Nicki Elson's Not-So-Deep Thoughts

A continuation of my contribution to the Outside My Box Blog Hop at Tessa's Blurb (You have until Dec 5 to join!) Link to Part One Link to Part Two An Icky Valentine's Day Part Three Danny was hauled off to the principal's office, and ten minutes later they came for Icky.  She stepped into the principal’s office just as he finished saying, “…one more infraction of the rules and there will be serious consequences, Mr. Eldridge.”  He looked up and saw Icky walking in.  “Good afternoon, Miss Karp.  Mr. Eldridge has something he’d like to say to you.”             Danny looked up from his hands, his face was flushed, and mumbled, “I’m sorry that I flattened you on the equipment and invaded your personal space.”             “Ahem,” the principal prodded.             “It won’t happen again,”...

It had been over a decade since I'd set foot on the campus of Eastern Illinois University . I'd been excited about the trip, but I hadn't realized how good it would feel to be back there.  I spent less than ten percent of my earthly existence there, but somehow EIU still feels like home.   We re-visited several "scenes" from Three Daves , and I wonder---how is it that when I'm so forgetful in my everyday life (seriously, where are my car keys?), I'd somehow recalled all of those places in such vivid detail when recreating them in the story?  They were exactly as I'd remembered, right down to the loud and truly horrible punk band in the warehouse-like setting. It was awesome. :)   Get the <a href="http://www.widgetbox.com/i/43582e88-0a4b-4a76-9a5a-d7de68c5b5aa"&am...

Just in time for Halloween, tomorrow is the release of paranormal romance, Whisper of Light , second in The Light Series by Jennifer DeLucy.  One of the best perks of being a Developmental Editor is that I get to read great stories like this before they are released. Here's a peek at the back cover blurb (it's all true): Jennifer DeLucy again plunges us into the world of lingering spirits, dark apparitions, and malicious vampires. But this time she takes us to the California coast where we get to know a new ensemble of gifted souls that are just as vibrant and endearing as the Sentients we came to love in Seers of Light .  In Whisper of Light , DeLucy delivers exciting supernatural encounters as well as very human interactions that will both break your heart and make it soar.    Jennifer graciously indulged me by answering questions about some of my favorite aspects of the book: 1. While staying consistent with the themes set forth in Seers of Light ,...

I've added a new feature on my sidebar where I list upcoming book signings for any of my 100 gorgeous Blogger followers.  So please tell me if you have a signing event scheduled and I'll add the date to my list with a link to your blog or website!  Lisa Sanchez has one tomorrow in Tracy, CA.  Have fun, Lisa!       That's right, you heard me---I have 100 Blogger followers AND 100 Facebook followers! (Thanks Mia and George for getting me there.) Only two more to go on Twitter before I unleash my Trifecta Contest. I had a signing event of my own over the weekend; I'll get pictures loaded and ready to share with you on Wednesday.  And...Meet an Author Monday is here once again.  Please stop by and visit any of the lovely authors below to see what wisdom they can impart upon your day.  And don't miss my upcoming interview with Jennifer DeLucy about her brand spanking new novel, Whisper of Light to be released tomorrow! If you ar...

A continuation of my contribution to Outside My Box Blogontest at Tessa's Blurb. Read Part One An Icky Valentine's Day Part Two The bus pulled up and soon all the students were sitting in the classroom, listening to their teachers.              “There are actually three Saint Valentines, all of whom are said to have been martyred on February 14,” Icky’s teacher informed the class.              Icky’s hand shot in the air.  Her teacher pressed her lips together and seemed to take a calming inhale before forcing out a stiff, “Yes, Isadora?”             “Did any of them die from poisoning?” Icky asked flatly.      The teacher raised her eyebrows in slight surprise.  The question was certainly odd, but not nearly as odd as some of the things Icky came up with.  “Hm, that’s ...

As I'm sure has become painfully obvious, I'm learning as I go on this whole promotion business, and it seems I'm always saying, "Dang, I wish I would've known that!" Then it occurred to me...maybe I'm not the only one who didn't know that...perhaps I should share my newfound wisdom.  So  here I am with my most recently acquired tidbit.  It's quite possible that I'm the very last person on Earth to learn this, but have you heard of the " Book Rate " at the U.S. Post Office (maybe in other countries too)?  It's this amazing thing where you say to your postal clerk "Send this at the book rate," and the postage is magically MUCH less!  For the last seven months I've been paying $5+ a pop to send out copies of Three Daves to contest winners, friends, and book reviewers, but today I walked in, said the magic words, and *poof* $2.38!  Two dollars and thirty-eight cents!!!  Less than half the cost!  *Inhale* *Exhale* N...

    Congratulations Alex J. Cavanaugh ! Today is the release of his debut novel, CassaStar , a Sci-Fi space opera adventure.  I'm rather eclectic in my reading tastes and haven't had nearly enough exposure to ths genre, so I'm looking forward to it.  Plus, this Byron character sounds rather intriguing... CassaStar can be purchased at: Amazon Barnes & Noble BAM Powells “…calls to mind the youthful focus of Robert Heinlein’s early military sf, as well as the excitement of space opera epitomized by the many Star Wars novels. Fast-paced military action and a youthful protagonist make this a good choice for both young adult and adult fans of space wars.”  - Library Journal Even though I know Alex is extremely busy with a crazy blog tour schedule, I couldn't resist asking him my all time favorite author question: Moi: If you had to choose one song that best captures the essence of CassaStar, what would it be? Alex: Guilt Machine's "Green and...

