Find the Story Friday!!! And a little show not tell....

Happy Friday blogosphere!

First, an apology...I signed up for a blogfest and forgot to get my post up when I said I would.  *slaps own hand*   Madeleine over at Scribble and Edit is hosting a wonderful and VERY useful (to me, anyhow) blogfest titled "Now Showing".  The idea is to pick some rather boring telling statements and turn them into some fantabulous showing statements.  I picked the following:

4.  S/he was elated. 
My turn:  Her grin stretched wide across her face and her heart felt so light, she thought it might fly from her chest.

6.  S/he was filled with embarrassment.
My turn:  After it happened, not just her cheeks but her whole head seemed to burn red and she wished she had an invisibility cloak in her back pocket.

Hmmm...passable?  It's a thing I need to work on - so THANK YOU Madeleine for a great blogfest idea!

Ok....so, I'll make the Find the Story Friday!! part quick.  Here's your pic for the week.  Run wild with it:

Oh!  And if you know (or would like to better know) any of these fine ladies:  Abby Minard, Colene Murphy, and Jen Daiker - you'll want to check back on Sunday for the "AbCoJen" Interview - Part 1.

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Writing!!

A Peek at Pike's Peak Writer's Conference...

Happy Wednesday, everyone!  So....how's it going?  Editing away?  Are the written words flowing?  Any querying successes to report?  (I hope so!!)  For those of you who saw my "I'm a Special Request" post...ah, well.  Weronika and I are not a match, I'm afraid.  Apparently, I have more novel and query letter fine tuning to do.  And that's ok!  Because it justifies the expense of going to a writing conference this year - obviously I need all the help I can get!  And what better way to do that than to spend a weekend with editors, published authors, agents and fellow aspiring writers attending a myriad of workshops aimed at honing my writing skills?

So, I've picked one!!

This year, I've decided to attend the Pikes Peak Writer's Conference in Colorado Springs, CO.  It's happening the weekend of Apr. 29th through May 1st.  There's also a bonus all-day workshop on Thursday, the 28th.  And registration opens up in just a few days, on the 15th. 

Now, the official brochure for this year's conference isn't out just yet.  So, why am I committed to going already?  Well...I've heard this one's a good one.  :)  But, seriously - I want to say that I remember one of my favorite authors, Shannon Hale, saying that she attended one year...hmm.  Anyhow!!  If you check out their past conference info - you'll see that they seem to ALWAYS have a great line up of agents, publishers, editors, and authors on hand.

Last year, their keynote speaker was Donald Maass!!  I think we've all heard of him, right?  The editor and chief of Del Rey did a workshop on "What I look for in a manuscript".  Awesome.  They also had a read & critique session for aspiring and published authors alike and agent pitch sessions with agents such as Sara Megibow and Kristen Nelson of the Nelson Literary agency, Caryn Wiseman of the Andrea Brown Lit. agency, Sarah Warner of Warner Lit., Scott Hoffmann of Folio Lit. and many more.  Hey - Nathan Bransford even attended one year!  PLUS - their (past) workshop line-ups are jam-packed.  Seriously.  Their Saturday line-up last year started at 7:30am and ended at 11:00pm. 

Plus - this particular conference is one that I can drive to in a day (I think...).  So - that's my plan!  Do you have one of your own?  Happy Writing/Editing/Querying, all!

Short Stories and a Writer's Platform...

Happy Sunday, fellow bloggers and lovely friends!  Hope all is well in your respective necks of the woods?  Yes?  Good.  :)

So, I got a subscription offer for The New Yorker the other day. 

Now, I'll be honest (don't cringe too much) and say that the most I know about the The New Yorker is that it's a magazine (ha!), it's been around for a while (1925-ish, right?), and that it's kind of a boon to any writer's career to get their fiction published in it (ummm - you meant "jackpot!" right?). 

