Oh, My Hero! Blog Hop - April 27th

My lovely CP, Victoria Smith of Confessions of a Twenty Something Fiction Writer and I are co-hosting the Oh, My Hero! Blog Hop!

What's your hero like?  Is he the strong and silent type?  The wounded bad boy?  A man on a mission, not looking for love, but captivated by your heroine?  Whoever he is, we're sure he's swoonworthy, and we want to learn more about him!

Here's what you do:

1)  Follow my blog and Victoria's Blog.

2)  Sign up for the linky at the bottom of the page.

3)  Post our snazzy button on your blog.

<center><a href="http://blog.jayceedelorenzo.com/"><img border="0" src="http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/2382/ohmyhero.jpg"/></a></center>

4)  On April 27th, post a picture of your hero with a character interview that has at least 5 questions.  You can check out the sample questions below, or come up with your own, since you know your hero best and what you'd like to reveal about him

Sample Questions:

1.  How would you describe yourself in one word?

2.  How would you describe your heroine?

3.  Do you believe in love at first sight?

4.  How would your friends describe you in one word?

5.  What's your favorite pastime?

6.  What's your idea of the perfect date?

7.  Are you a morning or a night person and why?

8.  If you won a million dollars what would you do with it?

9.  If you had 24 hours to live what would you do/ where would you go?

10.  What's your favorite comic book character and why?

11.  If you had three wishes what would they be?

12.  What your favorite movie?

13.  What is the first thing you notice about a woman that you find attractive?

14.  What do you hold value the most in a potential love interest?

5) Hop around to get to know all the participant's swoonworthy heroes!

Victoria and I will each be choosing a winner from the participants, picking the most creative interviews and hunkiest heroes we're each eager to get to know a little bit better. 

The Prizes:

From Me:  An ebook of your choice up to $15 from Amazon OR a Custom Blogger/WordPress Banner (up to 2 images).

From Victoria:  An ebook download or up to $15 Book from Book Depository

Good luck!  We're really excited to do this and I personally can't wait to see what everyone comes up with! 

Thursday Thirteen - Even More Strange-But-True Facts

My Strange-But-True post seemed to entertain quite a few people last week, so I'm back with more  (I found enough of these to go on for the next 8 or 9 Thursdays):


1. Chewing gum while peeling onions will keep you from crying! I've never heard this one. I'd try it, but I'm a fast chopper and don't usually spend enough time cutting onions to make my eyes tear.

2. Fortune cookies were actually invented in America, in 1918, by Charles Jung! Not really surprised with this one.

3. America once issued a 5-cent bill!

4. You'll eat about 35,000 cookies in a lifetime! And we wonder why we're an overweight nation.

5. Q is the only letter in the alphabet that does not appear in the name of any of the United States! Nifty!

6. A lump of pure gold the size of a matchbox can be flattened into a sheet the size of a tennis court! Ooh, niftier! I knew this about aluminum, but not gold. I wonder if most metals are like this.

7. Smelling bananas and/or green apples (smelling, not eating) can help you lose weight! I wanna know more about this one.

8. Bulls are colorblind, therefore will usually charge at a matador's waving cape no matter what color it is -- be it red or neon yellow!

9. The opposite sides of a dice cube always add up to seven!

10. The original name for the butterfly was 'flutterby'! That's what I always call 'em. Well, actually, I call them flutterbee's, but I think that's influenced by my 3yo.

11. Of all the words in the English language, the word 'set' has the most definitions! Huh.

12. Ernest Vincent Wright wrote a novel, "Gadsby", which contains over 50,000 words -- none of them with the letter E (the most used letter in the alphabet)! How did he string a sentence together, then?

13. The electric chair was invented by a dentist! I knew these guys were sadists. (The irony here: I originally went to college considering dentistry, but then I developed some kind of weird thing about hands and mouths [don't even know why] and now the thought of putting my hands in anyone's mouth or having someone else's or my own hands in my mouth makes me nauseated and gives me the willies.)

Check out more participants HERE.

A-Z Challenge is almost here!

While I still plan to do my 'He Said, She Said' posts on Saturdays, I think I've settled on 'Idioms and their Origins' for weekdays.  I don't know about you, but I've always kind of wondered where some of our stranger expressions come from.

Seriously.   Why do we say things like: I got his goat?  We'll go Dutch?  I smell a rat?

Come visit my blog during the month of April and find out the etymology of some of our stranger American proverbs and colloquialisms.

Teaser Tuesday (3)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

TEASER TUESDAY!

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Then hit up to Should Be Reading to add your link.


On The Island by Tracey Garvis-Graves

Blurb:  When thirty-year-old English teacher Anna Emerson is offered a job tutoring T.J. Callahan at his family's summer rental in the Maldives, she accepts without hesitation; a working vacation on a tropical island trumps the library any day.


