Friday, September 30, 2011

When You Feel Like You Are Drowning...

Kick harder.

I have been way busy the past few weeks. At one point I started to feel overwhelmed and started to think about what I wanted to cut out.

Then I thought - instead of giving into the feeling that I am drowning - I could keep fighting to get organized. Why? Because the longer you kick - the stronger your legs get.

In other words, I can learn to manage everything I have on my plate.

My goals were a flop this week. Except I did read four books and a manuscript for a fellow writer. And finish my cover letter. I am going to re-evaluate my goals and rededicate my self to meeting the for the coming month.

This weekend I am going to focus on getting blogger and twitter organized so I can keep up.  Then I am going to try and get caught up on the critique notes I have gotten for Shadowed Stones.

Oh, one more thing. I finished reading Insight (Beholders). Check out my review on goodreads.

Do you feel like you are drowning? Spill some of your worries on me - and hang in there!

Thursday, September 29, 2011

The Mighty Pen #14

The Mighty Pen flash fiction contest is a just for fun writing contest (inspired by my wonderful husband). I post the beginning of a story – and you post an end! I will choose a winner and several honorable mentions. The contest is open until Sunday night and the winner is announce on Monday where I feature them on my blog. Check out past winners on the tab above.



Note: This is a family friendly blog – so please keep it PG rated. Thanks!

My good bloggerly friend CherylAnne Ham has a similar contest on her blog. So when you are done here, hope over and check out her Flashtastic contest.


The Beginning

Danger! Do Not Enter! Danger!

The angry red letters stared back at them. They looked at each other and then back at the entrance to the...

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Three Words #14

One of my favorite writing games is something I call three words. I post three words and encourage you to write a flash fiction piece containing those three words. If you would like to challenge me – post three words for me and next week I will post a piece of flash fiction using your words. Enjoy!

Three Words

  • Chime
  • Rope
  • Teapot

Flash Fiction

Using the three words: Ball, Shoe, and Picture (from last week)

I studied the picture intently. I dark haired boy, about seventeen, smiled back at me. He wore a black and green soccer jersey and those special shoes they were. Cleats? His left shoes rested on top of a soccer ball.

"He looks nice. Is he your brother?" I asked my friend, Melissa.

Her smiled darkened. She crossed the room to stand next to me at her dresser. Without a word she flipped the picture frame down to hide it's contents. She moved to the floor and plopped down on the bead.

"So who do you think will be the home coming queen?" Melissa asked, smiling.

I blinked, confused at her reaction. But, I was not going to blow my chance at being friends with the most popular girl in school - so I dropped the subject.

I flopped down on the bed next to her. "You of course."

Oh my gosh! Just realized this post did not go out! Apparently did not schedule it right. Oops :)

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Prompt Tuesday #14

Every Tuesday I post a writing prompt and my response. It gives me a chance to exercise my writing muscles outside of my WIP, and hopefully inspire you to write. So enjoy my flash fiction piece and post your own in the comments!

Prompt

Source: Creative Writing Prompts.com #134

Start a story with this line: "I wish someone told me..."

Response

I wish someone told me that this would happen. I mean, a little warning would have been nice. I had been trained to use the silly contraption, to ensure that I could use the controls and aim properly. Of course they did not want me running around with such a powerful weapon without being able to use it properly. But really! Could they not have told me that when I trained the sonicdemolecularizer at one of the aliens - it would burst into a smelly green goo! It is going to take me a week to get the smell out of my hair! If someone had just told me to stand back before firing I would not be in this mess. Of course no one thinks of that. They just want me to take their big fancy gun and save the world, again.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Mighty Pen Winner

I am proud to announce this weeks winner of The Mighty Pen award...

Krista M

Krista is a great friend of mine and has a blog called The Jelly Beans of Writing. Krista has written a few novels that she is querying. And I happen to have insider information that she is working on another one. I am totally excited about it. It's a fantasy novel and I was lucky enough to get to read some of it. Like I said, I am total excited about it! So congrats to Krista for winning this award and all her hard work at writing.