So, I'm submitting my latest short story to them today and expect you'll all see me in print in a month or two..........HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Yeah, well...my point is - while I'm quite a ways away from EVER having my work published in this landmark magazine (idk, it could happen eventually, right?), I think we've all heard that getting short stories published in reputable magazines, e-zines, anthologies, etc. is an extra bonus to add to a query letter and get you noticed by an agent.  It's part of your "writing platform" - the more you have here, the better.  Of course, as bloggers, we're already in the game here.  More and more - "on-line" presence is topping the list of things to have in this "writing platform".  But, publishing short stories could possibly be a good stepping stone to getting your novel noticed and ultimately published, too.  It can only help, of course, to also READ the stories that make it in to The New Yorker and into other writery type mags.

So, my questions to you today - HAVE YOU PUBLISHED A SHORT STORY?  WHERE? DO YOU SUBSCRIBE TO ANY GREAT WRITING MAGS?  ANY SUGGESTIONS OF GOOD ONES TO SUBMIT TO?

I'll admit again that I haven't too much experience looking into this area of publishing, but one or two mags out there that have helped me out or that I've considered submitting to are:

1. Writer's Digest.  I know you've all heard of this one.  Jam-packed with advice, writing and publishing interviews, contests, etc.  *AND CHECK THIS OUT - they're hosting a webinar with agent Sara Megibow of the Nelson Literary Agency AND participants will get to submit their first 3 pages for Sara to read AND comment on!!  How cool is that?  Click "here" to find the registration page - this Thursday, 1/13 @ 1pm EST.

2. Glimmer Train.  This is another fiction magazine that focuses on short stories.  They have contests specifically for debut authors, but you're welcome to submit to them anytime.

Ummm...yeah.  There's only two suggestions from me (sorry).  But, please share some magazine/short story collection ideas of your own!  And I think I might just get that subscription to The New Yorker after all ($29.95 for a year and I get a free bag!!!).  Happy Writing ~ :) 

Find the Story Friday!! Is for the birds...oh and 7 things!

Happy Friday, everyone!  I haven't given you a place in a while, so please tell me where the following picture takes you (or your MC):

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Lovely, isn't it?  I'm seeing lovers picnicking in the park...they pause to do a little somethin'-somethin' that startles the birds!  You?

And now here's my follow up to my recent Versatile Blogger Award - 7 quick things about me:

1 - I dearly miss the old chocolate twizzlers....

2 - I have wide feet.  (do you know how hard this makes finding CUTE shoes in a regular shoe store??  Ummm. hard.)

3 - I have a little long-haired dachshund named Sammy.  Maybe you've seen him?  :)

4 - Olive Garden makes my favorite alfredo sauce.

5 - I marketed a Ouija board for a class project in Jr. High... (yah, yah...I know...)

6 - I'm an Aries.

7 - I used to have a fang  (yep, just one!)

And now to pass on the award to some other great bloggers I know!!  I found a different (looking) version of the Versatile Blogger award, so please grab it for your blogs ~



1. Caitlyn @ the great esCait.  This is my little sis, peeps!  (Sadly, with only 3 followers so far) So, of course gotta give her a shout out and wish her some bloggy success!

2. Shannon McMahon.  Have you checked out her Anoncrit series yet?  Awesome!

3. Leisha Maw.  A great blogger from my neck of the woods - yeah!

4. Lynda Young @ Wip It!  Always has some great writing advice!

5. Carol Riggs @ Artzicarol Ramblings.  Yay - she just got over 100 followers and is celebrating with a giveaway!

6. Vic @ Hairnets and Hopes.  She just sent me a dvd, a book and some chocolate - so OF COURSE she's in!

7. Danette @ There's a Place I dream about.  Yep - a fellow dreamer.

Congrats to all of you - and for those I didn't list (yet), I'm all about paying it forward, so I hope you'll be patient with me.  I'll get all you fabulous bloggers listed with lovely bloggy awards asap!  Happy writing!

