Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!
It's the end of 2011 and I think about the goals I set for the year. I met some and way missed others, but all in all it was a good year for me. Some of the good things:
Shadow Warrior book 2 in the Shadow Dancer series, is gearing up for release in a few short weeks. I got the best Christmas gift in the mail today (December 24), which was my ARC. Holding my new book and seeing the colors and the artwork up close and in detail really sent me over the moon. It looks wonderful. A special great big THANK YOU shout out to Carrie for her fantastic map of Acadia. It looks so cool. I can't wait for you to see it.
A Howl in the Night, my new paranormal book has been accepted and is in the works for a 2012 release. All you shape-shifter fans out there, this is a read for you.
I had a few magazine acceptances and several anthologies. I will have an updated "PUBLICATION" list at the start of the new year.
Shadow's End, my work in progress is coming along very nicely. I plan on having it finished up asap as I cant wait for everyone to see how the Shadow Dancer series ends.
That's all I got for now. The rest, I can work with. I am going to focus on the good and forget about the rest for now. I have time and faith in myself.
Have a great Holiday Season everyone. I will catch you on the flip side.
La! Ctny
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
Hey Santa.....hey Santa!
Yeeee! It’s the count down to Christmas week! I’m so excited. I have the decorations done the packages purchased and almost completely wrapped. The cookies and bread are baked and the house is spic-an-span. I am so ready for the big red suited man to come and visit me. Yes, I said me.
I know, I know, I have children now and that means he isn’t suppose to come and visit me anymore, but he makes a special exception for me. So what is on me list you ask?
1. H&D Gummy Bears of course! I can’t find them. It’s depressing as all hell. You can’t buy them on line anymore and a lot, a LOT of the brick and mortar stores, don’t carry them anymore. What am I going to do! Well I’m asking Santa to bring me a few bags or ten. If the big man can’t do it, who can?
2. Chance perfume by Channel. Yes, I have expensive taste when it comes to perfume. Usually I request Love’s Baby Soft, but I got a free sample of the Chance last February and I LOVE it. I made that tiny little tester last six months. Maybe more. So it’s definitely on my list.
3. Uggs. Yes. I want a new pair of brown moccasins. I NEED them. Must have them. Actually it’s not really me. It’s my feet. See my feet don’t like to be cold. They are threatening to go on strike if I don’t take care of the cold problem. So as you can see, it’s a must have.
4. Zumba for the WII. You can only do so much YOGA, I want something fun and new this year to get me through the cabin-fever of the winter. Plus a great way to burn off all the winter comfort food I tend to ingest during the months of January, February, and March.
5. New pots and pans. I have had the same ole cheap pans for years now. I want to get rid of all the old crap and buy something nice and new. I promise I will goodwill all the other stuff. I wont keep any of it or stash it away “just in case”. When browning hamburger sticks to the pan, you know its time for new.
That’s all. See my list really isn’t all that oppressive. Come on Santa, I have been really really good this year. I have. I promise! You can ask my mom…er maybe not. Ask my husband…no don’t ask him either. Just take my work for it. I have been ACE this whole year.
What’s on your lists this year people? Come on, share….
ctny
Monday, December 12, 2011
Undead Drive-Thru by Rebecca Besser
This week I was lucky to be able to read the new book by Rebecca Besser, titled Undead Drive-Thru.
Undead Drive Thru is the story of Betty, or Aunt B. as you come to know her. Her husband is turned into a Zombie by nefarious deeds and instead of having her husband turned into a science project or killed, she decides that she will just take care of him herself and to do this, she opens up a diner. Hey we all have to make a living right? Enter John, Aunt B.'s nephew, who knows of the big zombie secret. Then Jose, Colleen, and Ky that don't. What you get is chaos at its best, blood, guts, and even a love story thrown it.
