GIGANTIMOUS CONTEST -- Via Sheri Larsen and Her Awesomeness

Sheri Larsen is having an epic giveaway to celebrate her signing with an agent! Whoo! So here she is with the deets:


Today, I invite you to celebrate with me!! I've signed with Literary Agent Paula Munier of Talcott Notch Literary! And because our literary community is so freaking fabulous and generous, I'm having a Bigger-Than-A-Shopping-Mall GIVEAWAY!! The giveaway consists of:

•  two separate Rafflecopters with multiple giveaways 
• and one grand prize Rafflecopter giveaway - to enter for the grand prize, you must enter either giveaway #1, #2, or both. 

There's only one mandatory entry. Everything else is up to you!! I know Rafflecopters can be a pain, but it was the only way to organize such a huge giveaway. The giveaway is open until September 27th. WINNERS will be announced on September 28th. (Entrants may win more than one prize!)

Thank you so much for entering, spreading the word, and celebrating with me!!

List of Rocking Participants: Lenny Lee, Colene Murphy, LM Preston, Darby Karchut, Joanne Brothwell, Patti Larsen, Christine Fonseca, Catherine Stine, Jessica Bell, Kelly Hashway, Leigh Moore, Christine Danek, Alex Cavanaugh, Katie Mills, Matthew MacNish, Beverly McClure, Marcy Hatch, Jennifer Million, Nicole Zoltack, Christina Lee, Kris Yankee, JL Spelbring, Sharon Mayhew, Candice Granger, Dianne Salerni, Lisa & Laura Roecker, Elana Johnson, Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi, Susan Kaye Quinn, Lydia Kang, Julie Musil, Natalie Agurrie, Talli Roland, Medeia Sharif, Kelly Polark, Angela Brown, Sarah Fine, Stina Lindenblatt, Lynda Young, Susan Fields, PK Hrezo, Shannon O'Donnell, Shelli Johannes-Wells, Theresa Brown Milstein.

Links to Rafflecopters: 

Giveaway #1- a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

Giveaway #2 - a Rafflecopter giveaway

Grand Prize Giveaway - a Rafflecopter giveaway

And Again. Tired of Me Yet?

Yep. Back again. Over there, Matthew MacNish. You know the drill.

Thanks Dudes!

Have an awesome weekend!

Check It Out, Or Not. But Mostly Do.

I promised a couple beautiful wonderful people that I would post a reminder about it. And considering I'm asking you all for the favor, it's the least I can do!

I'm over on Matthew MacNish's blog today and tomorrow. He's going to rip my query a new one. Hopefully.

I would LOVE some feedback as I have put querying on hold until I get notes for reworking my query. It juuuuuuuust wasn't doing as well as I'd like out there. Wasn't doing BAD necessarily. But not good either. So help me get back into the trenches!

I know it's a bit to ask you to stop by two days if you weren't already a MM regular (but really, lets face it, who isn't?) or don't blog/visit both days, so if you can't and do have some wise advice for me, just post it here today or drop me an email. (ce dot murphy at yahoo dot com)

Thanks dudes.

Happy Thursday!

It's Monday And I Forgot A Title : Quick Post

HEY!

My query goes up Thursday over on The QQQE at Matthew MacNish's place. Everyone and their momma's already know who he is and the awesome that he does, so I hardly think I need to ask, but I would love if you could hope over and show me some support and good insight to how I can make it better.

Thanks a butt-ton!

Happy Monday!

It's What We Do

Hey, hey! I'm at 300 followers! That is effing sweet, guys! Thanks so much! I know it's been rocky around these parts lately, but you guys are awesome for sticking with me. Hitting the "unfollow" button is so easy these days (I would know. Annoy me on twitter? BAM! Unfollowed. Clog up my feed on FB with crap? BAM! Hidden.) So I really appreciate it, guys. Truly do.

As a thanks for putting up my with shit, I'm going to announce a contest here pretty soon, but hang in there. It isn't today!

As far as writing goes, I still have a lot of confidence in the current book on submission with agents right now. ALL of the confidence comes from the crit partners and other awesome people who have read it and believe in it, so I'm still plugging along!

I asked Matthew MacNish for some query help, though, to mix it up and hopefully get a bigger response from agents. I'll announce when I'm up with him so you guys can hop over and gimme a hand if you like.

And the new book, well geez...okay. So last week was a freak-out week (sorry crit girls, but thanks for talking me down!) and I wondered if anyone can identify. So, I have 3 projects I COULD go with next. One may get in on an upcoming trend that's possibly coming around. One is an idea I've wanted to do for a while. And the third is something I should have tried AGES ago because I am all about it.

So, I email them spazzing out about which to do. I wrote a bit on all of them, and all of them have valid arguments for going with that one next instead of the others, but I couldn't figure out which would be best. And every time I tried to sit down with one I got stuck in my own head over "is this the right one?" "what if this is a waste of time and I should have gone with the other but won't know it till it's too late?" "what if I'm writing this one all wrong because I can't wholly focus on it?"

