Summer TIme Livin'

I love summer! I love having no schedule; the kids are home; we stay up late and sleep in; we take more walks; I read more; the pool is open.

But I am getting no editing done on my WIP! None. My biggest excuse is that my laptop WILL NOT turn on. No matter how much I pat it or kiss it or whisper sweet nothings in it's drive, I get nada.

I know I can get my jump drive and write on a different computer. But I have good excuses for not doing that: no schedule; the kids are home; we stay up late and sleep in; we take more walks; I read more; the pool is open.

On the bright side~I just finished a book that inspired me to write more in depth for my WIP so I've been hand writing ideas/sentences/plots. Wait. That means more editing. *sigh*

I guess I'll go for a walk after I eat a slice of watermelon. Then maybe we'll go to the pool.

Alma the Younger by Heather Moore

Alma the Younger, son of the aging high priest, once was taught by the wisdom of the prophets. Now, ensnared by the wiles of strong drink and harlots, he’s a bitter dissenter determined to overthrow the church and lead the people into new “freedoms.” But en route to one of his malicious missions with his royal henchmen, Alma is halted by an unexpected opponent: an angel of the Lord, a messenger of the very God he has sought to defame. What unfolds is a story of miraculous redemption, a story building on the poignant Book of Mormon account to show how even the vilest of sinners can be transformed by the Savior’s amazing grace.


Another well-written Book of Mormon story from author Heather Moore.
Alma the Younger has been raised in the Church of which his father, Alma the Elder, is high priest. But along the path of life, Alma the Younger chooses to exercise his free agency and rebel against his father and the church.
He justifies his anger at his father by 'preaching' to saints that the church is wrong and leading them astray. He doesn't realize the pain he is causing, especially to his parents.
He goes too far in leading people against the chuck and God sends an angel to Alma, a answer to many prayers including Alma the Elder.
Heather has added quite a few fictional characters to give the readers more depth to the scriptural ones. But it's not hard to separate them as the fictional names are not from the Book of Mormon.
The next book from Heather to look forward to reading is AMMON.

Here is a link to her website My Writer's Lair

Rating: PG
V: Some non graphic killings and fights
L: None
S: None

Save The Word!

You!
Yes, you!
You must help save the word!
You can start by clicking this link. Then find a word and adopt it. Then you pledge to use the word in your every day conversation. Ideas for usage come with your special word.
Don't be afraid of the words. They all want to be adopted and will make lots of noise to get picked.
There is a word out there waiting for you! Or two or three. (Know your limit of conversation before adopting too many.)
And by all means, have fun! Go on walks with your words. Take them to the park or museum. Your date/spouse/significant other will be impress with your new vocab.
We can do this together! Once you pick a word, come back here and let me know what it is, how you used it and on whom.

This is my first try at adopting a word and I was a little nervous but I did it. I registered and picked a word.
Here is my word, definition and possible usage:
Slimikin
adj.
Small and slender
Even though he was a slimikin, Snow White thought it wise to steer clear of Grumpy.

Love This Picture-Have a Great Weekend

Would this pic fit in a steam punk story?
What is steam punk?
Have you read/written any thing steam punk?
Am I even saying/spelling it right?
:)


















image from greatblogabout.org

Quiet At The Library, Please!

I had to post this story! This puts my little library into perspective!


As both books and classic red phone booths are becoming a thing of the past, a village in Somerset, England has merged the two rare commodities.

The bright red old phone booth was purchased for just 1 pound and remodeled as the smallest library in the world. Residents line up to swap their already read books for new ones left by other patrons. Over 100 books and a variety of movies and music CDs are available at this tiny library.

A Few Contests

Need another contest to enter? Or need new books to read? Here ya go:

Shannon Messenger is giving away signed Lisa Mantchev books and swag. Click here to entire before Shannon hyperventilates!

Heather Justesen is giving away BOOKS and more BOOKS to celebrate the release of her book. Click here to enter to win.

Anne Bradshaw is giving away ROADSHOW by Braden Bell here.

Barry Lyga ROCKS! here with signed copies of his books like ARCHVILLIAN.

Do you have a story about a mistake caused by your age? Tell T.J. here and win a book.
Angie has over 200 followers! YIPPEE! And she's giving away books or a critique, so visit her here (BTW, she's awesome!).

Hmmmm...I thought I had a few more to throw here. If I find them, I'll update. Meanwhile, don't forget to check out Countdown to Eclipse Giveaway here, LDS Book Review Countdown to Summer here, and Summer Treasure Hunt here, all with excellent prizes!

