Tina Moss | Urban Fantasy, Paranormal & Historical Romance Author

Twitter-Sized Pitch Contest: Win a Critique from my Super Agents!

2012-02-24T11:14:00.000-05:00

We interrupt this regularly scheduled blog to offer a mega CONTEST! Gina Lamm, my agent mate at Literary Counsel, is running a competition entitled "Show me your Passion and I'll give you a Crit". All you have to do is comment about why YOU want to be a writer by Saturday, February 25th, at 9pm EDT. She'll pick a winner and two runners-up for a query critique and/or five page manuscript critique.

Our Super Agents, Frances Black and Jennifer Mishler, have jumped on the bandwagon and will offer their opinions too! Since I can't let them have all the fun, I thought I'd hop on board. To give you even more chances to win, I'd like to run a PITCH CONTEST

RULES:

Post your twitter sized pitch (140 characters) in the comments section below.
Include your NAME, EMAIL ADDRESS, TITLE, GENRE, and WORD COUNT.
Manuscripts MUST be complete.

PRIZES:
I'll choose three winners to receive a query critique and first five pages of the manuscript from me. Super Agents will weigh in with their feedback as well and possibly even request more pages!

FINE PRINT:
Please note, winning the Pitch Contest and requests for pages do not equal an offer of representation from Literary Counsel.

I'll take all pitches until next Friday, March 2nd at 4pm EST. So, that's one full week to enter.

The Battle of Wits Has Begun: First Write Campaign Challenge

2012-02-20T16:19:00.002-05:00

Your mission, write campaigners, if you choose to accept it is from our fearless leader, Rachael Harrie. The rules are...

Write a short story/flash fiction story in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, including a poem. Begin the story with the words, “Shadows crept across the wall”. These five words will be included in the word count.

If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional), do one or more of these:

end the story with the words: "everything faded." (also included in the word count)
include the word "orange" in the story
write in the same genre you normally write
make your story 200 words exactly!

Mission accepted! Here's my flash fiction piece that I'm calling, Shadow Haunts. It is exactly 200 words, in the style of urban fantasy, and it includes orange and everything faded. Hope you enjoy!

Shadow Haunts

By: Tina Moss

Shadows crept along the wall, silent as dark sentinels. I gripped the banister until the blood drained from my hand. Two steps. I’d be on their level soon. My rubber boots squeaked on the slick wooden stairs. A clock chimed in the corner signaling the late hour. All of the other guests, in this quaint little Bed and Breakfast, rested comfortably in their beds. Only I stood between them and the soul-sucking creatures.

Done with hiding, with running, I gripped the flashlight in my hand. The filaments ticked to life and a ray of white danced across the hall. No more cowering like frightened prey. I’d become the hunter now. I rounded the corner. A shadow streaked behind me. I turned to catch the monster’s trail. It flew under a door and into the communal kitchen. I dashed after it, my footsteps echoing in the still night. When I reached the entryway, I flicked the light switch. Nothing.

The shadows ignited as moonlight flowed through a stained glass window. The soulless beasts bathed in blue, orange and red, stalked toward me. I ran my flashlight up their hollow forms. The bulb shattered, casting the room in darkness, then everything faded.

If you'd like to vote for me, I'm number 50 on the list! But, check out all the great flash fiction pieces too!

Relay For Life: Fighting Back Against Cancer

2012-02-17T10:53:00.001-05:00

I thought for a long while how to start this post, and nothing seems quite adequate. First, let me apologize for interrupting the usual Freaky Friday fun. Second, please understand that in no way do I want to "guilt" you into action or make you feel bad. This is simply an issue near and dear to my heart, and I wanted to share it with you. I've learned so much about each of you from your blogs. Today, I hope you'll be willing to learn a little more about me.

My mother holding baby me

Twelve years ago my mother died of stage four ovarian cancer. She battled the disease for eighteen months before it claimed her life. She was 41 years old. Upon her death, she left behind a six year old son, a fifteen year old daughter, family and many friends. She was well loved by those that knew her.

Since then, my aunt - who you'll recognize from the family stories as Auntie N - has worked tirelessly to raise money for cancer research and awareness. She's held a walk in my mother's memory several times. This year, she's created Team Frogs (my mother loved these slimy little creatures) and joined with Relay for Life.

In the words of the American Cancer Society, "Relay For Life is a life-changing event that helps communities across the globe celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease." Different relays take place all across the country. They even have a special event for dogs called Bark for Life. You can find an event in your area here.

Team Frogs will be walking in the relay on Saturday, June 2nd starting at 1pm. If you're in the New York City area, we hope you'll join us. For more information about the event, go here. And if you'd like to join our team or donate to the cause, check out the Team Frogs page. My personal page for the event is also here. I know that the difficult economy has caused strains on families all around the country, and finding that extra money is difficult. Please do not feel obligated, but if you can spare even a dollar, know that it is greatly appreciated.

It is my greatest wish that we see a cure for this disease within our lifetimes, and that cancer becomes a word associated with the history books. Thank you all for reading and spending a piece of your time getting to know my story.

Twice Tagged Tuesday

2012-02-14T11:35:00.000-05:00

A fun little game is making its way around the blogosphere. Two of my fellow Write Campaigners, Rachel Morgan and Yelena Casale, have tagged me. The rules in short: answer 11 questions about yourself given to you by the tagger, then tag 11 more people with questions of your own choosing.

This is probably more than you ever wanted to know about me, but it seems like a good icebreaker for the Writer Campaign. So, without further adieu...

Rachel's Questions:

1. Describe yourself in one word: Stubborn. (I'm a Taurus, I can't help it)
2. What was your favourite book as a child? The Lord of the Rings. (Okay, so technically it's a trilogy. Read it when I was nine and it's been my favorite ever since)
3. eBooks or paper books? Both. (Yes, I'm cheating)
4. If you could go back in time and change one thing in your life, what would it be? Not a thing. I don't believe in living with regrets.
5. What song is currently stuck in your head? I can't remember the name of it, but it goes like this...eww mow mow, papa ew mow mow. :)
6. What fictional character do you most resemble? Cat from Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series. (Well, I do in my dreams anyway)
7. If you could have any super power, what would you choose? Self transporter i.e. I could be in any place at any time with just a thought. (How's that for cool?)
8. What is your favourite quote? "The biggest person is the last one standing." - Me
9. Are you a full-time writer or do you have some other day job? I wish. Nope, full-time administration work, part-time professor, volunteer karate sensei (I help Yelena. She does the tough stuff).
10. Which book would you pick up first: awesome cover or super cool title? Probably the cover.
11. Cream or ice-cream? Is this a trick question? LOL. Both! (Yeah, I cheated again)

Yelena's Questions:

1. If you could only go visit one place in the world, where would you go? Bora Bora. (Went for my honeymoon and it is beyond beautiful)
2. Do you think you're more of an introvert or an extrovert? I'm somewhere on the border line. (Depends on the situation)
3. Do you prefer to be cold or hot (if there's no in between). When I was young, I would have said cold. Not anymore. Would rather the heat.
4. If you have to give a lecture on a topic of your choice, what would it be? Archetypes in children's literature. (Such a fun topic. I'd love to teach a college course on it)
5. Rock climbing or sky diving? Rock climbing. (It's tough, but fun)
6. Would you ever consider writing a memoir? Yes, but would anyone want to read it?
7. If you could go back in time and talk to one person from the past, who would it be? Siddhattha Gotama. (The man behind Buddha)
8. If you could turn into one animal, what animal would it be? A wolf. (No doubt)
9. What is your dream job? Writing full time.
10. What are your two favorite shows on TV right now? Once Upon a Time and Walking Dead. (Closely followed by Vampire Diaries. How's that for an eclectic mix?)
11. What is your favorite mythological creature? Tough one. Let's go with hobbits. ;)

Now, it's your turn. I'm supposed to tag 11 people, but I think it might be more fun to open it up to all of the Write Campaigners. So, if you're participating in the Write Campaign...

Here are your questions...

1. How would your best friend describe you in three words?
2. Who is your favorite fictional character?
3. If you could only read books in ONE genre for the rest of your life, what would it be?
4. Who is the greatest Captain of all time (sci-fi or seafaring)?
5. If you could be any mythological creature, what would you be?
6. You can take three people with you on the Gilligan style island, who do you take?
7. Are you a pantser or a plotter (writer speak)?
8. What genre do you write?
9. What's the best advice you've ever received?
10. Who are your inspirations (pick top 2)?
11. (Imagine this in the Billy Zane voice from The Wedding Singer) Chicken or fish?

Freaky Friday: The Woman in Black (film)

2012-02-10T10:47:00.000-05:00

FINALLY! Last week as my "date night" with the hubster, we went to see The Woman in Black starring Daniel Radcliffe. If you are a new reader to the blog, I draw your attention to this post where I raved about the play - running in London for twenty years and absolutely phenomenal. I also posted the trailer for the film here. So, it was with anxious energy that rivaled the energizer bunny's in which I waited for this film to hit theaters. And...

Let down. Let me say first that Radcliffe is a wonderful actor and clearly breaks from the Harry Potter character, but...he's far too young for the part. His looks, his voice, and even his delivery all lack conviction that the role demands. In the play, the connection between the two men is so important - they're the only ones ever on stage, except for the woman in black - and the film doesn't capture that bond at all.

No chemistry.

My other big gripe is the use of cheap thrills as a scare tactic. A bird screaming, a toy bell ringing, and a shadow in the corner all add up to cheesy old school horror tricks. They're not scary, they're annoying, especially when watching it in a theater with teenage girls yelling EVERY time.

Not a ghost, just a creepy doll. Who would let their kids play with this???

Hubster thought the ending fit with the story, but I have to disagree. It may have worked for the progression of the plot, but it was lackluster and the obvious choice. No surprises. No twists. It ends exactly like you think it is going to end, which in my not so humble opinion has no place in a "horror" movie. Although, this film isn't frightening enough for that particular genre label.

The house is pretty amazing.

Overall, if you've seen the play, forget the film. You'll be disappointed. If you haven't seen the play, save your dollars, visit London and see the play. My one hope is the movie will do well enough that the play goes on a US tour and maybe even lands on Broadway.

Rating: D+ (Sorry ~~Harry~~, Daniel. Still loved you in Equus and of course the Potter series.)

Have you built up a film or book in your head for so long that when you finally get to experience it, you become let down? Do you think a movie version can ever live up to a play or book?

Writers' Platform-Building Campaign

2012-02-08T09:00:00.002-05:00

It is that time of year again. Time for the Fourth Writers' Platform-Building Campaign. Brought to us by the wonderful, Rachael Harrie, the campaign brings writers together to compete in challenges, meet, interact, and just have some plain ole' fun! If you'd like to join the party, check out all the details here.

Mark your calendars because the Campaign takes place from Monday, Feb. 6th to Saturday, Mar. 17th. You can tweet all about it using hashtag #writecampaign. Or check out the list of campaigners at the List. And don't forget the dates for the challenge:

The First Campaigner Challenge will begin on Monday, February 20th and end on Saturday, February 25th.
The Second Campaigner Challenge will begin on Monday, March 5th and end on Saturday, March 10th.