Don’t forget to hop over to CherylAnne Ham’s blog and check out her Flashtastic competition. Also, check out previous Might Pen winners on the tab above.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

A Special Post: Brightening My Day

So, some of you may have noticed I have been in a funk recently. I have been trying really hard to get caught up on all my obligations so that I don't feel so overwhelmed. I am actually making progress.

Just a note on my goals. I have decided to move reading Destruction from Twins and The Black Cauldron to next month.

Anyway, so I was doing some browsing and decided to check on the status of that writing contest I entered in August. Just curious to see who won....

And.... It... Was... ME!

Yea!

I totally did not expect it! Thanks to all of you who voted for my story! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

This totally brightened my day and I am optimistic that it will break me out of my funk.

Here is the post if you want to check it out: Splintered Land: Writing Contest Winners

Saturday, September 24, 2011

A Less than Inspiring Report

So I thought I would pop in to let you all know I am not dead.

I am just trying to get everything in my life organized so that it is easier to keep up. I have been making progress on reading. I finished Water Keep and The Hourglass Door. Now I am onto Insight (Beholders).

As far as my goals go.... well that is the less than inspiring part.

What I can tell you is that I have been thinking a lot lately about setting yourself up for success. And that is what I am trying to do. By getting organized and setting up a schedule I will be giving myself the best shot at being successful.

What do you do to set yourself up for success?

Thursday, September 22, 2011

The Mighty Pen #13

The Mighty Pen flash fiction contest is a just for fun writing contest (inspired by my wonderful husband). I post the beginning of a story – and you post an end! I will choose a winner and several honorable mentions. The contest is open until Sunday night and the winner is announce on Monday where I feature them on my blog. Check out past winners on the tab above.



Note: This is a family friendly blog – so please keep it PG rated. Thanks!

My good bloggerly friend CherylAnne Ham has a similar contest on her blog. So when you are done here, hope over and check out her Flashtastic contest.


The Beginning

"You ask me why? The only answer I can give you is..."

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Three Words #13

One of my favorite writing games is something I call three words. I post three words and encourage you to write a flash fiction piece containing those three words. If you would like to challenge me – post three words for me and next week I will post a piece of flash fiction using your words. Enjoy!

Three Words

  • Ball
  • Shoe
  • Picture

Flash Fiction

Using the three words: Frame, Plush, and Blue (from last week)

I caught my breath when he came into view. Dark hair framed his perfect face. Piercing blue eyes gazed out over the crowd of people, seeing without really seeing.

My stomach tied itself in knots and I felt flushed. My hands shook and I searched for some way to hide them. His eyes were travelling around the room, quickly approaching the place where I stood. They glided past me like I was one of the churches great columns. I fought back tears and mustered my best smile.

The music started. Slowly I moved down the plush red carpet each step bringing me closer to those intense eyes. I tried in vain to catch and hold his gaze. Soon the anticipation became too much for me. I stopped thinking and worrying about the future and just concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other. Over and over again.

Then the long walk was over and the priest began the ceremony. I tried to pay attention to the words. Tried to listen to my duties and what would be expected of me. But the priest spoke too quickly and I could not catch the meaning of most of the foreign words. I regretted not paying closer attention to my studies. Maybe then I would be more prepared for the life that lay ahead of me.

I felt his hand grip my arm just above the elbow. I turned and almost fainted under the full force of his eyes. He leaned in and kissed me. A quick gentle brush of the lips. Then it was over and his eyes looked away.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Prompt Tuesday #13

Every Tuesday I post a writing prompt and my response. It gives me a chance to exercise my writing muscles outside of my WIP, and hopefully inspire you to write. So enjoy my flash fiction piece and post your own in the comments!

