Nicki Elson's Not-So-Deep Thoughts

Insecure Writer's Support Group

2012-02-01T06:05:00.001-06:00

Welcome to this month's edition of Insecure Writer's Support Group, brainchild of none other than Alex J. Cavanaugh---who's going to light the Blogosphere on fiyah at the end of the month with his Catch Fire! event to celebrate the upcoming release of his second novel, CassaFire.

Hey, I didn't realize until I started typing this that Alex's event ties in with what I want to talk about today. See, it's my observation that most of us writer types aren't the greedy sort. If money was what we were after, we'd spend less time writing and more time doing whatever it is people do to make gobs of cash. So all these efforts to promote our books aren't really about money at all---they're about doing right by our story, doing whatever we can to get it out there so it can reach and entertain the types of readers it's meant to reach and entertain.

That's a powerful incentive, but there's always something promotion-wise we could be doing, and it gets exhausting. Ever since my first novel was released, I've repeatedly told myself (and my kids and husband) "Okay, now I'm done promoting." But then a new idea will hit me, some avenue left unexplored...or simply a hair-brained scheme that strikes me as fun, and I'm at it again. Is it like that for anyone else?

I also realize, however, that at some point I've got to drop the reins and let my book either take off, tread water, or sink all on it's own. I can only control so much. With my book's two-year anniversary coming up later this month, and with a brand new manuscript calling for my attention, I honestly feel ready to do that. But...there's just...one more...thing...

I've not given my Amazon presence much attention, so before I officially put Three Daves on autopilot, I'm going to try to figure out a non-obnoxious way to ask people to post an Amazon review---any advice on that would be much appreciated! Also, I keep hearing the Amazon Tag thingies are important for "You might also like" recommendations. In that regard, Francine Howarth at Romancing the Blog has come up with a brilliant idea---a Tag Party! It's going on this weekend so there's still time to sign up. It's a great way to help your book & help other authors at the same time.

80s Sighting: a-ha Saves the Day on Chuck Series Finale!

2012-01-30T06:55:00.003-06:00

On Chuck vs. the Goodbye:

The set-up: Under General Beckman's chair is a bomb set to go off as soon as the music stops...and the symphony's about to end.

To the rescue: Jeffster (a rock band comprising Jeff and Lester, two disturbing nerds who work at the Buy More).

Of all the day-saving, climax-worthy songs they could've chosen to belt out at this most crucial moment---the final mission by NBC's Team Bartowski after 5 seasons---Jeffster chose....

Rock on, Jeffster. If that got you jonesing for the 80s, might I suggest you take a gander at the Tumble 4 Ya blogfest? Much thanks to everyone who's already joined! I can't wait to see everyone's choices.

Celery Tree Forum: Short Story Submissions & Freelance

2012-01-25T09:52:00.000-06:00

Celery Tree, that cozy on-line bookstore, is wrapping up it's January blog tour and I get to be one of the final stops. If you haven't heard of Celery Tree yet, I suggest you stop over to check it out. If you have a book out and are interested in adding it to the Celery Tree collection, contact Karen Gowen at karen@celerytree.com.

The gracious Theresa Milstein and Sheri Larsen both had me as their guest this month---thank you, ladies!---and I promised a follow-up to my post at Sheri's place. I asked her followers what topics they'd like to see discussed at the Celery Tree forums and there was a lot of interest in information regarding submitting short stories to magazines as well as paid freelance writing opportunities, so I've opened up as a forum topic and provided some links I hope you'll find helpful. It's (not so) cleverly titled:

Submitting Fiction to Magazines and Paid Freelance

You can bop on over to read my post, and if you have something to add to the discussion, log in (registration is open to anyone, don't need to be a Celery Tree author to do this) and tell us what you know. :)

80s Sighting: Strawberry Shortcake

2012-01-23T07:00:00.003-06:00

With my children now teenagers, it appears I'm woefully uninformed on what's currently hot in Toddler Pop Culture. So how surprised was I to walk into my niece's third birthday party this weekend and find the place decked out in that sweetie from the 80s---Strawberry Shortcake!

To be honest, I probably would've been oblivious to the fruit-themed confection throughout the 80s too if I hadn't had a younger sister who was way into her. My only personal memory of the Fraulein of Fraises is a vague recollection of one of my sister's dolls smelling like blueberries.

Anyhow, she's baaaack---with a few choice updates, like trading in the Laura Ingalls look for a snappy mini-dress, poufy newsboy cap, and sassy mary-janes, and losing the stubby red yarn in favor of lucious pink waves.

Does the strawberry princess hold a special place in your memories?
Have you spotted her anywhere while you've been out & about lately?

What do you think of her makeover?

Meet Jennifer Lane

2012-01-18T07:00:00.002-06:00

You know how there are people who, although you've never met them in person, you just know they're not only cool but a really nice person who'd be totally fun to hang out with? Well, Jennifer Lane, fellow Omnific Publishing author, is one of those people. So I'm thrilled to have her visit today---and I'm even thrilldeder to get to meet her in person in a few months!

I recently read her novel, With Good Behavior, book #1 in the CONduct series, and here's a snippet of my Goodreads review (click to read the whole shebang).

And here's my interview with her, in which you'll notice I focused on questions about my sweet home Chicago:

1. I know you have family in Chicago and have spent a lot of time there, but I also know that you're a pretty frequent traveler and have been to many other fabulous places, so what made you choose Chicago above all those other places as a setting?

After growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio, I love Chicago because it has the familiarity of the Midwest but the spiciness of the big city. When I was in a psychology graduate program at Notre Dame, my oldest sister and her husband moved from London to Chicago. I never will forget the thrill of driving into the city for the first time to visit them...the majestic skyscrapers, the shimmer of Lake Michigan, the pulse of the nightlife. My sister now has three boys and it's wonderful to visit my nephews.

Chicago has both beautiful architecture and a gritty underbelly, and I found that dichotomy to be a wonderful backdrop for my series. For a mafia story, the home of Al Capone is a natural choice. And I love to be around water -- Lake Michigan is gorgeous.

2. Is Chicago the home base for all three books in the CONduct series?

Yes! Chicago architectural cruises play a big role in With Good Behavior (The Conduct Series #1). For Bad Behavior (#2), Chicago's political corruption a la Rod Blagojevich inspires the plot, ha ha. The mafia element of Chicago and local prisons in Gurnee and Downer's Grove continue to star in On Best Behavior (#3).

3. When you visit the Windy City, besides your sisters' homes, what are the other "must see" places on your itinerary?

One sister recently moved to Hilton Head Island, so maybe I'll feature my next novel there! In Chicago I love the restaurant Big Bowl, and the Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chao (which inspired a scene in Bad Behavior). Roger Eaton's favorite deep dish pizza at Giordano's is also yummy. My nephews and I usually dive into the swimming pool in my sister's condo building. In the summer, we absolutely hit the Ohio Street Beach, and in the late summer, I like to swim two miles in Lake Michigan. Walking or riding bikes along the lake is fun, as is shoe shopping at Nordstrom's Rack (one of the few stores to carry size 12 for my flipper feet!) Sometimes we visit "the bean" at Millennium Park, and I want to return to the aquarium soon. Chicago is a fun place to meet up with friends like Lorne from England, my editor Jessica Royer Ocken, and my graduate school advisor Anita.

4. In April, I plan to meet up with you and other writer friends while you're in town at the Romantic Times conference. What I'm wondering is...how much money (and/or tequila) will it take to get you to stand up and belt out Sinatra on an architectural cruise?

Yeah! I can't wait to meet you at our first romance writer conference. Luckily for me, I don't think architectural cruises start running that early? *crosses fingers* I like to belt out songs in the privacy of my car, but my voice is nothing like Grant's! How much tequila would it take for YOU to belt out Sinatra at the hotel bar? ;-D

Uh, maybe about one shot - I'm a cheap date these days. ;)

Thank you for having me to your blog, Nicki! I'm so blessed we met through our publisher.

Aw, see what I mean about her being nice?
Thank YOU for visiting, Jen!

All are welcome to join & hop along. :)

Writer's Ally

2012-01-17T07:00:00.002-06:00

The marvelous SA Larsen is hosting me at her place today to talk a bit more about Celery Tree.

I'm looking for input from writers and readers regarding the Celery Tree forums. So please do make a quick pit-stop over and let me know what you think.

And if you're interested in something fun & silly to do on February 10th---a pre-VD celebration, if you will---you need scroll no further than the post below. ;)

Who's Feeling Retro & Romantic?

2012-01-16T07:00:00.003-06:00

For my very first ever blogfest, I've teamed up w/ fellow 80s girls

Suze from Analog Breakfast

M. Pax from Wistful Nebulae

to ask you one simple question:

Who was/is your 80s celebrity crush?

Please tell us on February, 10

in the Tumble 4 Ya Blogfest!

(Much thanks to Suze for designing our awesome fest icon)

All you have to do is sign up in the Linky below, and then on Friday, February 10 post a picture, video, or whatever of the celebrity you most tumbled for in the 80s. We'd also love to know just what it was that made ya tumble 4 them. If you weren't of crushing age during the 80s, no problem---fess up to which 80s star most makes you tumble now. Basically, we're just looking for a few pre-Valentine's Day laughs. ;)

(P.S. It's safe to assume we'd love for you to put our Blogfest icon in your sidebar & tell all your friends about it.)

2012-01-13T07:27:00.001-06:00

Hey, I'm over at Theresa Milstein's today talking about Celery Tree, a brand new site for readers and authors. Please stop by if you have a moment.

Also, thank you to everyone who weighed in on my book titles yesterday. I think what I get from the feedback is that I need to go back to the drawing board. The Angel Sin's appears to be the most zippy, but I'm not sure it will catch the right fish, as Suze so eloquently put it. So, my new carrot to dangle as I chisel away on draft #2 will be to come back to y'all with a morsel of description and a new set of titles. Except I'm going to think of the carrot as celery because carrots are gross.

Aaand, just to give you a reason to look forward to Monday---Suze, M.Pax, and I have decided to break our Blogfest cherries as a threesome and will bring you a flirty, fun & freaking-awesome fest that you are, like, totally going to want to join. ;)

First Impressions

2012-01-12T09:43:00.000-06:00

Your gaze randomly wanders over the crowded room until he catches your eye. You've never seen him before, but something about his look appeals to you. Then he smiles---not at you, but the parting of his lips and the way his head tilts nevertheless incites a small smile of your own. You're intrigued. Enough so that you wander closer, and soon the two of you are talking. You like him; he's interesting and he makes you laugh. So you decide to deliberately spend more time together...and if that goes well, you'll do it some more.

There you have my typical library/bookstore experience. What? No! I'm not picking up guys! Sheesh. I'm talking about selecting a book. The cover is what "catches your eye," right? And then you read the title---that's the smile. And if it intrigues you, you "wander closer," pick it up, and read the back cover. If it's "interesting," maybe "makes you laugh," then perhaps you "decide to deliberately spend more time together," i.e. read the first chapter. "And if that goes well"...you've found your next read.

The purpose behind my little analogy here is that I achieved my Writing Resolution 2011, which was to complete the first draft of my untitled manuscript (yay!) and the carrot I dangled was that upon finishing draft #1, I could begin to think about the title, a/k/a the smile. With Three Daves, the title was always just kind of there, so I never had to give it much thought, but this time...well, it's not so clear. So I'd love to get your input.

Without knowing anything else about the story, which of these three titles has the most potential to get you to "wander closer" and check out the back cover summary?

There's Something Wrong in Prairie Oaks

The Angel's Sin

Extraordinary Interventions

Any commentary you'd like to give regarding any expectations the title conjures would also be much appreciated. Thanks!

Join or follow along on the Bounce!

Insecure Writer's Group

2012-01-04T07:00:00.002-06:00

A couple insecurities ago, group therapy at my place focused on finding time for writing. We all seemed to agree that you just gotta do it. Which is awesome, but once you give yourself over to writing the problem becomes...how do you find the time to do everything else? Fret not, my darling blog friends, for I have the answer:

You don't.

There's no way you can do everything your heart desires and your life demands, so set your priorities, ax what needs to go and be okay with that. For example, last night I realized I had an IWSG post this morning, but I just didn't have time to write something brilliant and insightful. So what did I do?

I didn't.

(But thanks for stopping by anyway. ;) And thanks for hosting, Alex)

80s Sighting: The Muppet Movie

2012-01-02T07:55:00.001-06:00

Happy New Year! I'm starting right off w/ one of my resolutions---and that's to live up to the 80s portion of my Blogger byline. All last year I noted 80s references popping up everywhere, and this year, whenever I find one of note, I'm gonna tell you about it. Lucky you, eh?

Last week I went to see The Muppets---which was so awesome. If you were ever a Muppets fan you must see it---and I was tickled to see brand new character, 80s Robot. I was even more happy to find this short clip of the "modem" scene to share with you (note the Top 40 song from 1980 playing in the background---can you name the song & artist?):

Bring on the Romance!

2011-12-20T07:00:00.001-06:00

Today is the launch of Cheri Colyer's debut Young Adult Paranormal Romance, Embrace. To celebrate, she's throwing and Embracing Change launch party and has written a fabulous guest post for my place. Take it away, Cherie...

Bring on the Romance

by Cheri Colyer

I love falling in love. That weak in the knees feeling you get when you meet that special someone. The wondering if he likes you too. Discovering everything there is to know about each other. Romance novels let us do this over and over again.

I’m not a big believer in love at first site. I think it’s more accurate to say that two people were instantly attracted to each other. It might be the way his lips tugged upward into a half smile when he was trying not to laugh or the hint of something untold when he glanced your way. Maybe it’s the way he is with other people or simply his Irish accent. Sometimes you aren’t even sure why you’re drawn to this person.

In Embrace, Madison Riley feels a strong pull toward the new guy, but if this pull is good or bad is yet to be discovered. Being able to learn just what it is that attracts two people is part of what makes a good romance novel hard to put down. Not knowing if this attraction is a good thing or a bad thing is part of what keeps me glued to the pages.

Another part of great romance (in books and in life) is the kiss. There’s the kiss that builds slowly: his lips brush yours softly – a taste – your breath catches, but before you can tell yourself to breathe his mouth covers yours and you’re lost in the moment. And the passionate kiss, the one neither party can wait for. Desire takes over and you just can’t get close enough. Sometimes the anticipation of a kiss is all it takes to get your heart fluttering and your mind whirling. And then there’s the kiss that ends too quickly, but gives you just enough to know you want to stick around and find out what that long passionate kiss will be like. Madison knows this feeling all too well...