On and on. And it all boiled into one big freak-out with my partners via email. And, thankfully, I have the best girls in my corner a person could ask for. They got me out of my head and made me stop what if'ing my head off, reminding me that there is no way to predict the future. There is on way to predict what an agent would rather have over anything else. And writing isn't about chasing possible trends. It's writing the story you want to write, you need to write.

And that was only one of the three ideas. It's something I've been dying to try, something I've never written before, and something I quite honestly have no idea how to write. But that's the cool thing about the internet: You can learn or find a way to learn anything. And the even cooler thing about being a writer, there is always room to learn more. I'm really really enjoying this education too. It's awesome!

Ah, I love writing. I considered giving up a whole thirty seconds a couple weeks ago before I laughed and told myself to stop being a moron. When you're a writer, there is nothing else you can do. Or at least, that's how I feel about it.

Will let you all know about the upcoming 300 follower contest as well as when my query goes up over on The QQQE with Matthew.

Happy Monday, you fabulous peeps!

It's Honesty, Not Whinesty.

So, I've been battling with what to do and what I want to do and what I need to do over the past couple weeks. And I THOUGHT last week I decided to just stop blogging for now. I didn't see where it was helping me at all, and I didn't see where forcing myself to make time for it would help matters right now.

But today, as I'm missing the community, and feeling guilty about how many of you guys I haven't dropped in on in so long (meaning: all of you), I decided instead of hiding from you all I'd just pop in and be honest. I mean, this blog was started with the original purpose to chronicle the journey to published author. What point it is if I disappear and don't write about it when things get a little sticky? (or cement like) Okay? So here we go.

I have nothing to post about that is helpful in any way to potential authors. (IMO, maybe someone else will see that it isn't all sunshine, magic fairy farts and a 6 figure book deal in 3 months time. Maybe that will help them not be discouraged to know other people don't make it so easy. I donno.)

I am not an author. I am a writer. Those things are completely different to me, and I do not feel comfortable trying to impart wisdom on anyone when I'm having such shit luck at querying my book right now.

I have absolutely nothing to offer you guys besides my opinions, my personality, and my experiences.

If you have any inclination to know any of those things about my writing experience and so forth, then that's what you'll get. But I don't want anyone to come here looking for huge knowledge barfs and expect to be the next anyone bigger than me (everyone) from my blog posts. Okay? I feel this is much better to tell you all, and lower the expectation in my own head for my blog, otherwise I will absolutely give it up until I can come back and say "I got an agent" or "I'm going to be published" or anything along those lines.

So lets try out honest me, not wracking-my-brain-for-advice-and-insight-that-I-just-don't-have-right-now me, and see how that goes, okay?

As of right this moment I'm querying and have been for a couple months. When I began I was like a cracked out horse busting out of the gate, hauling ass. I got requests for fulls almost immediately (and one from a DREAM AGENT holy crap!). So my head was practically floating it was so big. Which, I should have known then was my downfall.

See, I'm a believer that if my expectations are high, and I tell people about possible good news, I jinx myself. It always happens. Which. I did this time too. It was one agent after another with the fulls who came back and said no thanks without any explanation why. I know they're busy folks, and I don't bash them or wish them any harm because of it, I just donno what the problem is now or how to fix it.

And since then it has been a complete poop-storm of no's.

But, I did have another beta reader blaze through it in 2.5 days, and immediately ask for the second (which, obviously won't be written until the first's future looks bright.) So that was a bit of sunshine in the middle of my poop-storm.

I'm not discouraged yet. I have so much encouragement and love coming from other people, that it's hard to stay down about it all the time anyway.

But, isn't there a ratio or something--so many rejections vs requests and you need to tweak your query? If anyone knows what I'm talking about, feel free to educate me. I'm feeling like I may need to start the tweaking. 

But on the bright side, just finished up my Girl Trip for this year, and had a much needed time out from all the sighing and ho-humming.

So, all in all, I'm discouraged but not out. Writing a new book for distraction that I'm enjoying, and keep on plugging along.

How's everyone else going? I've been loving stalking around spying on good news here and there. New, gorgeous book covers and things. It's all fabulous! I'll stop lurking soon, I swear. ^_^

Happy Monday, all!

Check Out My Thing : The Writers Voice Entry #171

So, there is this thing by these bloggers that I'm sure every writer and their mamma must know about. And these bloggers are hosting the thing. They're calling it The Writers Voice. Go HERE and check it out to know more.

OMG! It was so crazy getting in there! I was so nervous! Man, that widget filled up like they were giving away cash. But, right now, as someone deep in the query trenches, this is better than cash. Just my opinion. ANYWAY!

This is my entry! Wish me luck. And good luck to all my bloggy peeps who got in too! I saw a bunch!!