T.J. Callahan has no desire to leave town, not that anyone asked him. He's almost seventeen and if having cancer wasn't bad enough, now he has to spend his first summer in remission with his family - and a stack of overdue assignments - instead of his friends.

Anna and T.J. are en route to join T.J.'s family in the Maldives when the pilot of their seaplane suffers a fatal heart attack and crash-lands in the Indian Ocean. Adrift in shark-infested waters, their life jackets keep them afloat until they make it to the shore of an uninhabited island. Now Anna and T.J. just want to survive and they must work together to obtain water, food, fire, and shelter. Their basic needs might be met but as the days turn to weeks, and then months, the castaways encounter plenty of other obstacles, including violent tropical storms, the many dangers lurking in the sea, and the possibility that T.J.'s cancer could return. As T.J. celebrates yet another birthday on the island, Anna begins to wonder if the biggest challenge of all might be living with a boy who is gradually becoming a man.

I finished this book this weekend and wil be doing a review soon, but for my teaser...

        I helped him bathe for the next two weeks, until he healed enough to do it on his own.  Each time, it got a bit less embarrassing for me.  I never glanced down again, to see how it affected him.
          "This doesn't totally suck for you, does it?" I asked one day while washing his hair.

Review: Thoughtless by S.C. Stephens

Thoughtless by S.C. Stephens
For almost two years now, Kiera’s boyfriend, Denny, has been everything she’s ever wanted: loving, tender and endlessly devoted to her. When they head off to a new city to start their lives together, Denny at his dream job and Kiera at a top-notch university, everything seems perfect. Then an unforeseen obligation forces the happy couple apart. Feeling lonely, confused, and in need of comfort, Kiera turns to an unexpected source—a local rock star named Kellan Kyle. At first, he’s purely a friend that she can lean on, but as her loneliness grows, so does their relationship. And then one night everything changes…and none of them will ever be the same.


My Thoughts:  I have never, in all the time I've been reading, disliked a heroine as much as I disliked Kiera.  It isn't the cheating that bothers me so much, but the wishy-washy, I want him, no I want you, no I'm yours, no I'm going to go sleep with him and then come cuddle with you afterward, no I'm going to beg you to stay, but go sleep with him again.  I couldn't find a single thing about her that I liked.  I'm generally pretty easy to please and will like a heroine just because she's someone to root for, but not in this story.  She was selfish, immature, and...oh, I could go on forever, but I think you get the point. She had only two modes:  blushing at the drop of a hat or crying/acting like the victim.  It didn't endear her to me one bit.  Plus, what made me want to tear my hair out more than anything was that everything came to a head because of the actions of others - she was like a statue.  Everything happened and she just cried.  She didn't learn a damn thing by the end of the story. 

So why did I finish reading?  Two words:  Kellan Kyle.  This boy was the perfect, swoonworthy hero - sexy, damaged, just wanting to be loved.  He was no saint, by any means, but he kept trying to do the right thing and Kiera wouldn't let him...oh, but she wouldn't give up Denny, either.  I get that Denny was supposed to be this perfect boyfriend, but he fell really flat for me.  Yes, he was safe, he was dependable, loyal, but he was also very, very boring.   

The story was an emotional roller coaster, no doubt, but also waaayyyy too long.  I wish the narrative had been tightened up a little, with a lot less repetition. 

And yet, through all of this, I generally enjoyed the story and have already started the sequel, so I guess the author did her job, and did it well.  I'm just worried that it's going to be one of those sequels that have nothing to say, and was written because of demand.  Guess I'll see. 

I would say my overall rating of the story is a 3.5 out of 5.   

Musical Impressions: The Truths About Dating and Mating

Go check out Sarah Pearson's blog - Empty White Pages.  She's doing MUSICAL IMPRESSIONS on Fridays, where you send her your blurb, synopsis, or excerpt and she finds songs that she thinks match.  A few weeks ago I sent her my blurb for my WIP: The Truths About Dating and Mating.  She chose two songs, both of which are really great - the second one really blows my mind though because the lyrics could have been plucked from parts of my WIP.

I read some of the comments and chuckled when I saw that someone said it sounded like a sweet, romantic story though - I would never, in a million years, think of this story as sweet. 

(<--unofficial cover - just something I've toyed around with).

Enjoy, and let her (and me) know what you think!

Happy Friday - Check Out Some Fun New Blog Hops!

I don't have a whole lot to say today, except that I joined a couple of blog hops for May:

The first is the Oh, Thsoe High School Dances Blog Hop hosted by Kelley Lynn and Emily R. King.

Here are the rules for participation:

1. Post pictures of your high school dances. (Make sure you tell us which one you are if they're group pictures.)

2. Share with us your funniest high school dance story.

3. That's it!

There's cool prezzies to win, too, so be sure to go check it out and sign up!