He leaned in closer to me. His eyes were a shimmering, deep brown, but there was a speck of ocean blue at the edge of his right iris. I couldn’t remember what I was about to say. My heart did a pirouette in my chest, and my breath caught in my throat. I closed the distance between us. His lips were firm and warm, and I wanted to kiss him forever.

Until my stomach interrupted with a loud rumble, protesting that I hadn’t fed it anything that day. I cursed its timing.

Only time will tell if his kisses are worth the wait.

So, I’m dying to know what gets your heart pumping?

**************************

Embrace Launch Party Guest Posts!

Jennifer DeLucy Blog: Writing Embrace - From Idea to Release

Kym's Quips: The Research Behind to Story

Once Upon A *Spark*: Mythology Behind Madison's World

Nicki Elson's Not-So-Deep Thoughts: Bring on the Romance

Jennifer Lane Books Blog: Facing Change

Embrace Launch Party Posts!

Susan Kaye Quinn, Conjuring Tales for Young Minds

Kim Winters, Kat's Eye Journal

Carole, the life of fiction

Mina Burrows, books for paranormal & mystic minds

Joseph Rinaldo, Read Rinaldo

Angela Brown, in a Pursuit of Publishness

Debra Anastasia , Tell me a Story

Colleen Wagner, London Relocation

**************************

Embrace

a novel by Cherie Colyer

Madison is familiar enough with change, and she hates everything about it. Change took her long-term boyfriend away from her. It caused one of her friends to suddenly hate her. It’s responsible for the death of a local along with a host of other mysterious happenings. But when Madison meets a hot new guy, she thinks her luck is about to improve.

Madison is instantly drawn to the handsome and intriguing Isaac Addington. She quickly realizes he’s a guy harboring a secret, but she’s willing to risk the unknown to be with him.

Her world really spins out of control, however, when her best friend becomes delusional, seeing things that aren’t there and desperately trying to escape their evil. When the doctors can’t find the answers, Madison seeks her own.

Nothing can prepare her for what she is about to discover.

AUTHOR INFO

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

**************************

Prizes: To celebrate the release of her debut novel, Cherie is giving away an eCopy of EMBRACE and 5-Embrace Hemp Bracelets today. There are three ways to win:

1) Leave a comment here or at any of the Party Posts.

2) Tweet about the Virtual Party or any of the Party Posts with tag #EMBRACEnovels

Example:

Nothing could have prepared her for what she’s about to discover. #EMBRACEnovels @CherieColyer #YA avail NOW www.cheriecolyer.blogspot.com

Example:

Celebrate the launch of EMBRACE by @CherieColyer #EMBRACEnovels #paranormal #YA avail NOW www.cheriecolyer.blogspot.com

3) Facebook (tag Cherie Colyer, author) about the Virtual Party.

Example:

Celebrate the launch of teen paranormal thriller/romance novel EMBRACE by Cherie Colyer, author and enter for a chance to win Embrace prizes! http://www.cheriecolyer.blogspot.com

Do all three and you will have three times the chances to win! Leave a comment at each stop of the tour for a chance to win the Grand Prize.

If you haven’t already, remember to stop back by Cherie’s blog or click here to fill out the form to ensure your entry is counted.

DeJa Vu: Should I Have Faded to Black?

2011-12-16T06:00:00.001-06:00

Yahoo, it's time for the much anticipated DeJa Vu blogfest! Hosted by D.L. Hammons, Katie Mills, Lydia Kang, and Nicole Ducleroir. I look forward to reading lots of great posts today. :)

For the fest, I decided to dust off the very first blog post I ever wrote. I still stand by everything I said in it, and I've noticed that the topic of sex in writing comes up a lot in the blogosphere---particularly during Insecure Writer's Group.

So here you have my musings on the matter:

Should I Have Faded to Black?

Originally posted March 6, 2010

My mother read the sexy chapters in my book. She is less than happy.

I s'pose I could end this particular blog right there; I mean, it's no big shock that a mother would have trouble with her daughter writing such a thing, right? But what really bothers me about it is that those few chapters seem to have skewed her overall view of the story. The message that I hoped to convey has been lost amidst her shock and horror at the admittedly graphic depictions.

But it isn't only my mother's reactions that have me bothered. Most readers don't seem to mind those particular chapters one little bit, far from it, and yet I've become concerned that what they'll remember most when it's all said and done is the sex rather than the themes from the book that were my driving force to write it in the first place.

And so I have to ask: was I wrong to include such descriptive scenes? Should I have faded to black? Did I sabotage my own message by distracting readers with sex?

To be fair, the overriding theme of "Three Daves" is sex. But not necessarily the carnal act of it, more like when to have it, when not to have it, who to have it with, who not to have it with, and what are the emotional repercussion of having it? Those are the kinds of things I hope readers will think about. But I guess if I'm being honest with myself, I didn't need to inform the readers of whether or not Jen swallowed to tell those parts of the story. So why did I do it?

Because another goal of mine was to keep "Three Daves" feeling real. And in reality, sexual intimacy doesn't fade to black. Neither does eating a meal, you may argue, nor attending an economics class, and I certainly didn't bore my readers with those details. But the story isn't about fine cuisine or university studies. It's about sex, and so I need the reader to feel it, to understand the emotions and thoughts that pass through the characters when they are having it. I need them to see it as more than just a kiss or a caress. I want the experience engraved on their consciousness so they realize that it isn't something easily forgotten when the lights flick back on. It's real.

This story is also about relationships. And sexual intimacy leaves marks on a relationship, sometimes good, sometimes bad. I want readers to know what the characters said to each other just before, during, and right after. I want them to see which guy kisses her forehead and which one pulls on his boxers and promptly falls asleep. I couldn't depict the whole relationships without depicting those intimate moments that show the very different dynamic between Jen and each of the three Daves.

So that's why I did it, and now you can feel good about yourselves for enjoying those particular scenes so much. ;)

Christmas Cards

2011-12-13T18:04:00.015-06:00

I've got the stack o' pain-in-the-arse Christmas cards (almost) ready to go, so I'm rewarding myself and sharing with you a Christmas card of sorts that I actually enjoyed putting together. My college roomie recorded this song in the 80s and it's still the one I most look forward to hearing again when the season rolls around.

So tell me the truth---what's your position on Christmas cards? If you send them, do you do it because you want to or because you feel like you have to? And if you don't---rock on, and for how many years have you been card-free?

~.~.~

Aaand, now it's time for the weekly Author! Author! Blog Bounce.

Check out the Omnific Publising blog for lots of fun announcements, including a contest in which you can win a $100 Amazon gift card (ends really, really soon!), the December 99 cent Sale, aaaand the introduction of Omnific merchandise---T-shirts, mugs, whatnot of Omni titles.

Please Fill in My Blanks

2011-12-07T06:30:00.003-06:00

I'm just going to be up front: I want to take advantage of you.

Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Group brings so many talented writers to my place, and since the purpose of the group is to help each other out, I'm asking you to give it to me. Help, that is.

I'm writing a short story for a friend, and I'm stuck on a line---that's where you come in. Please read and consider the following and let me know in the comments how you'd fill in these blanks:

"For the last ever-since-I’ve-been-here years, the holiday parties have sucked harder than (a) __________ on a teat full of __________."

The more innocent and less political the connotation, the funnier I'll find it. Also, I want it to be fabulous. No pressure...

Thank you for your participation. :)

Haha! I am having so much fun reading your creative thoughts. Just as witty as I expected.

It's Thursday now, so I'm going to piggy back this post onto the Author! Author! Blog Bounce, hosted by Omnific Publishing and open to ALL authors.

Happy Bouncing!

Talking to Tara Tyler

2011-12-02T07:00:00.004-06:00

Hey, grab a mug o' whatever and please join me at Tara Tyler Talks where I fess up to which parts of Three Daves are based on my reality. I'm dying to see what you think of my alternate title. ;)

Sex and Psalms...Pseriously?

2011-11-30T06:00:00.002-06:00

Hey, I'm over at Fabulosity Reads today 'splaining myself and my unexpected use of scripture in my Chick Lit/Romance novel Three Daves. Wendy posted her review on Monday. :)

Congratulations to Wendy on opening the brand new on-line bookstore, Fabulosity Galore! Lots of great books and honest, insightful reviews.

It's Thursday, so please join along on the Author! Author! Blog Bounce

Thanks

2011-11-23T17:30:00.000-06:00

I'm about to dive into preparing my meager contributions to tomorrow's Thanksgiving feast (cranberry jello and artichoke dip) but before I do, I'd like to say Thank You to all of you for making this year of blogging a pleasurable endeavor. :)

I imagine most of us will be slowing down in Blogville between now and the new year, but if you're looking for a couple of fun and easy prompts for December, allow me to suggest these two supercool blog parties:

December 16

Deja Vu Blogfest

Resurrect an old post that either didn't get the attention it deserved or simply bears repeating.

December 20

Embrace Change Launch Party

Tell your tale of embracing change and why you're glad you did.

Next week I'm excited to answer the two most frequently asked questions about Three Daves:

What up with the Bible verses? (November 30 at Fabulosity Reads)

Which parts of this story are true? (December 2 at Tara Tyler Talks)

An Unlikely Pair

2011-11-22T08:00:00.001-06:00

Congratulations to Deborah Anastasia on the release of her second novel, Poughkeepsie. The Omnific Publishing library just keeps growing!

He counts her smiles every day and night at the train station. And morning and evening, the beautiful commuter acknowledges him—just like she does everyone else on the platform. But Blake Hartt is not like the others . . . he’s homeless. Memories of a broken childhood have robbed him of peace and twisted delusions into his soul. He stays secluded from the sun, sure the world would run from him in the harsh light of day.

Each day, Livia McHugh smiles politely and acknowledges her fellow commuters as she waits for the train to the city. She dismisses this kindness as nothing special, just like her. She’s the same as a million other girls—certainly no one to be cherished. But special or not, she smiles every day, never imagining that someone would rely on the simple gesture as if it were air to breathe.

When the moment comes that Livia must do more than smile, without hesitation she steps into the fray to defend the homeless man. And she's surprised to discover an inexplicable connection with her new friend. After danger subsides, their smiles become conversation. Their words usher in a friendship, which awakens something in each of them. But it’s not long before their bond must prove its strength. Entanglements from the past challenge both their love and their lives.

Blake’s heart beats for Livia’s, even if her hands have to keep its rhythm. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love never fails. Love never fails, right?

Debra shares teasers at her blog. Poughkeepsie is now available in paperback, eBook, ePub, Kindle, Nook. And here's awesome the trailer:

The Lady's Fate

2011-11-16T06:00:00.002-06:00

A personal note before I begin---thank you all so, so very much for your kind words about Oreo bunny. My kids have read your comments, and all of us are touched by your caring words. Thanks. :)

Now, who am I calling "Lady"? Why, the lovely Anne Gallagher, who was fated to bring the world her authentic and entertaining brand of Regency Romance.

Her debut novel, The Lady's Fate, is available at Amazon and Smashwords. Her short story, A Wife for Winsbarren, is also available at Amazon.

Amid all she's got going on, Anne let me bug her with a few questions about her writing, her "Reluctant Grooms" series, and publishing, but before we get to that, here's my review of The Lady's Fate.

Review - The Lady's Fate:

I felt like I was reading one of the classics. Gallagher has done her research and The Lady's fate reads just as if it were written back in Austen's day. But she gives us a new set of characters to examine, and even though they're playing by the same set of Regency rules, the plot takes fresh, unpredictable turns.

The relationship between Violet and Haverlane takes time to develop, but their electricity is immediate, even before things get physical. Patience is rewarded with some of the steamiest kisses I've ever read---you know, the kind where you go back to read them again...and again, just to make sure you didn't miss anything. I think the attraction's even more intriguing because up until the very end, it's unclear if/how it can progress.

The characters are all well-defined and interesting, even those who are infuriating. My favorite is Lady Olivia in all her obstinate, noble, cane-thumping glory. I finished this book knowing I'd like to spend more time with them, so I look forward to more from this author---particularly in the "Reluctant Grooms" series.

Mini-Interview with Anne Gallagher

From reading your blog, I know you're a romantic devil so it's not surprising you write romance. But why did you choose Regency Romance?

When I was a kid, I read all kinds of historicals, but there was something about the Regency and the era of classes and manners that really stuck with me. Perhaps it had to do with my upbringing in New England. We're such Puritans, and manners are extremely important.

Reading Jane Austen also proved to be enlightening in that she could engage her readers so completely without once resorting to sex, or innuendo. I wanted to achieve that in my writing, even though we live in a different time. Sex sells, even in deoderant commercials, so I wanted to prove that it wasn't necessary to a good romance.

I also love a good corset. Keeps the muffin top from spilling over, and the girls nice and high.

Win-win situation, right there. ;) I love your overlapping series concept, wherein the time frames of your stories overlap. I see that your schedule for publication of each story isn't in chronological order---how did you decide on the order of publication?

The series starts with THE LADY'S MASQUERADE, but as it was my "first" book, I found it wasn't as fabulous as I'd like and I'm still tearing that apart and putting it back together . I decided to publish THE LADY'S FATE because it was ready. I also wrote a short story A WIFE FOR WINSBARREN as a sort of accompaniment to it. I couldn't just put one book out. I wanted something else.

I've been working steadily on THE DUKE'S DIVORCE and THE LADY'S MASQUERADE to get them out, hopefully before Christmas. There really is no reason why I'm publishing this way other than whatever is ready goes out. When the series is complete, the way they appear on the blog post is the order in which they should be read.

My contemporary romance/women's fiction REMEMBERING YOU will hopefully be out on Kindle by December 1. (Genna and Tony and Pete for those who remember.)

You've eloquently described your reasons for self publishing, but what would you say was the most surprising thing you learned about self publishing after diving into the process?

That I could do it. If you don't know anything about uploading, downloading, formatting, editing, it's really hard. And I didn't know Jack about any of that. So it was REALLY REALLY hard. But I found that people will help you. All you have to do is ask.

Okay, last question: if you had to pick one song that captures the essence of The Lady's Fate, what would it be?

This was a tough one and I had to think long and hard about it because I have to have absolute silence when I write. However, I do remember humming Linda Ronstadt's Heart Like a Wheel over and over again. (Back to my 80's roots, just for you!)

Some say the heart is just like a wheel

When you bend it, you can't mend it

But my love for you is like a sinking ship

And my heart is like a ship out in mid-ocean

Such a sad beautiful song, and when Violet thinks she's lost Haverlane for good, I couldn't help think of it.

Thanks for the insight, Anne...and for the 80s. ;)

The weekly Author! Author! Blog Bounce is open to all authors every Thursday. The Linky thingy is below, so please hop on or simply bounce around.

