Featherbrained Friday: Toilet Paper

Ready for another edition of Featherbrained Friday? Well, I have a humorous story for you, one that is very close to my home.

Jake twirls the football in the air over his head and catches it in his fourteen-year-old hands.

"Pass it here. Pass it here," cries CJ, Jake's little brother.

Jake hauls his arm backward, the ball in his grip, his shoulder tensing. CJ's eyes widen and he crouches. A smile lifts his tiny cheeks.

Thrusting his arm forward, Jake throws the football. CJ raises his lanky arms, fingers long and stretching towards the ceiling. Big sister Kate cups her hands around her mouth, giving the whoosh of their make believe crowd life.

The ball spirals and flies over the coffee table. CJ reaches a bit more. A small moan vibrates up his throat. Tiny lines crease his forehead. Then the ball thuds him in the chest, knocking the wind out of him.

"Nice one, moron," Kate says to Jake as she ambles over to CJ to give him a comforting hug.

Jake chuckles. "It's not my fault he missed."

"He's seven." Kate beams the ball at Jake's face. He dodges its path and sticks out his tongue.

"Real mature."

CJ pinches his nose between his fingers, as Kate walks out of the living room. "Hey, who cut one?"

"If you smelt it then you dealt it." Jake bends over to pick up the ball.

"I did not," CJ screams. "You're always blaming me for stuff!"

"Augh,"--Jake points at the ball on the carpet--"maybe you didn't do it, little bro."

CJ leans forward. "Ooh, the dog pooped in the house. Mom's goin'a be mad."

"Yeah," Jake answers. "So why don't you make like a good little brother. Get some toilet paper and get rid of it. We can finish playing pass outside." Jake jogs toward the mudroom.

"'K," little CJ says, really excited to play football with his big brother outside.

#

An hour later, Mom and Dad arrive home from an open house at the local high school. Dad shuts the driver's side door to his car, as Mom leans by his side.

"You want to guess who did that?" Mom asks. They both laugh.

"Hey, since when do the trees need toilet paper?" Dad nonchalantly asks.

...toilet paper & doggy @#$% dangling from the hedges in the yard...

NICE. The neighbors just love us. Got to love the care of an older sibling.

Have a fabulous weekend, Alleywalkers!!

I've Been Keeping Something From You...

My personal writing road has seen it's fair share of hurdles, potholes, and ditches lately. Each time I take a step forward, something pushes me backward. I finally finished that total rewrite of Marked Beauty, went through all my beta reads (which were awesome), and polished a bit more. In between, I took my hiatus this summer from blogging and spent the rest of my time with my four kids and the hubby. I did, however, attend WriteOnCon. My goal was to explore my picture book fetish a bit and hobnob with other PB writers. That in itself was very informative--a great experience. But something else happened. 

I noticed the call for writers to post the first 250 words of their YA novel. That's not what I was there for but I figured What the heck? So I posted. And an agent noticed. She requested everything I had--query, synopsis, and the full manuscript. Needless to say, I was surprised. I visited her agencies website. They seemed fabulous, but my gut told me she wouldn't be for me. Her agency represented mostly spiritual stories aka the cancer suffering teen, etc... MB is about another realm within our own filled with supernatural creatures that are not so heavenly. But she asked, so I was sending.


My gut was right, but that was okay. She loved what I sent (actually read the entire manuscript) and seemed to believe I'd have no trouble finding representation or a publisher. She actually told me that. So I started querying--just two weeks ago. I have a full and a partial out, and one refusal (said it just wasn't her type of story). But I've heard absolutely nothing from the other nine queries I sent. 


Though I thought I'd be all cool about this, I'm not. Waiting has completely stifled my creativity. And with all this, I'm taking an online writing class. Last week, Dianne and Marcy posted my first page in their First Impressions segment. I received awesome suggestions on how to improve the piece. It was a positive experience and I felt really good about where it was going. Then I subbed the first paragraph from that same first page to my writing instructor. Let's just say she didn't have much good to say about it. That did it. I was crushed. Haven't written a thing since.

But then, as always seems to happen in my writing life, another writer came along and said the exact words I needed to hear. Susan Kaye Quinn gave me a new lesson in the lies we writers tell ourselves, how we beat ourselves down when all we should be doing is just keep writing. Dianne, my first connection on Twitter, sent me a private email with amazing encouragement and advice. 