Prompt

Source: Creative Writing Prompts.com #132

How would a broken plate feel?

Response

I am incomplete. Shattered, broken, torn. A piece of me is missing. Without it I feel, less. Worthless. I can no longer fulfill the purpose for which I was made. I have failed. Others see me, they sorrow for me. Tell me it is okay, it was meant to be this way. There are other purposes, other thinks that I could do, other things I could become. They do not understand. I was cast into this mold, to do this one thing. All that I am centers around this single purpose. And yet, there is no chance now for me ever to become what I once thought I must be. I feel lost and cast about. Shattered, broken, torn. I am incomplete.

Monday, September 19, 2011

First of all I have to apologize for my tardiness. Allow me to explain: it is Monday.

Now onto the best part of Monday - announcing the winner of last weeks Mighty Pen writing contest.

Cherie

Cherie has an amazing blog, Ready. Write. Go.. That is definitively worth a follow. Not to mention she is an awesome follower!

Checkout her winning enter on The Mighty Pen tab above.

Don’t forget to hop over to CherylAnne Ham’s blog to find out who won the Flashtastic competition. Check out previous winners on the tab above.

Honorable Mentions:

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Spreading Friendship

So I have won another award! I feel so special!

My good friend and crit partner Roseanne has given me The Liebster Award. Here is a little bit about it:

"Liebster" is German for friend. And as I have said before - this is my favorite award both to receive and give away.

Here are the rules:
  • Link back to the person who gave you the award.
  • Pick five other people to give the award to and notify them on their blog.
  • Post the award on your blog.
  • Bask in the camaraderie of the most supportive people on the Internet – other writers.
  • And best of all – have bloggity fun and spread the love.

And here are the luck bloggers I am passing it on to - enjoy!









Oh! Did you want an update on my goals too? Okay, if you insist.

Shadowed Stones: Query letter done! Working on the outline (which is listed in the submission requirements for Shadow Mountain Publishing). I am also continuing with edits from my wonderful beta readers.

Three of Ivory: Working on developing characters. Kind of on hold for a while because I am focusing on Shadowed Stones.

Reading: I got a few books from the library that were published by Shadow Mountain. I have read two and have one left. Also I would like to read Destruction from Twins and Insight book 1 of the Beholder's series this month. Oh, and the next book in The Chronicles of Prydain. So if I am not getting a lot of writing done - you know why :)

Who is your best writerly friend?

Friday, September 16, 2011

The Amazing Me

Warning: Sappiness ahead!

So... I have been feeling a little down this week. It might have something to do with the fact that I just got back from an amazing vacation in Texas, and I am really missing it.

So yesterday I thought - I should blog about how awesome I am!

I normally don't usually praise myself. But here are a few amazing things about myself.

  • Just had my mid year review at my day job - and got no negative feed back. Score!
  • I finally finished my query letter for Shadowed Stones. Yea!
  • I started tackling the outline for Shadowed Stones. And although I am a little overwhelmed by it - I am pushing forward.
  • I decided to cut my 5 book series to 3 books for Three of Ivory - because I think it will give the series more impact.
  • I have amazing friends! (Stay tuned for tomorrows post because I got an award and will be passing it on to some of these friends!)
  • I have read two books this month and am trying to read 4 more.

So yes I am amazing! But you know what - there is something else. After going to the monthly meeting of my local writers group. I realized something important. When I am feeling down thinking of how amazing I am does not lift my spirits as much as thinking of how amazing the people I know are.

My writers group is amazing. They make me feel so.... welcome. Like I belong. That is a BIG deal for me. My family moved about every 2 years when I grew up. So I never really felt like I belong anywhere - except for my family and with my husband. So fitting into a group and belonging is huge for me.

Not only that! But I have a great group of followers here on my blog. Connecting with all of you has really helped me realize my worth as a writer. Thank you so much for your support!

So now I have a request. Check out the other people that follow me, and the other authors in my local writers group and see just how amazing they are!

