Can’t you keep your head out of the gutter for one minute? I promise we’ll go back to the gutter momentarily. This weeks Friday Fling is all about vampires. How appropriate considering the date? Huh? Not really a coincidence, but still freaking fabulous!
Ok, so the down and dirty of it is simple. I know damn well there are other vampire junkies out there. The good, the bad, the down right nasty… we love them all. Why? Oh come on! Just look at them. Thanks to many an author’s imagination, for the most part, vampires are sex appeal incarnate. The bite (sometimes orgasmic in nature), the power, the danger, the sheer desire to take the forbidden…did I mention the bite? I did. And who could possibly turn away eternally beautiful man meat? See told you I would allow the mind to return to the gutter.
From an author’s standpoint, I think the appeal is just as simple. Vampires trigger a sense of danger. They can bring an unknown element to the story. Oh but hasn’t everything been written about vampires? How can you keep it fresh? My dear friends, that is when the author is at their best (or worst). The challenge of finding ways to re-create the vampire, without taking away the elements that draw us to them, can be fun. Yes, it can also be infuriating, but admit it, those of you that write know it is part of the joy of writing. Because without our spin, he’s still just Dracula in a cape. And while Mr. Lugosi may have been ‘The Man’ for his portrayal of the vampire that started the love affair, we have evolved and so has the vampire of our dreams.
That’s right, the weekend is coming up and for writers, that can only mean it is time to get those creative juices flowing. I thought this writing prompt from Writer’s Digest had some very good possibilities And this one, just might strike close enough for some, to really get those creative juices flowing.
Your family isn’t cooperating with your writing career, so you’ve decided to go on strike. Write a list of demands that must be met in order for you to return to your chores and household responsibilities. (Don’t forget to make a concession or two to speed up the negotiation process.)
I have been whole heartedly trying to get back into a story I put aside for a bit. It has been a bit of a struggle getting reacquainted with the story line, as it is ever evolving. A good thing I think, but it could drive a girl to drink. Oh wait… this is wine Wednesday. I misunderstood. Well forgive my folly.
I love wine, but at the moment, I tend to stay to the sweeter and predominantly white wines. However, thanks to my father and the family wine aficionado known as my darling cousin Joey… my efforts to expand my palette are well supported. So here’s to sharing my wine journey with you…
Terra d’Oro’s 2006 Moscato literally comes alive with super-fruity super flowery aromas. It’s an exquisite glass of sweetness brimming with many layers to tempt the taste buds. Although many will naturally want to pair this luxurious wine with a dessert, I took the Montevina website up on their suggestion and agree it is a great accompaniment to spicy cuisine.
If you aren’t a huge fan of sweet wines, I simply ask you give this a try. You might find it quite enjoyable paired with Szechwan Cuisine…. might a suggest a little Kung Pao Chicken? Slàinte
I bring you good reads to keep you warm during the fall season. May you enjoy many nights or lazy weekends huddled under the blankets, with a cup of your warm beverage of choice, enjoying a good book. Might I suggest one to get you started? Try this one by Crystal Jordan.
Lorna Malone is having a day from hell. She had a one night stand with her best friend, SWAT officer Tyrone Forrester, and had to sneak out before he woke up. Her wild night is making her late to a photo shoot for her biggest advertising agency client, Carraway Jewelers. She stops at a gas station and manages to lock her keys — and a small fortune in black opal and diamond necklaces — in her car.
Tyrone is furious when he finds Lorna left him after their amazing night together. He’s wanted her for years, but he got burned in his last relationship. His ex couldn’t handle his dangerous job, so now he doesn’t do serious, and he doesn’t play for keeps. But with Lorna, one taste is all it takes to convince him that he’s met his match — if he can help her see that her luscious curves make her desirable.
Ok, so maybe I do. Truth be told, without a plan laid out before me, it makes it awfully difficult on the accountability end. The real issue though, is not so much the setting goals and achieving them.. it’s the continuing to renew those goals. As they say, you can’t rest on your laurels. So what shall I achieve this week?
1. Add 5k to Marked by next Monday.
2. Read an upcoming book by Lori Handeland for review next week on TGOB.
3. Actually commit to my personal challenge of blogging each day.
4. Have fun with the writing process and take a deep breath.
5.Do a little blog hopping to support my fellow writers and fellow book lovers out there.
