Hi everyone! Today is a big day for me.
MYSTIC INK is officially on sale from Soul Mate Publishing. The book will be available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble within the next few days.
Also, I will be guest blogging today at Mare’s Place.
On 1/26, I will be Jennifer Fusco’s guest at her Market or Die blog.
And 1/28, I will be at Nights Of Passion. Be sure to stop by for a chance to win an e-copy of MYSTIC INK.
I’d love to hear from some friends! I hope to see you there!
. Happy Friday! Don’t forget to visit me over at the Scribes today – A Legend In Your Own Mind.
Today, I thought I’d try something different. All of my other pet blog posts have been after my beloved babies passed away. So rather than wait. . .
. . . I’d like you all to meet my two lovely cats, Madeline and Pepito. And yes, they are named after characters in the children’s book, MADELINE by Ludwig Bemelemans.
I’m happy to say these two are alive and well. The thirteen year old brother and sister pair keep me on my toes.
Anyone with cats will tell you that they never really get too old to play or get into things. I can’t count the number of times I’ve woken up to find my pens and pencils all over the place . And yarn, watch out! It must be hidden away lest I find it wrapped around every chair leg in the house.
Every Sunday, Pepito and I tussle over the newspaper. I try to read it and he tries to sit on it. See how that works?
And there isn’t a plastic bag that Pepito doesn’t like . The one below is from Pier One Imports. Both Maddy and Pepito loves to lick plastic bags. Does anyone else’s cats do this?
Like all cats, they think they own the house and, by extension, me. Pepito tends to get in my face while I’m at my computer for my day job. Once the day job is over, they switch off and Madeline becomes my new velcro attachment.
She thinks that my writing chair at the dining room table is hers. I’ve written many things while sharing half of my chair with her. Honestly, she is so cute. Sometimes I can’t kick her off…
They are the only two pets that have made it into one of my books – Ascension. Two cats bear a striking resemblance to my kitties. Because I write paranormal, there is more to them than meets the eye. Sorry, but you will have to read the book to find out what the secret is.
One of the things I love about cats is that they tend to leave you alone, unless they want something. And they sleep for hours on end. Some days I wish I could do that too.
Tell me about your four legged friends. And, seriously, does anyone else’s cats lick plastic bags?
Happy Friday everyone! Please remember to visit me over at the Scribes today where Susan Muller discusses her new book – Secrets on Forest Bend!
This past week I was graced with two blog awards: “The Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award” and the “Inspiring Blogger Award”.
Thank you so much: Marilyn Wigglesworth (Sweet) and Carrie Daws (Inspiring).
Both awards only ask that I share seven interesting or random facts about me and that I pass this award to other deserving bloggers.
So here are my seven things, in no particular order:
1. I gave birth to my youngest son on the bathroom floor. And before you ask, I went into labor and gave birth in the space of about twenty minutes. The kid couldn’t wait!
2. I went to college in Washington DC. While there, I earned bachelor’s degrees in Anthropology and Psychology. I figured, I should earn two BAs for the price of one.
3. While in DC, I was also an intern for two Smithsonian Museums (on separate occasions): The National Museum of American History and at The National Zoo. And yes, both places are as cool at they sound!
4. I’m a life long sci-fi/fantasy geek. I love Star Trek and Star Wars. Since I’ve attended two Trek conventions, if pressed to choose, I’d say I love Star Trek more.
5. I met my husband while working at a movie theater. I worked concessions and he was head projectionist. Yup, that was a cool job too.
6. I’m a proud member of Phi Mu Fraternity, Gamma Delta chapter. I even served as chapter president my senior year in college.
7. I taught myself to knit and crochet, during the dark time, while I avoided being a writer. I love to make socks, gloves, scarves and amigarumi. In between books, I fall back to my yarn stash for a bit.
In the spirit of the awards, I must bestow one of these prestigious honors on other worthy bloggers (10 for the Irresistibly Sweet Awards and 14 for the Inspiring Blogger Award).
To the recipients, please take a moment, thank the person who gave you the award, list seven fun/interesting things and pass this on to other deserving blogs.