Be sure to sign-up before Wednesday, Feb. 15th or you'll miss out on all the fun. So, are you a campaigner?

The Mystery of the Melting Cake

2012-02-06T11:04:00.000-05:00

*Note: All names of human family members and friends may be changed to protect them from horrible embarrassment. Pets ' names remain the same.

I'd been living with Auntie N for about two years when I decided it was time to move out. At eighteen, I packed up my bags and moved into my own apartment. It was a small one room studio, 15x18 feet, that I shared with my best friend, Lynn. I enjoyed my independence, but somehow always got suckered back to Auntie N's house for crazy misadventures. This particular day was no different, except...

Auntie N had been dating a man for a few months and his birthday was coming up. She wanted to do something special for him and decided that baking was the ticket. Why she decided this I don't know considering she doesn't like to cook and for all intensive purposes can't cook. (She's gotten better over the years, not so much then). Anyway, she was adamant about making him a cake. So...

Over I come with a Betty Crocker box in hand ready to make a SIMPLE angel's food or devil's food cake. Unfortunately, Auntie N had other ideas. She was going to make a Blackout cake from scratch and I - of course - was going to help her. Now, why she thought I, of all people, would be able to help her I do not know. It's not only that I don't like to cook, but I am a terrible cook. I am so bad that I've actually burned water. Yes, I've burned water. And no, I don't know how I accomplished that either. Moving on...

After making a valiant attempt to convince her toward the Betty Crocker box, she isn't moved and decides to proceed with the Blackout cake. We read the directions, follow them to the letter, place the yummy batter into a pan, and stick it in the oven. A short while later, we remove the cake from the oven and BEHOLD! It looks perfect! Auntie N goes excitedly to call said boyfriend to come over for the surprise. As she makes the call, I hold the cake marveling at how amazing it came out, and then...

I can't breathe. Air is rushing out of my lungs and no matter what I do I can't seem to catch my breath. Don't worry, I'm not having an asthma attack. I'm laughing too hard. Auntie N's back is to me and I'm trying to get her off the phone while balancing the cake in my palms. I place it on the table and tap her on the shoulder. She turns around, annoyed that I've dragged her from the phone call, and says, "WHAT?" I get the words out one at a time between laughs, "Th-The...cake!" "Huh? What?" she replies. I try again. "The cake... the cake... is... melting!" "WHAT!?!?!"

And so, the beautiful Blackout cake which originally looked like this...

Became in the course of mere seconds, this...

Turns out we used the wrong flour. Who knew there was more than one type of flour? Did I mention that I am NOT a cook?

Shrunken Heads on Storage Wars

2012-02-03T13:14:00.000-05:00

The latest craze in the TV world is an A&E show called Storage Wars. The "reality" series follows around a group of people - either pawn shop owners, thrift store owners or collectors - to auctions for storage units. They film the winning bidders digging through the storage lockers to uncover all kinds of items. Most of the time these are harmless relics. However...

On the last episode my favorite persona on the show - Barry - found a special item in his locker. Arguably the most eccentric of the group, this kooky collector brought in psychics to help him determine whether to bid on a locker or not. The psychics warned him that some negative energy surrounded his chosen locker, but he bid - and won - despite the warning.

They proceeded to help him go through the locker's contents. With household items, pots, pans, papers and magazines littering the locker, it looked like nothing to fear. Until...a dirty, dusty cooler drew the psychics' attention. Using a towel, Barry cautiously dug inside the cooler to find...

Shrunken heads! Ok, not this guy from Beetlejuice, but close! Barry takes his cooler of heads to a local expert - i.e. college professor - for authentication. Turns out that the heads are replicas much to Barry's relief. Replicas or not these things are freaky. Don't believe me? Check out the definition of a shrunken head from our friends at wikipedia, "a severed and specially prepared human head that is used for trophy, ritual, or trade purposes." If you want to see what a real shrunken head looks like, you'll have to Google, because those pics aren't going on this site. *blah*

What do you think about shrunken heads? Freaky, yay or nay? How about Storage Wars? Do you watch?

Writer Wednesday: Featuring R. M. Clark

2012-02-01T10:34:00.000-05:00

I'm jumping out of my seat because I get to introduce to you all my friend and agent mate R. M. Clark. A talented children's author and all around wonderful person, his debut novel Dizzy Miss Lizzie - a middle grade mystery that will keep you turning the page - hit shelves last week. Today, he's sharing the journey of his road to publication.

A JOURNEY WORTH TAKING

by R. M. Clark

"Dizzy Miss Lizzie, a middle grade mystery and my third novel, has taken an emotional ride on its way to publication. The journey began in the summer of 2009, when I gathered up my beta comments and completed the final draft. I queried for two months and finally got an offer from a highly respected NYC agent. Great news! We were out on submission before Thanksgiving and it was just a matter of time before some editor would love it.

None did.

So agent and I regrouped and I made a few changes to the manuscript. More silence.

I could tell the agent was growing weary of me and Lizzie because my emails were ignored and phone calls not returned. Agent and I split in the summer of 2010 and Lizzie I were back on the streets, so to speak. I had faith in the manuscript, though. It would just be a matter of time before another agent loved Lizzie. Unfortunately, previously-shopped manuscripts are considered damaged goods, so no one would touch it.

Fortunately, I kept writing through the ordeal and had three new manuscripts to shop around. Surely I could get an agent for one, then get her to fall in love with Lizzie. It was a brilliant plan! Too bad it didn't work.

I just couldn't give up on Lizzie. No trunk for her! I decided to submit the manuscript myself to big/medium houses that accepted author submissions. Most did not reply and those who did waited up to six months to respond. I tried a few really small presses and finally got an offer. But the contract was terrible and I had to decline. At least I knew it was publishable. In fact, I got three more offers in the next few months. I turned them all down. What was I thinking? Truth is: I just couldn't live with the contracts they offered. Lizzie deserved better.

Finally, I submitted Lizzie to Marsha Morris at Stanley Publishing. She loved it and offered a contract. Here we go again! Only this time, the contract was author-friendly. Excellent royalty rate. Print runs. Returnable books. Non-POD. E-books. Great cover art. I signed the contract. Lizzie found a home.

Five months later. Dizzy Miss Lizzie was released. I believed in the manuscript and found a publisher that was the perfect fit. It's not a journey for the faint of heart, but for me, a journey worth taking."

For more about Dizzy Miss Lizzie and to get your copy, go to Stanley Publishing.

And a big CONGRATULATIONS to R. M. Clark on his debut!

Freaky Friday: The Woman in Black (trailer)

2012-01-27T10:48:00.000-05:00

When I visited England last August, I was fortunate to see the play The Woman in Black, and rave about it on the blog HERE. The play has been running in London for the past twenty years, and finally comes to the big screen next week. Daniel Radcliffe sheds his Harry Potter role for this film adaptation. It hits theaters on February 3rd. I can't wait to see if the film can live up to the play, and how Radcliffe will fare.

I look forward to bringing you a review. But until then, check out the spooky trailer...

What do you think of Radcliffe breaking from his Harry Potter role? Will you go see the movie?

Publishing Tips from Twitter Folks (#PubTip)

2012-01-25T11:10:00.000-05:00

Last month, I brought you the first collection of publishing tips through the Twitter hashtag #pubtip. Using this conversation stream agents, editors and writers (and yes, sometimes random people so not all of it is golden) give their opinions on the publishing universe. I'd like to continue last month's tradition and capture some of the gems for you here.

@StrachanLit I do want to know about your writing experience & relevant background info. I don't need to know about your kids, your cats, or your childhood #pubtip (Jan 25)

@lyricalpress Throwing darts at a publisher list hoping one hits is a bad way to select a publisher. Researching publishers is key. #pubtip (Jan 24)

@chavelaque How to Make a Publisher Think You're Nuts: 1. Write in all caps. 2. Use your query letter to bemoan the moral state of America. #pubtip (Jan 23)

@meganrecords Always include the word count of the project in your query. #pubtip
(Jan 19)

@RHelmsBooks Can't speak for all editors, but if I'm interested in acquiring your manuscript, I do check out your website/blog. #pubtip (Jan 18)

@literarygroup Was just sent a headshot from an actor looking for representation. Um, dude, we're not those kinds of agents. Do your research. #pubtip (Jan 18)

@Ed_Kurtz_Bleeds There are right ways and wrong ways to pitch an editor. Twitter DMs fall into the latter category. #pubtip (Jan 18)

What do you think about these Pub Tips? Agree or disagree? What would you add to the list?

One Year Blogging Anniversary

2012-01-20T16:45:00.000-05:00

I've been home sick the past few days and I almost missed it... Tomorrow is my one year blogging anniversary! I can't believe a whole year has gone by so fast. So many wonderful things have happened. I've met some amazing people and had the opportunity to become a part of an incredible community.

I'd like to say THANK YOU to all of you. Without you - the reader - this blog would be another empty space floating in the middle of the internet void. But, through blogging, I've been able to connect with you. I am so glad to have met you, communicated with you on your blogs, and read your comments. You've made me proud to be a writer. So...

Here's to another great year!

Ninja Novel Conference (NiNoCon)

2012-01-18T15:48:00.000-05:00

From the Writer's Dojo comes Ninja Novel Conference (NiNoCon)

It is the brainchild of the Ninja Pirate, Angela Kulig.

Saturday, February 4th, 2012, will be the first NiNoCon.

NiNoCon focuses on publishing by non-traditional means. Talking about doing what hasn't been done before, stretching your imagination to extend beyond your stories and into a world of your making.

Top-notch presenters are invited to share how they thought "outside the box". Come learn what they have to say and discover how you can make your own magic happen.

Find out more at www.ninjaswrite.com

Freaky Friday: Walking Dead

2012-01-13T13:41:00.000-05:00

My friends harped on me for awhile to watch the new AMC series, Walking Dead. I didn't resist on purpose, but zombies have never really held my interest. So, I wasn't in a rush to see it. When AMC played the New Years marathon, I recorded all of the current episodes and started watching out of sheer curiosity at the hype.

The hubby and I sat down to a lovely post-New Year's Day with chocolate truffles in hand and a full DVR of zombies - even thought technically in the series, they're called walkers, but bleh on semantics. I watched the first four episodes without enthusiasm. Each episode ends on a cliffhanger and forces you to watch the next. And if you've been reading this blog for awhile, you know of my sucker syndrome for sequels. I have to keep going even if I don't like the original.

Thanks for playing

Without giving away too many spoilers, my biggest pet peeve was the introduction of a father and son to the show in the first two episodes. By episode three, they're gone - not dead, but split from the pack - and we're left with the sheriff. The sheriff, who is the "hero" of the show, rides into town on a horse. *Sigh* Can you say cliche? I swear by episode four, I was just about done. The annoying white supremacist hillbilly, who is supposed to be the character you love to hate, didn't garner enough of my concern to even muster an emotional response. But then, something wonderful happens...