And then I visited my friend Jen Daiker, and read her heartfelt words about her recent querying bout. I think she and I are lofting in the same pothole, except she's decided to drag herself out and start a new blog--if she can't find inspiration out there, why not find it within herself. For even more inspiration, Christina Lee reminded me to whisper my goals and let them take flight on the breeze of nature, always keeping in mind that there's room at the publishing table for me. Of course there's my Oasis Sisters, too. Heart them!

Lastly, Elana Johnson asked What skin I was wearing? Yeah, that rang a bell. I'm the mother of four and wife to one, and wear almost every hat imaginable. At that moment, I remembered my chunky bracelet with a heart dangling off one of the links. I also gave one to my daughter. Years ago, I had both engraved with the same words: To Thine Own Self Be True. Nothing more. Nothing less. I really CAN do anything. It's time for me to be true to myself again.

This is for those writer friends I've mentioned and
for all of you who visit and share yourself with me!!

So writer, if you can't find motivation next to you, surf cyber space. Inspiring advice, perseverance, and endurance is waiting for you...not to mention a cyber ((hug)).


Tuesday was another edition of WS4U! Progress Report. It's a great exercise in both support and accountability. Please take a moment to show support to some of our members, also writing posts today. You never know the similarities you might find to your own writing road to publication and beyond.

http://jc-martin.com/fighterwriter/

http://waibelworld.blogspot.com

http://NicoleZoltack.blogspot.com

http://susanfieldswriter.blogspot.com

http://skmayhew.blogspot.com/p/tuesday-wip-status.html

http://margoberendsen.blogspot.com

http://www.sherryauger.blogspot.com

 http://www.susanoloier.blogspot.com--in/ 

Middle Grade Spotlight: Middle School - The WORST Years of My Life

Title: Middle School: The WORST Years of My Life
Author: James Patterson
Genre: Fiction/General
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Released: 2011
Pages: 288


Description: Rafe Khatchadorian has enough problems at home without throwing his first year of middle school into the mix. Luckily, he's got an ace plan for the best year ever, if only he can pull it off: With his best friend Leonardo the Silent awarding him points, Rafe tries to break every rule in his school's oppressive Code of Conduct. Chewing gum in class-5,000 points! Running in the hallway-10,000 points! Pulling the fire alarm-50,000 points! But when Rafe's game starts to catch up with him, he'll have to decide if winning is all that matters, or if he's finally ready to face the rules, bullies, and truths he's been avoiding.

NIGHTSTAND WORTHY +1

My Splats: James Patterson takes the reader on a fun-loving yet intriguing look into those awkward tween years, following Rafe--an incoming 6th grader as he ponders right from wrong and his deepest inner feelings, and how to survive middle school.

Rafe's voice is genuine tween with a splice of unique maturity. Initially, he has what appears to be an imaginary friend, who guides his decisions, attitudes, and actions. In reality, we learn at the end that his imagination is far more moving than a simple imaginary friend. He's a gifted artist, who seems lost to find his own identity. What MGer hasn't gone through that plight???

One of my favorite features of the book is that Rafe has a sweet compassion for his mother, which I found refreshing in a world of teen/tween literature, where for the most part, parents are portrayed as snobbish, into themselves, complacent, or virtually invisible. Rafe's affection for his mom transforms him to see certain aspects of his life differently, more deeply than he normally would have. He's moved to deal--note: I didn't use accept--with her new relationship and his younger sister's mettlesome ways. Though his self-appointed goal of breaking every rule in the student handbook is a tad misguided, it does have its perks and teaches him a few things about taking ownership for one's life and responsibility for one's actions. But you'll have to read his story to discover the specifics.   


Do you have a favorite MG story? What was about it that you related to??

Book Spotlight ~ HAUNTED & Signed Giveaway!!

Title: Haunted
Author: Joy Preble
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Pages: 290

I want to thank Sourcebooks for providing me with a copy to review.

Description: Anne Michaelson is trying to forget everything that happened last year. But it's hard to do when her heart aches for Ethan and there's a wild-haired woman stalking her...
Ethan Kosinsky is embracing his newfound mortality. But something is drawing him back to the girl he left behind-back to Anne and back to the magic...