My choices are as follows (please check them out!):
Irresistibly Sweet Award:
2. Joy Shaw
4. Gail Ingis
5. Tam Linsey
7. Carrie Daws
8. Kinley Baker
9. Kerri Nelson
10. Lisa Kessler
Inspiring Blogger Award:
3. Mare’s Place
6. Jimmie Chew
9. Mia Marlowe
10. Glenise Clelland
11. Savannah Foxx
12. Avery Flynn
13. Soul Mate Authors Group (a shout out to all my fabulous Soul Mate sisters!)
14. Writing Secrets of 7 Scribes (seriously – I couldn’t leave out my fantastic fellow Scribes)
What blogs have you read that have inspired you lately? What are your favorite sweet (or cute) blogs? And how about you? Share a fun fact or two!
Happy Friday everyone. Don’t forget to visit me at the Scribes today for – Whip it Good!
Now that the holiday season is in the rear view mirror, I’m mostly back on schedule. Taking the week off after Christmas is a double-edged sword. I always think I’ll be so productive, but in the end all I do is shop and have fun with my sons.
Not that I’m complaining. We had a great time last week doing fun things like seeing a movie (the new Sherlock Holmes – much better than the last go around). I cherish every moment, since they’re teenagers and I’m lucky they still speak to me. My oldest is eighteen now, so I realize that one of these days, he won’t have as much time for old Mom.
Needless to say, I didn’t make much progress with my writing goals. But, I did purchase a single serve coffee maker. See the lovely photo – that’s my new favorite appliance.
I’m a relative late-comer to coffee. For years and years, I drank tea, eschewing all coffee. I didn’t try my first real cup until I was in my thirties.
Yes, I survived college and young motherhood with no coffee. I’ve always loved the smell of coffee. Growing up, my Mom’s Mr.Coffee machine would dutifully gurgle every morning in our house. But, I never drank it. I didn’t want to become a coffee junkie, always needing caffeine to function – like my mother.
I’m naturally caffeinated and a morning person – who needs it, right?
Before you think I’m a complete freak, I do love tea. And for many years I drank it black, no milk or sugar. Until I discovered flavored tea and Splenda. Suddenly french vanilla tea tasted a whole lot better with sweetness. Around the same time, I tried flavored coffee.
Hated it! I always drank it with milk and Splenda (or sugar).
One day, I realized that the coffee wasn’t the problem at all. It was the milk. I didn’t add it to tea, so why was I adding it to my coffee. Because everyone else did. DUH!
As soon as I eliminated the milk, I liked coffee much better. And, as an added bonus, when I joined Weight Watchers a few years back, black tea and coffee are zero points!
Yahoo!
Which brings me to the lovely Keurig machine. I’m the only tea and coffee drinker in my house, so it made sense to purchase it (nice rationalization, I know, I know). I don’t need a big coffee maker for one person. It never ends well when I drink an entire pot of coffee. And hot water from the microwave and instant coffee isn’t as much fun.
Besides, I love to relax with a nice mug of tea or coffee while I brainstorm. Yes, I realize that caffeine is not ideal when in the creative mind – but it doesn’t seem to hamper me one bit.
I can’t think of a better way to enjoy a hot drink and have an endless variety of flavor choices.
I love my nifty machine. It makes hot water too. Is there nothing the Keurig can’t do?
Ahh technology. . .
Sadly, the Keurig can’t write my next book. Only I can do that. Back to the grind!
What is your favorite guilty pleasure beverage? And what specialty gizmo has caught your fancy?
Happy Friday everyone! And Happy New Year! Don’t forget to visit me at the Scribes, where I ask the question – What do I know?
A few weeks back I promised to share the details of my latest sale. Now that the paperwork is all in order, I can tell you this:
The Undead Space Initiative will be coming in 2012 from Pink Petal Books.
I am very excited that this book found a home and so quickly. If you want the details behind USI’s journey, visit me at the Scribes when you’re done here.
Now that I have two books sold, I have to face the next step in the publication process – editing! And after that promotion.
I’ll admit it – I am not very good at tooting my own horn. I realize that I need to get over that and fast, so expect to see me making the rounds at various blogs. Thank you to all my generous friends for use of the their blog space.
And, I assure you, I intend to keep working on my next book. So many things to do… so little time.
But I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Have a safe and wonderful New Year! See you on the flip side of the calendar!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Don’t forget to visit me at the Scribes – I Heart Ebenezer Scrooge!