Pet Sematary

2011-11-10T09:31:00.001-06:00

I'm not sure this is post-worthy material, but many of you so sweetly commented on the cuteness of my bunny last month, and on the prettiness of my new garden in September, so it seems only right to report that the two have been combined. :(

On the 28th of October in the year 2011, dear, sweet bunny succumbed to oldness and died in my husband's arms on the way home from the pet clinic...just as I was explaining that the vet probably didn't know what he was talking about and we'd have many more happy months with our darling Oreo. I knew it wasn't true, but I thought he'd at least survive long enough for the kids to come home from school and say good bye.

The burial was complete with holy water and a St. Francis medal, and on Saturday we went to the statuary to pick out this statue---it reminded us of the way he used to kick out his little back legs when he was at maximum relaxation.

He does have a tiny bit to do with writing. You see, when I first started writing, I didn't tell any humans. Bunny became my confidant. He even got a role in the story. But whatever loss I feel, I know my kids feel it ten times worse, because they went to him with all those growing up things that you just can't relay to another person the way you can to a little friend who'll simply listen, and not try to solve your problems for you, and not judge or worry.

I wonder how long it'll be before I stop setting Romaine aside for him whenever I make a salad, and peeking in to see what he's up to every single damn time I turn the corner by his room. *sigh* C'est la mort.

And now it's probably a good idea to skip off to a less morose blog.

Allow me to suggest any of the fine authors participating in this week's
Author! Author! Blog Bounce

A Nikki, a Dave, and the 1980’s by M. Pax

2011-11-07T06:00:00.001-06:00

You may already know about Semper Audacia, the exciting debut space opera novelette by M. Pax---but I'll be you had NO idea her new release could possibly have anything at all to do with Three Daves. Well, think again...here is M. Pax's unexpected tale, complete w/ retro pics:

The U.N. (M.Pax worked in the black bldg)

In the spring of 1986, I moved to New York City with dreams of ‘making it there’, a couple of suitcases and $500 in my pocket. Fresh out of college, I envisioned writing the great American novel.

My friend Nikki, who I met at freshman orientation, was kind enough to let me stay with her the first six months. When I saved enough money, I moved to Staten Island to share a house with a bunch of roommates. Taking a boat to work was fun, at first. The novelty wore off pretty quick though.

My first job was in Midtown near the UN. I saw mob shootings, Keith Richards, shared a cab with a Chippendales dancer, lived through bomb threats [there were a lot of embassies in our building], experienced the NYC club scene and stood behind Kurt Vonnegut in the lobby news stand one morning. He lived nearby. I read every one of his books, so it was a thrill to stare at his back for a few minutes.

I wrote when I could. Longhand back then. PC’s were barely a glint in anybody’s eye and no one had one. Typewriters were still the norm for home use. I didn’t have one of those either. My dilemma that fall was buy a new pair of sneakers [there were holes in them and I had to put baggies on my feet to keep my stockings from getting torn and my feet from getting wet] or eat for two weeks. I ended up with a boyfriend instead. He made sure I kept eating, so I could get those shoes. His name was Dave. He turned out to be a jerk, but I remain grateful he didn’t let me starve.

Nikki, M.Pax & friends at Phoebe's in the Village

At any rate, Nikki and I would often meet in the Village on Saturday nights. I let her read the first chapters of my great masterpiece.

She said, “You wrote about being alone a lot.”

Yes. I was in my early 20’s and had a flare for the melodramatic. I still do, but it’s mellowed some. All these years, we remained in touch, as I left NYC for DC then left the east coast for the west coast. Every once in awhile she would ask me how “Alone” was going. It was one of several started novels I never finished. Life kept butting in. I wrote in stops and starts.

A few years ago, I picked up writing again in earnest. I finished a novel and two rough draft sequels, a second novel and now I’m working on a third and fourth. It was inevitable Nikki would ask me about “Alone”, because she loves to tease me about it. So when she did two years ago I answered that I was rewriting “Alone” in space. I did. That story became Semper Audacia. It bears little resemblance to the great American novel begun in NYC, but echoes the feel of the piece in many ways, the most obvious, Leda’s loneliness. There were more splashes of inspiration for the piece. Most of my stories are a conglomeration of several sources of inspiration. For some reason, I’m never satisfied with just one. How about you?

So there we have it, my little space opera did have a connection to a Nikki, a Dave and the 1980’s.

Details: 99 cents. Space Opera. Novelette. 13,200 words

Description: Alone. Leda is the last living member of the brigade, the sole defender of her world. War took everyone she knew, leaving her in the company of memories and ghosts. Or is it madness?

The siren blares. The enemy is coming. Or is it? The approaching vessel isn't a friendly design, but it answers with the correct code. Leda must figure out whether the arrival is reinforcements or the final assault. In an aging flyer, she ventures out to meet her world's fate, the last stand.

About M. Pax: Inspiring the words I write, I spend my summers as a star guide at Pine Mountain Observatory in stunning Central Oregon where I live with the husband unit and two loving cats. I write speculative fiction mostly and have a slight obsession with giant, man-eating reptiles and Jane Austen. I know, they don’t really go together, but it’d be interesting to insert Godzilla in the middle of Pride & Prejudice.

Available at Amazon; Amazon UK; Amazon DE; Barnes & Noble; and iTunes.

blog: http://mpaxauthor.blogspot.com

website: www.mpaxauthor.com

Writer's Insecurity #3: Time

2011-11-02T06:00:00.002-05:00

Don't you just love it when stars align? When pondering which of my many insecurities to post about this month, it hit me---my guest yesterday, Susan Kaye Quinn, addressed one of my biggest writing issues: Making the time to do it (I almost said "finding the time" but let's face it, a big ol' bucket full o' mythical extra time is NEVER going to materialize) and then Enforcing that time.

This mostly sounds like a discipline thing, but for me, discipline isn't the problem. It's insecurity---the insecurity that adhering to my writing schedule isn't a good enough reason to say no to...well, just about anything else that wants my time. Susan provided a marvelous and validating pep talk for those of us struggling with this issue in her guest post yesterday, so please scroll down for a little reinforcement.

Goodness, did I almost forget to thank our illustrious host?

Thanks Alex!!!

Well, well, look at that, it's Thurday already and time for the
Author! Author! Blog Bounce.

You can get more info. here, and also link in and/or follow along w/ the marvelous authors on the list.

Keeping Writing Time Sacred with Susan Kaye Quinn

2011-11-01T07:00:00.001-05:00

Today is the launch of Susan Kaye Quinn's

Open Minds

(book One of the Mindjack Trilogy)

The book has already garnered fantastic reviews, and Susan is throwing a virtual launch party (#keepingOpenMinds)! I'm thrilled to be a part of it.

In her post at my place, Susan lets us in on how exactly she manages to accomplish more than seems humanly possible:

Keeping Writing Time Sacred

Susan Kaye Quinn

I’m lucky to live near Nicki Elson in real-life, and as fellow Omnific authors (her Three Daves and my Life, Liberty, and Pursuit), we’ve had a couple of occasions to get together. Most recently, we had tea and a flurry of conversation while ostensibly signing an anthology (Summer Breeze) that we had both penned a short fiction for.

As we were making arrangements, she suggested meeting during a weekday, when my kids were in school. School time is my writing time, something I’ve been trying to hold very sacred, even as I’m getting ready to launch Open Minds (Book One of the Mindjack Trilogy). I very much wanted to sit and have tea and catch up, but I asked if we could move our meet-up to Saturday, taking time out of both our busy weekend schedules instead. She was awesome and understood.

Keeping writing time sacred is tough to do, even more so when the other things competing for your time aren’t laundry or doing the dishes, but meeting with friends or spending time with your kids. Things you want to do, maybe even as much as writing. (Although I’m so seriously addicted to writing, there’s not many things I would rather do.)

For me, keeping writing time sacred means literally holding periods of time clear of any other obligations. I’m a stay-at-home mom, but I cut way back on my volunteer work to concentrate on my writing, including choosing not to run for re-election (for the last four years, I’ve been an elected board member of the third largest K-8 school district in Illinois). When my stay-at-home friends suggest getting together while the kids are in school, I say no. It’s not because I’m a hermit; it’s because I’m working (even though it may not seem so, as I stare out the window in an attempt to dream up a solution to the next plot point).

I’m just sure my real life friends think I’m slightly crazed, as I shuffle to the school drop off with my hair still wet, or dash to pick up the kids after school before they think I’ve abandoned them. I knew that Nicki would understand, because she’s a writer too (and she’s awesome), but I doubt my local friends have any idea of the commitment it takes to be a novelist. (BTW, I really like that word. Novelist. Isn’t it pretty?)

But then I’ll stop in at my kid’s school for some (rare) volunteer work at the Book Fair and see some familiar faces. They’ll ask, “How’s the writing going?” I’ll say, “Great! I have a novel coming out next month.” And they’re amazed. They say, “Wow, you’re so prolific! How do you do so much?”

I don’t remind them that it’s been over a year since my first novel was published. I don’t talk about how I’ve been working on this novel for two years and it seems like an eternity to me. I just smile and nod and say, “I’m a writer. It’s what I do.” Then I go back to my cave and do it some more.

*********************

See more guest posts about Open Minds at the Virtual Launch Party!

When everyone reads minds, a secret is a dangerous thing to keep.

Sixteen-year-old Kira Moore is a zero, someone who can’t read thoughts or be read by others. Zeros are outcasts who can’t be trusted, leaving her no chance with Raf, a regular mindreader and the best friend she secretly loves. When she accidentally controls Raf’s mind and nearly kills him, Kira tries to hide her frightening new ability from her family and an increasingly suspicious Raf. But lies tangle around her, and she’s dragged deep into a hidden world of mindjackers, where having to mind control everyone she loves is just the beginning of the deadly choices before her.

Open Minds (Book One of the Mindjack Trilogy) by Susan Kaye Quinn is available for $2.99 in e-book (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords) and $9.99 in print (Amazon, Createspace).

*********************

PRIZES!

Susan Kaye Quinn is giving away an Open Books/Open Minds t-shirt, mug, and some fun wristbands to celebrate the Virtual Launch Party of Open Minds (Book One of the Mindjack Trilogy)! (Check out the prizes here.)

Three ways to enter (you can have multiple entries):

1) Leave a comment here or at the Virtual Launch Party post

2) Tweet (with tag #keepingOPENMINDS)

Example: When everyone reads minds, a secret is a dangerous thing to keep. #keepingOPENMINDS @susankayequinn #SF #YA avail NOW http://bit.ly/psX1Hh

Example: Celebrate the launch of OPEN MINDS by @susankayequinn #keepingOPENMINDS #SciFi #paranormal #YA avail NOW http://bit.ly/SKQOpenMinds

3) Facebook (tag @AuthorSusanKayeQuinn)

Example: Celebrate the launch of paranormal/SF novel OPEN MINDS by @AuthorSusanKayeQuinn for a chance to win Open Books/Open Minds prizes!

Haunted Drabble/Darkspell Spookafest

2011-10-31T07:00:00.084-05:00

If any holiday is made for not one but TWO blogfests, it's Halloween! First up is Tara Tyler's Haunted Drabble. You can enter your own 100 word spooky story by leaving a link to your post in a comment at Tara's.

The Dangers of Twilight

This wasn’t like the books. He didn’t sparkle in the sunlight. He told her he loved her—that part of the fable was true—but he was lying.

All tenderness ended the moment she entered his chamber; her screams weren’t those of the ecstasy she’d anticipated.

Her agony pleased him.

He chained her to his bed, her throat unblemished, and whispered, “You’re mine.”

Hours later, the click of approaching boots indicated his return. She gripped the splintered post in her cuffed, but now free hands, praying Meyers was also wrong about the effect of a stake through a vampire’s heart.

~.~.~.~.~

Today is also the super-exciting launch of Elizabeth Mueller's novel, Darkspell, and she's hosting a Spookafest, in which we reveal what we'd do if we had all the magic in the world.

My first order of business would be to parse up the magical abilities and bequeath them to others I trust to use them responsibly. We'd form our own Order of the Phoenix/Justice League type of thing to fight evil.

What I'd keep for myself would be teleportation ability. I always say I love to travel, but that's not entirely truthful. What I like is being other places---traveling there, not so much. I'd also like to be able to teleport objects, like food from Feed My Starving Children, directly to orphanages and poverty stricken areas, bypassing hefty freight charges and corrupt governments. KAPOW!

Darkspell:

Winter Sky believes she is everything ordinary . . .until she is kissed by Alex Stormhold. As seer of Stormhold Coven, Alex is sworn to be Winter’s protector against the darkness that hunts her. Violently thrust into a magical realm she always thought impossible, she stumbles upon a disturbing secret of her own. Will love prove thicker than magic?

Now available at Amazon, or check out how to order your very own signed copy at Elizabeth's website

Happy Halloween!

80s Fun with the Charming Elliot Grace

2011-10-24T06:00:00.001-05:00

If you haven't heard, Elliot Grace is on tour all month long talking about his newly released novel, South of Charm.

"Many will relate to the book's themes of faith and loyalty, and Danny's frustration that no matter how good he is at baseball, it won't help him save his family." -Akron Beacon Journal

I've got the book and it's next in line on my to-be-read list, but every review I read makes me more anxious to get to it. It promises to be a modern classic. Also, it's set in the 1980s! So, for Elliot's stop at my place guess what I asked him about...

Thirteen tour stops in all, headed in four directions and across the border into foreign lands, and from the onset, I knew without a doubt that you'd be the one to ask me about my chosen setting for "South of Charm." (Which of course explains my enthusiasm for being here :)

In order to pen an emotional drama, something capable of coaxing tears during one chapter, while causing one's belly to bounce with joy upon the turn of a page, a writer must take comfort in two very important elements...one's home life surrounding the keyboard, and the setting of their story. My goal was to arm the novel with the heart of a lion, but in order to do that, the setting and time frame had to resonate from a place that meant something to me, during a time when magic remained just out of reach.

Like yourself, Nicki, I grew up during the booming eighties. Ten years' worth of aerosol hair spray and leg warmers. Of microwave ovens the size of compact cars, and hair bands strutting about in spandex. It was the age of break dancing along city streets, and staying up on Friday nights to watch The Dukes of Hazzard. And anything bearing rotary dials was frowned upon, as the age of push-buttons and digital displays packed the shelves at the local Big Wheel.

The eighties were about being cool. Growing up as fast as possible while saving every last penny for that candy-apple Iroc-Z28 parked at the local dealership. MTV still played music back then, and everywhere you looked, some poor soul was desperately trying to master the art of the moonwalk.

