Friday, July 29, 2011

Day late...dollar short...

While I wait for today's lesson to be posted I thought I would come over and catch up on a few things.

Then I realized it's Friday and I had missed posting on Thursday. Hmmm. An entire day just gone.

Curses.

So...if you are freaking out about The Avengers movie coming out in May of 2012, like I am, HERE is a tiny taste that the 'powers that be' doled out.

F**K YEAH!


Of course I will have to catch up with all the other ones that I have missed...like Thor and now Captain America.

Poor me!


In other news...I have read that Anne Rice is now going to be writing a werewolf story.

Why? Cause she heard I was writing one?

I don't know. 

I was a huge fan of her vampire series until about book five and then I couldn't take it anymore. Too much reminiscing and not enough action.


On another blog I was reading they were asking their readers what made them choose to write?

Who said I had a choice?


Important tip from class...Limit your use of dialogue tags, she said.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Something to sink my teeth into...

My online class is getting pretty juicy. We are done with the basics and have moved on to the chunky meaty good stuff. 

Like what?

Like dialogue, voice, pacing and info dump. 

I'm pretty sure my book is going to be a paragraph long when I get through making all the changes that need to be made. 

Boy meets girl. They fall in love. They have conflict. They get over conflict. They live happily ever after. The end.

See. That's about all that's left.

I might even have to remove The end since it's implied.

My emotions get the better of me too.

I embrace making the changes. Yes, this will make the story better. 

Then I get angry while I make them. Why should I have to change this? This is exactly what I wanted to say or how I wanted to say it! 

And I get upset with the other class members. They post great stuff or great questions and I'm having trouble absorbing the damn lessons to begin with.

It truly is a great class though. The writing tools that I am learning will make a huge difference in my writing. 

If I let them.


I am admitting to the world that I watched Teen Wolf on MTV. It's not bad. Not great but the characters are interesting and its holding my attention. Plus the guys are kinda hot. Not Nathan Fillion hot or Alex O’Loughlin hot or even Ryan Reynolds hot but, hey, few are. Actually the sidekick is my favorite character. He kind of steals the show.


Off to do more homework.


Important tip from class: Ms. James tells us to read our work aloud. It's a great way to catch mistakes or awkward dialogue.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Easily distracted by...oh, look! Shiny!

WAZZZZUUUUPPPPP Peeps?

Working hard on my homework but still way behind.

I am easily distracted today because I think my brain is getting full.

I figure that all this stuff used to be in my head and at some point was booted out for new and more interesting information.

You know, like my favorite song lyrics and movie quotes. That's important, right?


If you read Karen Marie Moning's Fever series then you know how F'N awesome Jericho Barrons is. A few posts ago I mentioned that Ms. Moning was going to write an exclusive Barron's POV sex scene for her fans.

She has finally posted it. JZB Scene.

All I have to to say is FUCK YEAH! HOLY HELL! THANK YOU! and throw in an AMEN just for fun!


Yesterday was my wedding anniversary. I don't always count this one because we were together for 4 years before we decided to get hitched. But, this is the one that the family always remembers...so...

Happy 10th Anniversary to my husband.
Thanks for putting up with me!


Important tip from class...Ms. James tells us to use Okay. Not Ok or OK.


Hope you all have a good weekend and stay cool and hydrated.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Filth, flarn, filth, flarn, filth!

This class is tough.

It will make me a better writer.

It will pay off in the end.

I am ignoring my blog.

I am neglecting your blogs.

These aren't the droids you're looking for.

I had to return a book to the library before I even cracked it open.

My note taking hand is cramping up but that's okay because there is a cat on my notes.

Did you just say Abe Lincoln?

I want more coffee but my leg won't stop bouncing as it is.

I'll be back...I hope.


Important tip from class...Ms. James tells us that the word like is a weak word. Using the 'find' tool on Word I found I have a severe addiction to the word like.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Short but sweet...

What's up everyone?

This will be a short but sweet post today because I have to catch up on my homework for my online class. I am WAYYYYYYY behind. 

In case you were interested...the same host, Antimony, from the Seven Deadly Sins Blogfest Challenge is starting another one shortly. Only this time she is working with the Seven Virtues to help us all repent.