A mysterious stranger is hunting Anne wherever she goes. No one sees her but Anne. When she searches for the woman's identity, Anne exposes secrets about her own life- things that will change her life forever. And when the gorgeous Ethan returns, her life gets a lot more complicated.
Anne thought her journey with the Romanov family had ended, but it was just the beginning...

Favorite Line or Passage: The story pours from her--not all at once--but in waves. She sips the tea, although she tells me she doesn't want it, and later, she eats the sandwich I make her, even thought she protests she isn't hungry. I butter thickly sliced bread, add tomatoes and salt. She pulls off small bites with her fingers, eats as she continues to pace, coming back to the table now and then until she's finished it all.

The reason I like this passage so much is the details Preble includes and how they relate to the narrator--which happens to be Ethan, the male main character.

NIGHTSTAND WORTHY

My Splats: HAUNTED is a beautiful story of self acceptance and honor, believing in what is good despite what is seen.

I'm a sucker for multiple POV tales, especially fantasies with a creepy edge. Just as in DREAMING ANASTASIA (my Book Spotlight HERE), the first book in this trilogy, HAUNTED follows more than one narrator: Anne--the girl with an unearthly connection to a girl trapped from book I, Ethan--the boy destined to find Anne, and Baba Yaga--the witch, who's entrapped the girl Anne dreamed about.


The journey begins with both main characters living separate lives, still dealing with the past they've shared while continuing to long for each other. And it doesn't take long for the paranormal to intrude in Anne's life again or for Ethan to show up.


Readers will enjoy a slanted take on otherworldly elements used to move the story forward and expand on Anne's character. Although those elements stretch the reader's mind toward the mythical and things hidden to most, the story also explores the human side to Anne and Ethan's struggles. 


Anne longs to understand her mother, build a solid and trusting relationship. The tale slowly unveils the beauty and strength of mother-daughter bonds, until it culminates with a powerful friendship and ending that I won't reveal here. Anne grows stronger with every flip of the page, and in the end is willing to sacrifice whatever it takes for what is good and right--even if that means giving up a piece of herself she may never get back. 

And NOW, the WINNER of the SIGNED copy of HAUNTED chosen by Random.org is: LEIGH MOORE!! Congrats, Leigh, and thank you to everyone who entered to support Joy!!

A Sci Fi Pride & Prejudice Book Giveaway!!

Most of you know about my huge and probably sick fetish with Pride & Prejudice. Yeah, I'm a P&P stalker. So what would you think of good'ole Mr. Darcy and prudish Lizzy in outerspace??

Please give a warm welcome to Author Enid Wilson. I'll let her take over and share her thoughts with you.

Thank you, Sheri, lovely shopkeeper at Writers' Ally and dear followers. I’m delighted to stop by and talk about my latest novel, Every Savage Can Reproduce, Pride and Prejudice-inspired Science Fiction. Since we have a few ladies around, I think it’s good for me to talk about female villains.

I can hear you protest, “But we are all very nice and kind.” I know. I know. Unfortunately I’ve met a few evil women, not in real life, but in my creative world. Here is an excerpt from the novel:

“So you had nothing to do with my disappearance to Hartfield?” Sir Lewis asked.

Hatred radiated from the Queen Catherine de Bourgh’s eyes. “I would have done it myself, if I wasn't such a stickler to a sense of proprietary. I had nothing to do with your disappearance.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“I don’t care whether you believe me or not. You’re just a pathetic man, living in the past with the image of my oh so lovely sister Anne.”

“Stop bad-mouthing my sweetie!” Sir Lewis insisted, raising his voice.

“Why should I? Your sweetie was the poison in our relationship. We had three in that marriage.”

“You are the man-eater. You destroyed our marriage with your countless affairs, very early on. I tried to love, honour and respect you, at the very beginning. But how can I give my heart to someone who sleeps with any willing man who crosses her path? When I saw how happy Anne and George Darcy were, how could I not feel miserable over my own stupidity?”

“You only married me because you couldn’t have my sister. Despite all of your power in the Planet as the Director of the Genesis Department, Special Envoy to the Galaxy United Commission, the noblest heritage on Earth, with thousands years of history behind you, you couldn’t compete with George Darcy, a mere farmer!”

