Happy Thursday Everyone, I'm delighted to introduce to all of you author Kim Lenox of the Shadow Guard Series . (I've read all 3 that are out -- Night Falls Darkly, So Still The Night, and Darker Than Night ). The first time I ever talked to Kim was when she was giving a talk on writing at an NWHRWA meeting. I approached her with some questions and asked her to sign my copy of Night Falls Darkly . She generously answered the questions and signed my copy. She is a truly personable, and fun person. She's funny and very encouraging. She also writes really well (I really liked the Ravenmaster idea in the 3rd book, by the way) :-) Oh, and pssst...please comment and include  your email address ...Kim might be giving out a signed copy of her book, Night Falls Darkly. If she is doing that, you need to comment on this post with your email address to be in the running to get it! Anyway, why don't I give you a chance to get to know her yourselves? M...

Happy Tuesday Everyone, Accomplished:  Sent back the first round judges' comments to the last of the contestants for my category of the Lone Star Contest. Working On: I'm making progress on edits for my finished manuscript. Last night did some writing on my witch manuscript and then started one that has a mermaid in it. At first I was having trouble with the witch manuscript, but then it started flowing. So at least the writing/editing is progressing. Looking Forward To: Still time to sign up for the NWHRWA's Lone Star Conference. It really does look good :-) What's up with all of you? Have A Tantalizing Tuesday!

Happy Monday All, Sunday evening I finished reading Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson And The Olympians: The Lightning Thief .  After having seen the movie , my husband and I were curious about the series. They're marketed as mid-grade, but I'll tell you what, I think YA and adults will like it, too. The details are just enough that you get a sense of where you are and what's going on, without slowing down the pace. (And also what people look like). Greek Mythology is sprinkled (liberally) throughout the book, and it all comes alive through the action and dialogue. Growing up I was very fascinated by Greek Mythology (I still am). Being a romantic, I really liked Cupid And Psyche ; but I also read several of the others. I also listened to a dramatizations of The Odyssey and  King Agamemnon . Lately, I've read some retellings of Greek Myths. I've read Cupid by Julius Lester ; I read one that had several retellings, but I can't reember the title of the boo...

Happy Friday All, Working with the Lone Star Contest (it's the annual contest hosted by NWHRWA) has been quite the experience. As a Category Chair, I have seen some stuff that, while I couldn't give an opinion because I wasn't one of the judges, but a part of me was thinking "I'd like to read this one!" If you haven't had a chance to help out with a contest, find a niche that fits you and go for it. You get to learn how the critique process goes, some of what happens behind the scenes, and you never know, you might see something awesome. I'm really excited about when we get to announce the finalists. I'm sure it will be a very positive experience. I can't announce the results here, since things have to be done through the official channels, but I am going to say, it's been one of the parts of the Contest I've really been looking forward to--that is, giving that news to people that their story is going on to the final judges! Ent...

Happy Tuesday All, There is less than 62 days until the NWHRWA's annual Lone Star Conference. In the margins of this blog you'll see a little ticker with a black cat (in honor of one of my characters in a manuscript I'm in the process of writing) telling how long until the Conference and if you click on some of the words below it, they'll take you to the NWHRWA's Conference site. Some of you might remember how I went on and on about Todd Stone last year . This year, it's 3 agents and Randy Ingermanson of the Snow Flake Method .  Christine Whitthohn from Book Cents Literary Agency is scheduled to speak during lunch. Then, if that wasn't enough to whet your appetite for a writers' conference, there's 2 other agents as well:  Naomi Hackenberg from Elaine P. English, PLLC and Amy Boggs from Donald Maas Literary Agency. Last year was an incredible experience...with book signings and all kinds of things. I don't know everything that's planned...

Happy Thursday All, NWHRWA has the rest of the information up on the upcoming October Conference. Please head over to the page for more information .  Looks like it's gonna be a good one! Have A Thrilling Thursday!

Happy Wednesday All, Well, my unfinished manuscript is coming along (I'm working on Chapter 4, now), my editing for my finished manuscript is going slowly, but it's moving along. My reading life has taken off like a shot. I am totally into Shanna Swendson's 4 novels about Katie Chandler ( Enchanted, Inc.; Once Upon Stilettos; Damsel Under Stress; Don't Hex With Texas ). Today I start the last one, Don't Hex With Texas .  I'm sad because it's the last book, but happy because there is another one. The last one ends in such a way that you're like "Oh I hope, I hope, I hope x, y, z happens!" Yes, these books are my new best friends. Since I consider books a friend (I always told people:  "Books will never betray you, unless they end in a way you don't like, they're always there for you and you can always count on them.") Sure, in general, inanimate objects can't exactly give you a hug when needed, or help you pick out ...

Happy Tuesday All, Recently I was watching something and there was a name of a character that made me think the people who chose the name for that particular character didn't realize the implications of said name. Sometimes we choose names for our characters that don't have any hidden meaning. Sometimes they convey a sense of time and place, and sometimes they give reference to a type of being or a particular character. For example:  If someone was to choose the name Pandora what would be the first thing that came to your mind? If you've read the Greek Myth about the girl who has this box given to her from the gods and lets out all kinds of creepy things, you'd probably think of that right off the bat. If this is a heroine who is supposed to make people like her, you might want to change the name. Unless you were going for a sense of grim irony. Names are important. They give a sense of identity, an idea of personality (especially for char...

Happy Monday Everybody, Hope you all had a great weekend. Mine was fun. :-) I'm reading the 2nd book in Shanna Swendson's series that started with Enchanted, Inc. The 2nd one is Once Upon Stilettos and it's good so far. Chick lit meets fantasy is how I'd describe the series thus far. Now...onto the reason why I have the blog title I do: October 16th the NWHRWA is going to have it's annual conference . These are the sort of opportunities authors look/need. So, if you're available, I suggest you go.  The Conference will feature Randy Ingermanson , as well as three agents:  Naomi Hackenberg from Elaine P. English, PLLC Amy Boggs from Donald Maass Literary Agency   Christine Witthohn from Book Cents Literary Agency I don't have all the details, yet, but it looks like it's shaping up to be a good conference. But once I do, I will be sure to give them. Anyway, just wanted to alert everyone. Have A Meritorious Monday!

Happy Tuesday Everybody, Recently (and I blogged about some of this) I've been digging up some great books to read. So, I thought, if someone was looking for something to read, I'd give a list of some of the books I've gotten into and/or liked and pass along the information. Sorted by Genre: YA: Princess Of Glass by Jessica Day George Wondrous Strange and Darklight by Lesley Livingston Contemporary Romance: Shut Up And Kiss Me by Christie Craig Time-Travel Romance One Enchanted Evening by Lynn Kurland Fantasy Enchanted, Inc. by Shanna Swendson (I haven't as yet finished this one, but it's good so far). I still need to read Jennifer Scales Novel: Rise Of The Poison Moon by MaryJanice Davidson and Anthony Alongi. I've been wanting to read that one for awhile! Based on the set up, it should be a good one. It's been an incredible YA series. Lots of action, paranormal elements and some romance. You just never know what will happen n...