 

The next one is the Dust If Off Bloghop by Courtney Pearson and Theresa Paolo.

From Courtney's Site:

Got a shelved ms?

We'll do some spring cleaning on those first manuscripts, our first babies, those bodacious attempts at writing that we learned so much with and worked so hard on that never really seemed to *pan out*. Those characters we fell in love with, the story we poured our souls into--I know I still think of mine!!

Both Theresa and I believe nothing we do is ever wasted. Even if nothing happened with those first/early projects, we've all learned essential things to improve, to take this writing thing to the next level. So pull Ol' Shelvy off the shelf, and get ready to let us know what it was all about!

May 3rd: Post a 1-2 sentence pitch as to what Ol' Shelvy was about. (Great way to practice pitches!! And it will also give everyone some grounding for what your story is!!)

May 5th: Post your favorite excerpt from Ol' Shelvy. 300-350 word limit. ;)

May 7th: Post what you learned from this WIP. We become stronger, more rounded writers with each project we take on, and we want to know what you learned from writing Ol' Shelvy!!

-There's prezzies for this blog hop, too, including books, query critiques, and MS Critiques (I want one of these!).  Don't miss out!

Thursday Thirteen: Strange-But-True Facts

Random Strange-But-True Facts (with a few of my comments added in:

1.  The Mona Lisa has no eyebrows. It was the fashion in Renaissance Florence to shave them off!


2.  Every day 20 banks are robbed. The average take is $2,500!  Not exactly what I would chance life in prison for.

3.  Tourists visiting Iceland should know that tipping at a restaurant is considered an insult!

4.  The names of Popeye's four nephews are Pipeye, Peepeye, Pupeye, and Poopeye!  Poopeye?  Really?

5.  When glass breaks, the cracks move faster than 3,000 miles per hour. To photograph the event, a camera must shoot at a millionth of a second!

6.  The Philadelphia mint produces 26 million pennies per day!   Haven't they heard that pennies are the least-liked coin?

7.  A lightning bolt generates temperatures five times hotter than those found at the sun's surface!

8.  A violin contains about 70 separate pieces of wood!

9.  Forest fires move faster uphill than downhill!  Cool!

10.  Most lipstick contains fish scales!  Eew.

11.  Over 2500 left handed people a year are killed from using products made for right handed people!

12.  Clinophobia is the fear of beds!  So where do they sleep?

13.  A 'jiffy' is an actual unit of time for 1/100th of a second!

View other participants here.

'Waiting On' Wednesday - For Darkness Shows The Stars

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

What am I waiting on?  FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS!

From Diana Perterfreund's website:

Generations ago,  a genetic experiment gone wrong—the Reduction—decimated humanity, giving rise to a Luddite nobility who outlawed most technology.

Eighteen-year-old Luddite Elliot North has always known her place in this caste system. Four years ago Elliot refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family’s estate over love. But now the world has changed: a new class of Post-Reductionists is jumpstarting the wheel of progress and threatening Luddite control; Elliot’s estate is floundering; and she’s forced to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes renowned explorer Captain Malakai Wentforth—an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while Elliott wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she abandoned him.

But Elliot soon discovers her childhood friend carries a secret—one that could change the society in which they live…or bring it to its knees. And again, she’s faced with a choice: cling to what she’s been raised to believe, or cast her lot with the only boy she’s ever loved, even if she has lost him forever.

Inspired by Jane Austen’s PERSUASION, FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS is a breathtaking romance about opening your mind to the future and your heart to the one person you know can break it.

---

Jane Austen's Persuasion?  Yes, please!  While everyone loves P&P (including me), Persuasion is my favorite Austen novel.  As soon as I heard about this, I knew I wanted to read it.  

Okay, the best thing about this -- I don't have to wait much longer!  I have an ARC on the way! 

Has anybody read it?  What did you think?  

I plan to review once I read it. 

Teaser Tuesday (2)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

TEASER TUESDAY!
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Then hit up to Should Be Reading to add your link.

My TT is - once again - from "Thoughtless" by S.C. Stephens, since I'm still reading it - but almost done.  (When I'm not in 'writer mode' I can read about 4-5 books a week, but since I'm so focused on getting my WIP done, I'm still on this one.)

Teaser:

"I'm sorry.  I was going to be stoic, and say nothing for as long as you wanted me, but then we made love...and I just can't go back to who I was before.  I want you and only you and I can't bear the thought of sharing you." - Kellan Kyle.

Okay, technically it is 3 sentences, but 'I'm Sorry' is so short that it told nothing of true value...but was still kind of nice to keep in there.

Enjoy!  And check out this book, if you haven't already.  You'll melt for Kellan...and want to murder Kiera, but Kellan is made of such awesomeness, you'll almost forget how much she bugs you.