"And shepherds we shall be..."

Bring on episode five and...Norman Reedus! Is that really my main man from Boondock Saints? Why yes, it is, sans the Irish accent. Praises to the casting director, the show has been saved! Okay, so technically, he's been in the first four episodes, but in episode five, his character Daryl starts to shine.

If the Zombie Apocalypse hits tomorrow, I'm sticking with this guy. Daryl is a boy from the sticks loaded with crossbow and superior hunting skills. I'll take him over the highbrow, overly moral sheriff Rick, and his shady partner, Shane, any day of the week. Throw in the old man, Dale - who is apparently the only one to see things how they REALLY are - and the geeky kid, Glenn, and I'm pretty certain the four of us would survive no problem.

Here's what I'm giving the characters for their odds of survival:

FAMILY DYNAMICS


Rick: 2-1 The hero rarely dies	Shane 100-1 Evil begets evil	Lori 50-1 Happy ending - mom lives, if not...	Carl 20-1 Kids are the wild card

THE OUTCASTS


Andrea: 12-1 Pretty blondes are good for ratings	T-Dog: 30-1 If horror movie lore prevails...	Carol: 70-1 Needs a white knight to survive.	Sophia: 70-1 Unstable family, odds are against.

THE A TEAM


Dale: 8-1 Wily old men live forever.	Glenn: 5-1 The brains of this eclectic bunch.	Daryl: 2-1 Who needs a hero? Gimme him.	Me: 1-1 I'm from Brooklyn. Zombies? HA!

Rating: A++++

Even races horses have slow starts. I'm forgiving Walking Dead it's lazy beginning, because it knows how to close with a bang!

Putting the "We" in the Irresistibly Sweet Award!

2012-01-11T13:32:00.001-05:00

Paranormal Freebies, a site where "paranormal readers and authors converge," has awarded me the Irresistibly Sweet Award! First and foremost, a big THANK YOU to Jessica Aspen for giving me this award.

Now, onward to the rules:

1. Thank and link to the person who nominated you.

2. Share 7 random facts about yourself.

3. Pass the Award on to 10 deserving blog buddies.
4. Contact those buddies and let them know.

Seven Random Facts

Well, since I've already given you some random facts about me in a previous post, I'd like to tell you a few fun details about the main characters of my book, CODE BLACK, Sera and Talon. They're a fun pair who have some interesting quirks that pop up in the book and a few tidbits that are only available here.

Ladies first, Sera:

1. Her favorite junk food on the planet is twinkies! Personally, I think they're tasteless, fluffy air, but this girl loves 'em.
2. She has a secret that she's been hiding for eight years. If it comes out, her life may be in danger.
3. Her full first name is Serafina, but she hates being called by it.
4. Her Jeep 4X4 is her pride and joy!

Onto the ~~hottie,~~ I mean, gentleman, Talon:

5. He loves anything with an engine - bikes, trucks, cars, you name it. Partial to his Kawasaki.
6. He's a burger and fries type of guy. Red meat is essential for shifters.
7. Describes himself as a lone wolf, but secretly he wants to find... Ouch! The jerk pinched me. Well, I guess you'll have to read the book for that one. ;)

And now to pass on the award! YAY!

Yeah, I'm bending the rules a bit. But, I figure, why not? That last spot is for you. I'm passing on this award to the reader, because I think you all deserve it. So, grab the button and feel free to post it on your blog!

Want to Win an iPad 2 or Amazon Kindle Fire?

2012-01-10T11:24:00.000-05:00

Rafflecopter has gone public! To celebrate they're holding a contest where you can win an Apple iPad 2 or an Amazon Kindle Fire. You can enter below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Coney Island's Fading Freak Culture

2012-01-06T11:16:00.000-05:00

I grew up in Brooklyn, New York. The borough south of Manhattan and the cultural hodgepodge of the big city. On the southernmost shores of this eclectic town is a place called Coney Island. From the first hotel built in the late 1820s right up until World War II, Coney Island beckoned tourists with elegance and grace. A major resort destination and a day getaway for urbanites, it caught the nickname the "playground of the world". By the turn of the century, in the early 1900s, it featured amusement parks, games and the famous Nathan's original hot dog stand.

When the Great Depression struck, Coney Island's fame for elegance and grace amid fun and games took a turn. According to the Parachute Pavilion, "The area became a 'Nickel Empire' of cheap amusements; a nickel paid the fare on the new subway line, and visitors were greeted by the original Nathan’s Famous, home of the five-cent hot dog." Thus, the sideshow came into play, and freak culture rose.

At the turn of the next century, in the early 2000s, plans by development corporations came under fire by the public. Proposed condos would decimate much of the historic area including the amusement park, Astroland, which closed in 2008. In an attempt to salvage the remnants of the once iconic Coney Island, Luna Park (the name of the original amusement park) opened in 2010, courtesy of Italian company, Zamperla (Blick 3). With it, came a brief revitalization of the brilliant lights and sideshows that paid homage to the Coney Island of the past, and kept local business open.

Sadly, such wonders did not last. After the 2010 summer season, "Zamperla decided (or perhaps, revealed) that the old Boardwalk businesses didn’t fit with the new vision for Coney Island. It refused to renew the businesses' leases for the 2011 summer, effectively closing them down" (Blick 3). Eight businesses, known as the Coney Island 8, fought to regain their leases and maintain the old Coney Island culture. The fight did little to save the area.

As Mayor Bloomberg and the city set plans for a new modern Coney Island plan, the freak culture that built this amusement park wonderland slowly fades away. The "new vision" of Coney Island has no place for this mix of fun and games for, according to Bloomberg, it seeks to "modernise and sanitise" (Blick 3). As 2012 descends upon us, it is difficult to say what lay in store for Coney Island. Not everyone is against this "new vision". With the area riddled from high crime and residents below the poverty line, some locals believe change is necessary.

While I agree the burned out buildings, abandoned shops, and high crime rate must be fixed, I fear this "sanitising" will destroy the flavor and freak culture that created this vibrant wonderland. When chain restaurants replace mom and pop shops and Cirque de Soleil overtakes the sideshow attractions, Coney Island may lose its eclectic charm and personality to become just another conglomerate owned tourist attraction.

Citations

"Background." Coney Island History. The Parachute Pavilion, n.d. Web. 6 January 2012.

Blick, James. "The Battle for Coney Island." James Blick. James Blick, n.d. Web. 6 January 2012.

Writer's Shock: The Long Road to the Blank Page

2012-01-04T09:05:00.000-05:00

Daunting. Great word isn’t it? This one little word describes all of the emotions running through me, the chaos, the turbulence, when I’m about to start a new project. Fear grips me by the throat and I struggle to breathe. I open up the blank outline, the blank MS, the blank...everything, and I want to cry. How am I EVER going to surmount this HUGE mountain - especially when it looks like a volcano called Mount Doom?

Too bad I don’t have Sam to carry me. Or an eagle.

Some people call this Writer’s Block. Defined so nicely by Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary as “a psychological inhibition preventing a writer from proceeding with a piece of writing”. But, a block implies that something is in your way. A big heavy object or a brick wall is in front of you and preventing the words from spilling onto the page. Heck, you can’t even get to the page! It’s an interesting idea, but there’s nothing blocking me.

I prefer to think of it as Writer’s Shock. It’s akin to culture shock - “a state of bewilderment and distress experienced by an individual who is suddenly exposed to a new, strange, or foreign social and cultural environment”. THAT is how I feel when I stare at the blank page - bewilderment and distress at my unfamiliar surroundings. I’ve been waddling around in my work in progress for so long, happily getting words on the page, that jumping into a new project is - you guessed it - daunting!

I know it’s only temporary. With any block or shock it lasts awhile and then goes away. Words start to flow again. The blank page fills up. Mount Doom becomes smaller and smaller until one day you’re standing at the top looking down, ready to move on to the next mountain. Of course, that’s when the whole process starts over again.

Where's that darn eagle when you need one?

What do you think about writer’s block or shock? Do you believe in it? If so, what helps you overcome it? If not, what’s your secret???

Citations:

"writer's block." Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary. Merriam-Webster, Inc. 03 Jan. 2012. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/writer's block>.

culture shock. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/culture shock (accessed: January 03, 2012).

All the News: 2011 Recap

2012-01-03T12:39:00.000-05:00

Here's a look back at the 2011 year in review.

December 2011

How did December get here so fast? The holidays are right around the corner and my shopping is no where near done! Ack. In writing news, I'm finishing up Code Black this week. Then, it's edit time and off to beta readers for the holidays. One beta reader is even taking it to Florida with her. Yelena and I are still working on our sequel, and we'll have that finished by early spring. That's all the news for now, but hopefully, I'll have another update for you soon, but shh...it's a secret.

November 2011

Blood Bond is on sub. The first draft of Code Black is about to be finished. And Yelena and I are working on a follow-up to Blood Bond. EEP! What a month! So, NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) - the writing event where writers attempt to write 1667 words per day of a new project? Nah! I've got my hands full working on two works in progress this month. A third and I think my brain would runaway.

October 2011

It's shaping up to be a GREAT month! If you haven't heard the news, I have an agent! Frances Black and Jennifer Mishler at Literary Counsel are officially representing both my writing partner, Yelena Casale, and me. Yelena and I are in the process of revising Blood Bond now and within a week or two, we should be on sub (status when the book is being proposed to editors). We couldn't be more excited and in fact, started the second book. I'm also finishing the first draft of Code Black, and I should meet my deadline of having it ready before winter hits.

September 2011

Autumn is almost here. It is my favorite season and I can't wait to dive into my fall wardrobe (and work). Boots, jackets, jeans and sweaters make up the ideal outfits. With this season, also comes a renewal of energy. Kids go back to school, the summer lull ends, and everyone prepares for winter. I always notice a crisp vibrancy in the air that helps renew my creative stride after the hot summer's humidity and heat. With conferences and contests coming up in the next few months, I'll definitely need that work horse mentality. So, here's to fall!

August 2011

Summer time in the city! Many agents, editors and heck, even writers are on vacation. I was able to travel with my husband and brother to Italy and England this year. We are all big travel buffs and loved the chance of seeing the ancient sites like Pompeii and the wonders of the Vatican Museum. We even got to visit inside the inner circle of Stonehenge. Needless to say, my writing has taken a bit of a back seat in the summer lull. But, the deadline for CODE BLACK is still on and I'm determined to have it finished before winter hits. So, hold me to it, readers. :)

July 2011

*UPDATE: BLOOD BOND HAS PLACED FIRST IN CENTRAL FLORIDA RWA'S TOUCH OF MAGIC CONTEST FOR THE PARANORMAL ROMANCE DIVISION! The final round judge, Meredith Giordan, editor for Berkley, has requested our full manuscript!!! SQUEE! Here is the link to the announcement.