CALLING DEATH
YA Paranormal
64,000 words

Query:

Sixteen-year-old Damaris may have the power to steal human souls, but she isn't happy about it. A direct descendant of Death, Damaris doesn't share her parents' beliefs that her kind, Ankou, are inherently evil. Or that the only way they can gain access to Heaven is by killing humans and stealing their souls. Worse, she's been shipped off to boarding school because of her rebellion, leaving her younger sister, Genie, alone under her parents' murderous influence.

But over summer break, Damaris has a chance to show Genie another way of life, put an end to all the senseless deaths, and, hopefully, start a chain reaction to change the rest of her kind. Her parents have other ideas, however. If Damaris doesn’t make a kill, they’ll disown her. Of course, that’s if somebody doesn’t get to Damaris and her family first.

Someone is stalking Damaris, car and mail bombs popping up at every turn. If she isn't able to find out his or her identity soon, more than Genie's future will be lost, and escaping back to boarding school will no longer be an option. With everything falling in around her, Damaris must decide: go against everything she believes about the value of life and use her powers to save her sister, or admit defeat and let her deadly heritage carry on. Seems the life of a daughter of Death has just gotten way more complicated

First 250 words:

Someone is watching me. I feel it the moment their eyes hit me.

The desire to murder my sister is currently threatening the mission home from boarding school that is meant to save her when it happens. But, luckily for her, the unknown threat has distracted me for the moment.

I squeeze my eyes shut, count to five while holding my breath, and all I get is a head rush and those stupid white spots flickering in my vision – not frustration relief. Neither problem has been willed away.

Genevieve squeals down the hallway again, dragging something heavy and loud across my locked bedroom door as I wonder how she spent her time while I was across the ocean. A good 80% of her day is now spent finding new ways – or hell, sticking with what works – to annoy me.

I move nearer the window and peer out at the back yard. No one lurking in trees or behind bushes that I can see. I don't know what to do about this at the moment, so I move away from the window and focus on the other problem.

I can hear Genie gearing up for another lap down the hall. The heavy object switches hands with a bang from the starting side and thump to the opposite side. She winds up and is off again. Only this time I flip the lock, fling my door open, and attempt to catch the thing. My father's golf club smacks me in the gut as Genie explodes with laughter.

Dangit. Walked right into her perpetually sticky hands.

Also, Happy MAY! I'm back again. More later.

Holy SHHH...Well...This Is Awesome!

One of my very sweet, very supportive, very AWESOME crit partners, Jennie Bailey, is having a super killer giveaway over on her blog today!!

HOLY CRAP!

Get in on it, or...well, you can be a loser right here and now by not going over there...your choice. I don't make the rules, folks. I just enforce them.

Hope you all have a fantastic April! I'm out till May!

Easily Distracted

Firstly, my dear bloggy friend Alexia Chamberlynn tagged me in a Lucky 7 dealy (so awesome! Thank you!) which required posting 7 lines starting from the 7th line on the 77th page. But I looked . . . It's not a good one to use. It wont make sense and will just be confusing if you haven't been there for the rest. I thought of just faking it and doing something that I like but nope.

Instead I'll just offer it to anyone who wants to give it a try! Looked like fun! I wish I had a good one, but oh well. So if you all wanna check out your own MS and see where your 7th line on the 77th page puts you, go for it! And post the 7 lines if you want!

Secondly, my weekend was bitching and I hope yours was too! I love St. Patties day weekend! And a good friend dropped in from out of town for a short visit, got a couple more hours work put in to my tattoo, got super cute new running shoes and shorts, have a nice roast cooking in the crockpot AS I TYPE(Sunday), annnndddd had a nice day with just the hubs and me. So was very good. Hope you guys did too!!

THIRDLY, this coming weekend is THE HUNGER GAMES!! (just in case you've had your head jammed up . . . somewhere and didn't know. . .) Usually, I would so be there opening night, but I can't this weekend. But it wont be long. . . I'm so stupid excited to see it! The songs they've released from the soundtracks have been incredible so far, and the stills just as great. You guys psyched?

And Lastly, I got SO MUCH done last week on my book. If I am blessed enough to get as much done this week as last week (had an unusual amount of time on my hands), then I will be done with my last edits! I'm going back and forth on asking for beta readers and not. It's all very wishy-washy at this point. Not going to dwell on it now, though. Not there yet. Just excited to be almost done! Where is everyone else?

Happy Monday!

Talking to Some Fiction Folks

So you guys know by now that Guardian is out this week (By Rachel Morgan)! Hurray!!

But I wanted to sit down with some of the characters and find out more about them. And what better characters to have a chat with than rivals!? If you don't know, Ryn and Vi are not . . . exactly. . . friends. Their rivalry is bitter and . . . fun! (for the readers ;) I love a good rivalry.

Colene: So, thank you for being here, Vi, and . . . Rrr-uh Ryn? 

 

Ryn: It’s pronounced Rin.

Colene: Oh, right, Gotcha! Anyway, I’d like to start off by asking about the major rivalry that seems to exist between the two of you. What started it all?