It took less than the amount of time needed to primp one's mullet for me to decide on the eighties for the setting of "South of Charm." As my teenage son often reminds me, "You gotta get with the times, Dad!"

Perhaps someday...but not just yet ;)

Hehehe. Thanks for stopping by, Elliot!
Check him out at his blog, Goodreads, Wooster, Amazon

Breathless blogfest

2011-10-21T06:30:00.014-05:00

This is my entry for Brenda Drake's "Can You Leave Us Breathless" blogfest. It's a brief excerpt from chapter 11 of my as-of-yet-untitled WIP. I hope you like (and critiques are welcome).

Excerpt

“It’s true that angels are less prone to temptation,” he said. “But when we give in, the betrayal is at a higher magnitude. It’s nearly unforgivable because it’s not in our nature, so it isn’t weakness we demonstrate. It’s willfulness, which is much worse. But as with humans, the love of the Lord can save us---if we let it.”

His fingertips roved Maggie’s face, tracing her cheekbones, over the bridge of her nose, across her lips. She closed her eyes as he glided over her eyelids while the sound of his smooth voice rolled over her.

“When we overcome the lure to sin,” he continued, “we’re strengthened tenfold by the Holy Spirit and made able to face our temptations more easily.”

Maggie thought of how different the calming sensations he now sent into her were from those she’d felt the last time he’d touched her. There had been an urgency then, something on the verge of losing control. He'd clearly mastered whatever had afflicted him then.

“We can come closer to that which tempts us than we previously would have dared,” he murmured.

Something tickled Maggie's lips, but it wasn’t his hands. His warm breath drifted in through the slight part in her lips as his mouth passed gently over hers, scarcely brushing against it.

He dropped one hand to caress the side of her throat as he rested his forehead on hers and concluded, “And resist without effort.”

His tone carried not a hint of smugness, and Maggie wondered how he didn’t feel the throbbing vein in her neck as it pulsed in time with her thundering heart.

Meet Feather Stone

2011-10-20T08:00:00.001-05:00

So many bloggers made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside when they hosted me and commented on my posts during my blog blitz last month, and now I'm thrilled to be able to return the love by hosting some amazing blogger/authors who have exciting things to tell us. Elliot Grace will be here next Monday, Susan Kaye Quinn on Nov. 1, and M. Pax on Nov. 7.

To start out the lovefest, I introduce you to an inspiring, wonderful person---Feather Stone. She's brand new to blogging and has just had her first novel published, The Guardian's Wildchild. I feel blessed to have been the editor on this visually and spiritually beautiful story.

Honestly, she had me at the first and last paragraphs of her acknowledgments:

How does a ship thank the ocean? The relationship is fraught with dangers of sinking or being shredded over a reef. And yet, the ship, if guided by wisdom and dogged determination, discovers its journey exceeds the joy in arriving at the destination. And so it is with the writing of this story. The experience was an intense journey of self-discovery.

And dear reader, as Sidney said, “I am grateful for the love and guidance of the Guardians, for all the trials and tribulations that taught me tolerance and courage, and for all the events that led me to you.”

Here's my three-question interview with Feather Stone:

1. What's been the most surprising thing to you about the publishing process?

The publishing process has been an education. I thought that if a publisher agreed to accept a manuscript for publication my work was done. Instead, I learned that I was included in the editing process. I then worried that pieces, large or small might be altered or deleted. Not so, but areas that required clarification were brought to my attention, including errors in time sequence, inconsistencies in names, etc. I was actually delighted that my input was still valued. I began to feel a part of a large team of professionals who were focused in ensuring The Guardian's Wild Child was a 'good read' for the public.

During the years working on my manuscript I had envisioned it on the shelves of book stores. However, the world changed during those years, embracing electronic devices called ipads, ebooks, etc. It took me a while to make the switch to see that it was in my best interest to promote my novel electronically. So the setup of websites, blogs, twitter, facebook has been a real, almost painful, stretch for me.

2. Which character was the most fun to write and why?

I truly loved all my characters, even Butchart who was a truly sick and wicked man. I had completed a biography of all my main characters in the begining of the writing process. As a result I felt I knew each one intimately, even beyond what was revealed in the story. The one that would make me smile the most was Danik Davenport. He was seldom in the scenes but how I would've liked to have been his girlfriend. Danik was devoted to being a Guardian, but his sense of humor kept him 'human' in so many ways that the rest of us can identify with. His love was genuine and fierce. I could feel him look at me with those warm puppy brown eyes, see all my warts and still love me. His heart was so open, more than any of the other characters in the story.

3. If you had to pick one song that captures the essence of The Guardian's Wildchild, what would it be?

I always play music when I'm writing. Enya, Sarah McLachlan, and Loreena McKennitt were almost always the singers with their soft haunting voices during these long writing sessions. Over and over and over again I played their CD's. However, if I had to pick one song - I can't; but two songs would be Loreena McKennitt's Dante's Prayer and Sarah McLachaln's I Love You. I'll let you pick one.

I'll give you both, Feather. ;)

Please check Feather Stone out

at her Website, Blog, Omnific, and/or Goodreads.

Two Spooky Blogfests

2011-10-17T11:11:00.002-05:00

Just wanted to give you a heads up on two cool blogfests coming up for Halloween.They're easy and fun and give us an opportunity to flex our writing muscle, Halloween style.

This Friday, Brenda Drake is hosting the Can you Leave Us Breathless Blogfest Contest. On October 21 post an excerpt---up to 300 words---from your novel or other writings to your blog. If you want, you can write something new for the contest. It can be scary, romance, a thrill ride, a twist. It can be any genre. All you have to do is leave readers breathless.

On Halloween, Tara Tyler is hosting the Haunted Drabble. Write a spooky 100 word story & post on Halloween. Post your link in comments at Tara's on 10/31. She might be giving out a treat to her favorite Haunted Drabble.

Disney Post-Game

2011-10-15T10:41:00.001-05:00

In my Things to Look Forward to Upon Returning Home, I left out read comments on blog. I wasn't sure there would be any---but there were! Thank you, thank you, thank you for adding some sparkle to my transition back to real life. Now that I'm fairly settled back in, I look forward to bopping around the blogosphere to catch up with y'all.

Yes, Jennifer, it was hot down there---but I much preferred the steamy days to the soggy ones. We exited the Haunted Mansion Friday evening and were met by ominous skies. The clouds burst and the rain didn't let up until Sunday afternoon. Let's see, here's a photo of a wet Caribbean Beach.

Still pretty, and I must admit there was something fun about seeing 95% of the mass of humanity at the parks donning their Mickey Mouse ponchos. My favorite was the guy in his Viking hat with a souvenir beer stein capping each horn. (Gee, thanks, Michael, for informing me of the "breathtaking" weather I left behind in Chicago, haha.)

I rode Toy Story Mania for ya, Tara! Here's a picture of Mr. Potato Head entertaining us as we wound through the waiting maze. I was shocked by how mobbed this ride was. The guy at the Fast Pass said it was the most popular attraction in all four parks---that means Fast Passes are gone before noon and the wait time can get up to 2 hours. The best bet is to arrive at Hollywood Studios before opening and then join the herd of vacationers as they sweep through the streets to the ride.

For Suze I have a picture of the Grand Floridian balcony. So peaceful there. A drink and chat with my sister on this balcony plus the ferry ride back to the Magic Kingdom made for a relaxing respite from the madness. I did avoid the Tea Cups afterward---thanks for the tip, Alex.

For Star Wars fans, here's a picture of Tatooine Traders---the souvenir shop riders funnel into after Star Tours. The new and improved Star Tours is great! And thanks to Toy Story Mania, wait times aren't bad at all. I was ever so proud when my daughter was identified as the rebel spy on one of the missions.

Okay Suze, I'm officially asking about your "interesting" experience on Star Tours---spill it!

The vacation came complete with a genuine Clark Griswold moment. After keeping fairly dry & happy by building-hopping in Future World, I trudged my family to the World Showcase in the steady rain, where I led them past six countries and through several deep puddles. This ill advised move ruined us---shoes and socks became hopelessly soaked; rain found its way in streams through gaps in our ponchos. Ah, but there was a great reward awaiting us---the Yakitori House.

As I watched drops fall from the rim of my baseball hat, so saturated it could no longer hold the moisture, I dreamed of warm teriyaki chicken skewers, spicy sushi rolls, and a tall glass of Kirin beer. As the children whined, I promised, "You're going to love it. We'll be dry and happy there."

Just as the rain began to pound on us at its greatest level of violence, we arrived in Japan, where we were met by this (photo taken on a less torrential day):

Note the temporary surround wall. The Yakitori House was CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS! Seriously. In that moment, as the very sweet girl in the gift shop informed us of the development, I knew exactly how Clark felt. I channeled him, I became him as I stumbled back into the rain and loudly lamented with decidedly unDisney-friendly language "Who the *bleep* closes a *bleeping* restaurant during a food and *bleeping* wine festival?" (And says nothing about it on their website? I now add.)

Rather than holding an employee at Buzz Lighyear Space Blaster-point and forcing him over the wall to whip up Japanese cuisine, we sought refuge in nearby America and let the magic crawl gradually back into our souls with the help of Sam Adams and Glory Hallelujah. The whole thing seems funny now, and one day I'm sure I'll dine in the refurbished digs...yet the place shall forever more be known to my family as the Yaki*bleeping*tori House.

One more fun little note before I release you from my vacation diary. At Hollywood Studios we took a "Which Disney Character Are You?" quiz. Everyone, meet me:

Maleficent
Computer must've witnessed the Yaki incident, hehe

My magical vacation may be over, but now we get to go vicariously back to Disney World in November through Tara Tyler and again in December through Susan Oloier---please share pictures & stories, ladies! Also, we'll cyber travel to another part of Orlando with Michael Di Gesu and Jen Daiker, who plan to meet up in a few weeks at Wizarding World! Now that's going to be nuts (in the very best of ways).

Disney World Day 7: The Happily Ever After

2011-10-12T07:00:00.001-05:00

*sigh* By now I suppose we'll all be tired of living out of a suitcase, but it'll still be sad to say goodbye to this trip we've been dreaming of w/ family for over two years. Ah, but there's yet one thing to look forward to---when we step into home sweet home, we'll be greeted by this fuzzy little hunk o' burnin' love...

He always makes homecomings happy.

What's the one thing you most look forward to when returning home from a trip?

DisneyWorld Day 6: Bonus!

2011-10-11T07:00:00.002-05:00

A couple weeks before the trip, American Airlines decided to cancel our originally scheduled direct flight to one w/ a layover in Miami. I said "Nuh uh" and switched to a direct flight the following day, which means...extra day at Disney World!

"The plan" is to hit Hollywood Studios with a proper plan of attack. Therefore, thing #1 that I look most forward to today is...Star Tours! No worries if I've already ridden it a couple times by now: "You never know where the Force might take you. Many different Star Tours adventures await you—including multiple storylines and locations. Riding once is not enough!"

I imagine by afternoon we'll want to head back to the Magic Kingdom. Can't leave the World without bidding Roy & Minnie adieu.

The Peoplemover seems like a nice way to tie up a visit as it winds throughout Tomorrow Land. Second best ride ever. (Told you I've got a thing for transportation.)

So, what's your favorite mode of transportation and why?

DisneyWorld Day 5: Day of Rest

2011-10-10T07:00:00.001-05:00

I think by now we've earned a morning to sleep in, don't you? So for day five, here are the three things I'm most looking forward to:

Grabbing a coffee and digging my toes into the morning sand of the Aruba beach.
(Even if that sand is cold, wet & soggy with T-storms raging all around, by God.)

If we feel like it, we'll head to Hollywood Studios by early afternoon, if for no other reason than to catch the ferry that runs between there and Epcot. What excites me about that is that the boat drops us off at the World Showcase entrance.

Why go to Epcot again? you ask---to have dinner at Teppan Edo in Japan, where the chefs will prepare our meal on the table in front of us.

So, where's your favorite place to dig your toes into the sand?

DisneyWorld Day 4: Animal Kingdom/Hollywood Studios

2011-10-09T07:00:00.003-05:00

If you haven't seen the prior three posts, here's the deal: I'm at Disney World RIGHT NOW and have pre-scheduled posts each day to chronicle the things I'm most looking forward to. I suppose when I get home I can compare reality with expectations. Could be interesting. Or maybe not.

At any rate, here are the three things I'm most looking forward to today:

Our travel agent scored us FREE dining (!) so I giddily made this reservation as soon as we got the news. Today, assuming God's plans sync with mine, after spending the morning at Animal Kingdom, we'll take a bus to the Animal Kingdom Villas for a late lunch at Sanaa, which has floor to ceiling views of this:

After a possible pitstop back at Caribbean Beach, we'll meet up with my brother & his family and some friends (who's vacation coincidentally overlaps with ours) at Hollywood Studios. Kiddos will once again run rampant for a few hours, during which I plan to gently guide the adults (they won't even realize it's happening) to Star Tours. *Ahem* all-freaking-NEW Star Tours!

We'll end the evening with Fantasmic. Last time we saw the show, high winds put the dragon out of commission, so I've got fingers crossed we get to see her in action this time. (Not looking good---as of post time rain, rain, and more rain is predicted.)

Here's what I want to know:

In your best estimation, how many times have you seen

A New Hope?

(Just a reminder: I didn't bring my laptop, and you know how I feel about iPhones, but I promise to repay your visits in the days following my return.)

DisneyWorld Day 3: Epcot

2011-10-08T07:00:00.002-05:00

Today we plan to hit Epcot. I do so love the rides in Future World, like Soarin' and Test Track and yes, even Ellen's Universe of Energy, but I've limited myself to three top picks, and these are what win w/ me:

Lunch at the Yakitori House. I've never been here before, but the location looks serene and it's got teriyaki chicken and sushi rolls, so can't lose.

Dinner in Italy at Via Napoli with the whole gang---all 19 of us!
(This is the day in which my mum is making us all wear matching T-shirts. I'm still trying to come to terms with that.)

There are no fireworks at the Magic Kingdom on Friday, so Saturday we plan to monorail over from Epcot for the show. Just to be clear---the monorail is what's made my top three, not the fireworks. I've got a thing for transportation
...and food, apparently.

What's your "thing" when you're traveling?