Need A Good Father's Day Gift?

Heather Moore's newest Book of Mormon installment is an excellent book for Father's Day!
ALMA THE YOUNGER

Love This Picture-Have a Great Weekend

Does this picture fit in with the world in your book?













image from lunarossa

Do Not Fear pt 2

I took this from Procrastinating Writers Blog

Wait, Wait…There’s Still Something You Can Do
Before you think that allowing fear to censor you is some disease you’ll never get rid of, I have good news for you: it’s not. There are several ways to stop censoring your writing and allow the truth, the real story, to shine through.

Here are my suggestions:

• Stop Completely—Stop letting fear keep you from writing what you want to write and what you know needs to be written. If writers allowed fear to censor them, then we’d never have some of the most remarkable works in history—The Jungle, In Cold Blood, Fight Club, Pride and Prejudice, anything by the Brontë Sisters (I could go on forever with this list). The point being, just stop. Stop allowing fear to be your friend and kick it to the curb. It’s not your friend and it never will be.
• Use A Pen Name—This is one of the easiest ways for a writer to hide her identity. Plenty of writers have taken on pen names: Mark Twain, Sophie Kinsella, James Chartrand, Dr. Seuss, J.K. Rowling, George Orwell (this list could go on forever, too). A pen name is a simple and effective way to conceal your identity and write whatever you want to write.
• Commit to Writing the Truth, No Matter What—Make it your goal to always write the truth, as you see it. Your truth may be different than someone else’s, but that’s what makes you unique. And that’s what makes your perspective and voice so important. As I mentioned, in fiction, you’re making things up, but there’s always truth built in, otherwise your story won’t be believable.
• Stop Caring What Anyone Thinks—This is one of the biggest barriers for a writer writing what he/she truly wants to write. Like me and my romance novels, it’s hard for me to write them when I’m always thinking about what other people will think/say afterward. You can’t let this mindset or the stupid things other people say stop you from writing whatever is in your heart. Easier said than done, I know.
• Believe That You Are Enough—Sometimes fear becomes censorship because the writer is afraid that she isn’t enough. She’s afraid to write what she really wants to write because she doesn’t want people to judge her or make fun of her.Here’s the thing thou: You are enough. You’re enough and you’re perfect exactly how you are. Believe it and write from it.

How have you censored your writing?

ONLINE WRITERS CONFERENCE-free!

Did you hear me? Sorry for shouting but I think ALL of you will want this info loud and clear.

WriteOnCon Free Conference for TWO days in August 10-12.

Here is info from the site:

Welcome to WriteOnCon—the exciting online writer’s conference for children’s writers everywhere!

The seven of us: Jamie Harrington, Elana Johnson, Casey McCormick, Shannon Messenger, Lisa and Laura Roecker, and Jen Stayrook started this project with a single goal: paying it forward. We’d all heard so many writers tell us they wished they could attend a conference, but simply didn’t have the time or money. So we decided to bring a conference to them—a free online conference that anyone could attend in the convenience of their own homes. And so, WriteOnCon was born. (Rated MC-18: for main characters 18 and under.)

The response from industry professionals has been overwhelming (check out our awesome list of presenters) and we’ll be adding more names as people confirm. In the meantime, we suggest you mark your calendar for August 10-12, and tell your friends so they can be here too. We’re working hard to make this the best conference we can, and it’s going to be—dare we say—EPIC!

Raise the Flag

Raise the Flag
The Beckoning Flag
Over a many people diverse
Whose countries have conditions worse
Looking to our shining shores of sand
Full of hope and a plan

Raise the flag
The Freedom Flag
Over foreign lands
Given aid by comforting hands
In the hopes of reaching across the sea
And giving help that will let them be free

Raise the flag
The Welcoming flag
For the troops who have fought
Some with lives, our freedom bought
Whose willingness their time they share
To bring others out of despair

Place the flag
The Grief-Stricken Flag
Over a closed casket of a hero fallen
A life cut short, a life stolen
Taken in the prime
To ensure your freedom and mine

Do Not Fear

I got this excerpt from Procrastinating Writers Blog.

Fear of Writing What You Really Want to Write
Do you ever feel like you’re writing, but you’re not really writing what you want to be writing? Do you ever feel like you’re holding back and not really letting your true voice speak through your writing? Do you keep your writing hidden from the world?

Well, then you may be one of those writers I mentioned. The ones who allow fear to censor them.