The writing process - or more precisely the querying process - is often a waiting game. This month is no exception. Yelena and I are waiting to hear the final results of the Central Florida RWA's Touch of Magic contest. We know we've made top 3 in our category and that's pretty darn exciting. We're also waiting on a series of partials and fulls for BLOOD BOND that we have out with agents. I'm trying to resist RIS - refreshing inbox syndrome - but I have to admit that I'm not doing a good job of it. However, I'm distracting myself from RIS by...you guessed it, writing. I'm chomping away at CODE BLACK and seriously considering retrieving A PLAY FOR HIS HEART from the trunk. Hmm... looks like it's going to be a busy summer.

June 2011

Maybe I was a little overzealous on the date of my WIP's first draft. CODE BLACK is progressing, but not at the swift pace I maintained for the start of the book. The first seven chapters are complete, but the next two thirds of the book are alluding me. Need to revamp and reboot. New ETA for first draft - this Autumn. ;)

May 2011

*UPDATE: BLOOD BOND HAS MADE THE FINAL ROUND OF CENTRAL FLORIDA RWA'S TOUCH OF MAGIC CONTEST! Yelena and I are very excited. Winners will be notified in July. Please keep your fingers crossed for us! Here is the list of finalists.

More full requests, contest results, and revisions have been in store for BLOOD BOND. Yelena and I are making great progress with it. On my WIP, book one, CODE BLACK is coming along and I believe I'll have the first draft finished in August. Not a bad first quarter for 2011. :)

April 2011

Pitches, contests and queries! Oh my! Worse than lions, tigers and bears combined, but a necessary part of any writer's life - the submission process. This month I've been focusing on getting the word out about our story. From Twitter pitches to RWA chapter contests to blogfests! I've done it all...Now, waiting for the results.

March 2011

The hunt continues. I'll be attending the Liberty States Fiction Writers Conference this Saturday. Looking forward to the panels, workshops, pitch sessions and book signings! For more information check out there website HERE.

Special Monthly Monday Edition: Goal Setting

2012-01-02T09:05:00.004-05:00

A person far smarter than I once said that goals are better than resolutions. And another - mostly likely smarter - person also said that goals have a greater chance of coming to fruition if you write them down. So, in honor of these smart people, here's my Top Three Writing Goals for 2012:

Get feedback from beta readers, then finish edits on CODE BLACK and send to agent by end of January.
Finish WIP - sequel to BLOOD BOND - with Yelena Casale by summer.
Finish two individual WIPs by December.

I've set firm, doable goals with target deadlines to increase my chances of success. I also have weekly and monthly check-ins that are small goals to try and get to the larger ones. I'm certain to have setbacks, but the more I can stick to hitting my targets, the better off I'll be. How about you?

What are your goals for 2012? Do you have deadlines to complete them? Do you have steps in place to make them realities?

Freaky Friday: Devil

2011-12-30T09:30:00.002-05:00

With Universal Pictures behind this project, M. Night Shyamalan as producer and story writer, and Tak Fujimoto handling cinematography, DEVIL has all the puzzle pieces in the box. Yet, this film got mixed reviews when it hit theaters. It's likely do better in DVD sales, but when you break down the parts, it becomes clear where the pieces don't quite add up to the whole.

It begins with a stunning opening scene of New York City upside down. The sequence is visually engaging and coupled with moody music sets a chilling picture - creepy and gothic. This section of the film's cinematography is credited to John Frost whose worked on other horror projects such as Drag Me to Hell. It's a stark contrast to Tak Fujimoto's style who often gives us sharper angles and a mix of close-ups and shaky cam. Fujimoto has also worked on The Happening, Signs, The Sixth Sense and The Silence of the Lambs - no stranger to horror, thrillers or Shyamalan projects.

Now into the story. It begins with Detective Bowden (played by Chris Messina) investigating a jumper suicide. He and his partner track down the correct building of the crime to discover five people trapped in an elevator, and the situation quickly unraveling. Unfortunately, Messina's lackluster performance downplays the suspense and sense of urgency. Add the fact that you don't actually care about any of these people stuck in the elevator and you get a bland showing.

The one saving grace amongst the characters is the security guard, Ramirez (played by Jacob Vargas) - who isn't actually stuck in the elevator, but monitoring the situation. He narrates a tale of el Diablo as told to him by his grandma-ma, and compares it to the odd occurrences happening in the elevator. His superstitious zeal and religious overtones usually would have me ruling out this character type, but some how Vargas manages to make this character not only likable, but relatable.

To recap, we have some nice visuals, a mostly uninspiring group of characters, and oh yeah, they're stuck in an elevator. Not the best mix for a successful movie. However, I will say in classic Shyamalan form, we are rewarded with an interesting twist at the end. AND I guessed some of it, but still didn't figure out the whole thing. If you can keep me guessing, it's always a plus in my book.

Rating: C+ (Worth a rental, but not one for the collection)

PS I don't think the original jumper had any relevance to the story. Although, I could have missed something. So, if you watch it and figure out if I missed a side plot, please let me know!

PSS It's the last Freaky Friday of 2011! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

What do you think of twist endings? Are they easy for you to figure out? Do they drive you nuts?

Wishing You Happy Holidays with a Writer's Cartoon!

2011-12-28T10:16:00.000-05:00

Do you ever feel like your writing dreams are out of reach? How do you keep going for the goal?

Freaky Friday: Wishcraft

2011-12-23T09:37:00.002-05:00

Brace yourselves readers, this one is a ride, but not the adventure park roller coaster. Nah, it's sort of like the broken teacup ride that your mom forced you to go on with your kid sister - slow and painful. Let's break it down in list form so that my brain doesn't explode. Oh Wishcraft, I barely new ye...

Acting that toddlers unable to form full sentences could have pulled off better
Dialogue (see above)
A star overweight and incompetent "athlete" named Jimbo who screamed like a hyena
A detective named Sparky - does this one even need a comment
The killer's freaky mask that's some lame copy of a cross between the Scream masks and a pig
A samurai sword, should be cool, but not the way the killer wields it - yes, this makes me a martial arts snob. I don't care.
The "hero"aka Brett Bumpers. Really Brett Bumpers? *sigh*

Brett Bumpers!

The main character, Brett Bumpers *giggles*, makes stupid wishes on some weird totem - three wishes, how original. I don’t know how he found it, because I missed the opening fifteen minutes - real shame. But, first he wishes for a hot and popular cheerleader to go to a dance with him, then he wishes for said hot and popular cheerleader to become his girlfriend. Can’t he think of a better wish? Like I dunno, world peace?

Hot & Popular Cheerleader

His nerd buddy gets a hold of his totem - insert inappropriate joke here - and wishes to be a “badass mofo”. Yeah, I don’t know what it means either. It gets perpetually worse, and I had to turn it off about an hour in. So, I have no idea how it ends, sorry. But, with 45 minutes more of the movie to go, I couldn’t take it anymore. This movie is everything cliché and WRONG about horror movies. If you want just under two hours of mindnumbing stupidity, check it out. Otherwise, stay away. Far far away.

UPDATE: I checked out the ending just for you all and... Initial verdict stands. STAY AWAY!

Rating: F

Writer Wednesday: #Pubtip Collection and Hanukkah Happiness!

2011-12-21T10:57:00.000-05:00

You may have heard about this crazy little thing called Twitter. It's a social media conglomeration to the nth degree. And Dawn gave us some great tips last week about how to take part in its stormy seas. Now, I'd like to tell you about a hastag called #pubtip. As we learned, hashtags are used to track conversations. Anyone can use them and anyone can post...well, pretty much anything. But, #pubtip is often used my agents, editors and writers to help convey some "truths" about the publishing universe.

How cool is this picture?

Since I often enjoy the #pubtip conversations, I thought I'd put together this string of some of the best I've come across.

@BatgirlEditor Been saying similar thing in many submission passes--too much front load exposition. Hook me by starting with questions, not answers. #pubtip (Dec. 13)

@jsinsheim Someone once compared email to a conference, and Twitter to the after party. I concur. Twitter is not for business correspondence #pubtip (Dec. 13)

@LeighEllwood When submitting a manuscript, name the file after your book. Using sample.doc or book.doc will get lost in an editor's inbox. #pubtip (Dec. 17)

@sandylunyc Never pester an agent after getting a rejection letter. It wont' change my mind. It'll only make me mark your email address as Spam. #pubtip (Dec. 16)

@Renee_Nyen If 1 of your characters ever says "As you know..." delete EVERYTHING said after that. People don't talk about stuff they both know. #pubtip (Dec. 15)

@imogenhowson Never make editors jump through hoops to read your submission. Going to your website, accessing your shared docs etc--all bad. #pubtip (Dec. 15)

@kristenwEditor You may see your manuscript as part of a series, but make sure it stands alone as well (and indicate that in your query letter). #pubtip (Dec. 13)

Feel free to debate these or add your own in the comments. I'd love to get your feedback.

And to all my Jewish readers out there...

Freaky Friday: Saw

2011-12-16T10:37:00.000-05:00

Every so often a movie or book comes along that makes you go, "Wow! This is new!" When SAW first came out in 2004, my original reaction was just that. I could not believe the visual impact the film had on me. For most of the movie, you're watching two men captured in a small dirty bathroom trying to figure a way out. Not such a visual enticement, but...


Cartoon Sketch

Then, it gets graphic. And I mean graphic! I've actually decided to use sketches because I want to keep the blog age friendly. Everything from jaw ripping metal masks to fishing through human organs to hacking off body parts with a rusty...you guessed it...saw. We are talking NOT kid appropriate AT ALL.

Hey, wait, you say, I thought this was something new and gore isn't new. No, it isn't. But, it's a large part of the movie so I'd be remiss if I didn't mention it. What was new, at the time, was the storytelling in the form of a game. Puzzles that the viewer has to unravel along with the characters. I can't tell you the thrill of trying to unmask the killer as the movie progressed and the TWIST!!! NEVER SAW IT COMING - pun intended.

I pride myself on figuring out stories - movies and books - sometimes before I even pick up the first page or the film begins. (My writing partner, Yelena, can tell you all about how I took great pleasure in spoiling Breaking Dawn. Ha! Saw it coming a mile away.) Much like Dr. House, I'm a puzzle addict, so SAW piqued my interest from the get go, and when I couldn't determine the ending...BRILLIANT!

If you haven't seen this movie, you're in for a real treat. The sequels also don't disappoint, for the most part. Although, I haven't seen the 3D one yet. Heard it wasn't so good, but I'll reserve judgement. They're also several "game" or "puzzle" style horror movies that emerged since the SAW movies hit it big. But, nothing I've seen so far has measured up to this film.

Rating: A+

Writer Wednesday: Featuring Dawn Rae Miller

2011-12-14T09:00:00.002-05:00

I'm so happy to introduce you all to Dawn Rae Miller, a fabulous YA author and Twitter aficionado. I met Dawn through the writing boards, and I'm confident to say that she is one of the most talented authors and gracious people I've ever had the privilege to know. Here's a snippet from her bio...

In addition to writing her own books, Dawn is the ghostwriter of a commercial YA series. She also spends too much time on Twitter. So much, in fact, her agent wonders how she actually finishes things. (Answer: She never sleeps.).