Vi: First year. We were using our guardian weapons for the first time. Ryn told everyone he’d be the first to make his appear, but I totally beat him.

Ryn: I’m pretty sure it was the other way around.

Vi: Not only did I beat him, but I got my weapons to appear at least a whole minute before everyone else.

Ryn: Now that part is definitely not true.

Vi: Are you calling me a liar?

Colene: Ehem. . . So, Ryn, you wouldn’t ever admit that Vi is better than you at something?

Ryn: Why would I admit to something that’s not true?

Colene: Uh, right. So I take it you and Vi have never been friends, then?

Ryn: [Pause] That is a lovely curtain, Colene. Are you responsible for the interior design in this room?

Colene: No. . .not really . . .Vi, same question.

Vi: It is quite an attractive curtain.

Colene: Okaaaay. I guess we’ll move on then. Vi, I know Ryn calls you Pixie Sticks (soo insulting!). Do you have a nickname for him?

Ryn: Oh, man, she sucks at name-calling. You should hear her. It’s embarrassing.

Vi: [Irritated] How about ass-face?

Ryn: [Laughs] See what I mean? You’re gonna have to expand on that one, Pixie Sticks, 'cause it’s a little confusing. I mean, ass? Face? Those are two parts of the body that are kinda far away from—

Vi: It means, Oryn, that when people look at your face, all they see is your ass!

Ryn: [Laughing even more] Aside from the fact that that makes no sense, I can’t imagine anyone would mind. After all, I do have an uncommonly good-looking ass.

Vi: Well, I’d be more than happy to stick something—

Colene: RIGHT!  Moving on then. Ryn, I have to ask. Are you actually hiding a secret crush on Vi by being, um, an ass?

Vi: Oh, dear Seelie Queen, please say no.

Ryn: [Ignores Violet] Colene. You strike me as a person of some intelligence. Do I honestly look like someone who would have a crush on that? [Points at Violet]

Vi: ‘That’?

Ryn: [Still ignoring Violet] I mean, sure, some of the guys think she’s hot—

Vi: Okay, I so did not need to know that.

Ryn: —but she’s really not my type of hot.

Colene: And just so we’re all clear, what exactly is your type of hot?

Ryn: Well, blonde, for one thing. And I have to say, Colene, that I find your shade of blonde particularly attractive.

Colene: Ah, holy crap, wow. Is it hot in here to anyone else? You are quite the charmer, aren’t you?

Ryn: I do try.

Vi: [To no one in particular] I think I may throw up.

Ryn: Well, if you’d like to lean that way, I’d appreciate it.

Colene: So I’m guessing you’ve never considered hooking up with Ryn, have you Vi?

Vi: [Stares at Colene]

Colene: Alrighty. I’ll take that as a no. But what do you think would happen if the two of you were put on the same assignment and forced to work together?

Vi: Not happening. 

Ryn: Ever.

Vi: Never ever.

Colene: Well, at least you can agree on something! So, before you kill each other or throw up on my stuff, I think we should end this here.

It's been a great pleasure having Ryn and Vi here with us! Hope everyone will be checking out their first appearances in the Creepy Hollow series, Guardian! ( it's out now, dudes!)

Happy Friday! I'm getting more work done on my tattoo today, so I will be getting around the blogs later!

Have a good weekend!

Rachel Morgan Rocks My World

It's March 5th, and that means that Guardian (1st in the Creepy Hollow series) is out! Doesn't the name alone make you curious? It strikes all the right buttons with me anyway.

It's by the magnificent Rachel Morgan! If you don't know her, what's the matter with you? She is awesome fun. Great gal and doing a very challenging thing, bringing her baby novellas into the world sans agent. I can't imagine the task that would be to set everything up on your own besides the anticipation for your book to come into the world! But she's done fantastic!! So great job to her! And good luck, though I have to say, Guardian is so fantastic, I doubt she needs the luck!

Rachel's going on blog tour this week so be sure and keep your eyes peeled for her. Lets show how supportive this community can be for our fellow writer(now published author!) Rachel! She'll be back here with me on the 16th for a fun surprise, so check back in then for that!

Today the Creepy Hollow series kicks off with the release of the first story, GUARDIAN!!

GUARDIAN introduces readers to the magical world of Creepy Hollow, a realm where fae creatures — both safe and definitely-not-so-safe — dwell. Things are cool as long the fae stick to their own realm. It's when they find their way into the human world that things start going wrong...


1. Receive assignment.

2. Save a life.

3. Sleep.

4. Repeat.

Protecting humans from dangerous magical creatures is all in a day’s work for a faerie training to be a guardian. Seventeen-year-old Violet Fairdale knows this better than anyone—she’s about to become the best guardian the Guild has seen in years. That is, until one of her assignments—a human boy who shouldn’t even be able to see her—follows her into the fae realm. Now she’s broken Guild Law, a crime that could lead to her expulsion.

