Nicki Elson's Not-So-Deep Thoughts

Here is my promised interview with Michael Di Gesu , talented interior designer, writer, illustrator, former model, and blogger extraordinaire. Right now he's celebrating the awesome news that his newest novel, The Blinded Gardener , made it through the first round of the American Breakthrough Novel Award! (Here's an excellent description of ABNA at erica & christy's blog). Congratulations, Michael.  I'm sure he's almost as excited about that as he is about winning my Junk in a Box competition. ;) The Interview:    1. When did you start writing, and what made you realize you loved it---was there a single moment or more of a realization over time? I started writing two years ago. With the economic crunch hitting at that time, interior designers were the first to get cut. Clients were not parting with their money. They were scared. I found I had much more time on my hands. Too much time. I had always loved fantasy novels and J.K Rowling and Terry brook...

The administration at the local high school recently banned grind dancing at school functions, so naturally that's been a topic of discussion in these parts.  Among the many things that surprise me about the phenomena of children willingly doing everything short of fornicating in the middle of a public dance floor, are the comments I've heard from people who've graduated from high school within the last ten years. They've told me: "What's the big deal? Haven't high school kids always danced like that?"      Um, I don't think so.  I went to plenty of proms and homecomings when I was in high school, and although I'm sure my boyfriend and all the other guys would've loved to rub their business all over us girls, I don't at any point remember me, or any of my girlfriends, or even any of the skanks at my school inviting them to do so in the middle of the dance floor.  Is my memory lacking, or did we high school students not grind dance...

First, a few announcements:  Three Daves is now available on the Barnes & Noble Nook , and also in ePack (PDF, ePub & MOBI).  Much thanks to Omnific's hardworking graphic designer, Coreen Montagna, for making it happen.  Also... Three Daves got a super awesome review at A Tale of Many Reviews !!!  Here's a snippet: Three Daves is the sweetest, tragic yet works out well, love story I have read since The Notebook . Elson has written characters that I adore and every twist, turn, change, growth, obstacle, and step they took I went right along with them. Having just finished reading, I have a sense of relief for the characters,  goose bumps on my arms, and a smile on face. Yeah, pretty big smile on my face too.  And now for some pics from London...1980s style!  My darling sister threw an 80s bash for me and her girlfriends, all of whom are also ex-pat Americans living in London.  It was so much fun getting a peek inside of my sister's...

I've gotten another entry in my Junk in a Box Competition! This one's from the wonderful Michael Di Gesu .      The Fashion Statement These are all ties and other accessories Michael wore in the 80s for photo shoots during his modeling days in New York. Can you say Movado?  Isn't it cool?  I'm touched that he took the time to put this all together for my little contest.  As I've already informed him, he's the big winner!  He'll receive a signed copy of Three Daves (so excited to have him read it) and a One Hit Wonders of the 80s CD.  And you'll be treated to an upcoming post on everything Michael.  :)  All three entries were fabulous, and the entrants incredibly sweet to indulge me, so I'll also send the two runners up a One Hit Wonders of the 80s CD. Also, I'd like to explain why I've been so delayed in visiting your blogs and responding to your lovely comments.  I've been hanging out with these guys (and my sister who t...

What I discovered about myself when I got my very first laptop almost 2 years ago, is that I'm a rabbit at heart and prefer to hole into little cubbies. Despite my new ability to venture away from the desktop and out of the confinement of the small office, I've landed in the even smaller butler's pantry as my primary writing space. It's a narrow galley between the kitchen and the dining room w/ a pantry closet on one side and this small counter on the other.  I just couldn't focus in wide open spaces---far too many distractions.  So this is where I go when I need to get 'er done.  And yet, I'm still in the middle of the house and able to keep my mom-dar on. ;) Yes, that's a wine fridge on the right---what's your point?  The beauty is that when company is coming, I can easily whisk away the office supplies (including the pens, etc. in the coffee cups) and *bam* it becomes a beverage oasis.  The guests leave, and *bam* it's back to my "off...

Last year, Jessica McQuinn graciously granted me an interview on the release day of her latest novel, Indivisible , an emotional tale of love and survival in a military family. Jessica McQuinn is also the co-author of Passion Fish . Both Indivisible and Passion Fish are part of Omnific Publishin's Freedom Sale through July 31, 2012 at only $2.99 each. Even though Indivisible deals with some pretty weighty issues, McQuinn's vibrant personality shows through in her writing to make the book a fun as well as an insightful read.      For more on the military aspects of Indivisible , read the Coffee Time Romance interview. 1. The military plays a strong role in Indivisible, so the story obviously had to be set near a military base, but how did you decide on San Diego as the setting for Indivisible? Well, since Gideon is a SEAL, the options were limited. While at any given time, a SEAL team can be anywhere, there are only a few actual bases that they call "hom...

Because of the maximum fabulosity of my Top Ten Countdown (bloghop hosted by Alex J. Cavenaugh ), I've created a Top 10 You Tube playlist for your enjoyment. I had two main criteria for my selections: * The songs had to be by bands/performers that have a whole stable of great songs.  No one-hit-wonders here.  So each song on the list represents one of my personal favorite bands/performers. *  The songs have to be timeless .  When I listen to them years later, I have to love them not because of whatever memory they dredge up, but because they still rock.  And so, the order here was simply decided by how much time they've been tested for...i.e. in order of release date, starting w/ the most recent. **Please note, if asked again tomorrow, I reserve the right to completely change this list ;)** 10   "Just Breathe" Pearl Jam 9 "I'm Shipping up to Boston" Dropkick Murphys 8 "Pretty Vegas" INXS (I feel like a traitor choosing a song post ...