When not writing or procrastinating online, she's either running, chasing after her three young sons or trying to convince her husband that he really does like vegetables.

Dawn lives in San Francisco and is member of The YA Curator blog.

Her book Larkstorm is out now, and I highly encourage you to pick up a copy. But first, let's hear from Dawn and her take on how to use Twitter effectively. Take it away, Dawn!

TWITTER, TWITTER, WHAT ART THOU?

A Guest Post by Dawn Rae Miller

"I’ve spent the past two weeks talking about myself, my book, and my road to publication. Frankly, I’m tired of myself.

So…LET’S TALK TWITTER!

I’ve had many conversations with fellow writers about how to use Twitter. Usually along the lines of, “Is it a giant time suck?” Can be. “Will using it drive sales?” Maybe.

But the number one thing I hear: “I don’t understand Twitter.” If you fall into this camp, you’ve come to the right person. I am a Twitter-fiend.

For those who don’t know, Twitter is an up-to-the-minute feed where anyone can post anything at anytime. It’s 100% public unless you go off-feed and direct message someone. Otherwise, everything you tweet is searchable.

The best tweeters are the ones who respond to @replies and engage in conversation. Keeping that in mind, a few general rules:

Rule number one: Don’t spam Twitter with non-stop links about your book. People want to know about you. And you are more than your book. Talk about the weather (on twitter this is socially acceptable), a funny video, and books other than yours.

This doesn’t mean you can’t mention your book, but remember: No one cares about your book as much as you do. And chances are, the people who follow you already know about it.

Rule number two: Engage. Talk to other people. It may feel weird jumping into a conversation with someone you don’t know, but people are tweeting things because they want comments. So that lady whose pet parrot has a swearing habit? @reply her.

Rule number three: Share meaningful links to things you love, find interesting, or amusing. YouTube videos, best book lists, articles about the industry. Or even pigmy goats if you’re into those. Anything you think others will enjoy too.

Okay, so now that we’ve covered the general rules, let’s get on to advance tweeting.

When you @reply someone, only that person AND the people following BOTH of you can see the tweet. Therefore, if you want ALL your followers to know you’ll be signing at Hot-n-Steamy books on Friday, it needs to look like this:

“@superawesomeperson I’ll be signing at Hot-n-Steamy Friday at 4pm. Thanks for asking.

Do you see the quotation mark before the person’s handle? It allows the tweet to be sent out to ALL your followers. You can use any mark - a period, comma, whatever. Just make sure you use something before the @ sign if you want to broadcast widely.

When tweeting links, use a tweet shortening service like bit.ly. Not only will this gobble up less of your 140 character limit, it allows you to track the click-thru-rate.

Hashtags are used to track conversations. If you were to search #yalitchat you’d find a whole stream dedicated to conversations between Young Adult writers. If you search #ebooks you’ll find tweets about - surprise – ebooks. You can do this for TV shows #DrWho, music #indiebands, and even #JustinBeiber if you really wanted.

At this point, you may be saying, “This is all fine and great, but I don’t have a ton of followers and my feed is boring. How do I get more followers?”

Don’t give in to the temptation to grow your numbers quickly by using a service. If you let your numbers grow organically – one follow at a time - you’ll find you have better interactions with people. Why? Because those people WANT to follow you and you WANT to follow them. My best advice: follow people you find interesting and @reply them. They may not follow you back immediately, but don’t despair – some people need more than one interaction to add someone.

Which leads to, “Do I have to follow everyone who follows me?” Some people feel very strongly reciprocal follows are polite. Others think it’s a waste of time.

Personally, I don’t follow everyone. When my feed has too many people in it, I miss things. Sure, I can create lists that only track certain people, but then I’m not really following everyone, am I? It’s just a sham to make sure more people follow me.

My own rule of thumb is to follow people I interact with. If someone @replies me or pops up frequently in a friend’s tweets, I usually add them.

So there you have it: Twitter explained.

Happy Tweeting and I hope to see you on twitter!"

Thanks Dawn for revealing all of Twitter's intricacies. You can find Dawn at @dawnraemiller on Twitter. And now for more about Larkstorm...

"In the years following the destructive Long Winter, when half the world’s population perished, the State remains locked in battle against the Sensitives: humans born with extra abilities.

As one of the last descendants of the State’s Founders, seventeen-year-old Lark Greene knows her place: study hard and be a model citizen so she can follow in her family’s footsteps. Her life’s been set since birth, and she’s looking forward to graduating and settling down with Beck, the boy she’s loved longer than she can remember.

However, after Beck is accused of being Sensitive and organizing an attack against Lark, he disappears. Heartbroken and convinced the State made a mistake, Lark sets out to find him and clear his name.

But what she discovers is more dangerous and frightening than Sensitives:

She must kill the boy she loves, unless he kills her first."

To learn more about Dawn check her out on facebook HERE. And to purchase your copy, of Larkstorm check out...

Freaky Friday: Top Fears Revealed

2011-12-09T11:05:00.000-05:00

Last week, I asked you to tell me your fears in a 100% unscientific poll. We got 12 takers. Thank you all for your honesty. Since I have no background in psychology, I will analyze these fears in a the most basic manner possible. First, colorful charts...

From this survey, it appears that Disease is the number one fear. In a time when flu shots, immunizations and doctor visits are standard, it doesn't surprise me in the least. Serious illnesses such as cancer and AIDS are very real concerns, especially with the frightening statistics that seem to be splashed across the TV every other day. Yet, remember that hypochondria (a preoccupying fear of having a serious illness) can be as debilitating to your life as disease itself. You should always take care to ensure your best health, but don't let this fear monster get the better of you.

No matter what your particular fear, don't let it stop you from living your life. When fear prevents us from going after our goals and achieving our dreams, then we've allowed it to subdue our nature, our passion. Take these words by those far wiser than me to heart...

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself--nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."

- FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT, First Inaugural Address, Mar. 4, 1933

"Cowards die many times before their deaths
The valiant never taste of death but once"

- WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, Julius Caesar

"There is no living thing that is not afraid when it faces danger. The true courage is in facing danger when you are afraid."

- L. FRANK BAUM, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

"It is the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness, nothing more."

- J. K. ROWLING, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

“A man that flies from his fear may find that he has only taken a short cut to meet it.”

- J.R.R. Tolkien, The Children of Húrin

Guest Spot on Adventures in YA & Children's Publishing

2011-12-07T10:47:00.000-05:00

Squee! I'm doing back flips and happy dances today. Why? Well, for this Writer Wednesday, I'm guest posting over at Adventures in YA & Children's Publishing. I've admired this blog for quite awhile now and I'm so honored to be featured there. They offer great advice, contests, critiques, workshops and all around good will to aspiring writers. Run by Marissa Graf and Martina Boone, with help from Clara Kensie and Lisa Gail Green, the site is a treasure trove of information.

To find out more about them, and read my guest post entitled "Writing Like a Reader", hop on over to childrenspublishing.blogspot.com. And be sure to check out their monthly 1st Five Pages Workshops which begin the first Saturday of every month. They offer feedback to the first five entries, and their advice is priceless.

Thank you again to these amazing women for all of the work they do to help others. I can't tell you how thankful I am to be included in this wonderful community.

Puppy Mayhem: The Rise of Devil Dog

2011-12-05T11:11:00.001-05:00

For our December monthly Monday post, I considered telling you a heartwarming tale about the holidays. Something that would get you in the spirit and have you counting down the days until the holidays are here. But, this puppy of mine won't let me!

Doesn't he look all sweet and innocent? He does, right? HA! It's a lie. Don't trust that cute little face. It's all a ruse. In November, my sweet little boy turned one and a half and my husband returned to work after a long layoff. With mommy and daddy out of the house during the day, this adorable, well behaved little boy shifts and becomes DEVIL DOG!

So far he's ripped up, destroyed, or eaten the following items...

A black leather belt. He proceeded to eat half of the belt, swallowing large chunks whole. We discovered this since he upchucked for a majority of the night. We thought only the belt buckle remained, until we discovered he'd hid the other half for a midnight snack.

A bag of Wee Wee pads. As any good puppy mother knows, Wee Wee pads are the greatest invention on the planet. Except when you spend lots of $$$ on them, only to have your precious puppy rip up the bag.

A bath mat. We now track water all over the bathroom, since Chuck decided to use the mat as his personal chew toy. Apparently, $130 worth of toys from Petco were not enough to keep the Devil Dog entertained.

The satellite remote. I leave HGTV on for him during the day, so he can learn all about do-it-yourself home improvement projects or the real estate market. He didn't appreciate the irony and said he wanted to watch Animal Planet.

My white bra. I'm convinced this is a conspiracy between the hubby and Devil Dog, since none of my "fancy" bras were harmed. My plain white bra, however, met its end in the jaws of the beast.

And so concludes the tale of Devil Dog...at least, for now.

UPDATE: In light of Devil Dog's antics, hubby has created the following reminder for himself...

Freaky Friday: Tell Me Your Fears

2011-12-02T12:02:00.000-05:00

Every Freaky Friday, I post horror movie reviews, articles about fear, or just fun scary stuff. Today, I'd like to turn it over to you, and find out about all those things that go bump in the night. This is officially the Freaky Friday Reader poll. Be honest and help me find out the blogosphere readers top 3 fears.

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world's leading questionnaire tool.

What Comes Next? NaNoWriMo Withdrawals.

2011-11-30T11:03:00.001-05:00

As NaNoWriMo draws to a close today, the inevitable realization hits you. This whopping X-word novel you've slaved over for the past month is a collection of words, a jumble of mish mosh, a pile of steaming....well, you get the idea. Yet, do not despair! Help is on the way. Are you ready?

It's the EDITING PROCESS! YAY!

*Throws confetti*

Oh wait, you hate editing you say? You'd rather be ripping out your hair and burning it over a fire? Me too! Oh, sorry, that's not you? You love editing. *Glares* Well, that's great, actually! How did you fall in love? Tell me your secret, please. For me, editing is mind numbing torture. It's trying to figure out the best pieces of a puzzle and realizing you probably don't have all the pieces. So, you add pieces, take away pieces, sand other pieces into a pile of sawdust, and tadaa! You're only just beginning.

After you've edited your work so that it sparkles all shiny and new - or at least you THINK it does. How can you possible tell when you haven't seen the light of day for weeks while hiding in your editing cave? - you pass it on to beta readers. These are the brilliant minds who will tell you all the things you've done absolutely wrong. Okay, so usually, they say it much nicer than that, but still it is their job to point out what's working, and more importantly, what isn't.

Good beta readers are worth more than all the gold on the planet. Do NOT take them for granted. Do NOT ignore their suggestions. Allow their ideas to percolate in your mind - like a fresh cup of coffee, mulling it over takes time - for at least a few days, preferably a week. Pay special attention when the advice comes from more than one beta. Fix the parts that resonate with you, and stick to your guns for the parts that don't - it is your story after all. But, ALWAYS thank them for their time and feedback.