The last thing Vi wants to do is spend any more time with the boy who got her into this mess, but the Guild requires that she return Nate to his home and make him forget everything he’s discovered of the fae realm. Easy, right? But Nate and Vi are about to land themselves in even bigger trouble—and it’ll take all Vi’s training to get them out alive.

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007FRJGXI
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007FRJGXI
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/137697

The Creepy Hollow Series

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Book Trailer

Author Info

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Google+

To find out more about the series, the author, and the characters, check out the blog tour that’s happening over the next two weeks.

Click here for the blog tour schedule

(funny thing, I ADORE The Rachel Morgan Hollows series by the author Kim Harrison, and now there is the author Rachel Morgan who writes Creepy Hollows! Too cute. And not at all intentional! Every time I get an email from her my brain takes a fraction of a second to NOT think a fictional character is emailing me. =P) 

Happy Monday All! And Happy Birthday to Guardian!! 

Getting Things Done

I got back my full MS from both crit partners and now I can start the tedious task of going through them both and editing. Yeay! . . .

Editing is not my favorite thing to do. Some people really enjoy it and others don't. I used to be in the severely HATE it column of people as far as editing goes, but actually I really like this book. I'm not trying to say it's good, or bragging because -- it could be complete rubbish for all I know and my friends/crit girls are just being nice. Either way, I really enjoy this story and the characters. And I really enjoy making it shine. Though there are bunches of notes, suggestions, and errors (I'm sorry!) I need to fix, as well as elaborations to make, I'm going to make the best of it!

And, besides, this is the home stretch. My query is done, my synopsis is . . .on paper(ugh), and the edits will make it that much closer. So I have no room to bitch. No one made me want to be a writer. Tis part of what we do, and I'm damn determined to enjoy ever single phase of it, which really isn't that hard. I love this gig.

But, I am going to stop picking months as my query deadline, because it's just not helping me get things done like it should. It's just making me frustrated when I realize I can't do all that in the space of time I'm allowing myself. So as of right now, I have NO query month set to start and don't intend to. Just going to work on bettering the book and be happy with that.

Where are you guys with your writing?

Also, Kim Harrisons most recent book is coming out Tuesday! Hoping my preordered copy will get here then...hope hope hope...I'm in love with the Hollows series. 

Finally, butt-ton's of seasons of Supernatural are on Netflix. Whoot!

Happy Monday!

Snow Day

See what happens when I'm all "OH this winter has been nice and warm blah blah blah!" We get a freaking snow day. Not complaining. Oh no. Going back to bed? Oh yes... See you cats Friday. Pardon my absence last Friday. Went on a spontaneous trip to see a friend.

Hot As . . . Well, You Know

It is a very warm winter around these parts. And I am not complaining a bit! I'm originally from SOUTH Alabama. We don't see snow there like I've seen since moving here. And this winter feels very S. Alabama. Makes me feel at home, and I love that. Groundhog (like that fuzzy bastard has connections or something) says 6 more weeks of winter? Sure! I'll take it at 60-70 degrees!

I think everyone is experiencing a weird season this year, right?

Just finished Wicked Lovely. Took me only 2 nights. I could NOT put that bitch down! I'll admit this. . . I . . . have never been a big fan of faery novels. *cringe* I'm sorry! It's just never been my favorite kind of YA. (everyone has one kind of book they aren't very thrilled about, right?) But I decided to give this one a chance (I know, I'm way behind on this series!) and am so glad I did! Totally changed my mind about this particular faery series. I doubt I'll end up the biggest cheerleader for fey novels, but I totally intend to read the rest of this series. And am pretty stoked about it. The ending? I expected a little more ass-kickery, but I won't complain. It was still dang good. And Melissa Marr is a lovely writer. I enjoyed her world very very much. Seth? Total drool factory. Loved him.

You guys read anything good lately?

My writing goals have shifted. I hoped to be querying by March, but I have a little bit more editing to do than I anticipated (wishful thinking? delusion? whatever.) So April is my new Query month, but only because this one is going to be perfect before I jump the gun.

How about you guys? Anything good going on in your writing worlds?

Short and sweet today. Busy busy! Happy Monday lovelies!

It's MONDAY MONDAY MONDAY!

Ack. It didn't work. Was hoping if I was upbeat enough about the start of a new week I could trick myself into being excited. Nope. Not really. End of the week is always more fun.

Went on a mom/daughter date to see One For The Money. It was pretty good. My mom and I had a hard time getting past the fact that the "Ranger" they chose wasn't quite the hot hunk of man meat we were hoping for. He just wasn't the Ranger we knew. And Ramirez's part wasn't done well enough. But other than that it was satisfying!

My mom nagged me forever when I was a kid to read these books and only last year did I start. I'm still not very far in relation to how many there are, but they are the only books I've seriously LOL'ed at. So this movie was exciting to me (Anyone else wonder why it took so long to make?) and to see it with the original book-reading nag, even better. (My mom rocks. She knows I mean "nag" in the best possible way...).

Also this weekend, getting serious about planning this years Girl Trip with my most fabulous friends I've hung on to since high school. Every year we have a Girl Trip (usually to the beach). It's always been eagerly anticipated. Ever notice how nice life goes along when you have a yearly vacation to look forward to? If you don't, then you should get one, because it really does a world of good, no matter what's going on in life. And my girlfriends seriously kick ass. I love them dearly and only get to see them a couple times a year, so I'm stupid excited.

Crit meeting this weekend was very eye-opening to the old MS. I hate when I don't write things just because I forget my reader isn't in my head. Derp. It would be a lot easier if you all would just climb in, okay? Then I wouldn't have to go back and explain things better.

Lastly, the ladies at work and I do a BodyRock exercise 3x a week together and last Thursday we really killed it. I was so sore Friday I was doing a burpee and my legs just collapsed under me. Luckily no one was home for that. But I was so happy. Haven't been sore like that in forever. I know it isn't true, but I always FEEL more productive, workout-wise, if I end up sore. So that was nice. Gotta kick it up EVERY workout from now on, though. Gotta be smokin' for that bikini come Girl Trip time. (make no mistake, no matter how much you love a girl friend, there's always a little piece of you that needs to look hot next to your hot friend. And if you ARE the hot friend, you will always have those friends like me that hate you.;)In the best way possible, of course)

Did you all have a nice weekend? Hope so!

Happy Monday! See you cats around.

Funny Friday Is Where We Laugh At People

Haven't done a Funny Friday video post in a while, so here! These are funny! I love to laugh. . .at people. . .doing stupid things. . .

But, really, who doesn't?

Here are some Russians listening to Johnny Cash in a back yard with a cannon and a bunch of random questionable barrels. Good times for all, yes?


Okay, not so much laughing at a person here, but this bear is totally effing cute. As long as he stays behind the fence. . .

Would be the worst vacation ever if it was just like *waving bear* how cute! OMG HE HOPPED THE FENCE! DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE!

EEERRRMMM. . . awkward news moment?


Have you ever wondered what it would be like to tickle a penguin? No? Well. . .I'm showing you anyway. . .



So, apparently stealing candy is a big deal in Arizona. And the candy thieves. . . are pretty clumsy.


I get asked all the time about what it's like living with 5 cats. To me, it's a strange question. But, still, it's asked. A. Lot. And I finally can show the world EXACTLY what it's like to live with 5 cats. Ready?

All. Day.

Happy weekend, my friends!

Ode To The Importance Of Backups

I had a fancy computer
One I loved like no other
It was always with me
Even when I was under the weather
I watched Downton Abbey (season 2) on a slightly disreputable site
And all that got me besides hours of entertainment
Was a bug I could not fight
When all my computer knowledge was used up to no avail
And my virus protection was going insane
I had no other choice but to restore to a previous date.
Problem solved! Or so I thought, until a message popped up
It told me no documents had been harmed, which I thought a rather strange thing to say
And upon farther investigation found, indeed no documents had been harmed
But they had all been thrown away
Four years of document accumulation gone in the blink of an eye
But thankfully my panic attack lasted just long enough to remind me
I had a USB thing, Hurrah!
All hail the USB thingy!

This is my way of saying to you (and demonstrating my HORRIFIC lack of poetic abilities all at the same time!) to not wait for later. Back your shit up now, or else. It's not me threatening you, but all those a-holes out there that plant these little virus/worm/"malicious" URL bombs to destroy your entire life. Do they care that it took however long to write/perfect your work? Nope. They don't. Because they're a-holes. So go. RIGHT NOW.

Or be prepared to know the answer to this question: What would you do if everything you ever wrote was just gone?


On a more pleasant note,


Winner of My extra copy of The Marbury Lens goes to . . .

Random generator picked Gracielou

Yeay! So Gracielou, email me ce(dot)murphy(at)yahoo(dot)com with your address and I will send it your way!

Happy Monday!

Something Free! CONTEST CLOSED

Happy Friday everyone!

So...I meant to give away my extra copy of a book I accidentally ordered 2 copies of a few weeks ago in that other giveaway! Whoops.

BUT, all that means for you fine folks is someone else can win something! A book to be exact. It's by Andrew Smith called The Marbury Lens.

I have not read it myself, yet. But it sounds positively awesome! And I just got so excited to find it on sale I accidentally ordered 2 instead of 1. (And for you people like my husband who's first question was "didn't you review the order first?" YES, I did! I swear! But they only show a list of the books you ordered and since I ordered ONE TWICE it only showed up on the list once.) Anyway, it's all too much hassle to send it back and bother with refunds and all, so how about one of you guys claim it?

This isn't going to be a long contest, just because...I don't want to drag it out. SO, sometime next week, probably after Monday, I'll pick a random winner. (You like how I nail down times and dates for you guys? I'm just nice like that, I suppose.)

No hoops, just tell me you want it in the comments to be entered.

AND FINALLY, one of my all time favorite things about blogging is looking at my stats. And more specifically, looking at Googled phrases that got people here. 

So this week I have:

"sweet boobs" - I thank you. I think they're okay, myself. But I don't recall ever showing YOU...but thanks anyway.

"do I like cats or do I just like to talk about cats" - well, I think if you have to ask you must just like to talk about them. But me? I love cats AND talking about cats!

"sam winchester hot" - I have to agree. Sam Winchester is indeed smokin' hot. My mind thanks you for the reminder...mmmmm...

"artillery jokes" - ...you got me, I'm stumped. Okay... so this bullet walks into a bar and everybody ducks. Like that, only funny? I aim to please. HA! ZING!

"cats does this piss you off" - are you asking a cat what pisses it off, or are you wondering what pisses people off about cats? I can do both. Baby talk pisses cats off. But we still do it. ^_^ And I get particularly perterbed when my cat pisses on me. (he's done it a total of 3x in the past 2 years...while I'm asleep. In bed. Thinking of sewing that hole shut if he does it again...)

Hope you all have a great weekend!

The Creep-tactic And A Contest Winner!

You guys know I don't do book reviews. And I don't intend to now, but I do want to marvel at one authors ability. She is so unusually good. Not unusual THAT shes good, but the unusual way that she's good. It's Dia Reeves. And she is awesome at what she does with her books.

I read Bleeding Violet last year at some point and was amazed. It's creepy, and her heroine is . . . not exactly heroine material. She's HUGELY flawed and not all the time even in her right mind, exactly. But you can't help but hang on to her the same you would any other heroine. And that, I think, takes amazing writing abilities.

And here we are again with Miss Reeves, I'm reading Slice of Cherry and . . . wow. She's got me again. If you've never heard of this book, it's basically about these two sisters who enjoy murder. Not exactly the basic idea of main characters you want to root for. And really, I'm reading this not ROOTING for them exactly, but so entangled into their world and how they think and function, that it's hard to see another point of view. Yea, it's twisted and dark, but it's wonderful in those ways too. The way I find myself swayed, is so unexpected. (not that I'm plotting murder or ever intend to. . .)

I just think that takes incredible skill to create these main characters that are the opposite of heroic and make your readers love them anyway. 

So, last night I'm reading this part that just gave me the willies soooooooo freaking bad. (I would love to include that part because it's brilliantly, simplistically terrifying, but I don't want to tangle with the if I'm actually allowed to's and what not) I like to believe I'm not easily scared, but the truth is, all writers are in their own ways. Because we can't help how our minds wander. And I want to think I could write something this good, this creepy, and complicated. I donno if I really ever could! I'd freak myself out trying to write it!

Anyway, her books might not be for everyone (though I donno how they couldn't be!) but you want to see some incredible skill either way, you pick up one of her books.

But maybe you're saying "ugh, I don't give a flying squirrels fuzzy ass! tell me who won!". Well, I say to you . . . suck it. This is my blog, I do what I want.

. . .

. . .

Fine. . .

Random number generator picked out lucky number 9! And that was April Plummer!! Yeay!

So April, email me : ce(dot)murphy(at)yahoo(dot)com with your mailing address, what book you desire as your prize, and I will get it to you asap!

If you didn't win here, don't forget to check up on Abby and see who she had as her random winner!


Happy Monday my friends, and I will see you around the blogs!

Come Play The Triple F Game

Okay, it sounds like it's going to involve curse words. But. It doesn't.

Anyway, some of you may remember my Triple F game from last year. It's easy, there is no prize (but don't forget the enter the contest to actually get a chance or two to win something! The last call is on Sunday, so be sure and get yourself entered with me or Abby before then!)

For now, just take a break in your day to play a little mind fantasy game with us. Day dream all you like, I don't mind. That's the point, after all! Thing is, first round was pretty easy. Like would you rather be super strong or super fast and things like that. This round . . . not so easy.

(slightly offensive at times)

Now, I would have gone farther, more questions and all, but the longer I sat here and thought of possibilities, the more offensive they became. So in an effort to be sensitive...ish...we'll stop there with this round!

Oh but wait.

Plans for this weekend include a crit meeting on Google chat and then a whole crap load of sitting on my bum. There may be reading or T.V., query fiddling or something too. But mostly the bum sitting. Well, and working out.

Lots of people have asked me what I've been doing to get in shape, and the short answer is Bodyrock.tv which has become part of my every day life! It's wonderful, free, effective, motivational, helpful, and full of ways to make intelligent choices for yourself and your body. So, that's the short answer. I still have pizza (Pizzahut is my biotch) about once a week, fast food from time to time, and one soda a day but I've changed how I eat (moderation!) and cut down on all that junk food. Mixed with Bodyrock workouts, and that's it! And it's made a HUGE impact on my body and life.Trust me, my ass has never jiggled less. Matter of fact *pokes*, almost no jiggle at all anymore! Whoohoo!

Yeah, so . . . Happy Friday! Tootles.

Practice Makes Awesome

Don't forget to enter the contest!

So...I may have forgotten to write a post for last Friday. And I may not have even realized it until the day was mostly over and Abby texted me. Maybe.

Whoops! I suppose it will take a while to get back in the swing of it. But I'll remember from now on! Just takes one eff up to fix it, ya know? But hey, I don't mind admitting my dee-tee-dee moment. I have them all the time.

I often put two words together so it makes one word that just sounds silly. Sometimes + moment sounds like somoment. I run into corners in my own house. I trip constantly. I closed the laundry room door on my toe. (Who does that!?) I drop things CONSTANTLY. (got an Ipad for Christmas from my hubs. Dropped it 2 days later. Dented. *sob!*) So, forgetting a post is really just another day for me. But I am sorry!

Right now I'm working on my query for my new book. I have at least a month to get it done, but it's slow going. I'm no good at them. Takes practice, I know. And I've only ever done one before this, but still. I want to be good at it right now. And the synopsis comes next and I KNOW I haven't got the foggiest how to do that well. Why can't I just be good at it now? Download it into my brain and bang it out.

But, really, if you think about it, it's a good thing it takes practice to do things like that. I wouldn't be allowed to walk into a hospital and do open heart surgery.(right...?) If writing was as easy as people(non-writers) seem to think it is, everyone could do it. Everyone would do it. But it does take practice. Write a short story, write a novel, write a query, write a synopsis. None of it can be done WELL without practice.

So wherever you are in this process with your writing, don't get discouraged if you aren't perfect all the time right away. I can't widdle. I can't play the piano. I can't even do a cartwheel. But that's the best thing about life. You can always learn a new thing, no matter what it is.(especially now that we have the internet to teach us. You can learn ANYTHING on the internet, after all)

Happy Monday dudes. See you Friday, I swear!


P.S. It's my birthday tomorrow!

P.S.S. Really...Don't forget the contest!

I'll Toot My Horn, Mostly Glad To Be Back, And A CONTEST! CONTEST CLOSED

Hello!

You know what? I've missed you all something fierce.

I'll be the first to admit it...the break? She was nice. The first few...months weeks, I was loving the freedom. No pressure to get posts done, no guilt if I didn't see everyone's blogs that day. Was so lovely just to write and not worry about writing a post or answering emails. (and there was possibly some slacking off like little Jasper over there. A little bit. MAN I miss those pants...)

But as the break wore on, I started wondering about certain people here and there. And then the curiosity and missing you feelings got too much and I started blog stalking in my writing breaks.

And then I got news of this person getting a book deal, or that person with awesome news that just trickled down to me through FB and stalking after the big news was old news. Which made me realize how much I was missing.

You guys. . . I. Missed. You. Guys. There I said it. Can we cue the cheesy romantic music? Someone hand me a mic and I'll sing my love for you. No? Probably best...

The good news is . . . I finished my new book! Even had time to run through the first round of edits and broke it up into chapters! (I don't write rough drafts in chapters. I just write one big ass document and break it up later.)

The crit girls start on the first section this week and hopefully within 2 months I'll have some of the best crit notes around to make it bright and shiny! And by the early summer at the latest is my query goal. Fingers crossed.

So, even though I missed you guys something fierce, stalked quite a few of you, and couldn't wait to get back to it by the end, I did accomplish great and wonderful things. Ta-da! And it even has a freaking title. I won't assume anyone remembers, but I'm a total ditz when it comes to titles. But this one just popped in my head one day. As did. . .the 2nd and 3rd book titles. . . but more on those later. Much later. If ever.

But this was so epic for me, I had to text Abby right then and there. After I pulled over safely so as not to endanger myself or other drivers, dogs, pedestrians, etc. of course. . .

Speaking of Abby. . . She's back today as well! Hurray! Since we BOTH accomplished loads on the break(and both missed our one year anniversary blogging to accomplish them), we decided since we finished roughly around the same time, we'd make our bloggy comeback at the same time too.

ALSO, we are having a contest to thank you guys for hanging around with us and coming back!

It's easy-peasy. All you have to do is leave her and/or me a comment in our first posts back as well as telling us what book you're dying to read that you haven't gotten around to. And if you're picked at random, you win that book! Simple, right?! You have 2 chances to win--either with her or me, so that's a bonus!

(Go here for the lovely Abby Minard!)

US only (sorry!)

We will announce each of our winners two weeks from today (Monday 16th) so keep an eye out for your name!


In other quick catch up news: I have lost a shit ton of weight on purpose and still working on it, I have not decided on the next book to write, I still have 5 cats and a Netflix love bordering on unnatural, and I already have a to-be-read pile(s) next to my bed bigger than this time last year. 3x bigger. 2012? Startin' off good!

What's new with you guys? And I'm so freaking serious, I want updates on everything I might have missed between July and now!

See you all around the blogosphere!