100 Words and a dash of shame...

Happy Wednesday, all!  Have you checked out Elena's 100 Words for $100 contest yet?  The $$$ comes with participation and mama (aka "I") needs the cash, so jump on over RIGHT NOW and enter!!  You've got until Jan. 31st - so PLENTY of time to come up with a mere 100 words.  It's so easy!  Here's mine:

Kat fell to the soft wet earth, which cushioned her knees in mud and stained her brand new denim jeans rich brown, and let the tears fall in curtains as she pondered over her own sad fate of which she had solely brought upon herself with her callous disregard of John's heart, with her very good lies, with her snap judgements and unforgiving nature, and with the long-held secret she'd carried and should have told him about because it would have cleared up everything and made things right for them to be together, finally, after so many lonely years.

(Ok, well maybe not so easy....)

But, this totally challenges your writing.  Yes, that's right!  It's a writing EXERCISE, which is good for a writer's soul - so DO IT!  Come on.  Pop on over.  You know you want to.  :)

(Thanks, in advance, of course!)

Ok - so now for the shame part....it comes in threes.

#1 - My little sis, the great esCait, TOTALLY kicked my can in my NeToReMo challenge!!  10, count them, TEN books down in the month of December to my measly little 5.  AND she throws it in my face a little on her blog - so sweet.  :)  But, looks like she read some amazing books that I'll definitely be adding to my TBR list.

#2 - The fabulous Maria McKenzie, over at Reading, Writing, Romance passed on to me The Versatile Blogger award a whole week ago and I'm just now getting around to thanking her!  Thanks, Maria!!  If you haven't checked our her blog - pop on over asap, please!  I'm supposed to name 7 things about myself, now - and pass this on to some other wonderful bloggers, which I fully intend to do!  On Friday... :)

#3 - I also told my blogging bud, Jen @ Unedited, that I would blog about her fabulous 1 year blogoversary giveaway (last Sunday, whoops!)  She'll have been blogging AND writing for 1 (count it) ONE year on Jan. 20th!  And have you seen what she's accomplished?  Truly amazing.  And she's celebrating with a very wonderful and generous giveaway.  So, if you haven't stopped by to enter and give her some blogoversary love - do it today!

(I hope that was ALL I had to make up for....)  I've seen a plethora of events, blogoversaries, blogfests, and contests out in the blogosphere!!  Great things are happening in 2011 so far.  Make sure you don't miss out  and Happy Writing!  :)

New Year's Neverlutions...

How many of you make New Year’s resolutions?  (Oh, Happy Monday, btw!!!)  Do you keep them?  If so, BRAVO!!  *stands up and claps a lot*  Because I NEVER do.  Sure, my intentions on Jan. 1st every year are good.  I think about it, what it is I want to accomplish in the New Year.  But, then I wake up on Jan. 2nd and sadly, it’s business as usual at the Q.O.P’s house.
If you Google it, you can find lists of the most popular resolutions people make – I know you’ve heard them before, but here’s a quick recap of the top ten:

Lose weight/Be more fit
Stop smoking
Drink Less Alcohol
Find a better job
Save money
Take a trip (really??? People have to make this a resolution to do it? That’s sad, really.)
Get a better education
Volunteer to help others
Find a soul mate
Manage debt

(Note: these were listed at random, prioritize as you please, please)

I’ll tell you right now that “Lose weight/Be more fit” is the one I usually go with. (it’s a girl thing…) So, when Jan. 1st rolls around and I can still roll with it?  Well....

So this year, to avoid the guilt on 1/1/2012 - I give you this:  My list of New Year’s Neverlutions!! Here’s a few things I have ABSOLUTELY no intention of doing this year and why:

