remote all to yourself, so that you can watch Dancing With The Stars, er, I mean, Monday Night Football without interruption.
2.) Deal with the kids. Now, this is a tricky one, because some men interpret this to mean: take care of the kids until one of them craps or starts screaming, then go get mom. This is wrong. This is not how this particular tip should be interpreted. When I say to deal with the kids, it means the good, the bad, the ugly, the gross, the stinky, the foul, the naughty, the downright annoying, and yes, even the terrifying. In my house there is a saying: If mom is in her office writing, don’t bother her unless something major is on fire, or you are bleeding profusely. I don’t want to be bothered about some little toaster fire, or a paper cut. Come and get me if the minivan is engulfed in flames or your sister’s arm has been whacked off with a chainsaw. Otherwise, daddies need to deal with it themselves.
3.) Don’t bring up nookie. Okay, okay, I realize that most of the dudes have now officially tuned me out, but I’m begging you: stay with me. This is sound advice. If I am staring at my laptop with wild, bug eyes, and my fingers are pounding out word after word like I am a crazy lunatic on a mission…don’t suggest I take a twenty-minute break for a “back rub”. Here is why: A.) We both know that the “back rub” thing is a joke. It’s code for getting one’s groove on, and nobody’s back is getting rubbed. And B.) Twenty minutes? Come on. Are we taking a nap, too? ;)
4.) Learn how to cook a few things. So help me…if I have to hear my children complain about dad’s “Cajun style” burgers, or his specialty (toast) one more time, I am going to bang my head on my desktop. Come on, guys. Making a casserole is not tough. You boil noodles or rice, slap it into a dish with some sort of meat—we’re not even picky about what kind—and pour some sort of canned cream soup over the top. If you want to get fancy, grate some cheese on the top. This is not rocket science, though I would have to say that my husband would be more comfortable doing the rocket science than he would making dinner. Find a few recipes and use them, guys. Your woman will love you forever, and might even suggest a…ahem…back rub later.
5.) Buy her some office supplies. This is a special tip that maybe only I can appreciate. But here’s the deal: when my husband buys me things like paperclips or post it notes, it makes me feel like he is excited about my writing career. It’s silly, I know. But every man gets his woman flowers—or at least he should—but what really speaks to an author? Office supplies. Wrap up a ream of paper and some multicolored sticky notes, and I am yours forever. I may even cry…
6.) Never go to bed without saying goodnight. Okay…maybe I’m the only writer out there who works a lot at night, but I loathe it when I look up and realize that it’s 11:30pm and the whole house is quiet because my whole family has gone to bed without saying goodnight. Here’s the dealio: Just because I am busy and don’t want to be disturbed for something as trivial as watching a funny Geico commercial that my husband has paused and insists I come and join him for…doesn’t mean I don’t want to be a part of my family member’s lives. Poke your head in the office, blow me a kiss, and say goodnight. Come on….throw me a bone.
7.) For pete’s sake, read my book! I take real issue with this particular tip. If I ask you to read my work, published or unpublished, do me a favor…and read it. There is nothing more insulting that having a book on Goodreads that has 30+ reviews, but still not knowing what one’s spouse thinks of that book. I know that dudes don’t usually like romance novels, but come on….pick it up. Read it. For heaven’s sake, pretend to read it. You’re going to give me a complex!
8.) Clean up the house. Okay, I understand that MY version of clean differs from YOUR version of clean, but still…a wee bit of effort can speak volumes in “marriage-land”. I realize that your underwear hanging from the bedroom doorknob doesn’t bother you, but it really bothers me—and it also breaks a handful of sanitation rules—so throw them in the hamper. If there is a load of laundry waiting to be folded, don’t step over it for thirteen days straight. Fold them. If there is a stack of cereal bowls stacked so high in the sink that you can’t turn on the ceiling fan, don’t start serving Rice Krispies in coffee mugs. Wash them. If there is some undetermined splatter on the wall that nobody knows who or what it came from, don’t put a chair in front of it. Wash it. Again, dare I say it, doing this may result in the aforementioned “back rub and nap” scenario.