Editing is your friend, even when it is a nasty PIA. As the joy of NaNo - or any day you finish that first draft - wash over you, take a step back. Feel proud of your accomplishments, but understand that writing is a process. If you jump into submissions prematurely, you're negating all of the hard work you've already done. So, let it breathe, step into the light of day, spend some time with family and friends, then jump back in. Drafting is all about getting rid of the blank page, but editing is where the story comes alive.

Giving Back this Thanksgiving: Books for Teens

2011-11-23T10:40:00.003-05:00

As I wandered the writing boards this week, I discovered writer, Emily Murdoch. A few days ago, she posted her how she got her agent story. Many writers would gush - myself included - about this fantastic news and deserve to do so, but Emily decided to share her blog space with another, Taylor Hendrix. First, I'd like to offer Emily a big congratulations.

In honor of Emily's gracious nature, I'd also like to share Taylor's story with you and ask for your support. In 2005, eleven year old Taylor was diagnosed with Osteogenic Sarcoma, a bone Cancer, in her right shoulder and upper arm. Having undergone extensive chemotherapy treatments, surgeries, and hospital stays, she continues to fight her battle with cancer. For the past two years, she's had to stay in the hospital over the holidays.

Yet, this extraordinary young woman, despite pain and illness, thinks of others' needs before her own. Every year at Christmas time, she fills backpacks full of presents for the teens at the Children's hospital. Many times, the teens often get left out since the presents that are brought are geared for younger children. Taylor saw this need and acted upon it, filling 30 backpacks last year. She wants to break that record for 2011 and she needs your help.

I know the community of writers and readers to be the most generous and supportive group that I've ever had the privilege to know. So, I'm calling on all of you to please donate what you can to this worthy cause. If you have some YA books that you can part with, please send them to Taylor. If you can spare a few dollars, or want to donate something for the backpacks, please send them to...

Taylor Hendrix

Christmas Project
1511 Hermitage Drive

Florence, Al 35630

Find out more about how you can help HERE. You can also donate directly HERE. And read more about Taylor's story HERE.

Thank you so much to Emily for sharing this wonderful cause with us. And THANK YOU, readers, for your continuing support. I hope you all have a wonderful, safe, healthy and happy Thanksgiving!

Freaky Friday: The Exorcist

2011-11-18T15:11:00.001-05:00

I'm FINALLY - after a way too long "to be read" pile - reading my friend, Gretchen McNeil's YA paranormal book, Possess about a teenage exorcist who can banish demons, and thought it a fitting time to review one of my all time favorite horror movies - The Exorcist.

This parallel tale centers around a priest's loss of faith and a girl's demonic possession. It presents many themes - good vs. evil, faith vs. doubt, and vulnerability vs. the power of the human soul. Riddled with extremely graphic and disturbing scenes, it is NOT recommended for children.

But, don't be fooled by the gore factor, this is not your everyday horror movie. It delves deeply into the themes mentioned above. The most disturbing part, for me, is not the horrific images, it's the unsettling feeling that stays with you long after the movie is finished. It makes you think and reconsider preconceived notions. If you can't sleep at night, it won't be simply from Regan MacNeil - played by actress Linda Blair - spinning her head around or doing the backwards spider walk - this STILL creeps me out, by the way - it'll be because at least one, if not more of its messages resonant with you.

If you think horror as a genre can't impart a unique life message AND tell a great story, then you must see the Exorcist.

And for more creepy exorcism tales, don't forget to check out Possess!

Rating: A+ (for both THE EXORCIST and Gretchen McNeil's POSSESS)

Stomach Bugs and Begging the Question

2011-11-16T13:58:00.000-05:00

I'm a bit behind on blogging, but I have an excuse...I was sick. There's a nasty little stomach bug going around my office and making the rounds amongst friends as well. I imagine it looks like this...

Or maybe like this...

Either way, it made me feel like this...

I'm getting back on my feet and feeling better. So, I apologize for the lack of blog posts. But, since many of you are in the middle of ~~Hell~~ NaNoWriMo and have no time to read, I'm banking on your forgiveness.

Now, back to your regularly scheduled blogging.

First Drafts: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

2011-11-09T11:46:00.000-05:00

In honor of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), I'd like to discuss some of the good, the bad, and yup, even the ugly about writing the first draft.

Writing the First Draft

The Good:

Getting to know your characters.
Shaping the plot.
Embarking on an adventure.
Basking in your own brilliance.

The Bad:

ALL your characters are evil!
The plot...what plot?
The adventure leads you to the Bog of Eternal Stench.
Your writing is crap.

The Ugly:

Why am I doing this?
The blank page stares back at you.
You have visions of going all Jack Nicholson ala The Shining.
Nothing could possibly suck as much as your writing.

But, remember, it is okay for the first draft to be utter trash. If you put some word vomit all over the page, no problem! Editing is for making things all shiny and polished. The first draft is purely to get the story on the paper. So, get writing!

The Many Faces of Chuck the Corgi

2011-11-07T14:53:00.000-05:00

It's the first official Monday of November which means I owe you a funny family story. Unfortunately, I've been bogged down in work for the past two weeks - WIP deadlines and job meetings. So, to make up for my lack of story this month, I give you a collection of cute corgi pictures. Take it away, Chuck!


Baby Chuck sleeps. 12 Weeks Old.

Are you looking at me?

Love eyes (Tina & Baby Chuck)

Dinner time?

Writing isn't hard...How do I turn on the computer?

I am Bat Dog! (5 months old)

Chuck's first snow storm.

The Great Flying Squirrel!

Adult Chuck sleeps. (18 months old)

Phew! Thanks for bailing me out of that one Chuck. And I fully believe you can be a writer too, once you figure out the computer. Mama loves you. <3

Freaky Friday: Deja Vu

2011-11-04T12:43:00.000-04:00

All over again.

You walk upon a lone road. Dark trees surround a dusty path. The dirt grinds into your shoes. A scuffling sound draws your attention. You turn - fast - but the trees alone rustle in the wind. Nothing behind you except the chilling sense of deja vu.

A French word literally translated as "already seen", deja vu has stumped scientists, lacking a definitive explanation. According to "What is déjà vu?" by HowStuffWorks.com, as much as 70% of the population experience this sensation. Medical science has linked the phenomena to temporal-lobe epilepsy, but no one knows why individuals without medical conditions encounter this state.

Parapsychologists and certain religious groups believe that deja vu is a moment when a past life touches upon the present. For example, you travel to a foreign country - a place you've never been - and suddenly are gripped with the sense that you've been there before. You might actually have been there before, in a past life.

Whether a weird brain impulse or a message from lives before, deja vu can conjure up some interesting ideas. Have you ever met someone and feel like you've known them forever? Yeah, me too. Ever been somewhere and had the thought you'd spent time there before? Yup, check. Ever predicted an accident or illness before it happened? A time or two, uh huh. Freeeaky.

What about you readers? Tell me about your experiences with deja vu.

Gratitude is Catching

2011-11-02T11:36:00.000-04:00

Beth Ravis, author of Across the Universe, is having a HUGE contest on her blog. You can earn the chance to win 19 YA books - many signed - and swag. All you have to do is create a post about one book that you are most grateful for.

What better way to usher in another Writer Wednesday? First, I'd like to thank Ava Jae because her post introduced me to this contest and Beth Ravis. Next, I'd like to share with you a little poem about my chosen book.

Second breakfasts, big hairy feet, & hearts too big for their small bodies.
A call to adventure, a curiosity unbound, and a courage unmeasured.
Dragons know the sting of his blade.
Dwarves know the depth of his spirit.
Many names, many faces from Bilbo to Frodo to Sam and more.
A precious book past from generation to generation,
Held more value than any one ring.

The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien is the book that's held my heart for over two decades. The first book that captured my love of fantasy in its grasp and led me to read the next generation of hobbits over the course of three years. (I was only nine years old when I started the Lord of the Rings trilogy.) To this day, I cannot enter a bookstore without seeking its pages. I possess four different editions of Tolkien's books and if the Apocalypse happened tomorrow, they'd be stashed into my "go" bag.

Thank you so much to J. R. R. Tolkien for sharing these wondrous creatures with the world, and teaching us that “Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.”

“The road must be trod, but it will be very hard. And neither strength nor wisdom will carry us far upon it. This quest may be attempted by the weak with as much hope as the strong. Yet it is oft the course of deeds that move the wheels of the world: Small hands do them because they must, while the eyes of the great are elsewhere.”

― J.R.R. Tolkien

For more quotes by this brilliant author check out the collection at GoodReads or better yet, read the books. :D

Halloween Treats: Paranormal Activity 3 & Long Awaited LINK Reveal!

2011-10-31T13:42:00.000-04:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Let's kick off this holiday right with a long awaited costume reveal. You've been patient and now it's time to show you my Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past ensemble...

Not a bad likeness. :D I wasn't able to make the hat in time, but I'm so excited with the way the sword and shield turned out. The wooden sword was made by Swords of Might and painted silver by me. The shield came painted in azure blue and fitted with a metal grip by Medieval Fantasies Company. I added the designs using oak tag, silver paint, and buttons for the jewels.

The day after the Nintendo themed party - which was a lot of FUN - the hubs and I went to see Paranormal Activity 3! If you've been following this blog, you already know about my love of the Found Footage genre. PA3 is no exception. It met all of my expectations and didn't have the "prequel" stigma one bit. In fact, it felt like a natural extension of the first two films.

My one gripe is the lore behind the newest film. In the first two, we learn about a family curse that's haunted the sisters' bloodline for...well, I don't know exactly how long, but awhile. The women in their family have only given birth to baby girls, but the demon won't be appeased until a boy is born. And the child is "given" to him. They don't go into specifics, and frankly, I don't want to know what a demon would do with a little boy, but there it is. Reminds me too much of Henry VIII's obsession with sons - or was it wives? Anyway, I digress.

So, what does this have to do with PA3? Well, let's just say there are more family secrets than a simple curse. Not that curses are ever simple. But, you get the idea. If you're not a huge fan of the first two films, then save your money until it comes out on DVD. If you're a horror junkie like me, then run to the theater.

Rating: A- (minus for the oversight on the movie mythos)

Freaky Friday: Paranormal Activity 3 & Costume-to-be! (Teaser Alert)

2011-10-28T10:22:00.000-04:00

I'm sorry folks, this one is a teaser post. I haven't seen the movie yet and I have to finish up my costume tomorrow. I'll hop on over the weekend and post both for you. But for now, please entertain yourself with these intermission dance numbers...

Three Ways to Write Through the Slush

2011-10-26T12:37:00.001-04:00

Slush: liquid mud; watery mire.

Citation: slush. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved October 26, 2011, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/slush

When an agent or editor dives into the pile of query letters or manuscripts in search of that "gem", they dub the mess the "slush" pile. As a writer on the hunt, how can you increase your chances of trudging through this liquid mud, this watery mire to land at the top?

Target the right agent or editor. This means putting on your research cap and investigating everything you can about the person. Use sources like querytracker.net or agentquery.com. Follow their Twitter feeds. Use Google Books to see what they rep or publish. Read through their profiles and submission guidelines. Subscribe to Publisher's Marketplace.