Let's Talk POV

I'm currently in the process of rewriting my 400+ page novel, changing it from 3rd person POV from two character's perspectives, to 1st person perspective, all from my heroine's viewpoint.  This is quite the endeavor, but I - and my critique partner - agreed that this is the way to go with this story, especially since it's helping me cut word count and get deeper into the character's POV.

Now, the reason I'm making this post, is because I'd like to see what your views are on POV.  Which one do you prefer?  Do you think it depends on age group?  Would you only read a YA or Upper YA book in first person POV, but be willing to read a pure adult novel in 3rd?  Would you ever not read a book because of the POV it is in? 

I'd really love to read some of your toughts.  This whole process is a pain in the tush, but I feel I'm learning even more about a character I thought I knew as well as myself. 

Thanks in advance for your replies.

And here is one of the scenes I've been dying to see...

Cover Lust!

Check out this beautiful cover for Malinda Lo's book coming out in September!  The description sounds awesome!  Go to her page to read it:  http://www.malindalo.com/2012/03/presenting-the-adaptation-cover/

Yay for Gennifer Albin and her Crewel cover reveal!

If you were following me a while back, I posted two images I submitted for Gennifer Albin's fan cover contest for her upcoming October release, Crewel.  Well, today, she posted a link to the actual cover from VH1's The Fab Life:  http://www.thefablife.com/2012-03-16/crewel-exclusive-cover-reveal/

Check it out and read the article - this book sounds so good and is on my 'Waiting For' list.

Congrats, Gennifer!

Back to me, oh, Lucky 7!

My own meme has been passed back my way a few times (shout out McKenzie McCann at The Ubiquitous Perspective and Sharon at The Blue Word): so I decided I'd play again with another one of my WIP's - one that's VERY rough, but I want to get back to soon.  So, here's my 7 paragraphs of my Sci-fi, New Adult Romance:

"She told me she drank a beer last night that she didn't pour," Gareth spat at them, looking incensed.  In one quick and smooth motion, he swept all the perfumes and creams off the surface of Nadia's dresser, laying the case on its side.  Vicki jumped as the bottles smashed and clattered against the wall.  Gareth unsnapped the case and began tearing through its contents. 

Vicki rushed to his side.  "Are you saying she's been poisoned?" She looked inside the case to see it contained a few medical supplies she recognized, mostly ones she didn't. 

"No," he said, his voice curt.  "Did you see the blood on her lips?  She's bleeding internally.  There are few poisons I can think of that cause internal bleeding, and fewer still that will wreck havoc so quickly."

"What, then?"

"Parasites," he announced, giving her a dark look.  Vicki's stomach cartwheeled. 

They both whipped around them as a sickening crack echoed throughout the room.  Sloan yelped in pain. Rory's head had jerked back, breaking the smaller girl's nose.  Tears smarted her eyes and blood poured down her chin, but she didn't release her hold on Rory one cinch. 

"Just hurry up!" she ordered stuffily. 

At this point, I've seen this on so many blogs, that I won't tag anyone.  If you haven't been tagged yet, and want to play, go for it!  

Here's the rules -

1. Go to page 77 of your current MS
2. Go to line 7
3. Copy down the next 7 lines as they're written-- no cheating!
4. Tag 7 other writers
5. Let them know!

I also picked up another couple of awards - ones I had, but it's nice to be given them again by new people.  From A.E. Martin I received:

Thank you!

I donated! Have you?

You may have noticed the button on my side menu, but if not, I have donated a Book Launch Special package for Brenda Novak's Annual Auction for the Cure of Diabetes!

The images shows a sample of what is included.  I also sell these on my webpage.  So, if you're planning on doing an indie publication, keep this auction (or just my services) in mind.  The auction begins May 1 and goes through the remainder of the month.  Also, check out all the wonderful services available for the auction by clicking on the button in my side menu.  Help support this wonderful cause!

Thursday Thirteen - Beware The Ides of March

 

Beware the Ides of March.  In honor of this notable day in history, I'm listing 13 facts about The Ides of March. 

Caesar:  Who is it in the press that calls on me?
I hear a tongue shriller than all the music
Cry "Caesar!" Speak, Caesar is turn'd to hear.

Soothsayer:  Beware the ides of March.

Caesar:  What man is that?

Brutus:  A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March.

Julius Caesar Act 1, scene 2, 15–19

1.  The Ides of March stands for March 15th.

2.  The word Ides comes from the Latin word Idus, which means 'half-division,' especially in relation to months.

3.  The term Ides was used for the 15th day of the months of March, May, July, and October, but the 13th for all other months.