9.) Tell me that you’re proud of me. It takes a lot of heart to write a book. To put your thoughts, feelings, opinions, emotions, and soul into a story, then send it off to agents and editors to be scrutinized. It is a very personal process that requires a thick skin, and it only gets more difficult with time. So take a few seconds to tell me how proud you are of me. Tell me that you’re impressed (even if you’re not.) Tell me that you think I’m the greatest writer that ever lived. Okay, okay, that went to far. But tell me that you’re proud of me. A little bit-o positive reinforcement will go a long way with me.
10.) Never, ever forget how much I love you. There are going to be times when I am a—ahem—less than kind wifey. I yell, stomp, cuss, throw hissy fits, cry unreasonably, and insult your intelligence. These are not my prouder moments. These moments are a source of shame for me. Me no likey these particular moments. But…amidst all of the chaos and tears…and amidst the swear words and unreasonable need for privacy…it is impossible for an author who has never experienced love to articulate it properly in a book. If I didn’t have your love, I wouldn’t be able to express it through my characters. Always know that I love you, quirks and all, just as you love me.
I hope this list of tips will be helpful for all of the husbands and significant others out there. It isn’t very easy to love an author. So help me, we are a borderline schizophrenic society, aren’t we? But if all of the husbands follow these tips, they will be amazed at the results. It’s incredible what a clean kitchen and a fresh box of paper clips will do for a woman.
You never know…it may even result in a “back massage”. *Nudge, nudge, wink, wink*.
What would you do if your “what if” guy showed up at the lowest point of your life?
(Autumn Cole clocked hers with an encyclopedia.)
After losing her job at a swanky Seattle art gallery and finding out her father has been hospitalized, single mother Autumn Cole reluctantly returns to her tiny hometown of Fairfield, Washington to put the pieces of her life back together.
Her disgruntled twelve‐year old son isn’t thrilled about going from hip to hick, but Autumn’s got it worse. She resumes her role as the daughter of the town drunk, promptly facing a crisis with her father that’s been decades in the making.
Running into Henry Tobler, and nearly breaking his nose, is almost more than she can handle, but can rediscovering love–and herself–with her “whatif” guy teach Autumn to forgive before it’s too late?
Feeling lucky? You could win one from Brooke! Just leave a comment below and one lucky commenter will be chosen to receive a digital copy of The What If Guy! Winner will be drawn by random.org and notified by 10/29/11.
In the YA Whispering Woods series, Mia Taylor has synesthesia. This is a very real medical condition. Wikipedia explains that synesthesia is "a neurologically based condition in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway." How many people have are born with synesthesia? Wikipedia also says, "It is estimated that synesthesia could possible be as prevalent as 1 in 23 persons across its range of variants." In The Waiting Booth, Mia has multiple sensory overlap. She sees colors associated with sounds, voices, and people. In a kissing scene, she associates the experience with the taste of chocolate.
I've found lots of very scientific and analytical information about synesthesia, but some of the most interesting anecdotes come from YouTube. I found this video today and was very interested in the associations of this person. I laughed at the thought that Christian Slater is "cheesecake" and Hugh Jackman is "chocolate pudding." Watch the video to see the taste your favorite star is associated with for this synesthete.
Here are the instructions from Rachel Harrie for the challenge:Write a blog post in 300 words or less, excluding the title. The post can be in any format, whether flash fiction, non-fiction, humorous blog musings, poem, etc. The blog post should show:
that it’s morning,
that a man or a woman (or both) is at the beach
that the MC (main character) is bored
that something stinks behind where he/she is sitting
that something surprising happens.
Just for fun, see if you can involve all five senses AND include these random words: "synbatec," "wastopaneer," and "tacise." (NB. these words are completely made up and are not intended to have any meaning other than the one you give them).
Using one finger, I scoot the sunglasses down a centimeter and squint at the tanned figure on the skim board who blocks the morning sun. He smiles at me, and I guess his age at fourteen or fifteen. I shove the large, dark glasses back in place and look away.
"Mama, Mama, Mama." The voice drones in my ear like a mosquito. A dimpled hand pats my leg and leaves sand on my oily skin. Grinding my teeth, I remove the glasses in slow motion and take a deep breath.
"Are you a simpleton? I told you not to get sand on me."
"Not a synbatec," he says. "Tacise from me."