Make your query letter AND manuscript shine. Use writing forums, critique partners, and beta readers. Revise, revise, revise! Take workshops or classes on the elements of the craft. Read through books like Self Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne, Dave King and On Writing by Stephen King. Revise, revise, revise again!

Make connections. Networking may not open THE door, but it can open many windows. Form relationships with other writers. Learn from their journeys. See what's worked and what hasn't worked for them. And most of all, be sincere. Don't ask what they can do for you, ask what you can do for them. Be the giver and you'll be amazed at how much you get back.

Cosplay Costumes, Halloween Parties & Nintendo

2011-10-21T11:09:00.006-04:00

Two weeks ago, you all helped me figure out my Halloween costume - a Winter Pixie (courtesy of Heather McCorkle)! Yay! I'm so excited to put together this costume. Below are the pieces that I'm using in this creation. With the Juliet style dress, I'll be removing the gold ribbon and using white instead. The hair clips and wings will remain the same, and then I'll be adding some white faux fur - maybe a boa or hand mittens.

However - and here's the kicker - I have another party to go to that has a Nintendo theme! How cool is that? Oh come on, you know it's awesome. :-D As a child of the 80s, I'm all about old school Mario Brothers, Zelda and Tetris. *Schemes to go as a walking Tetris puzzle piece.* Nah these guys already rocked it...

Click the pic for the youtube video!

Well, there is really no contest. If I'm going to the party as a Nintendo character, it has to be one from my all time favorite video game, ZELDA (all of them rock, but especially Ocarina of Time originally for N64 and Link's Awakening originally for Gameboy. Love 'em.) Now, no way is this martial artist and urban fantasy writer dressing up as the ultimate damsel in distress princess. (Sorry Zelda, if I was your writer, you'd have your own storyline saving Link. Just saying.) But, since that's not the case, I'm going as the kick butt - albeit slightly effeminate - hero, LINK! Below are the pieces I've come up with so far.

With some brown boots in my collection and a long-sleeved brown shirt, I'll be almost ready. Of course, the shield will hopefully come on time. And I'll need to add some paint, pretty designs and elbow grease to it, but it'll all be in the name of good Halloween fun. By the end, it'll look something like this...

Old School Link from The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

Yeah, old school Link, is there anything better? Hmm... Maybe I should have looked at the new model. Oh well, maybe next year.

New Link from Twilight Princess

Celebrating Urban Fantasy: Best Contest Annoucement

2011-10-19T10:45:00.001-04:00

I've got the BEST CONTEST announcement ever for Writer Wednesday. Jaye Wells, author of the Sabina Kane series, has declared October, International Urban Fantasy Month! WOOT! WOOT! She, along with some of the most awesome authors in UF, are giving away five books to each of the five winners. FIVE!

To enter, go HERE and leave a comment stating why you love Urban Fantasy. You can also enter by leaving a love letter to Urban Fantasy on your blogs and linking it back to the contest (Be sure to let Jaye Wells know that you're doing this).

So, what constitutes a love letter? Well from the contest blog, "Talk about your favorite books or characters. Talk about what you love about the genre in general. Write a snarky haiku, romantic sonnet or dirty limerick. Anything goes as long as its about UF and how awesome it is."

Here's my attempt at a fun haiku to Urban Fantasy and a nod to my favorite authors in the writing community.

UF rocks your socks
Right off your big floppy feat
Cheers and bootay shake

I know, I know, it's pathetic. But, that's okay. It's all in the spirit of showing support for the Urban Fantasy genre. So, enter today and show your love!

Halloween Obsession and Not So Scary Decorations

2011-10-14T10:04:00.000-04:00

Two weeks and two days until Halloween! Yipee! Did I mention for the umpteenth time how much I love this holiday? A few Freaky Fridays ago, you all helped me figure out my costume - Winter Pixie (pics to come) - and thank you Heather McCorkle for that brilliant suggestion. Now, it's time to review my favorite new decorations for this year that I sadly cannot buy because my husband will spontaneously - in a not so spontaneous way - combust if I put one more decoration into our one bedroom apartment.

*Let the wicked grin and plot to sneak in a few new pieces commence*

My top five favorites...

The Candy Corn Mouse. A ridiculously cute mouse dressed up as a favorite Halloween treat.

The Witch Sitter. Who needs a babysitter when you've got this little witch? *Disclaimer: Tina does not condone leaving your children home alone with a stuffed animal as guardian.*

Scaredy Cats. Adorable cats in need of a calming belly rub or behind the ears scratch.

The Pumpkin Express. Hitch a ride on the coolest train since Harry left for Hogwarts.

Wise Owl. An owl + a monocle = automatic win. He can even stay up for Thanksgiving.

If you want to buy any of these decorations, please note that I've linked them all to Terry's Village - my favorite store for home decor.

*Another disclaimer: I am not an affiliate of nor have I received money from Terry's Village for this post. I'm just a fan of the store and its adorable decorative items. :D *

Going On Sub...And Expanding Your Waistline

2011-10-12T11:19:00.000-04:00

After you go through the ~~hell~~ process that is writing, revising and revising and revising, querying, and finding an agent, you revise some more, and then, go on sub. Unfortunately, it's not some underwater adventure filled extravaganza.

Not this...

Or this...

Or even this.

It's the time when your agent sends out your ~~baby~~ manuscript to editors from various publishing houses. They look over the ~~adorable photos~~ proposal package - usually a pitch letter, sample chapters and author bio, sometimes a synopsis aka bane of a writer's existence - and decide whether or not they want to read more. If they do, then the full manuscript is sent to the editor for review. In the mean time you ~~try not to refresh your inbox, chase down the mailman or hound your agent~~ write the next book.

Being on sub is an amazing time for any writer. It signifies that your work is actively seeking publication. EEP! ACTIVELY SEEKING PUBLICATION. I mean, YAY! In all seriousness, it is pretty surreal and awesome. I hope all you aspiring writers reading this get to experience the ~~blinding fear~~ joy of being on sub. And I promise when it is your turn, I'll happily pass around the virtual waist expanding junk food. Now, bring on some cookies, cupcakes and apple pie!

Celebration Contest Winner is...

2011-10-11T11:41:00.000-04:00

Thanks for everyone who participated in the celebratory contest! Out of sixty-two entries, only one could win. And the winner is...

CONGRATULATIONS! Prize is your choice $10 gift card to Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Results powered by Random.org

Phantom Island Pep Rally!

2011-10-10T08:17:00.000-04:00

Go Team Go! I am so excited to introduce you all to Krissi Dallas. She's an amazing author and teacher whose books, Windchaser and Windfall, are being commercially released on December 13, 2011. To celebrate we're having a big pre-release Pep Rally and you can order your copies through the White Island Shoppe today.

To kick off this party in style, Krissi is hopping along the blogs with some special guests. Each day, her teen readers will reveal a little more about Krissi and her books. Today, I have the honor of hosting fellow Pyradorian, Robert! Take it away.

Robert & Krissi at Breaking Dawn Release Party

Hi, Tina! I’m excited to get to visit a fellow Pyradorian’s blog today! I am a senior in high school and, though I have known Krissi since I was in 7^th grade, I would say I REALLY got to know her after reading the Phantom Island books! She has some very funny quirks that really come to light in her writing – especially through the main character, Whitnee. One defining quirk of Whitnee’s (and of Krissi’s) is her, um, FISH issues that you learn about in the very beginning of the books. Krissi also has her own flirting habits that come out in the books – and you only recognize them if you pay attention to the relationship between Krissi and Sam, her awesome husband (my youth pastor). They still act like teenagers themselves at times – always teasing each other. I have been on several trips with Krissi and she has a great sense of humor.Even in serious moments, there’s always that little piece of comic relief with her – and that comes through in the books. If you are a guy and thinking this is just a “chick book,” you are so wrong. I’m a guy and I believe this is a great series for guys, girls, teens, young adults, old adults, or whatever. Windchaser and Windfall really do contain everything readers could want – action, romance, suspense, comedy and so much more.

Robert & Krissi 2011

When Whitnee and her friends discover the Island, they also discover they each relate differently to one of the four tribes on the Island. In the same way, I think all of us readers find tribes we relate to more. I am a Pyradorian – the Fire tribe. Pyras are drawn to beauty, artistry, and emotion. We are empathetic listeners, passionate and spontaneous. Like Gabriel, the main Island character and Whitnee’s love interest, I’m “fiercely protective of those whom I love.” To find out what tribe you’re in, go to www.KrissiDallas.com and take the tribal quiz. You’ll love finding a place for yourself in this series – it’s REALLY good. For more fun stuff about Krissi and Phantom Island, check out my friend, Angie, who will be participating in the Pep Rally on Wednesday at Kristie Cook’s blog! Until then, go have fun on the Island!

Great job, Robert! Pyradorians rock! Find out what tribe you belong to by visiting Krissi's official quiz page HERE. And check out how you can earn Spirit Points for awesome swag along our Pep Rally stops, by visiting HERE. Last but not least, don't forget to check out these both books from the White Island Shoppe. To entice you, here's a teaser of Windchaser and Windfall...

“One fateful summer night, when one rule is broken, five teenagers will discover an unexpected adventure full of magic, romance, and true friendship.”

Freaky Friday: Top Ten Horror Flicks for Halloween!

2011-10-07T12:39:00.000-04:00

OCTOBER IS HERE! OCTOBER IS HERE! And that means... HALLOWEEN! It is by far and away my favorite holiday. The fun costumes, the trick-or-treaters, the candy, and the horror movie marathons! I'm giddy for the spooky spirit. To kick off the first Freaky Friday of October, I'm counting down my top ten favorite horror flicks.

10. Blair Witch Project (1999) - The film that capitalized the use of viral videos and shaky camera technology as well as relaunching the found footage genre. If you haven't seen it, it's a must watch, but not more than once.

9. Friday the 13th (1980) - Classic slasher flick meets camp time horror with a villain that rises from Crystal Lake. A lesson for all camp counselors to treat their campers nicely.

8. Sleepaway Camp (1983) - Another camp time horror and an ending image that will haunt your dreams for all time. Trust me. Not pretty.

7. Evil Dead (triology) - Bruce Campbell, demonic possession, creepy trees, a hand with a will of its own, a boom stick, and witty banter. Do you need anything else?

6. Halloween (1978) - Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode faces off against her evil brother, Michael Myers, and launches a series of sequels that propel her career for the next two decades. The haunting piano keys and Myers slow stalking stride create more fear and tension than blood and gore could ever hope to do.

5. Dracula (1931) - Don't mess with the classics. As much as I love Gary Oldman - with the fire of a thousand suns - you can't beat the master, Bela Lugosi, when it comes to portraying the iconic vampire.

I want to suck your blood!

4. Paranormal Activity 1 & 2 (2007 & 2010) - Arguably two of the most successful films in the found footage genre - with a third coming out in two weeks! The clever sequel it beat out its predecessor - Blair Witch Project - in its ability to come up with a film that did not betray the original movie.