4.  The Ides of March was a festival day dedicated to Mars, the Roman God of War.

5.  The Ides of March is best known for the day of Julius Cesar's murder in 44 B.C.

6.  Caesar was stabbed 23 times near a Pompey statue where the Roman Senate was meeting, by a group of conspirators led by Brutus and Cassius.

7.  Caesar had been warned by a soothsayer (see quote above from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar) - as well as a dream his wife had of his death - and he still chose to ignore the warnings/signs and go to the meeting.

8.  According to Plutarch, a Greek historian, biographer, and essayist, over 60 men co-conspired the assassination of Julius Caesar. 

9.  "Et tu, Brute?" is a Latin phrase often used to represent the last words Julius Caesar, spoken to the man he thought was his friend, Marcus Brutus, at the moment of his assassination.  It's loosely translated as:  "You too, Brutus?"  This appeared in Shakespeare's Julius Cesar (as:   "Et tu, Brute? Then fall, Caesar!"⁾ but it is not known if these were his actual last words.  It is hotly contested by historians. 

10.  "Et tu, Brute?" is now used in the western world to signify to the deepest and utmost betrayal. 

11.  The Ides of March is a term now synonymous with the Assassination of Julius Caesar.


12.  This painting is Mort de César by Vincenzo Camuccini (1798).  I was an art history minor, and once wrote a 5 page analysis on the symbolism of the colors and color theory in this painting in college.

13.  According to http://www.brownielocks.com today is also Absolutely Incredible Kid Day, Buzzards Day,  Companies That Care Day, True Confessions Day, and World Consumer Rights Day. 

Need Your Help!

I've come up with a theme for my A-Z challenge.  Many of you had a chance to meet my Ian and Ivy in the WIP: The Movie Blog Fest.  Now, I wanna give you a chance to see them in action.  This is where you come in.  In order to do this, I need questions about relationships and/or sex that you would want my characters to answer if they were in their studio, doing their thing.  I'll be able to assign a letter to each one.  See how Ian would answer it, see how Ivy would answer it - and maybe, just maybe see what they would really do...and how their advice and actions don't always match up.

You can leave your questions in the comments, or, if you're too embarrassed, email them to me - jc@jayceedelorenzo.com .  Seriously, NOTHING shocks me them.  Let me know if you want me to use your name, or I can assign it a fake name, because Ian and Ivy are pretty dang sure that more than half the people that call in to them use a fake name.

In truth, the more outrageous the questions are, the funnier this whole thing will be. 

So, what do you say?  Can you help me out?

There's a big cyber cookie in it for you.  :D

Thanks!

'Waiting On' Wednesday - The Selection

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


I haven't kept up with a lot of the books soon to be released in the YA genre lately, because I'm so busy working on my own novel that I haven't had much time to read.  However, there is one book I'm anxiously looking forward to...and for once, it has a girl in a gown on the cover that actually wears a gown in the book.  (This is a real pet peeve of mine, when a girl wears a gown on the cover of a book and never so much as wears a dress in the book, let alone a gown.)

Anyway, what book am I talking about?  THE SELECTION by Kiera Cass (due to be released April 24)

The Story:

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.


But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

--

Now, I know that it's been panned as the most horrible thing ever written by lots of readers on Goodreads - but the general vitriol and immaturity that spreads over that site like wildfire has me staying far away.  Besides, I prefer to decide for myself if something is good or bad, and the summary appeals to me.

How about you?  Are you going to read this book?  (Have you read it already with an ARC?)  If not, what is something you're really looking forward to coming out?

11...I mean, 22 questions

I tagged myself from the blog of K.S. Lewis:  Adjective, Not A Noun because I'm taking a break from writing, and it was left open for anyone who wanted to tag themselves. And, because I liked the original set of questions she received, I did both...can you say procrastination?  What, my hero is being a butthead. 

First set of questions:

1.  Favorite TV show?
Of all time?  Buffy and Roswell. 
Now? Sons of Anarchy.  Jax?  OMG-yum.  And the story is awesome too.

2. Beach or ski resort?
I’m a scuba diver, so beach. 

3. What's your favorite part of the writing process?
First draft. 

4. Self-publishing or traditional?
Self-pub at first, then maybe I’ll try traditional. 

5. If you could have any one food every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Does Chai count as food? 

6. If you met an alien, what would you do?
If he looked like Jason Behr or Brendan Fehr (a la Roswell), I’d show him some good old-fashioned ‘hospitality.’ A little green man?  Hell if I know.  Offer him a Chai?

7. Would you prefer watching a mediocre movie or a really, really bad one?
According to my husband, I don’t know the difference. 

8. How do you relieve stress?
Reading.  Nothing like relieving the stress of your own problems than by getting involved in someone else's.

9. If you ever got the chance to participate in a really big tomato fight, would you take it?
No.  I was in a big, foamy bubble fight at a Rave once, and ended up getting dosed with acid.  It was a strange, fucked up night.  One I never want to repeat. 