Sometimes you read a zombie book or watch a zombie movie and the word that comes to mind is "hokey". Undead Drive-Thru is not hokey at all. In fact it was a very good and entertaining read. I sat down and read it straight through as I just wanted to know what would come next. The characters have depth and you feel for them as they make their way through their respective journeys in this book. Undead Drive-Thru begins with a bang and ends just a dramatically. Very well done of this author.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars because I really did enjoy this read. You can find this book on amazon HERE at the fantastic price of $5.99 for the Ebook version or $9.99 for the paperback version.
ctny
Monday, December 5, 2011
End of Nano 2011
Yes, I survived Nano, and with a few lovely badges as well, which you can find HERE. Aren’t they lovely? So you are all now wondering how did it go? Well, it went. What I have found out about Nano is that yes I can write 50,000 in 30 days, but the writing isn’t wonderful. As the goal of Nano is to just write, don’t revise or correct along the way, I now have quite the revision ahead of me. But, I do know most of the areas that need some work as well as the areas that need more explanation. I found that I spent a lot of my time making notes to myself such as: “Chapter 7 is icky. Go back and rework….or…Relationship with Lucas, so not feeling it. Go back and add. Seriously, I have a page and a half of notes like that to myself. Oh the revision I am dreading.
The story however, is pretty good. So far. Lots of new character and lots of action and quite the ending even if it is me saying so. However, I am not touching that draft until January 1st..er 5th actually. For now, I am catching up on my reading and all the administrative stuff that goes with being a freelance writer (loads of it..yeesh!)
~*~
On a separate note, look to the right of my blog and you will see, yep, the new and lovely cover for Shadow Warrior. Isn’t it beautiful? You can look for it around January 15, 2012. I will confirm the release date as we get closer as well as provide links to where to find it.
~*~
Lastly, my latest contribution to an anthology is out. If you would like to check it out, you can find it HERE. It’s a cute little evil story.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Conan - 2011
Thankfully, Nano is almost over. I am so close to being at 50,000 words. I hope to get there either late Monday or at the latest, Tuesday. The novel I am writing will not be complete at 50,000 words but it will be pretty darn close. I am still liking the title, Shadow's End, for it. What I have realized during the write of this novel is that Leif is going to need his own story told. I am thinking about doing one for him. I have never tried to write a story from the POV of a boy. I will have to see if I can pull it off.
So, I was finally able to watch the new Conan movie over the weekend. As you may recall I wanted to see it over the summer, but because it was rated R, I was not able too. Not because I am not old enough to get in (hahahaha) but because we go to see movies as a family and that one was not quite appropriate for a 9 almost 10 year old.
Thank goodness I had that foresight too. That movie....I was so excited for it. The story line looked so good? The lead guy that looked very promising? Just....vomit. Conan was sadly just a movie about splashing gallons of blood everywhere for no real reason. Oh and tons of boob shots. Why? Did they think a boobie here and there would make it a better flick? Bad, bad and so bad.
The movie starts out with young Conan, being part of a competition between the boys his age for a place in the warrior ranks. Of course his father has to die, which I expected, and they did it in the most violent of ways with pails of blood shooting out everywhere. EVERYWHERE. I thought, "Okay, I can get over the gore. I expected that." But then, the next scene you get a slut-ball Conan as an adult hauling off naked girls everytime you turn around, until that is...he meets...HER. Of course they hate each other at first. They have to fight it out until the end, when they realize they love each other.
The story line: Based around an old mask that comes to life with power when "filled" with the blood of a certain lineage. The mask is actually kinda cool and creepy all at the same time. One man claims the mask and plans to rule the world with his witch wife that is already dead, but the mask will bring her back to life. His daughter, also a witch with a scary freaky hairdoo, does a really good job in her part btw. The blood they need? Conan's woman of course. So the story consists of everyone trying to possess her. Fights and blood and death ensue until she is captured by the bad guy. Then more fights and more blood. There was a pretty good part with sand warriors. Had the whole movie been that caliber it would have been a good flick, but no.
All in all, I am so glad that I did not spend my $50 at the theater to see that load of poo. The $1.00 I spent through the redbox, was almost too much. Bummer.
That's all I got for today. Have a great week everyone.
ctny
~*~
So, I was finally able to watch the new Conan movie over the weekend. As you may recall I wanted to see it over the summer, but because it was rated R, I was not able too. Not because I am not old enough to get in (hahahaha) but because we go to see movies as a family and that one was not quite appropriate for a 9 almost 10 year old.
Thank goodness I had that foresight too. That movie....I was so excited for it. The story line looked so good? The lead guy that looked very promising? Just....vomit. Conan was sadly just a movie about splashing gallons of blood everywhere for no real reason. Oh and tons of boob shots. Why? Did they think a boobie here and there would make it a better flick? Bad, bad and so bad.