DisneyWorld Day 2: Magic Kingdom

2011-10-07T07:00:00.001-05:00

I just can't start out the Disney parks visits anywhere but The Magic Kingdom. After amazing my family with my super-crowd-slithering expertise as I shimmy us all right up to the entry rope, here are the three things I'm most looking forward to today:

Getting all vaklempsch at this site as we make our way down Main Street
(hoping, hoping, hoping the sky's that blue---rain is in the forecast)

After lunch, el kiddos have plans to run rampant through the park with their cousins---sans parents. Ergo, parents have plans to monorail over to the pool bar at the Grand Floridian. The best part? Monkey will be joining us!

To be followed by the best ride ever when we reunite with the children. I can only imagine how fun this is going to be after a couple top shelf Bloody Mary's:

Tell me---what's your drink of choice at a pool bar?

DisneyWorld Day 1: Caribbean Beach

2011-10-06T09:35:00.002-05:00

If all has gone as planned, I'm at Disney World today. While I was busy pre-living the vacation (planning...daydreaming) I put together a series of short posts on the three things I'm most looking forward to each day. So if you'd like to do a little Disney dreaming yourself, come on in...

Here are the three things I'm most looking forward to on arrival day:

Chillaxing at the refurbished pool at Caribbean Beach Resort.

If we tire of chillaxing, we'll catch a bus to Hollywood Studios and then a boat to Disney's Boardwalk. My son and I are intrigued by something called the "Pizza Window." It's a place along the boardwalk where you order a pizza at one window, pick it up at the next, and then you keep on walkin'.

The plan is to be back at Caribbean Beach in time to watch the top of the Epcot fireworks from the Banana Cabana.

How about you---on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being

"Throw a dart in the map and let's go! "

and 10 being

"I'm going to pre-schedule blog posts about what I'll do each day,"

where do you fall when it comes to pre-planning a vacation?

(I'm not bringing my laptop and you know how I feel about iPhones but I promise to repay your visits in the days following my return.)

Writus Interruptus

2011-10-05T06:00:00.002-05:00

Thank you Dr. Cavanaugh for facilitating these monthly therapy sessions just for writers. If you're a writer and you're insecure---a redundancy if I've ever heard one---join the club!

Here's my sad, sad story for October: these last couple of months I've been making great progress on my current WIP. I estimate I'm two-thirds of the way through the first draft at a current count 57,000+ words. I know it'll need lots of polish and some reworking when I get to draft two, but I'm pleased with how it's coming along. I'm in a groove. And tomorrow . . . I leave on vacation.

More accurately, it's a quest for fun. That's right, three generations of blood and in-laws---nineteen of us in all---are gathering at the real life Wally World for what certainly won't be relaxing, but most definitely will be fun. :) The thing is, with my focus interrupted for seven whole days, not to mention readjustment time once we return home, will I lose my mojo?

It took me over a year to recover from the first book being published before I revved up the whatever-it's-called to go at this next manuscript in earnest. (See? I'm already losing my ability to summon a fitting noun on command!) Will this trip of the century---during which there will be no time to scribble anything on a notepad---throw me into another tailspin from which it'll take me far too long to recover?

Tell me, what do you do to rekindle the magic when your writus has been interrupted?

This Goes to 11

2011-09-30T10:06:00.000-05:00

At the beginning of the month I got tagged by the marvelous Girl Wizard. The deal is that the taggee shares ten somethings about his/herself and then tags five people. But here's what I'm going to do---since I'm wrapping up my September Blog-Blitz (today's the last day to get Three Daves for only 99 cents in Kindle, Nook, eBook and ePub) I'll list a factoid about myself as revealed in each guest post from the blitz. And instead of tagging, I'm giving out cookies!

Since I did eleven guest posts, you get a bonus factoid:

1. In summers during college, I sold concert T-shirts at Poplar Creek, an outdoor music theater in the Chicago suburbs.

2. I have a large Teddy bear named Gibb, after John Cusack's character Walter Gibson in The Sure Thing

3. If ever I start a band, I shall name it Brother Kitty...and we shall play punk rock.

4. I still think Charlie Sheen is cute

5. I can't bring myself to fade to black

6. If this writing thing doesn't work out, I'm going into T-shirts

7. My favorite pastimes include making mix "tapes" and quizzes

8. In high school I dated a guy with a big Betamax

9. I'm a sucker for a pretty book cover

10. The fictional campus in my book is modeled after my alma mater, Eastern Illinois University. Go Panthers!

11. I enjoy being forty+

And now I'd like to pass out cookies to each of my illustrious hosts. THANK YOU Julie B., Jennifer Lane, Jen Daiker, Jennifer DeLucy, Carol Oates, Michael Di Gesu, Alex J. Cavanaugh, M. Pax, Lisa O., Karen G., and Hannah Downing for sharing your blogspace and wonderful followers with me.

I had a blast and am excited to have met some new eFriends as part of the deal. And guess what---we even set a record over at Alex's place for most comments on a guest post! So hooray to all of you fabulous commentators too.

If you're still hankering for a tour, you're in luck! Elliot Grace kicks off his tour for his newly released novel, South of Charm, on Monday. I'm excited to tell you he'll visit here on October 24. :)

Next month I'll also introduce you to Feather Stone, who's debut novel, The Guardian's Wilchild, was just released this Tuesday!

In which we age like a fine wine...

2011-09-29T07:17:00.002-05:00

So, the end of my blog blitz coincides with the beginning of the countdown to Hannah Downing's 30th Birthday! She's throwing a Birthday Blogastravaganza and lucky, lucky me gets to kick off the celebration. So grab your pointy hat and your noisemaker, and head on over to wish HD a big HB.

Today's the Author! Author! Blog Bounce

hosted by Omnific Publishing

but open to ALL authors.

In which we explain ourselves...

2011-09-28T08:51:00.000-05:00

Hey there, everyone. Happy Wednesday! I'm over at Karen G's place today, Coming Down the Mountain, where the two of us discuss the joys of Central Illinois...seriously.

In which we develop book covers for judging...

2011-09-26T10:00:00.025-05:00

I'm switching gears today and not talking about the 80s in my guest post over at the Omnific Publishing blog. I'll simply give you a little insight into the cover development process and be done with it. Promise

So tell me the truth, how much does cover play into your book selection process? Do prettier covers make their way more easily to the top of your to-be-read pile? Or have you ever decided against reading a book because you didn't like the cover?

While you're here, why not hop on and hop along with the Meet an Author Monday blog hop hosted by Lisa Sanchez, romance author?

In which we go on a trip...

2011-09-23T07:00:00.005-05:00

I'm double dipping in Blogville on this fine Friday. First, I'm over at the Wistful Nebulae with a quick trip in a time machine back to the 80s to prove I don't need no stinking iPhone. Please stop by to help me out!

Next, it's time to turn in our essays to Professor DiGesu for his

What I Did on My Summer Vacation Blogfest

What I Did on My Summer STAYcation

I'm a fan of off-season travel, which means my family doesn't do many summer vacations away from home. Usually the kids and I venture out during summer break to do a hundred and one local things, but strange weather all summer long---a cold, icky June and then blistering hot July---made even day trips unappealing. So for my "assignment" I'll share with you a small project I did this summer to make the little plot of land I've been entrusted with a bit more vacation-like.

With both my children now officially teenagers, it was time for the clunky wooden playset in the backyard to come down, leaving me with this lovely square of dirt.

So I added an iron gazebo:

Dug in a pea gravel path and planted lillies, iris, clematis, and boxwoods:

Gave it a finishing touch with a birdbath

(the birdies seem to lourve this new hangout)

And in midsummer, we even got some blooms:

But just wait 'till next year.

The flower show should be spectacular. :)

In which we test your metal...

2011-09-21T05:00:00.004-05:00

Hey! I'm over at Alex J. Cavanaugh's today---yes, the Alex J.!---and we've cooked up a super fun head-bangin' quiz for ya. So, please come on over.

Today's the Author, Author Blog Bounce!
All authors are welcome to join & hop along.

In which I crack myself up...

2011-09-19T07:00:00.001-05:00

Yo, the Blog Blitz continues, and I'm over at Michael DiGesu's In Time... today serving up on-liners. I'd love to see you there. :) Thank you to all of you who've been following me around! I didn't realize blitzing was going to be so much fun. Kinda reminds me of pub crawl.

In which I get rated R...eh, maybe NC 17...

2011-09-16T07:23:00.001-05:00

Before I start talking dirty, guess what happened---I hit 200 followers! My 200th follower is Tony VanHelsing (who I'm going to assume is a descendent of you-know-who, and if anyone knows differently do not tell me). To celebrate this milestone, how about I put Three Daves on sale for only 99 cents in Nook, eBook, ePub, and even Kindle until September 30th. ;)

For today's feature post, visit Irish beauty Carol Oates. This talented author and I discuss Adult versus Young Adult and where the line gets crossed.

In which I say Superman twice...

2011-09-14T08:30:00.001-05:00

Please join me at Jen #3's (the marvelous and talented Jennifer DeLucy) as we inspect Dave #3, or as I like to call him, Big D...

Thursday is the Author! Author! Blog Bounce.

Authors hop on and Readers hop along to meet some cool authors and discover new reads. The Bounce is hosted by Omnific Publishing, but ALL authors are invited to join.

In which we meet someone exciting and fun---and a little scary...

2011-09-12T06:30:00.003-05:00

No, I'm not talking about Jen Daiker, although she does have the exciting and fun down. ;) AND she's my hostess with the mostest today at her marvelous Unedited Blog where I introduce you to Dave #2.

The Meet an Author Monday blog hop is on!

This is an opportunity to see what's up w/ authors around the blogosphere - meet new writers and catch up with those you already know. All authors are invited to hop on and hop along. And now, bring on the dancing bunny!

In which we meet insecure writers and a cute boy

2011-09-07T07:00:00.007-05:00

>>>If you're here for the Blog Blitz, stop #2 is at Jennifer Lane Books Blog<<<

>>>Meet David and choose his 1980s doppelganger.<<<

Welcome Insecure Writers! What a brilliant idea Alex had, eh? You'd think insecurity would end the moment a writer's manuscript gets accepted for publication, wouldn't you? But no, as it turns out, it merely opens up the gate for a whole new slew of them.

The highest post-publication insecurity for me has been self-promotion. Everything about it is just so diametrically opposed to my natural grain. What I've found is that I can't do it...or at least I can't tell myself I'm doing it. Rather than thinking of it as as "Buy my book, buy my book, buy my book" I have to think of it as "Hey, you might enjoy this." I mean, I wrote the thing because I wanted to read it, so maybe someone else will like it too, right? And if I don't tell them about it, who else will?

But the thing is, writers can't do it all by themselves, which brings me to insecurity #2---Asking for help. I've got a couple cool things happening with my book this month and wanted to make my best effort to spread the word, so I had to scrunch up that part of me that just haaates to impose on anyone else and shove it into a corner. I put on my big girl pants and asked other bloggers for guest spots at their places.

And do you know what? The reception was warm and wonderful and enthusiastic! The Blog Blitz list on my sidebar is evidence of that (any names look familiar? ;)). So that's my advice---when you need help, set your insecurities aside and just ask. The worst that can happen is someone says no, and I think you'll be surprised by how infrequently that happens.

And now, to prove to you how comfortable I've become with the not self-promotion, I think you might enjoy looking at some pics of cute 80s boys...go on, go on...

I'm linking this post up with this week's, Author! Author! Blog Bounce hosted by Omnific Publishing.

Authors, click on "Get the Code Here" to get the link. Copy and paste that link in your blog post. Then hop right on and add your blog url to get added to the list. Readers, bounce from blog to blog and meet some great new authors and maybe find some new books to read.

In which we learn the story behind the story

2011-09-06T07:07:00.002-05:00

Hey, today is stop #1 of my Blog Blitz over at A Tale of Many Reviews: A bit of insight into the inspiration behind Three Daves.

A Tale of Many Reviews is hosting a paper book tour. Reviewers can sign up here.

Hehe, Look What a Little Whining Gets You...

2011-09-04T17:03:00.000-05:00

So, I'm sure it's purely coincidence that Amazon finally got the new cover up today---the very day I went on a rant to and about them---but would anyone mind terribly if I did that thing where I blow on my knuckles and rub them on my sweatshirt? Thank you all so very much for your supportive comments and Devo song singing. :)

Anywho, new cover's up on Kindle, but it looks like I get to Grrrr a bit longer about the paperback...

Amazon's a Jerk!

2011-09-04T09:25:00.000-05:00

And I have no patience.

For anyone who's interested in getting the new Three Daves cover on Kindle...stay tuned. It appears big, giant, "cutting edge" Amazon has trouble with the simple things, like changing a book cover. Grrrrr. I'll report here once it's up.

Be warned authors, for all it's market dominance, Amazon's not the speediest rabbit in the hutch. Here's the miffed message I just sent them (with zero expectation of getting any sort of response at all from the behemoth):

I don't personally have a seller account with you, but my publisher does. I'm contacting you regarding an issue with my book for sale on Amazon - Three Daves by Nicki Elson. The book got a new cover as of September 1, and my publisher submitted the new cover art to Amazon first thing Thursday morning, yet the old cover is STILL showing. I could understand it taking 24 hours to get your act together (no, actually I can't---you're a HUGE on-line company & should be able to handle a simple cover change in a matter of minutes) but we're getting into the ridiculous stage now.

Barnes and Noble was perfectly accommodating with my Nook sale/cover reveal so what's your deal, Amazon? Is it wrong for a customer to expect a little responsiveness and support in exchange for your cut?

Write a Post Help a Dog - Ends today!

2011-09-03T16:01:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Anne Gallagher and the Golden Eagle for info on this great program for pups. It ends at midnight EST today!

Pedigree is resurrecting its insanely successful Write a Post, Help a Dog program. In 2010, 391 bloggers wrote about the program; with each post, Pedigree donated 20 lbs of its Healthy Longevity dog food to shelter animals. In all, 7,820 lbs of food was donated to two shelters renowned for their care of senior dogs: Muttville Senior Dog Rescue in San Francisco and Castaway Critters in Harrisburg, Pa.

How you can help in 2011

Simply spread the word about Write a Post, Help a Dog 2011 and once again Pedigree will donate 20 pounds of food for each blogger's post.

Please include the following information in your post (feel free to copy and paste from here):

The Write a Post, Help a Dog program is aimed at raising awareness and food for the more than four million dogs that wind up in shelters and breed rescues each year.

For each blog post mentioning the Pedigree Foundation from now until midnight ET on September 3, Pedigree will donate 20 pounds of its new dry Pedigree recipe food for dogs -- its best recipe ever -- to a shelter, because every dog deserves leading nutrition.