10. Craziest thing you've ever done/would like to do?
I don’t think anyone here wants to hear that story.

11. What are your favorite boys' and girls' names?
Persephone and Craig – the names of my children.

2^nd Set of Questions

1. What's your favorite fairy tale? 

Little Red Riding Hood – The Dirty Version.   “No, you’re going to eat me like the book says.”  Cracks me up every time.  What?  I have a dirty mind – you looked at my blog header and thought otherwise?

Okay, honestly, I like Beauty and The Beast.  

2. Have you ever written a scene that suddenly introduces a new character not previously created, and that character becomes important? 

In a word, yes.

3. Quick! You're trapped in a library with a zombie! You just threw Pride and Prejudice at its head. It doesn't appreciate classics. What do you do next? 
Try a zombie book?

4. How bad was that joke?
Pretty bad.

5. Do you have a favorite genre? 
Contemporary Romance – preferably from the New Adult age group.

6. Would you stay in a supposed haunted house overnight if given the chance? 
Hell, no!  I had a ghost in my old house that used to screw with me when my husband (boyfriend, then) was at work at night. He’d slam doors and bang things around, and my hubby never believed me.  No, thank you!

7. Favorite color or pattern?  

Pink is pwetty. 

8. What made you want to start blogging?
Boredom?   Building a platform for my writing?  All the cool kids were doing it?  Pick one. 

9. Seven-leagued boots or invisibility cloak? 

Have no fricken’ clue what seven-leagued boots are (sounds cool, though) so invisibility cloak. 

10. What's the oddest thing you've heard/seen while in an elevator? Or, if you've never been in an elevator (hey, anything's possible), the strangest thing you've heard/seen while waiting in a line? 
A pair of soaking wet, nasty BVD’s (tighty-whitites) on the floor of an elevator at the gym.  I didn’t know what to think.    

11. If you woke up inside your favorite movie, what is the first thing you'd want to do (besides find a way back home)? 

Give the hero an earful about what an arrogant, tight-ass he is.  Screw what’s proper.  Any guesses on the movie?  

I tag anyone who wants to do this, and you can do either set or both.  

Teaser Tuesday - Thoughtless

Because I've been sick all day, I haven't had time to put up any posts, and I'm trying to put something up every day, so I'm going with something easy today:

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

TEASER TUESDAY!

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

 • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Then hit up to Should Be Reading to add your link.

My TT is from "Thoughtless" by S.C. Stephens (I'm loving this book...and wanting to slap the main character, but it's sooo good!)

Book Summary (from Amazon):

For almost two years now, Kiera’s boyfriend, Denny, has been everything she’s ever wanted: loving, tender and endlessly devoted to her. When they head off to a new city to start their lives together, Denny at his dream job and Kiera at a top-notch university, everything seems perfect. Then an unforeseen obligation forces the happy couple apart. Feeling lonely, confused, and in need of comfort, Kiera turns to an unexpected source—a local rock star named Kellan Kyle. At first, he’s purely a friend that she can lean on, but as her loneliness grows, so does their relationship. And then one night everything changes…and none of them will ever be the same.

Teaser:

“I tried to do the right thing. Why couldn't you just let me leave?" - Kellen

Gah, I just wanna slap the M.C. during this scene, but Kellen is so awesome that I've been hanging on every word!

Hold me...

Just to prove how much of a masochist I am, I finally broke and decided to sign up for the A-Z Challenge.  Yeah, I'm nuts.  I have a full-time job, a 3 year-old daughter who is turning my hair grey, and a little guy on the verge of crawling (maybe even walking) in the next few weeks, a yearbook to complete, a book to finish editing and change over from 3rd person POV to 1st, and I signed up for something like this. 

Hold me!

But, it'll be good for me.  Once I figure out a theme, it will be easier. 

---

In other news, I have to give one more shout out to WIP: THE MOVIE blogfest hosted by Kyra at Write Here, Write Now and Rachel at Writing on the Wall.

It was a blast participating in the challenge, and wonderful getting to know everyone's characters, theme-songs, and movies. 

I also wanted to give an extra shout-out to Kyra because I was her winner.  Yay!  It was a great surprise to get to work and find that out this morning. 

WIP The Movie

Technically, I'm a little early, but I won't be able to get to this in the morning, so here goes!

Here's my post for the WIP: THE MOVIE  blogfest hosted by Kyra at Write Here, Write Now and Rachel at Writing on the Wall.

I have been looking forward to this all week!  For this event, I've decided to post images of both of my main characters, Ivy and Ian, hosts of their college's radio show The Truths About Dating and Mating.  (See my tab at the top of the page to read the unofficial blurb.)