Still don’t know if you’re one of those writers?

Here are more examples:

• You would love to write a hard-core crime novel, but think that only men can write books like that.
• You secretly write romance novels and never show them to anyone. You know your family would go nuts if they found out you were writing “smut.”
• You’d love to tell the story of your workplace—only really exaggerated and with a twist—but if anyone from work read it, you might have to quit your job.
• You have a pretty bad potty mouth. In real life. But in your writing, you always speak sweetly and professionally.
• Your confess-all memoir would definitely be a bestseller. But you can’t publish it ‘til everyone you know is dead.

I think you get the idea…

Tomorrow, help in overcoming fear.

Love This Picture-Have a Great Weekend

Does this picture remind you of a story or book?
Maybe it's a world in your book...

Need a New Bibliochase?

BIBLIOCHAISE HOME: measures in centimetres: 102 x 86 x 74,5 measures in inches: 40,16 w x33,86 l x29,33 h La Bibliochaise Home is water varnished in white, black or aubergine, also available in others colors upon request. Cotton cushions with removable covers in a wide range of colours. Contains 5 metres of books.
mod. Home Click on the wood or the cushion to choose the ideal mix.
BIBLIOCHAISE +: measures in centimetres: 102 x 86 x 74,5 measures in inches: 40,16 w x33,86 l x29,33 h La Bibliochaise + is veneered in oak tinted wengé or tinted black, with a wax finish and leather cushions with removable covers in a wide range of colours. Contains 5 metres of books.
	from nobodyandco.it

Summer Time Contests

Summer seems to bring out the bloggin' contests! Here are a few for you to check out:

Sharon Whitney Messenger is giving away THE BODY FINDER, signed. Check it here.

From The Mixed-Up Files of Middle-Grade Authors is having a contest to celebrate their new blog. (25 authors will be contributing to the blog.) Win nine, signed books! Click here for more.

New blog tour starting at LDS Women's Book Review. AWAKENING AVERY. Check it out here.

Erin Downing is giving away a copy of KISS IT on her blog, here.

A Good Addiction has quite a few contest links on her blog. Plus tons of author interviews.

Fire and Ice has a TON of contests going on. Hop on over there and check them ALL out:
Mermaid Lego, Hex Hall necklace, Jane Austen Pendant, Marina Necklace, Etsy Shop Giveaway, Scones & Sensibility

Kerry Taylor is offering a signed copy of her book, BRANDED.

ALSO! Here is the link from Stephenie Meyer herself for her latest book, The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner FOR FREE!

20 Questions Part 2

Here are the next 10 questions from this post.
I know you've been sitting by the computer, updating your browser every hour, anxiously awaiting my answers.
Wait no longer, dear reader!

Here they are:
11. The best piece of advice you actually followed?
Don't chew on tinfoil.
12. The best thing you ever bought, stole, or borrowed?
Tinfoil.
13. You feel best in Armani or Levis or…?
Doesn't Armani make denim pants now?
14. Your dinner guest at the Ritz would be?
Me, Myself and Irene. Wait. I don't know Irene.
15. Time travel: where, when and why?
Back to late 70's to make myself NOT wear polyester. I think that is where the allergy began.
17. Essential to life: coffee, vodka, cigarettes, chocolate, or…?
This is no laughing matter because chocolate does matter.
18. Environ of choice: city or country, and where on the map?
Country anywhere. With a herd of brown cows so my kids can have all the chocolate milk they want.
19. What do you want to say to the leader of your country?
I didn't vote for you.
20. Last but certainly not least, what are you working on, now?
My Oscar acceptance speech. Or a padded room. Whichever is more attractive at the time.

Drabble Contest

Goddess of the Corn is hosting a 'drabble' contest. What is a drabble? Click here and find out!
Then I dare you to write one!
Post your drabble in the comments along with your email by June 12th and you can win a book.

Your choices:
Wednesday Letters by Jason Wright OR
Missing signed by Rhonda Hinrichsen OR
Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg

UPDATE

Here is my drabble:

My lungs burn as I run through the darkened forest.

I hear my pursuer behind me. The trees are flying past. I sharpen my vision to avoid hitting one.
The darkness is lifting slightly and I can see my goal; home. Safety is within my grasp.
I glance over my shoulder. In my giddiness to escape, his disappearance went unnoticed.
I put in one last burst of speed when I spy the fence.
Suddenly, he’s there.

He nips my heel. I go down.
“Stop!” I shout as he tries to lick me to death. He wags his tail in joy.