Although it does sound like fun, and my husband came up with a great theme for me, I just don't have the brain power to crawl through my book over and over for my class and write seven new challenge posts. But, feel free to use the link above to join or read them in August. 

Also, I'd like to thank you all again for hanging out with me. I have noticed that I am 5 treasured guests away from having 200 followers.

It really is the coolest to know that at least some of you are repeat customers and enjoy frequenting my blog. So, thank you!

Important tip from class...back-up your work...possibly in multiple places! 

Anyone go see Harry Potter yet? I'm still working on it!

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Less sin, more fulfilling...

Hello, and welcome back to the norm. 

I hope you enjoyed the Seven Day, Seven Deadly Sins Blogfest. I know I did.

And thanks to Antimony at Thoughts, Musings and Broken Promises for hosting such a fun event.

Writing the sins about cats in a shelter just seemed to manifest itself inside my head. Later it occurred to me that I could have written them all about one cranky cat working on their 'nine lives'. An idea for another day.

If you haven't checked out the other bloggers I have included a (stolen) list below. Impressive entries, one and all, and I have met some great new people!



A few days into the online class and my brain is already fried!

Ms. James mentions at the beginning that she hopes we are in love with our manuscripts because we will be seeing a lot of them.

So true.

I'm finding all kinds of things to clean up and fix each day.

The class is forum based so the other participants can leave comments and ask questions. It's nice to get different perspectives and ideas from other writers, some of which are published.


Last, but not least, I would like make one more blog recommendation today.

My mom, Suzanne, has begun to blog. (I'm a bad influence). She is very crafty and I mean that in the nicest way possible. She will be posting about her cards, scrap books, her poetry and such and you can find her at Suzi's Ice Box Art.

Feel free to go show her some love.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Seven Days, Seven Deadly Sins Challenge - 7/13

Sloth

Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz

Too lazy. Must get up.

Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz

Tiger stripes look like four lane highways.

Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz

*YAWN*

Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz

So tired.

Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz

Hungry.

Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz

Sleepy.

Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz

*STRETCH*

Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz

Maybe just one more snooze.




Seven Day, Seven Deadly Sins Challenge

 


Seven Days
Seven Deadly Sins
Seven Flash Fictions up to 100 words
Starting 7/7

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Seven Days, Seven Deadly Sins Challenge - 7/12

Wrath

The tortoiseshell cat swiped his sharp claws at the lady as she passed his cage again and threw in a low growl for good measure. His mind was seething with rant. You two-legged freak! Don’t you even think about it! *hiss* I wouldn’t come home with you no matter what you promised. You and your opposable thumbs can just turn around and go back the way you came. *snarl* I would destroy you and all your things. I eat shoes like yours for breakfast! *yowl* Go ahead, bring me home if you dare! But don’t expect me to like you!



Seven Day, Seven Deadly Sins Challenge

 


Seven Days
Seven Deadly Sins
Seven Flash Fictions up to 100 words
Starting 7/7

Monday, July 11, 2011

Seven Days, Seven Deadly Sins Challenge - 7/11

Lust

The sweet earthy smell made his nose twitch in pure happiness. Oh, how he loved the minty bouquet, to inhale the fragrant addictive weed. He adored rolling his sleek glossy fur in the leafy herb. His whippy slender tail would point straight out when he caught even the tiniest whiff. Bring more! Now his attention is waning as the odor begins to fade. His eyes slowly lose their luster. His overactive nose settles to a more dignified pace. A nap. A nice quiet nap is all he needs. Wait! What’s that alluring aroma? He must have it! Bring it now!




Seven Day, Seven Deadly Sins Challenge

 


Seven Days
Seven Deadly Sins
Seven Flash Fictions up to 100 words
Starting 7/7

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Seven Days, Seven Deadly Sins Challenge - 7/10


Greed

The more white than black cat pitied its voluptuous twin, always begging for snacks. It was easier just to take what you wanted. What you needed. What you had to have. For example, if she wanted the pretty bowl that held her food, well, she took it. If she needed to own that fuzzy mouse they slipped through the bars for her to play with, well, she kept it. If she had to have the sparkly shiny bauble hanging off this lady’s sweater while she peeked into her cage, well, she’d have it … just a little closer … and she’d have it.