See not so tough after all. I am master of my realm. Who’d a thunk it? Until tomorrow, I bid you adieu.
How fitting is the title of this renowned piece of art? I love art. The choice of colors, the imagination, and the talent used in creating such masterpieces, fascinates me beyond words. Truly though, what draws me most? Each person can take away something totally different from looking at the same piece. It is all in the eye and imagination of the beholder. What I see as art, someone else may not. Yet in light of the upcoming All Hallows Eve celebration where the little ghouls and goblins will be out collecting their loot, I thought this was a most inspiring piece to display.
What makes you truly feel like fall has arrived? For me it is holding a mug of Caramel Apple Cider. With that in mind, I thought I would share a little drink recipe in honor of my first Fab Food Friday!
Combine apple cider, caramel and vanilla into a sauce pan.
Heat over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until apple cider is hot and caramel has melted.
Pour into a mug and enjoy.(You can add a little whip cream and drizzle a little caramel over the top if you so choose with a dash of cinnamon. just like the local coffee house.)
That’s what we inflict on ourselves as we go through the submission process. It is not the publisher, nor the editor who puts us through the torture, but merely our own doing.
“Whoo Hoo!” has been the response from critique partners, friends, and family members alike. Yep I did it. The torture device known among writers as the send button in the pesky email program has been pressed and my story Cowboy Up is now sitting amongst the capable editors at Samhain! Now if all the worry stopped there, but alas it is not in the cards. Nope, mind occupation (or is that wine occupation?) is all that is left to me for the next 12 to 16 weeks while I wait to hear if I make the grade.
On another note, I can officially feel as though I’ve accomplished something. It’s not as though this is the end of my writing career, only the beginning. The first step towards the goal line. Now, what will I do in the meantime?
Work on my young adult book Escaping Darkness, or maybe on Marked. Let’s not forget the reading that is required of me on a weekly basis for the Girls on Books. Oh and how could I forget blog posts? I cannot. So as you can see… plenty of work ahead of me. However, if you should find me huddled in the corner biting my nails and muttering dates like Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man, do me a favor please. Give me a glass of wine or maybe the whole bottle… I would be so grateful.
Putting pen to paper has never been an issue, its the ‘putting myself out there for rejection’ thing that is. Funny thing about fear. It is a consuming thing that will swallow you and all your passion alive if you let it. So this month, I am pushing my self to step out of my comfort zone and explore new things.
So far, my biggest accomplishment is conducting my first author interview. No small feat considering the potential for me to open my mouth and insert my foot. (I’ve been known to do that on occasion.) The lovely author Teresa D’Amario, who I admire tremendously, was kind enough to be my first victim. A bit nerve racking, but I think it went well. You be the judge and check it out. It’s over at the Girls on Books.
Okay, so one hurdle tackled, and yet there are many more to jump over. Now about that query letter I have been talking about… yeah, not done yet. Once again, I am letting fear have the upperhand. As my friends keep reminding me, I am not a quitter and it would be a shame to let something like a query letter do me in before I ever see that first rejection letter. So, this is my do or die week. I will finish my query letter to wrap up my submission package for Cowboy Up if it’s the last thing I do. Either that or hang my head in shame for letting my dream fall to the wayside because I succumbed to my fear. Not going to happen. I am off to tackle another fear… I’ll let you know how it goes.
I am not usually one to push things down people’s throats, especially in the political arena. However, a history making election is just around the corner. No matter who you vote for, this election will be one for the books. So if you’re deadline has not passed, go out and register. Our voices need to be heard, so our sons, daughters, nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, and loved ones can see there is still hope. America is still a great country to live in, and our voices help keep it that way. Exercise your right. It was given to us for a reason. Off the soap box now.
Can’t you keep your head out of the gutter for one minute? I promise we’ll go back to the gutter momentarily. This weeks Friday Fling is all about vampires. How appropriate considering the date? Huh? Not really a coincidence, but still freaking fabulous!
I have been whole heartedly trying to get back into a story I put aside for a bit. It has been a bit of a struggle getting reacquainted with the story line, as it is ever evolving. A good thing I think, but it could drive a girl to drink. 
d reads to keep you warm during the fall season. May you enjoy many nights or lazy weekends huddled under the blankets, with a cup of your warm beverage of choice, enjoying a good book. Might I suggest one to get you started? Try this one by Crystal Jordan.