Thanks for letting me be sappy for a bit! It has been that kind of week for me. What kind of week are you having? Tell me how you, or someone you know is amazing - I would love to hear it!

P.S. Want to join my blog roll? Just leave a comment!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

The Mighty Pen #12

The Mighty Pen flash fiction contest is a just for fun writing contest (inspired by my wonderful husband). I post the beginning of a story – and you post an end! I will choose a winner and several honorable mentions. The contest is open until Sunday night and the winner is announce on Monday where I feature them on my blog. Check out past winners on the tab above.



Note: This is a family friendly blog – so please keep it PG rated. Thanks!

My good bloggerly friend CherylAnne Ham has a similar contest on her blog. So when you are done here, hope over and check out her Flashtastic contest.


The Beginning

The soft melody of the song drifted up through the window. The gentle notes floated on the same breeze that stirred the curtains...

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Three Words #12

One of my favorite writing games is something I call three words. I post three words and encourage you to write a flash fiction piece containing those three words. If you would like to challenge me – post three words for me and next week I will post a piece of flash fiction using your words. Enjoy!

Three Words

  • Frame
  • Plush
  • Blue

Flash Fiction

Using the three words: Dwarf, Zebra and Banana (from Sarah Pearson)

With a flourish Lisa applied the last stroke of paint to her canvas.

"There!" She said triumphantly. "Finished."

Josh looked up from his paper and smiled. "That is terrific honey."

She waved her hands eagerly at him. "Come. Come take a look."

Stealing himself, Josh stood and moved to stand on the other side of the easel. "What do you think?" Lisa asked.

Josh's eyes were assaulted by an array of clashing colors swirled together to form indistinct shapes. Turning he saw Lisa watching him eagerly. Taking his best art museum pose he scrutinized the painting. Squinting and turning his head this way and that he tried to determine what the painting was supposed to represent.

Josh cleared his throat. "I love how you portrayed the idea that those who are different from us or who defy convention are not to be fought against or feared. The imagery of a dwarf riding a zebra and brandishing a banana is very powerful."

Lisa punched him in the arm.

"What!" Josh protested.

"It's the bowl of fruit on the table." List pointed her paint splattered finger at the table where Josh's abandoned paper lay.

"You sure?"

Lisa punched him again.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Prompt Tuesday #12

Every Tuesday I post a writing prompt and my response. It gives me a chance to exercise my writing muscles outside of my WIP, and hopefully inspire you to write. So enjoy my flash fiction piece and post your own in the comments!

Prompt

Source: Creative Writing Prompts #129

Write a light-hearted piece on how to get along with an enemy.

Response

Miss Properly Correct Advice Column

Dear Miss Properly,

My archenemy is continually thwarting my plans. No matter how hard I try to stay one step ahead of him - he always manages to succeed in stopping me from attaining my goals. It started out being amusing to challenge my archenemy in new and creative ways. Then it was slightly annoying. Now it is down right unacceptable. What should I do?

Sincerely,

Fed Up in Fiendland



Dear Fed Up,

The best option would be to stop trying to defeat your archenemy and try and be his friend. Take the time to find out more about this person. What are their interests, their likes and dislikes. May an effort to include your archenemy in your activities. As you draw closer together as friends you will find that he will stop trying to thwart your plans and accept you as a unique individual.

Then set a trap for him and be ride of him once and for all!

Sincerely,

Miss Properly

Monday, September 12, 2011

Wonderful Monday Awards

First and foremost - it is time to announce the winner of last weeks Mighty Pen award...

Summer Ross

Summer has a really great blog over at My Inner Fairy, stop by and take a look. It is all about her and writing and all great things. A side note - I love her profile picture with the green fairy. Awesome!

Don’t forget to hop over to CherylAnne Ham’s blog to find out who won the Flashtastic competition. Check out previous winners on the tab above.