Sir Lewis gripped the arms of the chair, almost cracking them. But he breathed deeply, in and out, before he spoke again. “And why did you marry me, if you thought I was such a feeble person?”

“You truly want to know? Well, why not. I didn’t want my sister to have all the money and power in the world. She always got more attention from my parents, as a child, because she had this tiny bit of asthma. I’m convinced that it wasn't serious at all. It was just her tactic for keeping me away from my parents. And when she grew older and healthier, she attracted all the boys because she looked so vulnerable. Men are all stupid. They were duped by her, and they fell at her feet. Why couldn’t they appreciate a strong woman like me? One with goals and drive? I couldn’t allow her to marry, prosper and gloat for long. And I rejoiced in her early death.”

In the original Pride and Prejudice, readers don’t know about the nature of the relationship between Mr. Darcy’s mother and his aunt Lady Catherine de Bourgh. We only know that Lady Catherine wanted to get Darcy to marry her sickly daughter and tried to intimidate Elizabeth Bennet. In this variation of the classic, I’ve painted Lady Catherine with a twisted mind, full of hatred for her sister and ruled Planet Earth with iron fists.

Who is your “favourite” female villain, in books or movies? Comment below to have a chance to win a pdf version of Every Savage Can Reproduce and a souvenir from Australia. The contest ends 30 Sept 2011 and is open to worldwide readers.

In the futuristic society on Planet Earth, Elizabeth Bennet is accused of luring Fitzwilliam Darcy to an illegal establishment, which leads to their exile deep in the centre of a rebel planet. The subsequent galactic war exposes dark secrets regarding the autocratic Queen Immortal. Will Elizabeth and Darcy discover their love for one another and find their way back to Earth?

Set in the 39th Century, this novel is a tale of Pride and Prejudice-inspired science fiction, where Jane Austen’s characters take on new lives but still face the barrier of class distinction and seek to overcome their faults, as in the original classic.

For more information, please visit me at www.enidwilson.com

Happy commenting!

Worst Movies Ev'ah Blogfest!!

As I've stated in the past, I'm a blogger who tends to shy away from blogfests. But every-so-often, I'll come across one that I just have to partake in. So this post must be credited to the genius that is Alex Cavanaugh and his gathering of the Worst Movies Ever!!

My stab at this list will incorporate reasons the movie didn't work, in my opinion, and how writers can utilize these lessons to improve their writing.

1. Showgirls - Question: was there even a plot??
Writers - Make sure you have a plot.

2. Year One - I'm all for a laugh, or two, or three. But you have to actually be funny.
Writers - If you plan on using humor throughout a storyline or to develop a character, please be funny.

3. The American - this story went on and on and on about absolutely nothing. I just didn't get it. He's making a gun. Who gives a rat's ars! What else do you have?
Writers - Have a point.

4. Max Payne - everything seemed to take forever in this film. I think I nodded off, too.
Writers - Pace is very important. If you slow the pace down, have a vital reason.

5. White Chicks - I just couldn't get past the makeup!! Sorry. I didn't seem plausible to me.
Writers - if you have an idea that is unique but a bit out there, make sure you can make it work before wasting your time writing it. IMHO, an idea--no matter how farfetched--can be made to work with enough thought, preparation, and care.

6. The Happening - flat and pointless, almost generic.
Writers - If you want to take an old, bland idea and write about it, toss in something new to spice it up or it will fall flat.

7. April Fool's Day ('80s) - At the end of the movie, the viewers realize it's all been a joke.
Writers - Know that you have an intelligent audience. Don't treat them like idiots. 

8. Garbage Pail Kids - Yeah, some movies just should never have been made.
Writers - Think if it's a story worth telling.

9. Vanilla Ice/Cool as Ice - Can you say lame characters? (Along with plot, theme, scenes, etc...)
Writers - The success to a great story is characters who are developed deeply and in an interesting way.

10. Couples Retreat - Now this one is a bit more personal. Being the parents of four children lends my hubby and me little time to ourselves. This movie gave me hope--a lingering Ahh... of expectation and led me to believe that the story-line(s) would relate to me and my life. A good laugh... It failed.
Writers - if you write a killer blurb for your book and market the @#%^& out of it, making promises of awesomeness, then you'd better come through.