Since the holiday is fast approaching, I don’t have much to report this week. I’m excited to be on vacation all next week and I hope to make progress on Devil’s Advocate. I had worked on it way back in May and June, then stopped to write The Undead Space Initiative.
Now, I’m in the process of getting back into the groove and submerging myself in the story. I’m excited about this one because it’s based on the very first novel I ever attempted to write. The book was never fully completed and it’s bugged me that I never finished it.
Let’s face it. I had no idea what I was doing back then! It’s better if that story never sees the light of day. Yet, I couldn’t forget my heroine. Devil’s Advocate is my attempt to breathe new life into her.
I still have some decisions to make – first person POV or third? Urban fantasy or romance?
(Who am I kidding? Romance always sneaks into my books.)
Whatever I decide, I’m hopeful to add another manuscript to my completed pile!
Have a safe and wonderful holiday season! Leave me a note and let me know how you plan to spend the holidays!
Happy Friday everyone! Please be sure to visit the Scribes today. I have posted my recipe – Wyatt’s Whoopie Pies.
And if you still haven’t entered the Soul Mate Author’s December contest, what are you waiting for? The prize is a brand new Kindle! You can enter once per day!
As most of you know, I have two other completed novels, besides Mystic Ink: Ascension and The Undead Space Initiative. I have been actively seeking publication for both books. And both were out to editors. Key word in that last sentence – were.
Now, I never thought in a million years that I would receive a rejection and an acceptance all in the same day.
The rejection – Ascension – which boiled down to scheduling, was disappointing. But, I was expecting it. (I always expect a no, but that’s how I protect myself from being crushed by rejection!). The editor was kind and encouraging. I will try submitting that book elsewhere in the coming months.
Later, that same day, I received an offer for the book I wrote in a month as part of the Scribes double dog dare back in July.
Yeah – The Undead Space Initiative which I never, ever, thought would sell, that book received an offer!
I was so shocked, I asked my husband to read the e-mail to me. He looked at me like I was nuts, but obliged. After all, I had just been rejected, how is it possible that on the same day, I got an offer to buy USI?
I’m not complaining, but merely pointing out the strange way the world works. I’m thrilled! Ecstatic to have made another sale!
You may have noticed, I haven’t named names. I won’t yet. Not until everything is finalized.
I only mention the offer now, because two weeks ago, I promised on the Scribes page to mention good news faster.
And a promise is a promise!!
Once it’s a done deal, I will share the details.
And now, I really have to start my next book! Evil plotting – here I come!
Ever have good news, but been afraid to divulge it right away? If you have any good news or any news, feel free to share it!
Happy Friday! Please be sure to visit the Scribes today. My special guest is Anita Clenney, NY Times and USA Today bestselling author of Awaken the Higland Warrior and Embrace the Highland Warrior. Two lucky commenters will win a copy of her latest book.
I’m also over at the Soul Mate Blog today – What I learned from an Eagle Scout.
And don’t forget to enter to win a Kindle at the Soul Mate Author’s Blog. You can enter once a day! Don’t miss out on a chance to win!
Speaking of books, I recently joined Goodreads. My first thought after a few minutes was – where has this site been all my life?
I was like a kid in the candy shop. As an avid reader, I had a boatload of fun adding in books, reading recommendations, and visiting the different communities.
Hours later, I had added over 300 books to my “already read” list. Mind you, I only gave them a star rating and only included books read over the last few years (that I could remember). There are a ton more I’ve read over the course of my life, but I resisted the urge to add everything. After all, I’m supposed to be writing my next novel.
Once Mystic Ink is officially released in January, I’ll create my own author page. Squee! I’m very excited to be part of the Goodreads community. One, because I’m a reader, and two, as a newly published author, I can interact with other readers and writers.
In the spirit of Goodreads, I offer a book recommendation of my own. Actually two books: Blood Oath and The President’s Vampire by Christopher Farnsworth. Imagine if a vampire worked for the President? And he kicked butt and didn’t care about taking names? These books are action-packed adventures more in the spirit of Jason Bourne than Twilight. Highly entertaining and a lot of fun!
Cable TV executives pay attention. These books would make a great series! Hint, hint!
I hope to see you on Goodreads soon!
How many of you are members? And if you are, let’s be friends!
Today, I have some newsworthy items to share with everyone.
Anyone have news to share?
Casey Wyatt 