And now - I have received another award - the 7X7 Link award from the lovely Abby.

Here is how it works - the winner has to share 1 of their own blog posts in the seven categories below. And then of course pass the award along to other great bloggers!

Blog Post Links

  • Most Beautiful: Sharing the Love, because it has a lot of pretty blog awards on it which I got to share with a lot of people.
  • Most Helpful: Goal Update, I thought this one would be easy. I was wrong. I settled on this post because I listed things that I do when world building and got some good comments on it. Some other blog posts I think are helpful are: Monday Madness, Using Layered Gimp Images for Status, and Maps and Stories
  • Most Popular: The Mighty Pen #6, which has received the most page views as of today. The Mighty Pen contest is one of my favorite things I do on my blog. It is so much fun!
  • Most Controversial: I Have Made a Decision, I had a hard time with this one. This is not really a controversial post - but is the one where I announce which path to publication I have decided to take.
  • Most Surprisingly Successful: The Mighty Pen #7, this contest prompt inspired my friend Krista M to start writing a whole fantasy novel! Not something I ever expected to happen. But a great success for me since part of my blog is to inspire others to write.
  • Most Underrated: I Know You, a Poem, I think this poem I wrote is very funny. I wrote it on a whim and really like the way it turned out.
  • Most Prideworthy: Success, because of the success I achieved in reaching goals - and because of the good feeling it gave me to be able to report my success.

7x7 Link Award Recipients



Thursday, September 8, 2011

The Mighty Pen #11

The Mighty Pen flash fiction contest is a just for fun writing contest (inspired by my wonderful husband). I post the beginning of a story – and you post an end! I will choose a winner and several honorable mentions. The contest is open until Sunday night and the winner is announce on Monday where I feature them on my blog. Check out past winners on the tab above.



Note: This is a family friendly blog – so please keep it PG rated. Thanks!

My good bloggerly friend CherylAnne Ham has a similar contest on her blog. So when you are done here, hope over and check out her Flashtastic contest.


The Beginning

The mountain erupted in a flurry of dragon wings...

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Three Words #11

One of my favorite writing games is something I call three words. I post three words and encourage you to write a flash fiction piece containing those three words. If you would like to challenge me – post three words for me and next week I will post a piece of flash fiction using your words. Enjoy!

Three Words

  • Cape
  • Mirror
  • Pillow

Flash Fiction

Using the three words: Mac & Cheese, People Magazine, and Chevy Nova (from J. A. Bennett)

I flipped through a copy of People's Magazine. It was six months old and I probably had the whole thing memorized. But it was the only thing in the house to read that was above a first grade reading level. It had been a while since I had been able to grab a new magazine from the stands. Usually I had to leave the grocery store in a hurry and would forget it.

I heard the familiar sound of the pot rattling on the stove and went to go check. Sure enough the water was boiling. I ripped open the box of Mac & Cheese and fished in the noddles for the cheese pouch, spilling the contents on the counter in the process. I brushed the stray noddles back into the box and then dumped it over the pot of water.

"Mommy!" My son, Nicholas, called from his room. "Is it ready yet!"

"In a minute!" I call back to him, smiling. He never could wait for his dinner. "How are your brother and sister doing?"

"Fine, they are playing with my truck."

What four year old shares with is siblings so well? I asked myself. He sure is a special kid.

Just then I heard the garage door open and the sound of the Chevy Nova pulling in. My husband was home early tonight.

John came in and gave me a kiss on the cheek. "Hello dear."

"Hello!" I told him. "Your home early."

"You said you wanted to have dinner as a family more often. What's cooking?"

My heart warmed, it must have been hard for him to get away just to fulfill a silly request of mine.

He looked in the pot and smiled. "Mmmm....."

I heard a loud beep and the edges of my vision started to turn red. With I sigh I reached up and removed the reality device from my head.