Now, I chose non-celebrities for my desired cast, because there are no actors I can really imagine as playing the parts.  The closest I could come up with was a scruffy Chris Evans for Ian.  As for Ivy, I couldn't come up with anyone who would work.  

So... 

Here he is - My Ian.  The picture is one I found online.  He actually had soft brown hair and no tattoos - I added them and blackened his hair, goatee, and even brows.  Every time I see this picture, I'm startled because he IS exactly what I envision for Ian - down to the toned (but not overly muscular) body, and even the look on his face.  I actually love that he's wearing sunglasses because it leaves what's hiding beneath them to the imagination. I'm pretty sure the actual model for this picture is an adult film star, but I decided against researching him too much.  :D 

Image removed

And Ivy, my beloved heroine.  She's a stock model that I've purchased many images of because she has been Ivy in my head for so long that as far as I'm concerned, her name IS Ivy Rossini.   The fact that she's wearing headphones just makes it a bonus.  :D

As for a song, this one works pretty well for the second half of my book:

This one too:

There are more under my "The Truths About Dating and Mating" tab at the top.

Thursday Thirteen - Quotes about Parenting

I was up half the night with a screaming baby.  So, in light of this, I decided to post 13 amusing quotes about parenthood, because I'm exhausted and need a reminder that a sense of humor is the only way to get through the rougher moments of parenting. 

1. “A truly appreciative child will break, lose, spoil, or fondle to death any really successful gift within a matter of minutes.”

~ Russell Lynes

2. “The quickest way for a parent to get a child’s attention is to sit down and look comfortable.”
~ Lane Olinhouse

3. “When my kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice safe playpen. When they’re finished, I climb out.”
~ Erma Bombeck

4. “You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance.”
~ Franklin P. Jones

5. “A three year old child is a being who gets almost as much fun out of a fifty-six dollar set of swings as it does out of finding a small green worm.”
~ Bill Vaughan

6. “The reason grandchildren and grandparents get along so well is because they have a common enemy.”
~ Author Unknown

7. “Like all parents, my husband and I just do the best we can, and hold our breath, and hope we’ve set aside enough money to pay for our kids’ therapy.”
~ Michelle Pfeiffer

8. “The truth is that parents are not really interested in justice. They just want quiet.”
~ Bill Cosby

9. “Mothers are all slightly insane.”
~ J.D. Salinger

10. “If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands?”
~ Milton Berle

11. “Raising kids is part joy and part guerrilla warfare.”
~ Ed Asner

12.“Parents are the bones on which children cut their teeth.”
~ Peter Ustinov

13. “Think of stretch marks as pregnancy service stripes.”
~ Joyce Armor

Happy TT, people! 

Teenage Heartthrob Hop

Could not resist joining in.

This is where we post seven celebs who made our hearts skip a beat back in the day.  I had most of these exact images on my walls as posters. 

1.  Donnie Wahlberg - My first love, during his NKOTB Days.

2.  Johathan Brandis - It about broke my heart when I heard he took his own life in 2003.  What a waste!  I had a crush on him since I saw him in IT, not to mention Ladybugs and The Neverending Story II. 

3.  Christian Slater - Remember J.D. in Heathers?  Mark in Pump Up The Volume? Binx in Legend of Billie Jean?  Sigh, I was in love, going to marry him, have his babies and live happily ever after.


4.  I was going to do the same with Rob Lowe:

5.  And who could forget Zack from Saved By The Bell?  He was so hot - still kind of is. 

6.  And then there's good old Jared Leto, who stole my heart in My So-Called Life, and still has a piece of it today.  He's just a beautiful man. Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.

7.  And the last is my wild card entry, but I've loved this guy since SFW and then drooled over him during Blade - Stephen Dorf.


And there are my celebrity crushes from when I was younger - men who entered my life between ages 11-16, and made my heart beat a little faster. My heart ached for them.  If they only just knew me, we'd fall in love and run off together.

Funnily enough - they're mostly blond(ish) - now, I'm all about the dark-haired guys. 

Other Participants:

More awards!

I have more awards from my lovely critique partner Victoria at Confessions of a Twenty Something Fiction Writer.

Thanks, babe!

Okay, with these awards I need to answer questions:

1.  Favorite Color?  

Umm...I wear a lot of black, but my laptop, Droid, and Kindle are all  pink...I guess that makes it my favorite color.  Otherwise...yeah, I like black in clothes.  I also like color combinations - complementary colors are great. 

See, I have this cover case and all my electronics are this same color.  I like to surprise people. Everyone at work always goes:  "You have a pink computer/phone/kindle?" with a shocked look on their faces - they see me as a total black person.
  
2.  Favorite Animal?

 Okay, technically there is no such thing as a panther - they're actually melanistic jaguars or other species of large cats with the black coloring - but they're so beautiful they get their own name.