"No baby talk. I don't know what that means." I don't look at the annoyance in front of me. Instead, I look around to see if anyone under twenty and past puberty is on this beach. My parents definitely hate me.
I open my mouth and taste sand as a plastic shovel propels into my lap. The sunglasses slide down my nose. I fling myself out of the chair and begin brushing sand off my thighs. I scorch him with a glare and then close my eyes to count. One. Two. Three.
"Go play." I fall back into the chaise and use the towel on my legs in quick, sweeping motions. Leaning back with my eyes closed, I see myself without a kid. Without responsibilities. Before I ruined my life.
"Go potty," the voice whispers behind me. "I wastopaneer."
At the shoreline, I see a surfer carrying his board while he scans the ocean for waves. I straighten and the glasses slip down again.
Inhaling, I am assaulted by a fetid smell that makes me gag. I turn to see the brat squatting behind me with his trunks down.
It's Writer Wednesday on my blog, and I'm thrilled to welcome Mandi Casey with her debut release, Bizarre Life of Sydney Sedrick! Mandi is giving us a special peek into the novel.
Thanks to her new unwanted powers as the Selected, triggered by a rogue werewolf bite, Sydney Sedrick is dragged into a war of vampires and werewolves battling over total species domination. Whisk together the occasional bout of involuntarily vomiting on expensive Italian leather shoes, searing advances from the irresistible heir to the Midwestern Werewolf Pack, add a splash of local demons with political aspirations to take over the Legions of Hell, and you get the perfect recipe for the BIZARRE LIFE OF SYDNEY SEDRICK.
Werewolves, vampires, and demons try to use her as their pawn and are all willing to use any force necessary to gain control of her new special gifts to rise above the others and control the city. With only a journal left behind by her grandmother and Blake, the sexy werewolf who insists they are meant to be together, to help guide her through the dangerous political war of the supernatural societies. Sydney must accept and embrace her birth given destiny and join the battle against those who want to be the ones in complete control or lose everything and everyone she holds dear.
Earlier this month, I had a chance to stay a night at the world famous Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. This historic hotel is 125 years old and built at the top of a hill. It's a beautifully kept place with manicured lawns and great vistas. It's also home to some "otherwordly" beings. That's if you believe in ghosts.
If you ever visit, you must attend a ghost tour. This is where you get all the great stories that aren't posted on the website as well as seeing the album of photos taken by guests. I attended with ladies from my local writer's group, and my writer friend did indeed take photos sporting some busy orbs. The tour guide had a terrific collection of photos with ghosts.
My photos are nice, but I don't have orbs or any ghosts sneaking into the frames.
The tour began on the fourth floor, and we watched the antics of a sticky elevator before proceeding to the meeting room. There we watched the video that I am sharing with you (below) in this post. Next we followed the tour guide as she delivered numerous stories of former guests and their experiences. We learned about the crazy Dr. Norman Baker who operated a cancer hospital in the hotel in the Great Depression days and made millions. Although he was not an actual medical doctor, people flocked to him for the cure. To read more about this, click tovisit America's Most Haunted Hotel. I listened to the stories and started wondering if I'd be able to sleep that night. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the stories are very creepy. Some of the rooms are supposedly haunted, and there are regular ghosts who are known by name. Before the tour proceeded to the bowels (I meant to say basement), I dropped out of the tour. I couldn't force myself to continue on to what had served as the former morgue. Here is part of the video clip I watched with the rest of the group at the beginning of the tour. Yes, you may call me a wimp. Go ahead. Would you be able to visit the morgue?
Sammy Lorre was cast from Heaven for conduct unbecoming an angel. Living in a demon-infested small town with no memory of her previous life, she faces never-ending purgatory until Boon saunters into her life with a promise of angelic love. But is he an angel from Heaven or a minion from the underworld preying on her human emotions? To discover his true identity, she must risk eternal damnation and her heart. Length: 12,000 words, novella; Price: $1.99
I met Ciara Knight online when I joined some online writing groups. Her enthusiasm and genuine friendliness have always stood out to me. She's truly a jewel in the writing community. Okay, I'll quit gushing over her.