Seven Day, Seven Deadly Sins Challenge

 


Seven Days
Seven Deadly Sins
Seven Flash Fictions up to 100 words
Starting 7/7

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Seven Days, Seven Deadly Sins Challenge - 7/9


Gluttony
 

The more black than white cat required very little for the duration of his forced captivity in this cage. Except for maybe one more dish of scrumptious food. Perhaps just a splash more cream in his bowl. I mean really, what were a few delightful morsels between friends? Like this nice lady standing nearby. She must have a little nosh for him hidden in her pocket. A token of her affection that he could savor. One tiny bite of something delicious? One drop of something refreshing? Was it asking so much? Would it kill her to share it with him?




Seven Day, Seven Deadly Sins Challenge

 


Seven Days
Seven Deadly Sins
Seven Flash Fictions up to 100 words
Starting 7/7

Friday, July 8, 2011

Seven Days, Seven Deadly Sins Challenge - 7/8


Envy

“Is it too much to ask for that luxurious fur” the plain orange tabby cat asked herself for the thousandth time. She only ever wanted beautiful soft fur like the gray cat. And that tiger striped cat, did she have to have such lovely whiskers? It just didn’t seem fair that the Siamese had those mad skills with his long tail when she had none. Well, at least she didn’t have to share her cage like the black ’n’ white twins did but why couldn’t she have the uppermost cage like that tortoiseshell male? What a view that must be! 



Seven Day, Seven Deadly Sins Challenge

 


Seven Days
Seven Deadly Sins
Seven Flash Fictions up to 100 words
Starting 7/7

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Seven Days, Seven Deadly Sins Challenge - 7/7


Pride

The compact dark gray cat carefully washed his paw completely ignoring the woman standing outside his cage. He didn’t care why she was there or what she wanted. He was terribly busy. So much beautiful fur to wash. So many perfectly manicured claws to sharpen. When a feline was this handsome extra care needed to be taken to maintain a beautiful exterior and a healthy interior. Besides this woman didn’t appear to be his saucer of milk. Wearing her cheap knock-offs she obviously would never be able to uphold and maintain the quality of life that he expected. No, demanded.



 


Seven Days
Seven Deadly Sins
Seven Flash Fictions up to 100 words
Starting 7/7

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Might. Have. Bitten. Off. More. Than. I. Can. Read.

It's not my fault. All these books showed up at once! I'm drowning in exciting literature!

Sitting on the side table right now...

Chasing Fire-Nora Roberts (about half way through and enjoying it...as usual)

A Discovery of Witches-Deborah Harkness (which is much bigger than I thought it was going to be)

Beyond the Highland Mist-Karen Marie Moning (and it's only the first in a long line of hot Scottish romance novels)

Waiting in the wings...

To Pleasure a Lady & To Bed a Beauty-Nicole Jordan (I'm half way through the first and it's all right but slightly long-winded)

Plus...

I have like 4 free novellas from Carina Press and 1 full length self-published book waiting on my computer to read.

AHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!! 

I'm really not that upset. It's really kind of awesome.

Some stuff I would like to pass along that you may or may not want to know about.


New Library Campaign
What do you geek?
Get your geek on. Show your support.

Antimony at Thoughts, Musings and Broken Promises  is hosting a Blog Challenge.
Seven Days
Seven Deadly Sins
Seven Flash Fictions up to 100 words
Starting 7/7
 

I haven't decided if I am up to this challenge or not but there isn't much time left to decide either. 

Ebyss at Ebysswriter is holding a Revision Contest with agent Natalie Fischer from the Bradford Literary Agency. Read the rules carefully they are a little complex.

I've been holding off on sending my story anywhere until I complete the Angela James course that I will be starting on July 11th.

Since it's called Before you Hit Send I figure I will wait for the class to be finished before I send my stuff anywhere else.

Hope you all had an enjoyable 4th of July weekend. We did.

Any other blog stuff out there you guys want to share?