The Pedigree Foundation -- a 501 (C)(3) nonprofit organization is committed to helping dogs by providing grants to shelters and rescues and encouraging dog adoption. This year the Foundation has already raised more than $376,570 against its goal of $1.5 million to carry out its work to fund grants that not only help shelters operate, but to further shelter innovations.

The Pedigree Foundation depends on charitable contributions from individuals to carry out its mission to help dogs find loving homes. In addition to writing a blog post, here's how you can help:

Donate online at http://pedigreefoundation.org/donate.aspx

Apply for a shelter grant from the Pedigree Foundation by completing a form at www.pedigreefoundation.org

Purchase Dogs Rule Gear at www.dogsrulegear.com where the proceeds go to the Pedigree Foundation to help loving dogs find a home. SPECIAL OFFER: Get 10 percent off Dogs Rule Gear by using the promo code BlogPaws10 from August 22 - September 30.

Let the Festival of Excitement Begin!

2011-09-01T09:00:00.018-05:00

Well, it's September 1st, and I can finally tell you my exciting announcements!

First...Three Daves has a brand a new cover!!!

The truth is, I was never completely in love with the last one. I thought I was, but it turns out I was just lying to myself. It did a fine job of conveying the three guys and giving an 80s feel, but it was missing femininity and didn't quite capture the fun atmosphere of the story. Months and months after the book came out, I was hit with cover-remorse, and this is one of the reasons I'm so happy to be with a small publisher---they listened, they understood, and they designed an awesome new cover! Ah, but don't worry about the boys---they're very happy in their new position on the back:

Second...the Three Daves
Kindle*, Nook, eBook, and ePack are

only 99 cents all month!
(* as of post time Amazon doesn't quite have their act together and is still showing the OLD cover. To be safe, if you want the new cover for sure, I'd hold off on buying the Kindle until the new cover is showing on the Amazon site. Stupid Amazon. Thanks for the tip, Fabulosity)

Check out other school-themed titles on sale this month at

Omnific Publishing

Third...to celebrate I'm throwing a Blog Blitz!

All month long, I'll be skipping around the blogosphere to do guest posts and have some fun with gracious hosts, including three Jens to each host a Dave! Along the way you'll be subjected to an 80s Hair Band quiz, one-liners, and me coming clean on a few matters. As soon as I get my act together, I'll post the schedule and links on my sidebar. In the meantime, check out this brand new weekly blog hop for authors! You can get more details at the Omnific Publishing blog.

Okay, can I take a breath now?

Happy Blogaversary, Tara

2011-08-30T07:01:00.029-05:00

Before we break out the dip...yesterday I asked what scary things you had planned for the week, but I don't think anyone can top what fellow Omnific Author, Debra Anastasia, just went through. She lost her house to Hurricane Irene (you can read about her harrowing adventure here). The tale ends with much to celebrate - her family is safe and she has an amazingly wonderful attitude. So let the party begin!

Today is Tara Tyler's Blogoversary! To celebrate she's throwing a blog party whereby we each share a favorite party recipe. There's still time to join, if you like. Click on the icon to see who else has yummy stuff posted. Here's my contribution to the partay:

Hot Artichoke Dip

(If you're counting calories, I suggest you read no further.)

Ingredients:
1 cup real mayonnaise
8 oz package of cream cheese, softened
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans artichoke hearts (in water, not oil) drained and coarsely chopped
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (reserve 1 cup for top of dip)
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup shredded Romano or asiago cheese
Fresh ground pepper

Serve w/ crackers or bread

Directions:
1. Cream the first 3 ingredients together.
2. Add artichoke hearts, mixing gently. Add cheeses and pepper.
3. Bake in a pie plate at 350 for 23-35 minutes until the middle bubbles.

Enjoy!

The Pits of Hell

2011-08-29T07:30:00.002-05:00

Last week I accomplished a life-long goal. It's something I've been intrigued by for a while now, but I was always held back by fear. Yet the desire to do it never faded. And so, on Monday, August 22 in the year 2011, I decided the time had come. I cast aside trepidation and finally went for it. That's right folks---I got my armpits waxed.

And Steve Carell wasn't kidding. It hurt like a Kelly Clarkson.

Seriously though, it wasn't that bad. I was able to keep all screaming on the inside, and each consecutive swipe (FOUR under each arm!) got gradually less painful. At least that's what I'm telling myself now. I'll make no excuses for the demon tweezers that swooped in for clean up though. Still a bit miffed at them.

But the girl promised me the first time's always the worst, and I choose to believe her because it's been SO awesome not having to shave, and I plan to go back for more. Other than some stinging that first night, it's been smooooth sailing. :)

So, what scary things have you got planned for this week?

Is Monday, and time to get hoppin' a the weekly Meet an Author Monday Blog Hop hosted this week by Killian McRae.

What I Love About Indie Publishers

2011-08-22T10:36:00.000-05:00

Authors have so many ways to go about getting published these days, each way having its own special factors to consider. I honestly hadn't done a whole lot of research on publishing before I signed a contract for my book. Everything seemed to fall into place nicely with my indie publisher, and so I took that leap of faith.

I've learned more about the publishing industry since getting my book out there and networking with other writers, but I'm still no expert on comparing and contrasting all the options. I can, however, share with you some of the aspects I like about being with a smaller, independent publishing house.

I'll have to wait until September 1 to tell you about two things that currently have me head over heels for my particular publisher *eyebrows*eyebrows*eyebrows* but one factor I can tell you about right now:

At my indie publisher, I've lucked into an automatic support system of "sister" and "brother" authors. With a smaller stable of authors, there seems to be a we're-all-in-this-together attitude rather than an atmosphere of competition. We applaud each others' successes and openly share what's worked and what hasn't. When an author reaches out a hand for help, a dozen grasp back to pull her or him up. Actually, that doesn't stop at the authors---the editors and marketing staff are right in there too.

It's a lot like what I've found in the blogging community, and it was the patient guidance of my Omnific Publishing comrades that gave me the boost I needed to navigate the intimidating on-line social networking scene---like Lisa Sanchez providing me with much needed structure for my blogging habits with the Meet an Author Monday weekly blog hop, and getting showered with #FF love from Omni-family on Twitter Fridays (even though I've been a horrible slouch in that department---I'll do better!).

Here's another example of the kind of support I'm talking about. In the midst of all she's got going on, Carol Oates, fellow Omnific Publishing author of Young Adult, has recently read and reviewed my book! And what a lovely review it is. :) Jennifer Lane and Jessica McQuinn have done the same in the past, and I get a HUGE grin on my face every time.

Now, how about a little support from me to a sister?

Carol recently uploaded her short story Unfinished, to Smashwords so you can sample her beautiful work for free!

And now,

Happy Hopping!

What I Love about "Research" and a Mini Review: Swim Recruit by Jennifer Lane

2011-08-15T07:16:00.013-05:00

Review: Swim Recruit by Jennifer Lane

in the

Summer BreezeAnthology

Abby’s a senior in high school being recruited by Northwestern University’s swim team. Although there’s most definitely a romantic element in this story, it’s really more about team dynamics, and Jennifer Lane, a psychologist by day and former college swimmer, gives us interesting angles from which to examine a dynamic gone terribly wrong.

Swim Recruit shows that bullying isn’t just a high-school phenomenon. It can and does happen at any age. Many times the bullies themselves don’t even realize it’s happening—they’ve been swept up in the flow and don’t consider the consequences of their actions. I like that the story explores this aspect.

While Swim Recruit deals with weighty issues, Lane weaves humor and lightheartedness throughout---like in the opening airport scene, which had me cracking up as Abby's mother says goodbye to her daughter: “Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?” I didn’t know Jennifer knew my mom! The characters’ fun personalities keep the story moving at an enjoyable pace, and the story ends on a hopeful note. A great read any time of year.

And now for what I love about research

Quite simply, this:

My latest MC frequents a garden, and I'm blessed to live near suburban gem
Cantigny Park.

My "research" made for a lovely Sunday stroll with my daughter.

And she even got in some driving practice on the way home. *gulp*

Here we are at Monday again, time for the Meet an Author Monday blog hop, which is hosted today by fabulous Irish vixen Carol Oates.

It's a chance to see what's up with authors from around the globe.

Hope on & hop along.

Guten Tag, Meine Liebster

2011-08-12T11:43:00.001-05:00

Tara Tyler gave me an award!

The Leibster Blog <3 award was created especially for blogs with less than 200 followers. Apparently, liebster has multiple translations ranging from favorite to dearest to sweetheart. Either way, I'm honored Tara bestowed this on me. Thanks!

I pass the Liebster Love on to five worthy blogs:

Karen G and L.A. DeVaul at Celery Tree
This the the blog for the upcoming cozy on-line bookstore by the same name. The blog is a great resource for writers with the latest facts and opinions on the world of publication and writing.

Wendy at Fabulosity Reads
Wendy is a power reader, and we get to benefit by getting her great insights into an eclectic assortment of books. She'll even let you look into her book bag!

Cherie Colyer
Cherie is a writer with her debut novel slated for publication this upcoming winter. At her blog she shares wonderful information on what she's learning along the way.

Britta at Witty and Pretty
Britta is a foxy dish whose fun, honest posts on style and whatnot always seem to be a positive boost for self image. She's got another great blog at Gardening in High Heels

Susan Oloier at Memoirs of a Writer
Susan has a wonderful way of mixing in writing topics with the rest of life. She also has a separate blog that chronicles the challenges and triumphs of her son who has Trisomy 18 (a chromosome disorder): My Life With Zane

A visit to any or all of these Liebster Blogs would be well worth your time.

Petermore

2011-08-08T07:20:00.033-05:00

I consider myself a Harry Potter fan, even if perhaps I haven't quite earned the "atic." I loved the books, read most of them more than once, own a collector's edition of Beedle the Bard, saw all the movies, wrote a novel length fanfiction to cope with the series ending, and heck, even started up a Harry Potter Finer Things Club with my sister and nephews.

But I have limits, and honestly...the idea of Pottermore creeps me out.

Don't get me wrong, I think it's a brilliant marketing strategy for Rowling Inc., and I admire good business, but come on, when is enough enough already? Or is it just fickle me that thinks this way?

Irregardless, my attention has been stolen all of the sudden by a whole 'nother P-man. If its a fresh iteration on a magical English boy you're looking for, I've got an excellent recommendation for a series of books that scratches that middle grade fantasy itch. It doesn't get as deep and dark as the Harry Potter series (ahem, Suze) but it's got plenty of colorful and scary characters and is so much fun, not to mention hilarious.

I speak of the Peter and the Starcatchers series by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. It's an alternative universe prequel to Peter Pan and answers all sorts of questions I've always had. If that's not enough to entice you---the stories include talking dolphins. Talking dolphins!

Barry and Pearson didn't intend to write a fourth book, but they had so many fans ask for it, they drummed up some fantastic inspiration and wrote Sword of Mercy. I'm not quite finished with it yet, but it's probably my favorite of the series.

Prize Announcements:

Congratulations to Liz Fichera on the recent release of Craving Perfect, and on a much lesser scale for winning a signed copy of Three Daves and a little 80s mood music over at Liza Sanchez's Romance Author blog.

Thanks for entering to win, Liz, and thanks for hosting me, Lisa.

And congrats to me for winning two books! The Summer We Came to Life by Deborah Cloyed at the super fun Chick Lit is not Dead blog

Sondrae Bennett's Arctic Winds in the Sizzling Summer Author Extravaganza.

I'm excited to read both!

Since I'm so book happy today, I'd like to share a couple photos of Three Daves and the Summer Lovin' Anthologies on tour at RomCon in Denver with other OminiBook Buddies. Much thanks to Omnific Publishing's hard working marketing staff.

The lovely Killian McRae is hosting today's

Meet an Author Monday

blog hop.

It's your chance to hop on and hop along to mix & mingle with new-to-you authors and those you already know and love.

Dinosaurs, Monkeys and Authors, oh my!

2011-08-01T07:00:00.005-05:00

Today I'd like to direct you to a few authorly places:

With the eBook revolution, are signed books going the way of the dinosaur? No way! says Marcus Clearspring, author of Writing Investigated. He's got an interesting guest post over at Arlee Bird's place about Electronic book signing. If you check it out, please be sure to let me know if you think this is something worth trying.

Here is an excellent post by The Fallen Monkey on the top three grammatical errors she sees in manuscripts, complete with a punctuation cheat sheet. The article is concise, clear, and provides great examples. The Monkey is a former high school English teacher, current manuscript editor, and all around cool chick.

At Thoroughly Smitten, you can read my take on one of the most famous couples in literature: Fictional Felicity: Rhett & Scarlett (by far the least authorly post of the four---be warned!)

Omnific Publishing has started an "Ask an Editor" feature! Stop by and ask a question to be answered by a professional editor.

Happy Birthday, Harry!

2011-07-31T06:00:00.004-05:00

Today is Lisa Galek's Happy Birthday, Harry blogfest in honor of Harry Potter's birthday. My contribution is an excerpt from my fanfiction Professor Burbage and the Potions Master. This scene occurs in Harry's 5th year. I thought it would be fun to give the professors a little love.

Excerpt

"A New Year"

Professor Burbage and the Potions Master

Charity returned to her second year as a Hogwarts professor after spending a good portion of her summer holidays in America. While there, she and her parents had visited Salem, Massachusetts, site of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Quite hilarious really, seeing that as far as anyone knew, witches and wizards hadn't appeared in America until the late 1800s.

Charity declared that the first staff meeting of each new school year was like a birthday for Hogwarts, and so she returned from her travels with gifts for each of the Hogwarts teachers. She gave them out as they gathered in the moldy staff lounge.

“For you, Professor Sinistra," she said as she handed the Astronomy professor a zodiac wall hanging.

"Why, those Muggles have almost got it right!" Sinistra commented with surprise as she studied the woven map of the stars.

"Magical Beans for you, Professor Sprout—they're supposed to grow bean stalks to three times their normal size."

Sprout shook the package. "I'll bet I can get them up to ten!"

Charity gave a mug with the words “Stop by for a Spell” to Professor Flitwick, an East Coast Witches T-shirt to Madam Hooch, and a stuffed black cat to Professor McGonagall.

For Hagrid, she'd purchased a pewter Pocket Dragon with crystals embedded in the eyes. Muggles said it brought good luck. Unfortunately, Hagrid was not to be found, and Professor Grubbley-Plank was taking over Care of Magical Creatures lessons for an unspecified amount of time. Charity pocketed the dragon and would make a point of getting it to Hagrid one way or another.

She turned to Sibyll Trelawney, professor of Divination and all things clairvoyant. "I'll bet you already know what this is."

"Of course, my dear, and it's just exactly what I knew you would choose."