The scene around me vanished and was replaced by plain black walls. I stripped the remaining sensors form my clothing and collected them in a ball. Exiting the alternate reality chamber I found an attendant waiting. I handed him all the equipment.

"I always wonder," he told her, "what people go in their to experience."

I smiled sadly and walked away from him, out the building, and into my waiting hover car. As I sped toward my sterile, lonely apartment I thought of the attendants comments. Our dreams. I thought. We go to the alternate reality center to experience our dreams, to have what we do not.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Prompt Tuesday #11

Every Tuesday I post a writing prompt and my response. It gives me a chance to exercise my writing muscles outside of my WIP, and hopefully inspire you to write. So enjoy my flash fiction piece and post your own in the comments!

Prompt

Source: Create Writing Prompts.com #121

Start a story with this line: "She touched the little box in her pocket and smiled."

Response

She touched the little box in her pocket and smiled. The knot of bullies moved toward Mellany. Their leader, a large girl with long black hair pulled in pig tails and a faded pink dress, snarled at her.

"I said give me your lunch money. Or else!" Big Bertha, the bullie, ground her fist in her hand.

Mellany squeezed the small box between her fingers. "I think not she said."

The world around her went dark and a loud wooshing noise filled Mellany's ears.

Then her surroundings came back into focus. Where there had once been a playground, now their was a shining metallic floor. The bullies were gone replaced by several scientist standing at various stations.

A beam of light swept over Mellany, removing her human disguise. The computer peeped cheerfully and a light flashed greed. Mellany stepped down from the platform, looking down at her long slender green fingers with satisfaction. Humans had such ugly skin.

The head scientist, Judo, approached Mellany. "You called for an emergency exit, is all well?"

Mellany nodded. "I got what I came for and did not see the point in sticking around to get in a fight."

"You got it."

Mellany held up her fist and slowly opened it. In her palm rested a small piece of mynionmiphine. "I got the sample. There is more in my pack." She pulled it off her shoulder. "The best part is," Mellany continued, "the planet is full of this stuff. This find could potentially solve our energy problem overnight.

"Who would have thought!" Judo mused. "A planet full of fuel and instead of harnessing it the locals just throw it away!"

"Yep, they manufacture it in large quantities and then throw it away."

"What do the humans call it again?" Judo asked.

"styrofoam."

Monday, September 5, 2011

Drum Roll Please

It is time again for me to announce the winner of The Mighty Pen Award. (Drum Roll Please!)

J.A. Bennett

Jennie, for those of you who don't know. Is really the one who got me into blogging. So I am really excited to give her this award. I really like her ending because it was open ended. I also like the way she incorporated the beginning. Jennie has a great blog over at A Book, A Girl, A journey - you have to check it out.

Don’t forget to hop over to CherylAnne Ham’s blog to find out who won the Flashtastic competition. Check out previous winners on the tab above.

Honorable Mentions:

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Success

So cramming paid off! I have some better-than-I-hoped results to report today. I hope you are all finding success. Okay, here's the low down:

  • Three of Ivory: I am unofficially done with world building. There is still more to do, but I am going to do it as I go. I have talked myself into this for two reasons. 1. The world building I have left is not important to the story line. 2. I need to keep moving and not get stuck. I have a good enough of a foundation to move forward.
  • Shadowed Stones: I started feeling a little overwhelmed about getting ready to submit Shadowed Stones so I have been focusing on Three of Ivory. I did think of a great line for my query letter. I want to say: I am looking for a publisher for my fantasy novel, Shadowed Stones, and after reading X, Y, and Z I think your company would be a good fit. Or something like that. So I am reading a few books published by Shadow Mountain (more about that below). I do realize that this is a way to put of submitting Shadowed Stones but this is my first time and I am not ready to just jump in.
  • Reading: Last month I read Tarranau by James Tallet. I reviewed it on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads. Quick review: Wait for the next book to come out before reading it. This month I am reading Destruction from Twins by L. Carroll.
  • Re-Reading: Last month I read The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander which I plan to review soon. (I will let you know when I do). This month I am going to read The Black Cauldron, which is the next book in the series.