So there you have my summary. For more Worst Movies featured today, go HERE!! I'm sure you'll recognize a few.

Featherbrained Friday!!

I decided that it was time to dip into my silly side, show you that I can be the life of the party. It's been long enough--almost a year and a half of blogging our courtship. So I've come up with a new regular post, where I'll highlight anything silly, outrageous, or just plain stupid that I come across~~yes, probably exposing my deep, dark, family secrets; but it's all in fun, right? Might find some silly in my town, on television, or floating within the blogosphere--can't imagine that one. ;D

I'm sure most of you guys won't give two chips about this, but ladies...really?

I wonder how many cotton balls it takes to fill up this suit?

Close your eyes....

I warned you....

(How stupid!)

And for my favorite one....

QUICK!! Someone run and get a True Blood vampire!

Looks like bambis' going to need some!

(Note to store clerks: change the display when you change the movie!!)

Any featherbrained events happen in your neck of the woods this week? Observe something really foolish? Share!!

Graffiti Wall Explores Social Media & the Dreaming Anastasia Trilogy

As promised, Young Adult Author Joy Preble is back to chat with us about social media, the first two books in the Dreaming Anastasia trilogy, and to answer a signature Graffiti Wall question. You can find yesterday's discussion HERE.

Welcome back, Joy! 

Are you a social media fan? (heee….) How do you feel a writer, either pre-published or already published, can use social media to their advantage?

For me social media is a tool to promote, chat about the industry and topics like books and literacy, and to communicate with my readers. I think for most writers it is crucial to have a web presence and in some cases a well-defined platform. I know for a fact that publishers look at this before taking on a debut author. It is not a deal-breaker, but it does help. I happen to like blogging because I began my writing career in non-fiction, doing a lot of personal essays for the Houston Chronicle. So it comes naturally to me. Facebook and Twitter took more adjustment for me. It’s tricky sometimes to make those distinctions between Joy the public persona writer and Joy the private person. This is why many authors have two FB pages – a fan page and a personal page for just their actual friends. Sometimes I actually have had to remind my long time friends that what I say on line is being read by fans and readers. And sometimes, my Tweets are pretty lame. “Just bought avocado. Time for guacamole.”

Inspiration for writing Dreaming Anastasia?

The Dreaming Anastasia series began with Anne. I was at school grading papers late one afternoon and it was raining too hard to leave, and I wanted to bring something new to my critique group that night. At that time there was a history teacher/coach across the hall from me who had a very loud voice and was, well, pretty boring and not exactly creative. Each day during my conference period, if my door was open, I’d listen to him blab on and on about history in a dull monotone and much of the time he didn’t seem to know his subject very well. So I guess in the back of my mind, I was always thinking about how horrible it would be if I was a student in his class. So that afternoon, I wrote two pages from the POV of a girl I didn’t even have a name for but who was indeed stuck in this class. She was funny and snarky and smarter than her teacher and wishing that something extraordinary would happen in her life. And later that week, I wrote some more and realized she was Anne and that I was about to combine her with my other loves – fantasy stories, Russian history, and family drama. Plus a handsome hottie. Somehow, the series developed out of that.

What’s your method for story development? Did you map out Haunted, the next book in the series which was released 2/1/11, as you were writing Dreaming Anastasia or did you wait until you knew the first segment of the story would sell?

Initially when I start a book, I write about fifty pages or so to get to know the characters and story line. At that point, I do some outlining. For me this usually includes both a bullet point outline and some pages – generally single spaced – of general musings and ideas and explanations. This is where I will spend a couple of pages letting a character like Viktor ramble on about what he really wants, what his secrets are, etc. Not all of this finds its way directly into the novel, but it informs what happens to the characters. As for the series arc, I did know from the beginning that this story was going to take and Anne and Ethan on a journey that would last more than one book. And I wrote about fifty pages of Haunted immediately upon finishing Dreaming Anastasia. But DA sold as a stand alone. So it wasn’t until Sourcebooks asked for more that I actually moved forward. 

Signature Graffiti Wall question: You’re in a grocery store line with books on one side and magazines on the other. What book do you choose? What magazine?

Depending on my mood – a fantasy or a romance. Magazine: if I’m about to fly, I’ll take US Weekly  - a magazine that requires even less of my brain than People. I don’t want to read the article about Tori Spelling’s new Mommywood reality show. I just want to look at the pictures and wallow pleasantly.