Trelawney opened her box to find a fortune-telling tea cup, complete with instructions painted right on the saucer. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion while McGonagall sniggered in the corner.

"Don't worry, I haven't forgotten you," Charity said to Snape, who stood with his arms folded tightly and a scowl on his face, apparently impatient with the whole production. She handed him a small box, which he opened to reveal a silver and glass ring. Inside the glass was a thick liquid.

"It's a mood ring," Charity explained. "You wear it, and it changes color depending on what kind of mood you're in. I thought it might be useful for us to know when it would be a good time to approach you and when it would be a good time to, eh, not."

Her comment drew general chuckles in the room, and Charity caught and held Snape's eye for the briefest moment. This was the year she was going to come through on her promise to make him like her.

The final gift was for Dumbledore. It was a liquid-filled ball point pen with a little witch on a broom that glided when he tilted it. His eyes sparkled and he chuckled as he watched the little witch fly to and fro.

"Thank you, Professor Burbage, for this delightful start to the school year. Now, down to business," the headmaster commanded.

Thanks for hosting the party, Lisa!

Hey, last night I saw the movie for the first time---and lourved it! (although I could've done w/ a bit more celebration after Voldy bit it, you know?)---and thought I'd share a photo of me w/ my Potter Posse, better known as The Harry Potter Finer Things Club. One key member couldn't be there :( but I wore my London b-day gift from her to represent.

Fictional Felicity

2011-07-29T07:30:00.000-05:00

I've got my second post up in my new monthly series at Thoroughly Smitten. "Fictional Felicity" is all about the couples we love to love---and those we don't. This month Rhett Butler & Scarlett O'Hara are on the examination table.

If you're looking for in-depth character analysis and unemotional wisdom...eh...you should definitely go elsewhere. But if you're up for a little Friday fun and want a chance to vote in a meaningless poll, come on over!

Life, Liberty, and Some other stuff

2011-07-25T07:00:00.002-05:00

My daughter's friend Rachel, who also happens to be my friend's daughter, read Life, Liberty, and Pursuit by fellow Omnific author Susan Kaye Quinn, and loved it so much that as soon as she finished---she dove right back in again!

Since LLP is a Young Adult book, and Rachel is a young adult (age 15) I asked her to take a break from her summer reading and reckless cake-baking escapades to write up a review for my blog. As a thank you, I'm giving her a copy of the Summer Breeze Anthology to benefit Save the Ta-Tas (the anthology just so happens to feature a very sweet short story by Quinn that's a mini-sequel to her novel).

Take it away, my Nirvana-loving friend:

Anyone looking for a good read need not look any further than Life, Liberty and Pursuit by Susan Kaye Quinn. Life, Liberty and Pursuit is the perfect book for anyone who loves a good romance novel. Filled with detail and exceptionally well written, it’s cute without being overly cheesy and unrealistic, and Quinn makes you feel like you know the characters personally. For this, I loved every single page of it.

Life, Liberty and Pursuit keeps the reader hooked from page one, and gives the reader just what they want- a charming love story. As a summer fling turns into a devoted relationship, follow Eliza and David as they embark on a heart-warming journey of finding yourself and following your heart. Life, Liberty and Pursuit is a truly captivating novel that will leave readers with a warm, fuzzy, all around happy feeling by the time it’s over.

-Rachel

Thanks, Rachel! I'm honored to have you call me "mommer" ;)

Other Stuff

Remember when I told you I'd remind you about voting for my book trailer over at You Gotta Read Videos? Well, ehe, I neglected to arrange for someone to remind me! But that's okay, because voting is still going on through 12:01 July 27 CST. So if you're reading this before then and you like my lil' video (created by the amazing Barb Hallworth & featuring music by Intervox) please do stop by to vote. You can find Three Daves in the #9 slot.

There's also still time to:

1) Leave a comment at my guest post at Lisa Sanchez's blog and be entered to win a copy of Three Daves. Cookies go out to: Judy, Michael Di Gesu, Jennifer Lane, Liz Fichera, L. Dian Wolfe, M. Pax, and Theresa Milstein, who've already stopped by. :)

2) Enter Lisa Galek's Happy Birthday Harry Potter Blogfest to take place this coming Sunday, July 31.

Lastly, it's Meet an Author Monday!

Your chance to mix & mingle with other authors.
Hop on and hop along.

Book Signing 101

2011-07-21T10:23:00.000-05:00

Hey, kiddos! Today you can find me over at Lisa Sanchez's Sizzling Author Extravaganza! I've attempted to impart a bit of book-signing wisdom, and I'm giving away more than cookies this time---if you leave a comment at Lisa's site, you'll be entered to win a signed copy of Three Daves & a One Hit Wonders of the 80s CD.

It never ends, and it's never enough

2011-07-18T18:25:00.000-05:00

You're a senior in high school.

Where are you going to college?

You go to college, get a degree. In the middle of a recession.

Where are you interviewing?

You land a job paying peanuts. To compensate you take the company up on its offer to reimburse tuition and begin a masters program.

When are you getting married?

You get married.

When are you going to graduate?

You receive your M.B.A.

When are you getting a better job?

You get a better job.

When are you buying a house?

You buy a house.

When are you having a baby?

You have a kid.

When are you having another?

Fine. You have another and quit your job to stay home with your babies.

Is he walking yet? Is she potty trained? Where will they go to pre-school? Can they ride a bike? Can they read? Which soccer camp will you send them to?

Seriously?

When are you getting a bigger house?

You get a bigger house. Your youngest enters first grade.

Now what are you going to do with all your free time?

*inhale* You decorate the hell out of your new house, get a variety of part-time jobs, become a "professional" volunteer at the school, and oh yeah, write a bunch of stories and get a novel freaking published.

When's your next book coming out?

*exhale* "I just had a short story released."

No. I mean a real book.

You struggle to keep from uttering the following words aloud: Well, maybe if you hadn't invited yourself over and usurped my entire evening, I'd be working on that right now.

So when does it end? Will it ever be enough? Even if you veered from my course at any point above, I'm sure it only led you to a different track of questions. As my very wise friend explained, it's just the way people show an interest in what's going on in others' lives. I get that, and it's very nice. But why do the questions always push forth into the future? Why are people always looking for more, more, more? Is it not okay to take a moment to just be satisfied? Ever?

All that being said, this past week I've started working in earnest on my next original manuscript. :)   I got tired of answering with "I will ... Soon ... It's all up here in my head ... Blah, blah, blah" and I'm delighted to be back at it. So maybe I'm the kind of person who needs that gentle pressure or I'd never accomplish anything. How about you? How do you respond to incessant question of "What's next?"

Here's what's next for young adult author Carol Oates---her newest novel, Ember, will be released tomorrow! Congratulations, Carol.

Carol is being interviewed at the brand new Omnific Publishing blog, where you can win a copy of the Summer Lovin' Anthologies---signed by all the authors---just by becoming a follower.

Deathly Hallows II Movie Scoop!

2011-07-13T21:07:00.001-05:00

I'll not be joining the masses at the movie theater this weekend---I prefer a less chaotic experience---buuuut, that doesn't mean I'm not getting psyched for the big release! Now that I've finally been able to sit down w/ my Chicago Tribune A+E section, I'd like to share w/ other Harryphytes something totally cool!

I generally don't like it when movies stray from the books, unless there's a really, really good reason, and this time I think production designer Stuart Craig has an utterly awesome reason for changing the location of a certain death in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows---Part 2. Here, I'll let him tell you:

(per "Wizard of Destruction" by Rebecca Keegan):

"In the book (the character) dies in the Shrieking Shack. I specifically asked J.K Rowling if she would mind if we transposed that to a boathouse. I felt it would make a very interesting, very theatrical set. There was a lot of glass in the design for the boathouse. Through the glass, you're aware of Hogwarts in flames and the water inside the boathouse reflects the flames. You get a great sense of the height and the drama."

-Stuart Craig, production designer

Light. It. Up! I'm now more excited than I ever thought I could be for a scene that ripped my heart out when I read it in the book. Well done, Stuart.

So, which night will you be seeing the movie?

Also, Lisa Galek is hosting two contests, including a very fun blogfest on Harry Potter's Birthday, July 31. C'mon, you know you're going to want you some more Harry after the movie's done. ;)

Sway in the Summer Breeze

2011-07-11T07:00:00.003-05:00

Last Tuesday, Omnific Publishing released two Summer Lovin' Anthologies---one sweet as a Summer Breeze and one hot & steamy as a Heat Wave---to benefit breast cancer research through the Save the Ta-tas Foundation. For the project, thirteen authors, nine editors, and two graphic designers volunteered their time and talents to help a great cause in the funnest of ways. Our cover designer, Stephanie Swartz, is a two time breast cancer survivor.

Each anthology contains a collection of summer-themed short stories. My story "Sway" is in Summer Breeze. Here's a snippet about the story as well as the song it shares a title with. (I may have listened to it over and over and over again while writing...and then once more. So that's my question for you---what songs have seeped into your writing?)

Sway

by Nicki Elson

Summer evenings get interesting for three octogenarian sisters when a dreamy crooner shows up outside one of their bedroom windows.

To learn more about the anthologies and meet all the authors,

visit Summer Lovin' Books.

Enter to win signed copies of the Anthologies simply by following the BRAND NEW Omnific Publishing Blog!

The Summer Breeze collection of sweet summer romances brings together seven of Omnific Publishing’s authors for some “breezy” romantic reading. In just one book, you can find Carol Oates’ Irish mythical storytelling, Jennifer Lane’s sassy swimmer, and Hannah Downing’s second chance at first love. While Nicki Elson spins a beautiful tale of remembered love, Killian McRae employs a modern twist with her technology-based romance, and Sarah Glover tells the story of best friends’ summer discovery. Rounded out with Susan Kaye Quinn’s glimpse into the next chapter of her Life, Liberty and Pursuit gang, this anthology offers something for everyone to get lost in this summer.

In the Heat Wave anthology, you'll find six steamy romance stories by some of your favorite authors for some “heated” reading. Fans of paranormal romance will enjoy Robin DeJarnett’s vampire lovers and Lisa Sanchez’s unexpectedly compatible lovers. While Debra Anastasia transports you to a long ago time for some steamy romance, Jessica McQuinn brings you back to the hot protectors of modern day. BJ Thornton and Kasi Alexander dip into the exotic with their touch of super sexy. There’s something in this collection to get every reader’s temperature rising!

Meet an Author Monday is now hosted by Lisa Sanchez at her Romance Author blog where she's hosting a Sizzling Summer Author Extravaganza all month long!

Please hop on and hop along to mix & mingle w/ other authors.

Light Up Those Skies, America!

2011-07-04T08:00:00.002-05:00

This is my cheesy tribute

to the country I was born in

and that I love

and that I learn to appreciate more and more each day.

Our path hasn't been perfect. We've made mistakes along the way.

But we stand strong.

United in our vision, even when our methods diverge.

A baby in the grand scheme of things,

I'd say we've done pretty dang well.

A nation that is truly under God can never fail.

(Look, I know "well" and "fail" don't rhyme. It just sort of happened.)

Enjoy those weenies, everyone!

How to Get the Best Edit Evah!

2011-07-01T11:15:00.001-05:00

I've got a guest post today over at the Savvy Authors website in which I dish out ten quick tips for giving your manuscript a final polish before it goes into editing. Just thought I'd pass on some things I've noted through my editing role that've helped me with my own writing.

Arg! I just noticed a problem w/ my post over there. The strikeouts for my example were eliminated, so it's a little confusing. I've notified my contact, but until it gets straightened out, this version of points 6-10 will be easier to follow:

For the points below, I’ll use the following excerpt (in which it will become abundantly clear I spent way too many hours reading Archie comics at my grandma’s). There’s nothing wrong with the excerpt grammatically, but I’m sure you’ll agree it can be improved. We’ll refine it in stages.

Excerpt

Joe wanted to go to the pool. “Hey, Alex, do you want to go to the pool?” he asked as he pointed his thumb in the direction of the local swimming pool.

Alex wasn’t sure whether he wanted to go. He scratched his head and said, “I don’t know, Joe. Why do you want to go to the pool?”

Joe answered. “Because it’s hot at the pool, Alex.”

Alex turned his head and looked at the thermostat. He was confused. “It’s only seventy degrees, Joe. That’s not hot.”

Joe rolled his eyes. He reached out and put both hands on either side of Alex’s face. He turned his friend’s head away from the thermostat. He turned it toward the pool. Two scantily clad girls were paying their pool admission.

“Like I said, Alex—it’s hot at the pool,” Joe said.

Alex smiled. Now he wanted to go to the pool. “Let’s go to the pool, Joe.”

6. Eliminate unnecessary physical movements

As writers, we picture everything as it happens and we want to convey our vision to readers so we tend to over-describe physical movements. But spelling out every little detail will not only bore readers, it’ll break the flow. If the action can be assumed or it doesn’t add any new information to the passage, carve it out.

Excerpt refined (step 6):

Joe wanted to go to the pool. “Hey, Alex, do you want to go to the pool?” he asked ~~as he pointed his thumb in the direction of the local swimming pool~~.

Alex wasn’t sure whether he wanted to go. He scratched his head and said, “I don’t know, Joe. Why do you want to go to the pool?”

Joe answered. “Because it’s hot at the pool, Alex.”

Alex ~~turned his head and~~ looked at the thermostat. He was confused. “It’s only seventy degrees, Joe. That’s not hot.”

Joe rolled his eyes. ~~He reached out and put both hands on either side of Alex’s face.~~ He turned his friend’s head away from the thermostat. He turned it toward the pool. Two scantily clad girls were paying their pool admission.

“Like I said, Alex—it’s hot at the pool,” Joe said.

Alex smiled. Now he wanted to go to the pool. “Let’s go to the pool, Joe.”

7. Eliminate redundant narrative that’s covered in the dialogue or elsewhere.

Excerpt refined (step 7):

~~Joe wanted to go to the pool.~~ “Hey, Alex, do you want to go to the pool?” Joe he asked.

~~Alex wasn’t sure whether he wanted to go.~~ Alex He scratched his head and said, “I don’t know, Joe. Why do you want to go to the pool?”

Joe answered. “Because it’s hot at the pool, Alex.”

Alex looked at the thermostat. ~~He was confused.~~ “It’s only seventy degrees, Joe. That’s not hot.”

Joe rolled his eyes. He turned his friend’s head away from the thermostat. He turned it toward the pool. Two scantily clad girls were paying their pool admission.

“Like I said, Alex—it’s hot at the pool,” Joe said.

Alex smiled. ~~Now he wanted to go to the pool.~~ “Let’s go to the pool, Joe.”