I also have some additional reading that I mentioned above. I just finished reading The 13th Reality: The Journal of Curious Letters - I will let you know when I get a chance to review it. Right now I also have The Hourglass Door and Far World: Water Keepchecked out from the library. Fabelhaven is on hold. So, I have a lot of reading to do. It is a good thing it is a long weekend :)

What are your goals? How are they coming? What's on your list to read?

Friday, September 2, 2011

Sharing the Love

I know I usually do an update about my goals and WIP on Friday - but I am going to save that for tomorrow. (Shh! Don't tell anyone it is because I am cramming tonight to have better results to report.)

Instead, I am going to let you all know about three awards I have received and the amazing people I am passing them along to. I get to share the love! Yea!.

All three of these awards came from the wonderful Cassandra. I have previously received one of them - but I enjoy passing awards a long so much that I am going to take advantage and share the love. :)

I am going to handle each award individually - so I apologize for the long post. But it means you get to learn even more about me. (As if you wanted to!).




First, is the versatile blogger award. And if you did not notice - is the one I am the most excited about. Why? Because it is green!

Here are some rules to go along with it.

  • Thank and link to the person who gave you the award (check!)
  • Share seven random facts about yourself
  • Pass the award onto five other bloggers
  • Contact and congratulate those five amazing bloggers

Seven Random Facts

  1. I love Survivor! Favorite season: Cook Islands! My husband and I have invented the term - Yullian Alliance.
  2. My friend from college Jillian - used to always say the word 'Random.' - and every time I hear it I think of her. Jillian you rock!
  3. My favorite Jane Austin movie is Pride and Prejudice (with Colin Firth).
  4. My favorite Jane Austin book is Persuasion.
  5. My favorite color is green.
  6. My other favorite colors are yellow and brown... and blue... and purple...and orange.
  7. I used to call the sunset a 'miracle sky'

Winners!




Next is the irresistibly sweet blogger award. To which the same rules apply.

Seven Random Facts

  1. I hated reading until I read The Box Car Children. (Thanks mom for sitting for long hours reading with me!)
  2. I first got into Star Wars in fifth grade because the group of kids I wanted to be friends with played Star Wars at recess.
  3. My sister introduced me to Star Trek:TNG and now I am a bigger Trekkie then she is.
  4. I actually have dark brown hair although everyone seems to think it is black.
  5. I am a computer programmer. Sometimes I dream in code.
  6. Speaking of dreams - as I child I had very vivid nightmares, most of which I can still remember. Having an active imagination is both a blessing and a curse.
  7. I thought it would be hard to come up with 14 random facts - but it was actually easy.

Winners!




And last but not least - The Liebster Award

(Liebster means friend in German I think and this I think is an awesome award!). It is also targeted at blogs with fewer than 200 followers.

The rules are a little different for this one.

  • Link back to the person who gave you the award.
  • Pick five other people to give the award to and notify them on their blog.
  • Post the award on your blog.
  • Bask in the camaraderie of the most supportive people on the internet—other writers.
  • And best of all—have bloggity fun and spread the love.

I have received this reward before but cannot help passing it on again.

Winners!

Thursday, September 1, 2011

The Mighty Pen #10

The Mighty Pen writing contest is held every Thursday. I post the beginning of a story, you post your ending in the comments. I judge all the entries on style, voice, imagery, humor, and pretty much anything else I think is important. Entries are open until Sunday night. On the following Monday I present the winner with The Mighty Pen award and feature them on my blog.

See The Mighty Pen tab above for previous winners.

When you are done here. Hop over to Cheryl's blog to check out her Flashtastic flash fiction contest.

The Beginning

"For on the winds of change we find within ourselves our true heart."...