Haha...I hear you there.

One piece of advice for writers on their road to publication.

Write, write, write. And read, read, read! If you want to write a romance, you need to read 100 romances. If you want to write a picture book, you need to read hundreds of picture books. Keep up with the industry. Join a critique group. Learn. Get a mentor or twelve. Be willing to be collaborative. But mostly, believe in yourself. Do not give up on your dream.

Thank you, Joy!! (and Kay, Sourcebook Publicist!) Once again, feel free to connect with Joy via cyberspace: Website, Blog, YA Blog, Twitter, Facebook. 

AND now, for a chance to win a SIGNED copy of book II in her trilogy - HAUNTED - fill out the form below! You must be a follower to enter. Giveaway is open until September 22nd. Winner announced on the 23rd!! Good luck and spread the word!

Hearts ~

Graffiti Wall: Author Joy Preble

The Graffiti Wall is back!! And today, we have an amazing guest. She's a wife, mother, English teacher, and lover of all that makes breakfast yummy. As a child and teen, she didn't just read books but consumed them--a storyteller at heart. And she answered my questions with such awesome depth, this post is only Part I of her interview. I felt it necessary to share all her wisdom with you. Please give her a warm Alleyway welcome.

Joy Preble, Author of Dreaming Anastasia trilogy

Hi, Joy! *cyber wave* Let's begin with any advice you'd like to share on how parents/teachers/schools can promote and nurture young readers?

If you’re a parent, read to your kids. Read every day. Fill your house with books. If you’re a teacher – talk about books with your students. Have your own lending library. Make books easily available. Be widely read yourself. Same for librarians – read widely. I know school librarians who don’t read much YA lit. I think that’s a disservice to their clientele. All that said, I do think you can’t force people to read if they don’t want to. But the reading aloud and the exposure to books will expose them to a world of thoughts and ideas that will help them grow in ways they wouldn’t without it.

A lending library - genius! 

What did you find most appealing about your favorite childhood, MG, or teen stories, and how can you and other writers apply those elements to our stories and character development?

Questions like this are always hard for people who read a lot! I have so many favorites, so many books that inspired me/affected me/ taught me something about how to tell a story. In terms of fantasy, the book Half Magic by Edgar Eager is one that sticks out. I don’t know if a lot of people know this book – but I loved it and it’s still on my book shelf. Independent kids meet magic talisman meet adventures… it’s a solid blueprint for how to craft a memorable tale of magic.

Whose advice do you seek most?

My agent, Jen Rofe – who is wise and wonderful and a lot of fun. She knows when to counsel, when to kick my butt, and when to let me stew and figure it out myself. A rare talent, that Jen.

What are the three most important lessons you’ve learned about yourself during your road to publication? And since then? 

• I am far more competitive and resilient than I thought I was. 
• I should have done this sooner but I was afraid of failing at it. 
• Good writing comes from a place of personal honesty. Always. 

Writers - wisdom to take to heart...

I

Post publication, my biggest lessons and struggles have been with balance. Publishing books is like having children –  in many ways your job is there for the rest of your life! And if you want to build a career, then you have to keep moving forward. So I think most writers struggle some with balancing the writing of new books, editing of ones about to come out, keeping up with publicity and appearances and on line stuff and still living life fully enough to ‘fill the well’ with experiences and observations to inspire the storytelling. Add in family, friends, and a day job and you’ve got a pretty packed schedule. I’ve had to learn to take things one day at a time, one project at a time.

How have you found writing different since being published?

Once you’re published, it occurs to you very quickly that writing is a job. It’s a job you wanted very badly, but a job nonetheless. Deadlines are a lot quicker. Most of us took years to write our first book. Then you sell the sequel and it’s like, okay, we want it in six months. Maybe less. And there is certainly an expectation – as there should be! – that you will continue to grow in the craft, write better and better books. (there are exceptions to this of course. Their names are JK Rowling, Stephenie Meyer, and Harper Lee, who wrote To Kill a Mockingbird. I have no idea how any of these women could ever surpass their iconic works. JD Salinger fits here, too.) So yes, writing is different now. But I still love it.