The movie starts out with young Conan, being part of a competition between the boys his age for a place in the warrior ranks. Of course his father has to die, which I expected, and they did it in the most violent of ways with pails of blood shooting out everywhere. EVERYWHERE. I thought, "Okay, I can get over the gore. I expected that." But then, the next scene you get a slut-ball Conan as an adult hauling off naked girls everytime you turn around, until that is...he meets...HER. Of course they hate each other at first. They have to fight it out until the end, when they realize they love each other.
The story line: Based around an old mask that comes to life with power when "filled" with the blood of a certain lineage. The mask is actually kinda cool and creepy all at the same time. One man claims the mask and plans to rule the world with his witch wife that is already dead, but the mask will bring her back to life. His daughter, also a witch with a scary freaky hairdoo, does a really good job in her part btw. The blood they need? Conan's woman of course. So the story consists of everyone trying to possess her. Fights and blood and death ensue until she is captured by the bad guy. Then more fights and more blood. There was a pretty good part with sand warriors. Had the whole movie been that caliber it would have been a good flick, but no.
All in all, I am so glad that I did not spend my $50 at the theater to see that load of poo. The $1.00 I spent through the redbox, was almost too much. Bummer.
That's all I got for today. Have a great week everyone.
ctny
Monday, November 21, 2011
Versatile Blogger Award
Thank you Carrie(!) – a soccer queen or to those of you up north and across the pond “footy” - for sharing the versatile blog award with me, as you will see it has now been combined with the '10 Things You Didn't Know About Me' award.
As with Ms. Carrie, I have decided to go with her theme of:
When I was little:
1) I dreamed of being an artist and one day colored a lovely mural of my entire family on the white walls of my bedroom, top to bottom. I thought they were lovely, but my warmed behind and my missing of the muppet show were proof that I was quite wrong.
2) I was shy even at the ripe old age of seven years old. I used to hide inside this evergreen bush before school so that I didn’t have to stand in line with the other kids. That is also were I had my first kiss that same year, when Spence P. climbed into the bush beside me and laid one me. I didn’t think I was going to like kissing after that as all it was, was wet and gross.
3) We moved a lot when I was little. As in every year I attended a new school. It’s one of the reason I stopped trying to make friends. Why bother when the next year I would just move again and have to start all over. That worked well for me until the 6th grade when we moved out to BFE and then STAYED there until I graduated. The nerve…
1) I dreamed of being an artist and one day colored a lovely mural of my entire family on the white walls of my bedroom, top to bottom. I thought they were lovely, but my warmed behind and my missing of the muppet show were proof that I was quite wrong.
2) I was shy even at the ripe old age of seven years old. I used to hide inside this evergreen bush before school so that I didn’t have to stand in line with the other kids. That is also were I had my first kiss that same year, when Spence P. climbed into the bush beside me and laid one me. I didn’t think I was going to like kissing after that as all it was, was wet and gross.
3) We moved a lot when I was little. As in every year I attended a new school. It’s one of the reason I stopped trying to make friends. Why bother when the next year I would just move again and have to start all over. That worked well for me until the 6th grade when we moved out to BFE and then STAYED there until I graduated. The nerve…
4) I was afraid of the big bad wolf for years. I swear, swear he lived in our basement.
5) I was not a cheer leader, but I did play volleyball and basketball and there were days I was pretty decent at both.
6) I had a huge thing for Prince and Tom Cruise. Not sure what that says about me as they both turned out a bit on the weird side.
7) I used to tie my shirts at the side and wore leg warmers.
5) I was not a cheer leader, but I did play volleyball and basketball and there were days I was pretty decent at both.
6) I had a huge thing for Prince and Tom Cruise. Not sure what that says about me as they both turned out a bit on the weird side.
7) I used to tie my shirts at the side and wore leg warmers.
8) I spent most Friday nights at the skating rink, regardless of where were lived. It is the one time in my life that I was not clumsy. No idea why having four wheels attached my feet made me graceful, but that was the only time in my life that I was and still am for that matter. Yes, we still go, now and then and yeah, I still got it.
9) I was at one time in Awana, was a brownie, a bluebird, a firegirl, and finally a girl scout. Moved a lot remember? Every town had their own “thing”.