1 – Lose weight:  Ummm….why? Food is yummy!! Especially my favorite foods. The Lay’s motto – “betcha can’t eat just one”? Yeah, that applies to all the yummy food groups in my opinion! Dieting is for the birds…and maybe pretty people. And as I can’t fly and, let’s face it, will never be a model – I say to heck with losing weight! I’ve got a belly and I’m proud of it! Seriously now – it shakes when I’m jolly. You know what that means, right? I can keep that Christmas spirit near and dear ALL year long! You betcha! And when I sit with a snack – my belly doubles as a coaster, maybe a small plate. Less dishes to do = awesome! What else? Ummm – built in bib! Heck ya! Easier to clean a shirt than the carpet, am I right? It’s also a ready-to-go costume for Star Wars conventions – give me a sports bra and a marker and voila! Jabba jr. And how about a “personal space” guard – so, no personal-bubble-popper people to worry about. It’s a pillow for my daughter or my husband. It’s really just a friend that is always with you. So let’s give it up for belly chub! And NO DIETING is the ticket to some of your very own! (yeah, keep telling yourself this, Donea!)

And hey - having a belly worked out for this fine fellow.  Think about it...

2 – Quit smoking: As a non-smoker, I can honestly say that this is a resolution I have absolutely no intentions of keeping.

3– Find a better job: In this economy?  You're joking, right?  I'm good where I'm at (for the moment), but thanks.

4 – Manage debt: No way! If I do this, I’ll have no fun at all this year! (And I’m going to a writing conference this year if it kills me/my cc!!)

5 – Find a soul mate: I better steer clear of this one. It might make my husband upset…

It’s a modest list, but I’m pretty sure I will not do any of these things in 2011 – so I’m feeling pretty good about it. :)  But, if…you know…on the off-chance one of these things is accomplished… (#1 – I’m staring at you here!!!) it will just be a bonus!

Rest assured, however, that my writing goals for 2011 have a “reso” rather than a “never” on the “lutions” front. And for those goal-oriented types, I wish you all the best of luck with your resolutions this year – really, I do! But…IS there anything you plan to never, ever do this year? Just curious. :)

Happy 2011!!! Eye candy blogfest and a NeToReMo update!!

Happiest New Year to EVERYONE!!!  So, it's 1-1-11 and here's what I'm hearing when I say that out loud, "Won, won, won, won."  You know what this means, of course, don't you?  GREAT things are gonna happen for us all this year!  They are, I tell you.  Just watch!!  :)

Ok - so now down to the bloggy stuff:

Vicki Rocho is hosting a New Year's Day Eye Candy blogfest today!!  Super easy - post a pic that makes you smile.  I, of course, immediately thought of cute boys when I read "eye candy", so here's mine:

Sammy's take on Holiday Fashion

He's SOOOO adorable!!!!  Totally eye-candy worthy ~ :)

So, anyone here for the blogfest - thanks much for stopping by and I hope my pic gives you a smile, too!

My next order of blogness today is my NeToReMo report.  I'm probably one of only two people (my little sis joined in, love her!) that participated in this.  Likely because I made it up... :)  But, if you're interested to see what the idea was, you can find the original post here.

Alas, I didn't get to every book on my list.  This is either due to my propensity toward procrastination.  Or I can blame it on the holidays.  Hmmmm...I'll get back to you on this.

Instead, I made it through 5 books.  And here's the scoop:

1. Into the Wild Nerd Yonder by Julie Halpern.  245 pages.  First line, "I so used to love the first day of school."  My (quick) thoughts - this was a fun, relatable, tale about the trials of finding true friendships in high school.  The point?  Nice people rock!  No matter who they are or where they rung in on the social ladder.

2. Going Bovine by Libba Bray.  480 pages.  First line, "The best day of my life happened when I was five and almost died at Disney World."  Thoughts - I kept thinking that this book is to readers today, what Pink Floyd's "The Wall" was to the druggies of the past.  :)  That's not a dig, I promise!  This book's a total trip!  But in a good way.  I've heard it called a new "cult classic" and I could totally agree with that.  To see what I mean, you must read.  (although, maybe not for readers who cringe at frequent use of the "f" word...)

3. Graceling by Kristin Cashore.  471 pages.  First line, "In these dungeons the darkness was complete, but Katsa had a map in her mind."  Thoughts - Ah, Katsa.  Ah, Po.... this one I REALLY enjoyed!  Wouldn't it be awesome to be better than anyone else in the world at one thing in particular?  Well, only if it's useful, of course.  Being the world's best line dancer or tic-tac-toe player wouldn't quite do it for me.  And I'd hope that my two different colored eyes were nice colors...of course, knowing my luck - I'd get stuck with pea green, and pee yellow.  Nice...