8. Eliminate unnecessary dialogue tags

If it’s obvious who’s saying it, you don’t need a dialogue tag.

9. Cut back on names in dialogue

Using names in dialogue is another natural tendency in writing that doesn’t work so well for readers.

Excerpt refined (steps 8 & 9):

“Hey, Alex, do you want to go to the pool?” Joe asked.

Alex scratched his head ~~and said,~~ “I don’t know, ~~Joe~~. Why do you want to go to the pool?”

~~Joe answered.~~ “Because it’s hot at the pool, ~~Alex~~.”

Alex looked at the thermostat. “It’s only seventy degrees, ~~Joe~~. That’s not hot.”

Joe rolled his eyes. He turned his friend’s head away from the thermostat. He turned it toward the pool. Two scantily clad girls were paying their pool admission.

“Like I said, ~~Alex~~—it’s hot at the pool,” ~~Joe said.~~

Alex smiled. “Let’s go to the pool, Joe.”

10. Vary sentence structure

Not every sentence can begin with a participial phrase; neither should they all be short and direct nor predominately long and winding. Our excerpt has a lot of medium-sized, simple sentences that make it somewhat dull, so I’ve changed things up and added variety.

Final excerpt:

“Hey, Alex, do you want to go swimming?” Joe asked.

Alex scratched his head. “I don’t know. Why?”

“Because it’s hot at the pool.”

Alex looked at the thermostat. “Since when is seventy degrees hot?”

Joe rolled his eyes. He turned his friend’s head away from the thermostat and toward the pool where two scantily clad girls paid their admission.

“Like I said—it’s hot at the pool.”

Alex smiled. “Let’s go swimming, Joe.”

This final excerpt is a lean and mean 74 words versus 156 in the beginning excerpt—that’s half! And has it lost any substance at all?

This Ain't My Gramma's Breast Form

2011-06-27T06:30:00.003-05:00

In preparation for the impending release of Omnific Publishing's two Summer Lovin' Anthologies on July 5, the proceeds of which will be donated to the Save the Ta-Tas Foundation, many of us participating in this week's Meet an Author Monday blog hop have breast-cancer related posts.

Mine is about all the wonderful products available these days to make life after breast surgery more comfortable and just as active as the survivor wants it to be.

I'm extremely (and inexplicably) fortunate that in the minefield of breast cancer, my only close encounter has been through my maternal grandmother. She had a successful single mastectomy before I was even born, so the only thing I remember about it are the times she'd pass around her breast form at family parties.

You heard me right. She'd gotten a new, satin, pillow-like thing that she was ever so pleased with because it was soft and not itchy. Apparently describing it wasn't enough for her, because I clearly remember her reaching into her bra, pulling it out, and saying "Here, feel it." (Trust me, that's not something easily erased from the memory banks.)

So now, 30+ years later, it's kind of cool that I find myself working part time for a boutique that specializes in after breast surgery products, including breast forms. And boy have they come a loooong way.

My grandma's breast form was essentially a pillow she'd stuff into the empty side of her bra. Today, forms are made of a soft silicone that's molded to recreate the natural appearance and movement of a woman’s breast. Newer innovations---including some based on NASA technology---adjust to temperature fluctuations and thus reduce overheating and chill.

Besides making a woman feel more comfortable cosmetically, breast forms are weighted to restore balance, help maintain shoulder posture, and increase physical comfort after surgery.

Breast reconstruction has also come a long way, but it's still not for everyone. Some women aren't candidates for reconstruction for reasons like not having enough remaining muscle tissue on the breast bone; others elect to not go through another---often more demanding---surgery right after a mastectomy or lumpectomy. And so, proper-fitting breast forms remain an essential part of life for many women after breast surgery.

But that's not all...

Other products available to make life a little easier after surgery include:

(the leading manufacturer is Amoena)

Bras and intimate apparel - feminine and comfortable apparel to accommodate breast forms and allow for various levels of activity.

Swimsuits - lots of cute styles with a pocked to hold a breast form securely in place. Waterproof forms are also available

Post-operative products - for immediately after surgery, Amoena (and probably others, I just don't know them) offers soft cup, front closure bras, drainage pouches, and compression products.

Accessories: inserts, pads, creams and other enhancements (e.g. prosthetic nipples) for your breast form.

A couple more things a lot of people don't know:

Insurance plans cover at least part of the cost of a breast form, which can get pricey ($300-$475) AND bras (in the U.S., not sure about other countries). As of the date of this post, Medicare typically covers one form every 2 years and six bras every year. A prescription from a doctor is required if you plan to file with your insurance company.

Boutiques: You don't have to get fitted for your products at a sterile clinic or pharmacy. Certain cutie cute boutiques have certified fitters on staff and provide these services in a much more appealing environment. Check with boutiques in your area to see if they can accommodate your insurance, but even if they don't---if they're sweet like the girls I work with---they just might give you a fitting and then you can take that information with you to the pharmacy.

This is the last time the Meet an Author Monday blog hop will be hosted at Cali Cheer Mom cuz as of July 1 she'll move to Lisa Sanchez Romance Author, where she's kicking things off big w/ the Sizzling Summer Author Extravaganza!

And cookies out to these darlings who came by to visit me at Thoroughly Smitten:

Carol Oates
Suze @ Girl Wizard

Jen Edmonson @ Fineline Antiques
Jennifer Lane
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Tara Tyler
Anne Gallagher @ Piedmont Writer

Thoroughly Smitten

2011-06-24T15:05:00.001-05:00

I've just started a monthly series over at Thoroughly Smitten. Each month I'll be spouting my opinions on a different fictional couple—those iconic romantic duos we love to love…or not. This month is Harry & Sally.

If you care to stop over & leave a comment and vote in the poll, there just might be a cookie in it for you on Monday. ;)

-Nicki

Not Quite a Rockstar

2011-06-20T06:30:00.002-05:00

A rockstar would probably be miffed at seeing her name on the marquis just above "Dog Training"...not squeal with glee and demand a photo.

A rockstar would probably expect people to show at her gig...not exclaim "Really?!" when told there were fourteen registrations plus walk-ins.

A rockstar would probably have rehearsed ahead of time...not relied on the grace of God and the wonderful questions and insights from attendees to keep the presentation flowing.

A rockstar would probably have a whole stable of pens ready for merchandise signing...not wait for one of the purchasers to say "You're going to sign this, right?"

And I'm guessing a rockstar doesn't need to grasp on to her own hands during the "show" to keep them from wildly flailing about.

Ah, but a rockstar probably doesn't give out cookies, either, does she? I do. :) And today I'm giving them out to fabulous authors Trisha Wolfe and Killian McRae for helping my pea brain to finally grasp the definition of Steampunk.

Definition by Trisha (author of the upcoming The Crystal Pendulum , steampunk/paranormal romance):
A genre based on the question what if? What if Victorians were given our technology, how would they use it and how would it look? I write Steampunk Fantasy AU. So I take this questions further. What if we chose to use steam power instead of electricity, how would our future look?

Definition by Killian (author of 12.21.12, romantic suspense):
Steampunk is an alternative reality, usually but not always in the past, in which the primary source of energy is steam power. It's very Victorian grunge, usually, though it can really be set in any time period or in a fantasy setting. Some recent movies that were steampunkish: Sherlock Holmes (the one with Robert Downey, Jr), Wild Wild West, Howl's Moving Castle, Stardust... There's also oilpunk, dieselpunk, neuropunk, cyberpunk (i.e. The Matrix), etc.

Thanks, ladies! Here, have a cookie.

Now that I've started handing out cookies on my blog, I'm not likely to stop, so watch for more cookies in the future. You may even get one yourself. (And geophf, darling, if you're still out there, please take one...and then sixty-eight more. ;))

And here we are at Monday again - time for authors to hop on and hop around to see what's new with other writers around the blogosphere.

In anticipation of the upcoming Summer Anthologies to support the Save the Ta Tas foundation, next Monday a bunch of us will be writing posts about breast cancer awareness from our own personal perspectives. If you'd like to participate, just write up a post and join the hop Monday, June 27.

Meet Sweet Authors & Bloggers

2011-06-13T06:30:00.001-05:00

I have seven things to tell you today:

1. The super sweet & fun Tara Tyler has given me the Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award, and that's why I'm telling you seven things about myself. Thanks, Tara!

I pass the award on to my 10 newest followers because I think its incredibly sweet that they were willing to put their tiny faces in my sidebar:

Obo (Can't find you on Blogger to link to :( )

Stephanie (Can't find you either :( :( )

Roland

Jo Schaffer

Schaeeza

2. I've got lots going on around the blogosphere this summer and I'm going to use this opportunity to list it all here (mostly as a reminder to myself, ehe).

3. I'm participating in the Sizzling Summer Author's Event at Lisa Sanchez's blog throughout the month of July. The event will be loaded with guest posts, giveaways, and lots of fun, and so my guest post on July 21 will appropriately be titled: "Authors Just Wanna Have Fun."

4. On July 1 I'm doing a guest post at Savvy Authors. For this one I'll be coming from an editor's point of view and will offer easy tips to authors on "How to get the Best Edit Ever."

5. On July 5, my short story titled "Sway" will be released by Omnific Publishing as part of the Summer Lovin' Anthology: Summer Breeze to benefit breast cancer research through the Save the Ta-Tas Foundation. Omnific is also releasing a Heat Wave anthology with stories of a spicier variety. On June 27, a bunch of us will do special posts on breast cancer awareness from our own personal perspectives.

6. The Three Daves book trailer has been entered into the July trailer contest at You Gotta Read Videos. It'll post there on July 9, and voting is between July 21-26. Don't worry, I'll remind you. ;)

7. TODAY, I'm participating in the Meet an Author Monday blog hop hosted by Lisa Sanchez at the CaliCheer Mom blog that will soon be saying buh-bye.

Hop along to see what's up with authors on the list, and if you're an author---please add your name. :)

It's All Fun & Games

2011-06-06T06:00:00.004-05:00

My typical response when anyone says, "Hey, wanna play **insert name of game here, any game at all**?" is a groan. I don't know why, I just don't care for games. Maybe because the words "Its your turn" always seem to interrupt my conversations.

Regardless, I have signed up for Alex J. Cavanaugh's It's All Fun & Games blogfest in hopes that someone will come up with a game that'll strike my fancy. Good luck with that.

For my part, I've selected three games I can be talked into with a minimal amount of arm twisting, so maybe you'll like them too:

Drink! You know the game---where every time somebody says a certain word or does a certain thing, you take a drink. For example, let's spice up this blogfest and everybody take a drink whenever Alex says "Ninja"! We ought to be schnockered by noon.

Bananagrams It's a lot like Scrabble but much faster. Everybody works on their word puzzle simultaneously, so there's none of that forgetting you're even playing a game while you wait eons for the other players to finally spell out a flipping word. And to make the game even better---the letter tiles come in a canvas ba-na-na!

Liars Dice As featured in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest when Will Turner faced off against Davy "do-you-fear-death" Jones. The rules are simple, and skillful lying can easily beat luck, so yeah, once that arm's twisted I have a lot of fun with this one.

How 'Bout an Old Fashioned Game of Tag on Memorial Day?

2011-05-30T06:31:00.002-05:00

I've been tagged by the wonderful Kittie Howard, so now you'll be subjected to a few random tidbits about moi. And guess what...

come close now...

You're It!

When you get the time, please answer the following 8 questions at your blog and then tag some others (I think 5's the rule, if you're the type to abide by those sorts of things).

1. If you could go back in time and relive one moment, what would it be?

My dad's 65th birthday. A big group of us celebrated Dad's big day at the Beirgarten restaurant in Epcot's Germany, where Bavarian beverages flowed, the kiddies rocked out to polka music, and we were all abundantly relaxed and happy. The very best thing was the smile that didn't leave my dad's face the whole night.

2. If you could go back in time and change one thing, what would it be?

I would arrange it so my other brother & his family and my sister could've been there...and maybe transport us all to a genuine biergarten in Bavaria.

3. What movie/TV character do you most resemble in personality?

Whoever Courtney Cox plays, apparently. I've been told I remind people of Monica on Friends (I actually was hyper-organized once upon a time) and now I've been told her mannerisms on Cougar Town are just like mine.

4. If you could push one person off a cliff and get away with it, who would it be?

I don't think I should tell you...because what if it happens?

5. Name one habit you want to change in yourself.

I wish I didn't love toast slathered in butter so very much.

6. Describe yourself in one word.

Busy.

7. Describe the person who named you in this meme in one word.

Compassionate.

8. Why do you blog? Answer in one sentence.

At first because I was pretty much told I had to, but now because it's fun and other bloggers motivate me and provide a unique window into real life in the outside world.

Happy Memorial Day!

And God bless soldiers and vets worldwide who've abandoned the self

to defend and protect what is right and good.

Blog Buddies -- They're not just on the Internet!

2011-05-23T07:00:00.004-05:00

We did it! Ever since blog friend Michael Di Gesu and I discovered our birthdays are only three days apart---and that he's in Chicago and I'm in the western 'burbs---we've been talking about getting together. And last Friday we made it happen. Of course we made it happen; we're both stubborn Tauruses (or would that be Tauri?), after all.

This is us at the Grand Lux Cafe on Wabash

I'm happy to report that Michael is just as lively, open, warm, and wonderful in real life as he is on his blog. The conversation and laughs flowed easily all through lunch...and about 45 iced teas/Diet Cokes. But that wasn't enough, so after

having the waiter snap a photo of us, we wandered over to a Starbucks that had the most AMAZING view of Wacker Drive and continued the conversation. If you ever get the chance to meet up with someone you've clicked with in the blogosphere, I highly recommend it. Thanks for the fun, Michael!

During A to Z, Michael won a copy of a soon-to-be-released Summer Anthology, and now I get to tell you a little bit more about it. The authors of Omnific Publishing have all come together to write summer-themed romantic short stories to benefit a very cool breast-cancer charity, Save the Ta-Tas. This is a non-profit foundation that raises funds to support innovative initiatives, such as funding independent breast cancer research.

Our stories will be divided into two collections, a Young Adult "Breeze" Anthology, and a steamier "Heat "Anthology. Both anthologies will be available for purchase from July 1 - September 30, 2011, and all proceeds will go to Save the Ta-Tas. I adore the story this summer theme inspired me to write, and I can't wait until it's out in the world and raising money for breast-cancer research (no, it's not set in the 80s, and yes, it's in the "Breeze" Anthology).

Here we are at Meet an Author Monday again, hosted by Lisa Sanchez. Please link in and hop along to see what's up with these awesome authors: