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.

Rick Walton BookTrailer-Have a Great Weekend!

If the embedded video doesn't work, here's the link: YouTube

Who Gets To Read All These??

Stockholm Library?

Master the Art! LDStorymakers 2010 Pt. 6

I attended Nephele Tempest's class, Writing the Dreaded Synopsis.
Nephele is from the Knight Agency.






Here are a few notes I took:
Start with the bare bones of your story:
Theme-hero's real struggle, growth, quest for prize, overcoming obstacles
characters
Setting
Conflict (leads to resolution)
Goals
Resolution
Now fill in with a sentence to each of the above.

Nephele used Star Wars as an example:
Theme: Man vs. authority?
Protagonist: Luke Skywalker
Setting: Galaxy far, far away
Conflict: conflict with family-uncle wants him as a farmer, Luke wants to be in the stars. conflict grows with Luke.
Antagonist: Darth Vader

Pay It Forward Contests

B. Miller is doing a Pay It Forward Giveaway here. She will buy your published book and review it OR $25 GC to Borders, Amazon, etc.

Check out Coming Down the Mountain here. She has a great idea (which she admits she stole from B. Miller) for a contest. She will buy your book and review it OR review and critique your first three chapters and query OR $15 GC to Borders or Amazon.

Mooks in the Movies have offered to name a character in their movie after the winner of B. Miller's blog here.

Next, Daron Fraley is following the the trend as well so check out his blog here. He's giving away FOUR (that's 4) books.

Now, I'm feeling left out. I have TWO books to giveaway to 2 lucky readers:
Method of Madness by Stephanie Black (signed)
Shudder by Jennie Hansen

Tell me about a time you have been on the receiving end of someones kindness.

When I pick the winners on JUNE 1st, I'll tell you my story.
Then pay it forward.

With amazed eyes
They look at you
Wondering how you knew
They needed a lift
How you knew
They needed to give
'Thank you'
They breath
As you lift your hand
And wave
Giving the blessing
Of Paying It Forward