4. Fire by Kristin Cashore.  461 pages.  First line, (from chapter 1, not the prologue)  "It did not surprise Fire that the man in the forest shot her."  Thoughts - the idea of a "human monster" can be seen in more ways than one, here.  And I got a little "don't judge a book by its cover" here.  A good read.

5. If I Stay by Gayle Forman.  208 pages.  First line, "Every one thinks it was because of the snow."  Thoughts?  More like moods.  This book evokes so many - the good, the bad, the inbetween.  It's a beautiful book about something simple - a choice.  And it holds things in its pages that I think almost anyone could relate to.

So there you have it - 1,865 pages in one month.  Not too shabby, really!  That's 60 pages a day.  I think 100 pages a day minimum sounds a little better and that's what I'll shoot for next December (feel free to join me).  Did it help?  Did I soak it all in?  Will it make my writing that much better?  Time will tell (and maybe a few beta readers).  I hope so.

Who's my winner for best first line?  I'm gonna have to give that one to Libba Bray and Going Bovine!!!  Woo Hoo Libba!!!  But, was that my favorite book?  Not necessarily.  For favorite read of these 5 - I'm going to have to go with Graceling.  What can I say, I'm a fantasy girl.  But - these were all good reads.

And have you seen this?  The 2011 Reading Challenge.

HAPPY WRITING/READING/LIVING IN 2011!!

"Tron" and a tiny blogcation...

Happy December 26th!!  :)

For everyone who celebrated Christmas or any Holiday cheer yesterday, I hope you all had a wonderful time, got some awesome swag, and shared time with people you love.  I did!

So, I'm taking the coming week off from work *woot woot!! dancing a jig and throwing confetti*.  Yeah, just a tiny bit excited about it.  :)  And as I'm thinking about ALL the things I can get done with a week off work, I've decided to take a small vacation from blogging.  Minute, really.  I may or may not be around the blogosphere as 2010 dwindles away, but I'll be back to visit you all on Jan. 1st, when I participate in Elena's 100 words for $100 blogfest.

I know Jen @ Unedited has something exciting cooked up for 2011 as well!  And if you're just a bit lazy (like me) I believe she mentioned she'll be listing upcoming blogfests and contests on Friday!

So, for now - this is where I'm off to later today:

on IMAX: 3D, baby!!  (Hope it's good!!??)

And here's my wish to all of you:

I hope 2011 finds you all FANTASTICALLY well!  And I'll keep my fingers crossed that we all get a few MS requests, agent representations, book deals, tops to the NY Bestsellers list, or whatever your wish may be in the coming new year!!  See you on the 1st! :)

Find the Story Friday!! Into the tunnel.....

...and where does it go?

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MORE Christmas lights - but, as I was driving through these, it was a little surreal when I was inside with the ever changing lights blinking around and sliding by me. (I think I had a Willy Wonka flashback!)  If I was a character in a fantastical story, where would this tunnel take me?  Hmm.... 

 What devices have you used in your stories to take characters....elsewhere?  Feel free to share...unless it's a closely guarded secret... then I'm happy to wait and read all about it in your published copy.  :)

Happy Christmas Eve!!

To tickle your holiday funny bone...

Hello there, my peeps!  Wasn't Jen's and Melissa's Be Jolly, By Golly Blogfest on Monday absolutely fabulous!!  I had a great time visiting so many lovely holiday blogs, meeting new bloggy friends, and sharing in some holiday fun!  If you haven't checked it out yet, you can visit my jolly post "here" and the other fabulous entries "here" ~ :)

Busy, BUSY day today, so I'm just going to leave you with a few Christmas funnies *a-cop-out-choo*:

Hoping your presents are bought, wrapped and under the tree!!  Happy Wednesday!