Pay It Forward Winner

I didn't forget about the contest.
I really didn't.
I'll blame it on summer coming on full force, me wanting to sit outside and read all day.
Um, I mean, I weeded and mowed and raked and swept and cleaned. Yup.
Right.
Enough flabber-jabber.

The winner is: DANYELLE!
You have first pick of these three books:
Method of Madness
Shudder
Hidden Branch

Second winner:
JOLYN!
You choose your 1st and 2nd favorite books from above and I'll send you the one that isn't picked by Danyelle.

And because there were three GREAT stories, I'm giving a third one away to:
YAMILE!

Thanks for sharing your stories. Get me your snail mail and I'll send off your books!


And here is my story:

My friends and I were traveling through Korea for a a few days. The next morning, Sunday, we woke up to a dusting of snow. Little Korean grandmas were brushing the snow with little branch brooms.
That little bit of snow shut everything down.
And we Americans weren't ready for winter; all we had were jackets.
We went to church only to find the U.S. base was closed so no members came. The branch president and wife, mission president and wife and four missionaries, plus 4 of us were at church. The decision was made to go to church at the Korean branch.
We looked forward to getting warm at church but no such luck. The heat wasn't turned on to save money.
We were freezing. My friend and I sat close together hoping to share warmth when several women beckoned us to follow them. None of them spoke English and none of us spoke Korean and yet we understood each other with smiles and nods.
One woman gave us her gloves, another the fur hood off her coat and another even offered her nylons. One of the missionaries gave us his coat to share.
Every meeting was translated into English for the four of us. The teachers gave part of their lesson and waited while someone translated. Prayers and talks went the same way. The only difficulty was singing the hymns from memory since all the hymnals were in Korean.
I don't remember the talks or lessons except the one taught by example. The love and service that Korean branch gave us will never leave me.
It happened over 20 years ago.

20 Questions. Well, 10 Questions today.

I was visiting a friends blog and read her 20 questions post. She got the idea from an interview with Dave Barry. Both answers were insightful to me, the reader.
I want to post my 20 questions.
Only, I'm only going to post 10 today so it's not really 20 because my brain is much smaller and can only think so much in one day. If I answered all 20 in one sitting the answers would become random like, "my cats like to eat pigs" or "my name is Inigo Montonya." Trust me. It will be worth the wait.


1. The latest book or movie that made you cry?
I know this one! Never mind, I forgot.
2. The fictional character most like you?
I seem to identify with the tall, blond, kick butt, gun toting types.
3. The greatest album, ever?
My high school concert band vinyl record. It's in absolute excellent condition. If you're interested in purchasing said record, email me.
4. Star Trek or Star Wars?
Is this a trick question?
5. Your ideal brain food?
Dark chocolate. PB M&Ms. Dove chocolate. PB cups. Um, is there a trend here?
6. You’re proud of this accomplishment, but why?
I took 3rd place in Debate. I took 3rd place in Monologues. I took 3rd place in poetry contest. I took 3rd place in First Page contest. Is there a trend here??!
7. You want to be remembered for…?
My cute ear lobes.
8. Of those who’ve come before, the most inspirational are?
Branden Sanderson. Oops. He's not dead. The pressure to come up with a name! Oh! Cinderella! She was humble and kind which proves nice wins!
9. The creative masterpiece you wish bore your signature?
The Delicate Arch. I really did make that one. Well, I helped. Then I signed it on the very tippy top.
10. Your hidden talents…?
I make a mean possessed clam.

Chasing Twilight! Contests!

InkSplasher is having a fantastic contest! Everyday from now to July 3rd, you can earn prizes and all sorts of prizes throughout the month. Click here to find out more!

On Writer's Ally many, many books are being given away! Get over there right now and win yourself some books!

Does your story have a great first sentence? A No. 2 Pencil Stat! (cute, right?) is having a first sentance contest. Win $25 gift cert on amazon.

Book Chick City has sent out a challenge to read 8 romance novels between June 1-Sept1. Apparently, she enjoys horror/urban fantasy more and wants to broaden her horizons (shouldn't we all?) Click here to read more.

Sara @ Babbling Flow is giving away everything vampire (mostly books)(and almost ALL are signed!) in her Vampire giveaway. Fly over and enter!

LDS Women's Review is having a summer contest too! Win books (who doesn't need more books??) Click here to find out more.

Win "Awakening Avery" or a cool necklace on Laurie LC Lewis blog here.