3.  Favorite Number?

Okay, this is just the teacher in me.  I like 36 because its divisible by so many numbers.  :shrugs:

4.  Favorite (non-alcoholic) drink? Iced Chai Tea Latte
 

Ooh, hello, my precious!  I like coffee too, but this is my weakness.  Give me a chai and I'll be putty in your hands. 


5.  Facebook or Twitter?

 Twitter is my latest addiction.  It's stopping me from getting so much writing done...plus I get all kinds of free books on there for my kindle fire. 

6. My passion? Writing and doing graphic art/ book covers/websites. 

Okay, maybe this is a little self promotion, but this is what I love to do.  You can check out my work at http://sweetnspicydesigns.com

7.Getting or Giving presents?  

I enjoy getting but I love to give.  Especially to my two adorable little monkeys - Persephone (3) and Craig (9 months).  They are so spoiled.


8.  Favorite pattern?

I like fat stripes, but this is an unfair question for a graphic designer because there are millions of patterns I like to use.  


9.  Favorite day of the week? 

While I love Saturdays, I love Friday even more because it means I have two days ahead of me just full of possibilities.  What will I accomplish?  Maybe a lot.  Maybe nothing.  I don't know, and that's what makes it so exciting!  

10.  Favorite flower?

The first bouquet my now husband got me was full of Stargazer lilies, and I loved them so much that he now gets me Stargazer Lilies every time he gets me flowers.

I give these awards to...

(from my member's list)

Jennifer Duffey

Patricia Bates

Rachel from Randomness with Rachel

Theresa

I think the rest of you have them, but if you don't, I award them to you, too!  Everyone who follows me should have some cool awards!

The Lucky 7 meme

Okay, this is something I did in the past, that I thought would be fun to do again.  And who knows, it may just give you luck from the writing gods (if you're at all superstitious).  To me, it's just something fun to do. 

Instructions:

1.  Go to page 77 of your current MS.

2.  Go to line 7.

3.  Copy down the next 7 lines - sentences or paragraphs - and post them as they're written.  No cheating.

4.  Tag 7 authors.


5.  Let them know.

---

“You colossal jackass!” Ivy screeched, pummeling him with her fists.  “What do you think you’re doing?”

He caught her by the wrists.  “Just testing the waters for you.  You wouldn’t want to go beyond the pale of polite society, now, would you?”

Ivy sat back and glared.  “Fine.  You’re the one who’s going to feel like an ass when they agree I’m right.”

“Want to make a wager on that?”

She didn’t flinch.  “Name your terms.”

“We’ll take five calls.  Majority rules.  If I win, you do my laundry for a month.”

“And if I win…” She trailed off, considering what she wanted.  Inspiration hit.  “When I win, you have to wait on the girls and me, hand and foot, two weeks from now when we watch the five-hour version of Pride & Prejudice.”

---

Okay, I just tagged people who are following me on my blog.  Don't feel obligated to do it, but who knows, it may bright you a little writing luck...and I'm sure we can all use it.  :D 

I tag...
Victoria Smith
Kyra Lennon
Hope Roberson
Rachel Schieffelbein
Margo Berendsen
Ilima K. Todd
Tracey Joseph

The entries I submitted for Gennifer Albin's fan-created cover contest

Well, although I didn't win, I thought I'd post the covers I submitted for Gennifer Albin's upcoming book release of Crewel.  It was fun to enter and I'm looking forward to the book release. You can check out her blog at the link and see the beautiful cover that won.  Ciao!

Another Hunger Games Promo - actual clip:



Love it!  Love Wes Bentley's face even more.  :D

WIP: The Movie Blog Hop

I've signed up for the WIP: The Movie Blog Hope hosted by Rachel at Writing on the Wall and Kara at Write Here, Write Now.

Here's the way it works (from Kara's site):

 WiP: The Movie - March 9th Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to post a photo of the actors or actresses you would like to play the characters in your WiP if it were to be made into a movie. It can be just one character, or the entire cast!

Secondly, we want you to soundtrack your movie! Head over to YouTube, and post a song that best describes one of your characters, or your story as a whole. Again, you can pick one song, or several, it's entirely up to you!

The Prizes

Rachel and I will each pick a winner at random, and we will be giving away a copy of one of our favourite books which were turned into movies!

Please note: If you write a blog post about this fest before March 8th, you will get an extra name in the draw to win a prize!

From me: Water For Elephants OR Bridget Jones' Diary From Rachel: The Princess Bride OR The Hunger Games (which is tipped to be AWESOME!)

This should be a lot of fun, even if it is 'Casturbation' - who cares?!? Stop on by to sign up, and keep an eye out on March 9th for the cast I've chosen for my WIP - The Truths About Dating and Mating.