I told you, Alleywalkers, that Joy is brimming with information about how we can better tap into our inner writer. Feel free to connect with Joy via cyberspace: Website, Blog, YA Blog, Twitter, Facebook. 

Please stay tuned tomorrow for the conclusion of her interview, where she chats about social media, the first two books in the Dreaming Anastasia trilogy, and answers a time-old Graffiti Wall signature question! 

Oh, and she's giving away a SIGNED copy of book II in her trilogy - HAUNTED!! So come back to enter and spread the word!

Hearts ~

First Impressions: Page One

Not sure if you've heard what my good writer friends Dianne and Marcy are up to these days. They've joined forces, offering a critique of first pages a few times each month. Well, seeing how I finally starting writing my YA paranormal fantasy ~ GYPSY DOLLS: Carnival of Souls, I offered to be their guinea pig today! I'd love it if you'd head over to Dianne's Blog and/or Marcy's Blog and give me a shout-out. Your opinion is important to me. But before you do, here's my one-line pitch & blurb for the story:

One line pitch:

A wannabe witch knows nothing about gypsies or demons, until her sticky fingers lead her beyond a stint at Juvenile Hall and into a dark realm divided by two brothers.

Query:

A brutal home break-in leaves Jacquie Evans' mother partially-comatose, her father presumed dead, and this ex-juvenile hall resident needing someone to blame.

She starts working at the witchy Magick and Tattoo Parlor, suspiciously linked to evidence found at the crime scene otherwise known as Jacquie’s home. Snooping through amulets, Wisdom Cards, body paints and fabrics triggers memories of a time when her father took her there. What she doesn’t expect to find is the interest of Mick Lunt, reserved artist at the shop who specializes in demon art, envied master gamer, and hunky eye-candy to every girl in town.

Girls begin to disappear as Jacquie uncovers secrets about the crime and the town’s gypsy past.  Her snooping exposes her to a threat who’s been watching her---Mick’s younger brother and necromancer, Aiden who happens to be dead. Each time Mick shields Jacquie from Aiden, she peels away his protective layers to find more than her reticent savior—Mick's a rebel death dealer who carried out Lucifer’s sentence against his brother’s soul. Angered by Mick’s lies, Jacquie turns to Aiden for answers about her parents’ attack and becomes the mortal pawn between the two brothers. Both have developed a sweet and dangerous taste for her. And with Hell at her doorstep, her choices could cost Jacquie more than her soul. It could kill her mother.

GYPSY DOLLS: Carnival of Souls is a 75,000 word YA paranormal fantasy with World of Warcraft necromancers, x-Box-playing death dealers, mystical cumulus drops, and family ties that will blur the lines of Heaven and Hell.

Hope to see you over at Dianne and Marcy's blogs. Can't wait to hear what you think! Thanks for any and all suggestions.

~Hearts~

Sheri

First Crusader Challenge: Shadows

This is the week to participate in Rachel Writes 1st Campaign Challenge for her 3rd Crusade. Our challenge is to write a piece of flash fiction in 200 words or less, staring with a designated phrase. She also supplied us with an ending phrase if we'd like to use. And to challenge us even further, she's given us the option of coming in at EXACTLY 200 words, which I have. I hope you enjoy my little piece of flash fiction.

A Shadow's Touch

The door swings open, the scent of woodsy musk filling the air. I curl up on my bed and relax in the warmth of his white dress shirt. A groan vibrates up my throat, as my body sinks deeper into the curves of my mattress. I twist the ribbing of the shirt between my fingers. The cotton patters softly against my bare stomach. My heart pounds, the familiar presence inching nearer. Butterfly kisses caress my toes then slink up my calves, my thighs. My chest rides the wave of each sweet touch. I can almost feel the waning of his loving exhales steaming my neck and hear his whisper ‘You’re mine.’ I always loved that. Every ounce of me tingles. I’m hungry, never wanting this to end. Life is so unfair. Tears teeter on my lower eyelids. I close my eyes. Droplets mist my skin, a memory caressing my thoughts. Not that memory. No, no, no…I should rollover, ram my face into my mattress, give into reality and pretend he’s not here.

But he is. In my heart, in his butterfly touches…forever.  

The door swings shut, leaving me hugged in his shirt—the one he wore the night he died.

Thanks for reading!