I am SO close to a 100 Follower Trifecta!  On Blogger, Facebook & Twitter I'm less than 10 followers away from reaching that golden threshhold. And so, I'm putting out a plea on all three social networks to see if I can close the gaps. And when I do...I'll give you a 100 Follower Contest unlike any you've seen so far!  The only thing I'll tell you about it is that it's going to be absolutely ridiculous.  Up for it?  If you'd like to help me get there, please follow me on any and all of the following: Blogger (duh), Facebook , and Twitter .  Danke shoen! ;)     I know I've been a little blog hop happy lately, but I can't help it---people keep coming up with such good ones!  The new Blog Hop I've entered is an extremely cool one for writers of all shapes and sizes.  You can read more about it in the post below. And...Meet an Author Monday is here once again.  Please stop by and visit any of the lovely authors below to see what wi...

Tessa's Blurb is hosting an interesting new Blogontest: Outside of My Box , in which she challenges us to stretch ourselves and write something outside our norm (thanks Roland D. Yeomans: Writing in the Crosshairs for tipping me off).  You have until December 5 to write up something and join.  Please note that you should link DIRECTLY TO YOUR ENTRY rather than to your blog in general. Instead of writing something new, I'd like to share with you something I wrote earlier this year that stretched me outside my Adult Romance comfort zone into more sinister waters.  I guess I'd label it Middle Grade Suspense/Horror.  It's so outside my norm that it got rejected for inclusion in an anthology for which I was a shoo-in.  (I did manage to write an acceptable story for the anthology, but was forced back into my box to write it...and I *hmphf*ed the whole way.)  The story is just over 3000 words, so I'm going to break it into three posts, which I'll put up over ...

If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier  about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time,  for no good reason. - Jack Handey

Hey, I'm double blog-hopping today, because while hopping on the first one I saw a second one that was too delicious to pass up.  It's hosted by Brad Jaeger, and the theme on which we are to blog is "The First Novel that Moved Me." The first novel that ever moved me, that ever sucked me in and wouldn't let go until the adventure was completed, that clung to me long after I finished reading was Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH .  I don't remember exactly how old I was when I first read it, but I think it was either 4th or 5th grade. It was the cute mousey on the cover that drew me in, but it was the intrigue and mystery of the rats and the secret of Mr. Frisby's past that kept me turning the pages. And the resilient Mrs. Frisby was such a simple but admirable protagonist for my young mind to relate to.  I think she's the reason this story has resonated with me after all these years, because she felt so very real to me, and real-feeling character...

Two things for ya this Monday:                   #1 Meet an Author Monday blog hop.  You know the drill.                   #2 The Full Moon Web Hunt is on!  Yet another way to discover new                         authors AND win prizes!  And another piece of blog business---I've been blog-tagged by The Fallen Monkey , who has an awesome post up right now about Mix Tapes and Manuscripts . And so I shall answer the required questions: 1. If you could have any superpower, what would you have? Why? The ability to conjure dinner by just thinking about it.  Because it's better than spitting flames whenever I'm asked, "What's for dinner?"  2. Who is your style icon...

Hmm, let's see...1980s...college life...Midwest...why does the premise for this new TBS show to begin airing November 16 sound so familiar?   Could it be because it's the exact same premise for my novel?  Well okay, maybe not exactly exact:  Glory Daze is set in Wisconsin while Three Daves is in Illinois (HUGE difference), and the TV show is about a group of fraternity guys whereas the novel centers on one girl's dating plight. But even still, quite the exciting coincidence, no? Yet more evidence that the world craves its 80s!   But as thrilled as I am about the impending blast from the past, I'm not getting my hopes up too high.  Mostly because of these promo photos of the Glory Daze cast: Um, what's wrong with these pictures?   Don't worry, I'll tell you: #1 Where are the mullets? #2 Why is that Polo collar not up? #3 Why does the blonde's hair not extend  to beyond the top of the photo frame??? These are small things I know, b...

A Big THANK YOU to the always fun and interesting Zoe C. Courtman, horror writer for awarding me with the One Lovely Blog Award. I confess, I've been coveting this one ever since I first saw it on someone else's blog.  And thanks to Blogger's easy peasy template designer, I actually feel like I deserve it.  Doesn't it look so great with my grey background? Thanks Zoe. While I'm busy patting myself on the back...I'm tickled to tell you that the Three Daves book trailer has surpassed 1500 views! Eternal gratitude to the director and editor, Barb Hallworth. (If you wanna help me get to 2000, give it a watch. ;)) And now, to accept the One Lovely Blog Award, I am to bestow it upon fifteen worthy blogs that I have recently discovered.  I must have amazing taste in blogs, because so many of the ones I follow already won this award!  Congrats to all of you, and to the fifteen new recipients whose blogs are lovely inside and out:    Above the Clo...

I just won this book!   It's from Sandra Ulbrich Almazan: Speculative Fiction Author as part of her 100 follower giveaway.  Thanks Sandra! I honestly didn't know anything about this one, but I liked the name of it.  And now that I take a good look at it, I...I rather like the cover too. ;) Like I said---thanks Sandra!

Welcome to Meet and Author Monday! To meet new authors and discover great reads, simply visit any of the author links at our hostess, Cali Cheer Mom's, blog post .  Look for our "Meet an Author Monday" icon at any of the blogs listed there to keep on hoppin.   Authors! Have a book out? Are you under contract for publication? Join in the hop for a great way to network your blog and let readers know who you are. While you're hopping, you'll see that the awesome Jennifer Lane , author of With Good Behavior , has posted an interview with moi and a four star review of Three Daves!  Along with listing her favorite 80s moments in the book, she had some very nice things to say, including: I really thought that Nicki Elson showed a realistic portrayal of college. Sure, we grow intellectually at college, but personal development seems to matter the most during these years. The formation of Jen's identity was subtle yet strong, aided by the...