10) And last but not least, I wanted to be a Stewardess. That is what they were called at the time. I thought they had to live the best life. Getting to see the world one airplane ride at a time. But, to this day, I have still never once been on a plane....
9) I was at one time in Awana, was a brownie, a bluebird, a firegirl, and finally a girl scout. Moved a lot remember? Every town had their own “thing”.
10) And last but not least, I wanted to be a Stewardess. That is what they were called at the time. I thought they had to live the best life. Getting to see the world one airplane ride at a time. But, to this day, I have still never once been on a plane....
~*~
On a aside, my story Shapes for Lunch is in the November Issue of Stories for Children Magazine. If you would like to check it out, you can find it HERE.
Also Nano is going well. I am upwards of 37,000 words. In the home stretch ya'll.
Have a great week.
ctny
Monday, November 14, 2011
Nano - Week Three
As I said last week, I am participating in Nano this year - which means I don’t have the time I normally do to blog. Therefore this week and most likely next and the next you will get a bit of randomness from me. So what's on my mind today?
1. Mondays in Nano-land are rough for me. I am always, ALWAYS behind in word count on Mondays because I just don’t have the time to write during my weekends. I didn't write one single stinkin word this weekend so again I am 3400 words in the crapper. Darn it all!
2. Pumpkins. Did you know that those little pie pumpkins have and make a TON of pumpkin puree? I have so much pumpkin tidbits in the kitchen thanks to one measly pie pumpkin. That includes Pumpkin Muffins, Pumpkin Pie, and Pumpkin bread. AND I still have some puree left. What...the...heck? I am going to try pumpkin cheesecake one day this week and see if I can use up the rest.
3. Thanksgiving. With all the noodle making, and turkey preparing, and stuffing fixin, I wonder if anyone thinks about the reason for the holiday anymore. If you ask my teenager, she will say Thanksgiving is all about the FOOD, the best holiday EVER! If you ask my little one, she will say its extra days off of school and work. I think we are missing something....
4. Reading. I miss reading. I haven't read anything in 14 days. Most likely I wont read anything either for another 16. I have at least 8 books sitting on my kindle calling my name and I don’t have the time to even look at them. Nano is rough in more ways than I realized.
5. Uggs. I really want a new pair. I don’t care if they are boots, or moccasins or what, I just need a new pair. Its getting really cold and I hate chilly feet. They should make a heeled ugg so that I can wear them to work without having to change into more "appropriate" work gear.
Well that's it for today. I am now off to Acadia to deal with firepeople, blue fairies, see if I can hunt down a shadow guardian, and figure out how to defeat a king. Have a great week everyone. See ya next.
ctny
1. Mondays in Nano-land are rough for me. I am always, ALWAYS behind in word count on Mondays because I just don’t have the time to write during my weekends. I didn't write one single stinkin word this weekend so again I am 3400 words in the crapper. Darn it all!
2. Pumpkins. Did you know that those little pie pumpkins have and make a TON of pumpkin puree? I have so much pumpkin tidbits in the kitchen thanks to one measly pie pumpkin. That includes Pumpkin Muffins, Pumpkin Pie, and Pumpkin bread. AND I still have some puree left. What...the...heck? I am going to try pumpkin cheesecake one day this week and see if I can use up the rest.
3. Thanksgiving. With all the noodle making, and turkey preparing, and stuffing fixin, I wonder if anyone thinks about the reason for the holiday anymore. If you ask my teenager, she will say Thanksgiving is all about the FOOD, the best holiday EVER! If you ask my little one, she will say its extra days off of school and work. I think we are missing something....
4. Reading. I miss reading. I haven't read anything in 14 days. Most likely I wont read anything either for another 16. I have at least 8 books sitting on my kindle calling my name and I don’t have the time to even look at them. Nano is rough in more ways than I realized.
5. Uggs. I really want a new pair. I don’t care if they are boots, or moccasins or what, I just need a new pair. Its getting really cold and I hate chilly feet. They should make a heeled ugg so that I can wear them to work without having to change into more "appropriate" work gear.
Well that's it for today. I am now off to Acadia to deal with firepeople, blue fairies, see if I can hunt down a shadow guardian, and figure out how to defeat a king. Have a great week everyone. See ya next.
ctny
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