It's always fun to stretch our writing skills!! See other writers who decided to do the same ~ HERE.

Labor of Love ~ The Life of a Writer

Today the Graffiti Wall was supposed to reopen, highlighting a fabulous author; however, I decided to hold off a week, because of Labor Day.

Labor ~ according to Dictionary.com is productive activity, especially for financial gain; physical or mental work, especially of a hard or fatiguing kind. A job or task done or to be done. And here's a few synonyms: chore, daily grind, job, strain, stress, struggle, sweat, and toil.


No wonder every-so-often writers go through slumps, wondering if their efforts are worth it. We've been programmed to see labor in a negative light. Now I'm not sure about you, but I didn't start writing for financial gain or as a chore. Writing is definitely mental work and sometimes it's hard and stressful, even fatiguing. And I do consider it my job, but is writing a task in the sense that it's a struggle of sweat and toil? That sounds rather unpleasant to me. If it is to you, you might want to reconsider your view of work & labor.

Here's my definition of Labor ~ an act, driven by a deeper desire to explore and give of oneself, to grow and expand the mind and body; to mature and see all life has to offer through new eyes. (Can you tell I've given birth 4 times?)

Labor Day is a day to celebrate the act of work. When did work gain such a negative connotation or receive grimaces and sighs? Work is good for us, pushes and challenges us, makes us grow and stretch beyond our preconceived means.

The same theology that I share with my kids, who play ice hockey, applies here. I tell them "When you've skated all you think you have, when you're racing for the puck and think there's no more in you yet keep striving forward....that's when you grow--the true labor of work. The gift of becoming who you are meant to be."   


There are ups and downs in this writing business, just as in all aspects of life. Embrace each, take from it what your personal journey needs, and toss the rest. Writers labor very hard. And the true gold at the end of each writer's rainbow is being able to look back and see where you've been and where you are now. There is power in that knowledge and future growth in that power.

Happy Writerly Labor Day!!

My Take on Back-2-School Writing

Where I live, newly-incoming high school freshman and junior high sixth graders, along with the elementary kids officially begin their school year one day before the rest of the students. So that put my family in a funky position--child #2 (an incoming freshman) and my 2nd grader attended school yesterday, leaving my senior and 7th grader starting today. Topping it all off, Hurricane Irene pushed them back an extra day.


Regardless...
...can you hear the quiet at my house? Ahh...

In honor of all this quiet, I put together a silly writers' list of "ables" and "not-so-ables"--how I'll utilize my time.

On the first Back To School day, I'll finally be able to: turn my computer on without hearing "Mom, he hit me! Mom, she ate all the cereal. Mom, Mom, Mom..."

On the second Back To School day, I'll finally be able to: drink my coffee warm without microwaving it 8 million times.

On the third Back To School day, I'll come back to reality: turn the computer off and fill out all the ($%^&@#$%) paper work the school insists on sending home, despite living in the digital age. (Save a tree, already.)

On the fourth Back To School day, I'll have no choice but to: rest my aching hands from filling out those forms on day three.

On the fifth Back To School day, I'll finally be able to: peek at my outline for my YA story, then rush to the athletic meetings for Fall sports--the ones, because I have four kids, I've already attended in the past 10x!

On the sixth Back To School day, I'll finally be able to: W--R--I--I--I--T--E. *pom-pom cheers 4 me*

On the seventh Back To School day, I'll be forced to: trudge through the elementary, junior high, and high school, attending yet my umpteenth OPEN HOUSE!


On the eighth Back To School day, I'll be forced to: pick up kids at three different schools, attend a X-country meet and girls' soccer practice, and explain (again) to my 2nd grader why he can't play Xbox in school.

On the ninth Back To School day, I'll finally break: and decide to write a letter to the editor of our local newspaper stating:  ***There should be a reprieve from paper work and lame meeting attendance for parents with multiple children.***


On the tenth Back To School day, I'll finally be able to: see hope and gain my bearings.

On the eleventh Back To School day, I'll finally be able to: begin to adjust, seeing my writing time renewed. Characters will inspire me, new scenes will flood my brain. I'll crack my knuckles and exhale.

And on the twentieth Back To School day, I'll be able to say: "A new school year for them and a new writing season for me. And this is my year!"


What about you? Can you see the light through all the fallen trees that block your writing road?