Ciara, let's start by talking about your writing and then move on to the personal questions! What's happened in your "writer's life" in the past six months? Ciara Knight (CK): The last six months have been an exciting time in my writing life. On April 1st, I signed my first contract for my YA paranormal, Rise from Darkness, with Turquoise Morning Press, followed by the rest of the series a couple of months later. Then in July, I signed a contract with Crescent Moon Press for my adult fantasy, The Curse of Gremdon.
What is your favorite part about being a writer and your least favorite? CK: I love to create new stories, to get lost in other worlds. I think my least favorite is the submission process. I’m sure every writer can relate to that. J
When did you decide to become a writer? Did any person or event influence your decision? CK: I’ve had a passion or storytelling since I was a young child. However, due to a language disorder it wasn’t an option. Back then, they believed everyone who had difficulty speaking was unable to learn. I was stuck in a portable behind the school for years. I didn’t mind, I had my imagination. Once I hit college I thrived, acing most of my classes. Still, I didn’t have the confidence to write a book. Sure, I’d written short stories and poems, but I thought it was a fluke. It wasn’t until one of my sons faced language difficulties himself, and I told him he could do anything that I realized there was no reason I couldn’t too, including writing my own stories. His strength and determination amaze and inspire me daily. That’s when my hubby gave me a laptop to start my first novel. I haven’t looked back since.
Tell me about your writing process. When and where do you write? CK: Before I face the dreaded blank screen, I let my imagination free. Once I have a clear idea, I’ll outline, then open a document, close my eyes, and type as it flows out. I don’t concern myself with the language issues, sentence structure, or punctuation. Don’t worry; no one ever sees that draft. J I tend to write at a coffee shop with earphones, or at home when the kids are at school. My favorite spot is my back deck during the fall.
If I were to award you with an all-expenses paid writing vacation, where would you like to go? It's just you and your laptop.... CK: Wow! I LOVE to travel. If it’s just me and my laptop, I’d love to go to the Canary Islands.
Please choose a favorite book from each of the following genres (feel free to say "none"): romance, science fiction, fantasy, and paranormal. CK: Romance: Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers Science Fiction: Ender’s Game Fantasy: Harry Potter Paranormal: No way I can choose only one. J
Let's pretend (or hope) that a famous author reads and loves one of your novels. He/She writes you a fan letter. Name the person who would thrill you the most. CK: J K Rowling
Are you a plotter, panster, or neither? CK: I used to be a panster. After two rewrites, I’m now a plotter. I go all the way to chapter goals, motivation, conflict, disaster. Not that I stick to the outline. ;)
Please tell us about "the call" or "the email" with a contract offer for your novel. CK: I received an email on April fool’s day for my first contract. As you can imagine, I sat there for a moment wondering if it were a joke. J
What are your writing plans for the next year? CK: I sold a couple of books on proposal. So first off, I’ll be finishing those books. J After that, I’m in the third draft of a YA dystopian I hope to finish and make shiny.
Now...let's find out more about you. Favorite song of all time- Come What May from the Moulin Rouge Soundtrack. It is my hubby and my song.
Favorite holiday- Christmas!!
Best movie you saw this year- Probably Harry Potter.
Tennis shoes or high heels- Love high heels, but my back doesn’t. J
Chocolate or vanilla- Dark Chocolate.
"I am sending an angel ahead of you to guide you along the way." - Exodus 23:20
CONTEST: Here's a fun gadget I found for having contests. It's called a Rafflecopter. All you have to do is choose how you'd like to enter! When you decide, click on the DO IT link and follow directions. Then click I DID THIS for an entry. That's it!
I'm guest blogging today at Gloria Richard's blog! She introduced me as a "serial web pimp" *cough, cough*. I'll be guesting in a series called Pimp My Web Presence.
PIMP BY BLOG PRESENCE – PART ONE
I recently met Gloria online through Sherry Isaac. Heck… I had just met Sherry, and she was already introducing me to someone else. That’s how we writers operate. We go above and beyond the normal person. (We’ve never claimed to be normal.) We go to ridiculous lengths because it’s all about paying it forward in the writing world.
Gloria has offered me the opportunity to guest on her blog with all kinds of fun advice on creating a web presence... CLICK HERE TO READ MORE AT GLORIA'S
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