3. The Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) - "One, two, Freddy's coming for you..." Who hasn't gotten chills down their spine hearing this bastardized version of a children's rhyme?

2. Saw (saga) - Every one of these films in the series is incredible - except maybe for the 3D flick, haven't seen that one. The puzzles, the twisted games, the more than what they seem victims, the endings, it's all incredible.

1. The Exorcist (1974) - Hands down the best of the best. It stays with you long after it ends. It makes you look over your shoulder and squint into the darkness. For over three decades, its claimed a top spot on the majority of horror movies lists, and definitely stays in the number 1 spot for me.

How about you readers? What are your favorite horror films of all time? Not a horror buff, that's okay, tell me about your Halloween plans.

So You're Looking for a Literary Agent...

2011-10-05T11:17:00.000-04:00

Thank you to all of you wonderful blog readers, tweeps, family, friends and writers out there who've showed your enthusiasm over last week's agent signing news. I am both humbled by and grateful for each and every one of you.

In the hoopla of the amazing week, I've spoken to many people and received several questions about what being a writer truly means. The question that has been asked the most, however, was the following...

"What do I need to do to get an agent?"

It's a difficult question to tackle, but for this Writer Wednesday I'd like to give you a basic guideline of what that road entails. First, you need to answer every one of these questions with a resounding YES.

Can you write a book, edit it until it sparkles, and send that book out into the world?
When you face hundreds of rejections, can you continue to write?
Can you continue year after year, book after book to write and send out your work if you don't get an agent offer?
Can you narrow down your 50k, 60k, 70k, 80k, 90k, 100+k novel into a 250 word query?
Can you handle criticism at every turn - critique partners, beta readers, agents, editors, etc?
When one of these people tells you that your book is the worst thing they've ever read, can you smile politely and say "Thank you for your time and consideration"?

If you answered YES to all of these questions, then you can BEGIN the journey. Now, here's your guidebook.

STEP 1: Write an awesome, amazing, out of the box book.
STEP 2: Edit that book until you can't stand to look at it anymore.
STEP 3: Take the advice of trusted critique partners.
STEP 4: Edit it again.
STEP 5: Test it out on beta readers.
STEP 6: Edit it again!
STEP 7: ~~Pull out your hair. Chew your fingernails~~. Write your query letter.
STEP 8: Seek advice about your query letter. Visit the FOR WRITERS links, bottom left.
STEP 9: Edit your query letter.
STEP 10: Test out your query letter on a batch of 10 agents.
STEP 11: Wait for responses.
STEP 12: Wait some more.
STEP 13: If you're getting requests, great! If not, revise your query letter and revisit your opening pages.
STEP 14: Repeat steps 10 -13 over and over again.
STEP 14: If all goes well, you'll get an offer from an agent and happy dances ensue.

Sounds simple, right? HA! I've featured a writer on this blog who spent eight years and six books to land an agent. I've had another who has fought to gain, and then lose, three different agents before finding one that truly "got" her work. My own journey marked one year and one day from querying to agent offer, after I'd spent several years rejected in a different genre. Is it true that some writers get agents in a matter of days? Yes, for some lucky few. But, don't let anyone ever tell you this journey is easy. It takes hard work, dedication, and a oil tanker full of self-confidence - even when you feel like your works sucks.

The best advice, I can give anyone wondering about this journey is simple but oh so important...

If you don't, no one else will.

And remember only two more days left to enter contests!

From Tina & Yelena in celebration of our agent signings HERE and HERE, double the chance to win $10 gift cards from Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Winner's choice! Contest open until October 7th.

Monthly Monday: Hairspray Cans Make the Best Weapons

2011-10-03T16:24:00.000-04:00

The first official post of Monthly Monday is here. In this segment, I feature stories about the wacky adventures of my family and friends on the first Monday of each month. Since it is October - and that means Halloween time - I'd like to tell you a spooky tale involving me, my friend Lynn* and a can of hairspray.

*Note: All names of human family members may be changed to protect them from horrible embarrassment. Dogs' names remain the same.

On a cold Autumn eve, in the year *cough*, seventeen year olds, Lynn and Tina sat giggling in front of a TV screen - not the flat kind. They laughed as another stupid girl in a horror movie ran up the stairs to get away from the killer instead of using the obvious choice of exit - the front door.

"Why don't they ever learn?" Tina said, shaking her head at the blatant idiocy.

"Because then you wouldn't have a horror movie." Lynn said.

"True, but I don't think the people in these movies could find it even with a blinking EXIT sign."
"You're probably right."

The girls continued their ~~assessment~~ viewing of the horror movie, squealing and tsking at the appropriate moments. By midnight, they finished the film and awaited the arrival of Auntie N back from her date. Tina had been staying with Auntie N for several months by now. As they clicked off the TV, a sudden bang crashed from beyond the front door - one flight down.

"What was that?" Lynn said.
"Dunno. Let's check it out." Tina said, already bolting for the window.

The window and the balcony revealed nothing but tree limbs blowing in the wind as the girls struggled to find the source of the noise. As they were about to shrug it off as a freak occurrence, another bang echoed through the house.

"Is it coming from outside?" Tina said.
"I'm not sure. Should we go check?" Lynn said. "Maybe it's your aunt?"
"Why would she be banging downstairs? She has a key."
"Maybe she forgot it."
"Let's call her first."

The phone rang once, twice, three times before turning to voicemail. Without an answer, the girls decided to brave the unknown and have a look outside, but not without backup. Tina fetched her cousin's baseball bat from his closet and Lynn grabbed a can of hair spray and a lighter. Since Tina volunteered to lead the way, she had one small request of Lynn, "Do NOT light my hair on fire!"

Creeping down the stairs, they checked closets as they passed - Tina bracing the bat in hand and Lynn aiming the hairspray. Finding nothing, they proceeded to the front door. The banging grew louder. Tina gripped the doorknob and steadied the bat. Lynn positioned the hairspray.

"On three?" Tina said.
"Okay," Lynn said.
"One...Two...Three!"

The girls rushed forward courageously, but found nothing but empty air waiting for them. They thought themselves safe and went to go back inside, but out of the bushes came a creature, hollering and staggering toward them. Courage forgotten, they raced up the stairs - like the stupid girls from horror movies - screaming their heads off. Fortunately, the creature turned out to be Auntie N hidden behind a rain jacket and having, indeed, forgotten her keys.

Thanks for reading this month's monthly Monday story! And don't forget to enter these contests...

From Tina & Yelena in celebration of our agent signings HERE and HERE, double the chance to win $10 gift cards from Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Winner's choice! Contest open until October 7th.

Secret Revealed...I HAVE AN AGENT!!!

2011-09-29T10:40:00.001-04:00

Wow, it feels amazing to reveal this ~~little~~ HUGE secret! I've been bursting like an overfilled balloon - all stuffed with helium that makes my voice sound high and squeaky - to tell you the news and to use this picture...

My writing partner, Yelena Casale, and I accepted representation from literary agents, Frances Black and Jennifer Mishler, at Literary Counsel this week. We couldn't reveal the news until we had spoken with the other agents reading our novel, Blood Bond, and agonizing over the possibilities. But, in the end, we knew we couldn't sign with anyone else. The passion and enthusiasm these two SUPER agents have shown since the very first query letter has surpassed all of our expectations. We're thrilled to be a part of the Literary Counsel team.

Although we are reveling in this achievement, we are looking to the next steps in the long road to publication - including writing more books together - with gusto. So, what’s next? How about...

I hope you'll join the party and help us celebrate! In honor of this achievement, I'm giving away a $10 gift card to Amazon or Barnes & Noble, winner's choice. All you have to do is comment on this post, and if you want some extra points, follow the rules below. Yelena is giving away a gift card too! So you have double the chance to win. Check out her contest HERE.

Writer Wednesday: Teaser News and Blog Awards

2011-09-28T09:00:00.001-04:00

I'm so close, so very close to sharing the big news with you. I'm sure you're sick of me saying that by now. But, really I am! Once the details are worked out, I'll be shouting the news across the blogosphere. So, for now, I give you this teaser...It has something to do with my co-authored book (with the fabulous Yelena Casale), Blood Bond. Eeep! Shh...not too loud.

Enough testing your patience. Onward to blog awards! A BIG thank you to Coleen Patrick for giving me the Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award! I am feeling the love this month with blog awards and I appreciate the blogging community so much. One more THANK YOU! Now, it's time to pass on the award. I'm trying to spread the love around, so I'm choosing new bloggers that haven't received an award from me. Blogs that I find especially sweet are...

Roni Loren at Fiction Groupie
Natalie Whipple at Between Fact & Fiction
Linda Gray, Heather McCorkle & Karlene Petitt at Critique Sisters Corner
Tawna Fenske at Don't pet me, I'm writing
Inspired Kathy at I'm A Reader, Not A Writer

Congratulations to all of you! And thanks for being so sweet!

Banned Books Week: Sept. 24 - Oct. 1

2011-09-24T17:35:00.000-04:00

Banned Books Week is a celebration of our right to choose, our right to decide, our right to read. Each year at the end of September reading communities around the country in bookstores, libraries, professional organizations and universities draw attention to the problem of censorship.

This year my friend, Heather McCorkle, had her book banned from her local bookstore because of what was dubbed as an "intense scene". I am proud to have read her book and can happily recommend it to others. She deserves to have her book, The Secret of Spruce Knoll, displayed. It is every author's dream to see their book in print and on the shelves of their hometown bookstore. In support of Banned Books Week, she's joined the Banned Book Week Blog Hop hosted by I Read Banned Books & I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and is giving away a book on her blog. Please hop over and support her.

You can also participate in the Virtual Read-Out which features readers posting videos of themselves on YouTube reading excerpts of their favorite banned books. So, check the list of frequently banned books, and see if your favorite is posted. Then, grab your webcam or phone, click record, and get reading!

Freak Friday: Halloween Costumes!

2011-09-23T10:51:00.000-04:00

Halloween is my number one, absolute favorite holiday. Every year, I spend months figuring out the perfect costume and often spend my time making the costume. But, over the past three years, it seems I've hit the wall. I've let the costumes slide and become more and more a dime store dozen. And worse, this year, I can't even decide on a costume. It's the end of September!!! This is way late. With time ticking away, I NEED to figure out a costume!

My last - and arguably most - brilliant costume was done a few years ago with my husband. We were the original Batman and Robin. I was Batman (or Batwoman as it were).

Last year, I let my pup, Chuck the corgi, play the part of Bat Dog. But, I think we are all batted out.

So with little time and even fewer ideas...What the heck am I going to wear for Halloween? I was thinking a pixie, since corgis are known as the Pixie's Steed. I could put a saddle on Chuck, though I'm sure he wouldn't appreciate my need for authenticity. But, every costume looks like a Playboy bunny should be wearing it, and the end of October in NYC is COLD! *sigh*

(For pics of fairy costumes, google it and you'll see what I mean!)

So, please readers, help me! Inspire me! What are you all going to be for Halloween?