Missing Walking Dead? Try, Wanted: Dead or Undead

Stephen King has a term called “Ideal Reader”. The one person you write for. I am fortunate to have one of the best as my ideal reader, Angela Scott. Two years ago, we met at a writing meeting. We formed a critique group a while later, in which we are the only two remaining members. We are a little too opinioned, a bit too blunt, and a bit too determined for most people, I suppose. But, it works for us.

Angela didn’t start out that way. She was far too humble to admit her talent. During our first meeting, she pulled out a copy of her NaNoWriMo proof and said, “I’m good with this. All I want is a copy on my shelf to look at now and then.”

Thankfully, she didn’t know me well enough, at that point, because that wasn’t good enough for me.

There was no way I could allow someone with that much natural talent to hide. So, I pushed and soon, she pushed me back. And two years later, I am thrilled to say she has just published her first book called Wanted: Dead or Undead.

Who would’ve thought a dare—a writing exercise—would become a series? A fun, engaging series.

Not only is her writing tight. She creates great characters we root for and a story full of rich description without the fluff.

She has a lot in store for her characters and I can’t wait for the next book.

Check out the blurb from Amazon:

Trace Monroe doesn’t believe in luck. He never has. But when a fiery-headed cowgirl saunters through the saloon doors, wielding shotguns and a know-how for killing the living dead, he believes he just may be the luckiest man alive.

Trace wants to join Red’s posse, but she prefers to work alone—less messy that way. In order to become her travelling companion, Trace has to agree to her terms: no names, no questions, and if he gets bit, he can’t beg for mercy when she severs his brain stem.

He agrees, knowing only that Red is the sharpest shooter he’s ever encountered. The fact she’s stunning hasn’t escaped his attention either.

What he doesn’t know, is that Red has a very good reason to be on top of her game. She not only has the answer for how they can all outlive the plague taking over the wild, wild west, she IS the answer.

For one day only, Tuesday March 27, 2012, Evolved Publishing is offering several of their books for free. FREE!

Take the opportunity to check out their site HERE for a list of books and links to Amazon. 

Here is a direct link to Wanted: Dead or Undead

Also, check out Angela's writing blog with more information about her upcoming books whimsywritingandreading.weebly.com

The Sword of Senack Release

Over five years ago, I met a crazy girl at Sam’s Club. I never expected a lifelong friendship to be forged while waiting in line for a pretzel.

We shared more than our love of carbs. We were both closeted writers and soon, we began sharing our “attempts” at fiction. Let me just say, it wasn’t pretty. In fact, let me share an excerpt of Elisa’s first draft:

Did you hear that? Funny how loud a hundred pound woman sounds falling off her chair. Hahaha. No worries, E. It’s safe—for now.

Elisa’s second child, the boy she always wanted, died from birth defects at only three months. Recently she published her journal as a way of helping others manage their grief, called The Golden Sky. In it, she shows us what it’s like to lose a child—lose everything—and yet, come back stronger and more determined.

This determination was the driving force behind The Sword of Senack. She had her oldest child with a patchwork of memories of her little brother and subsequent children with only photos and endless questions. In an effort to settle her children’s curiosities and to help them cope, she filled their minds not of death and loss, but with wonder, magic, and love.

Each night Elisa would tell the story of young Jack and his quest. It grew more grand and elaborate as her children begged for more witches, pirates, mermaids, and magic. Not only did they love the story, but it also brought them closer to their lost brother—Zeke.

Sometimes writers are inspired by a question, a memory, a dream. Elisa’s story came from the best inspiration of all: the love of a child lost and the hope of the children remaining.

The Sword of Senack is introduced at a low price of $.99. And look at this cover! Fantastic. 

Click to Amazon

If you want more information about the author, please visit her blog at ecwrites.blogspot.com there you will find links to her publisher’s site and her web page. 

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Description from Amazon of The Sword of Senack: 

Aliya Fisher knows nothing about her true heritage until a vindictive sorceress kidnaps her brother and sister. The young adventurer must take up her birthright, battle strange creatures, and find the Sword of Senack if she hopes to best the witch. But even if Aliya finds the famed weapon and survives the perilous oceanic journey, the enchantress is far more than she appears. How does one defeat an immortal who lusts for revenge? 

What Happens If I Hate It?

I’ve met a lot of great people on my writing journey. Some are lifelong friends, while others are simply random faces I’ve chatted with here and there---forever locked in that Google Friend Connect pose.

I’ve met writers at conferences and writing meetings. Blog hops. Coffee shops. Work. It seems there is a writer everywhere. Some of these writers have asked me to critique their work, while others just ask for me to buy their book when they publish.

The few who have allowed me to manhandle their work with my endless red scratches know I can be a bit brutal. I don’t intend to be mean, but I worry that if I don’t push for better or mark mistakes when I see them, I’m setting my friend up for a blow I should’ve eliminated in the first place. I’m down to one critique partner. She’s the only one left who can put up with me; she knows my intentions are good.

Have you ever read the negative reviews on Amazon? Holy cow! Some make my chest tighten, while others are right on. But being right about something and saying it tactfully doesn’t help the writer desperate for praise. We hate to hear we suck, especially at the no take back stage. Clicking that publish button makes it a done deal and it seems with the ease of self-publishing, too many people are clicking before they are ready.

So, I have a dilemma. Many of my friends and acquaintances are publishing, some traditional, some self-published. I get more “buy my book” tweets filling my home page every day. We need to support each other, but when asked what I think do I tell them the truth?

I’m not the type of person to just give a five star review just ‘cause we’re blogging pals, but how do you politely say no?

Has this ever happened to you? 

What's Up With The Commenting, Blogger?

Last year, I was unable to comment on blogs. I couldn't figure out what was wrong, so I switched from Internet Explorer to Google Chrome and yay me, I was able to comment again. Well, my problems have come back. At first it was isolated to other blogs. I would post and click publish and it would disappear. Then, I tried to comment on my blog and still, no dice. So I read somewhere that switching from the comment embedded below the post to the pop up window or full page would help. I switched to pop up window and I can now comment on my own blog. 

I know other people are having troubles too, so if you are thinking you aren't getting as many comments as you used to, switch to pop up window and see if it helps. 

I would love to comment on your blog, but over half the ones I visit, I'm just unable. If you'd like me to test your blog with my failure as a comment-er....shoot me a message. 

Ain't Like It Used To Be

When I was younger, I liked to think of myself as a smart girl. I loved to have in depth, intellectual conversations with my friends, who were all much older than I was. But after having kids and staying home to raise them for nearly eight years, my smarts have all but vanished, along with my muscle tone and my patience. 

I went to a dinner recently with a group of people, most of who did not have children, and found myself thinking I was a complete idiot. I mmmhmm'd and nodded, channeling my best Sydney Bristow. I was someone else. Not me. Someone smarter and worldly. But my mission wasn't so successful. 

While they discuss the impact of extinction on our environment, I think about this sort of extinction:

Or maybe this is more my style:

They drink wine and fancy schmancy teas, while I’ve been known to:

Okay, that’s not totally true, sometimes I prefer this:

While they discuss politics, I think about this:

Or maybe even:

While they share their fine dining favorites of seafood and specially rubbed beef, I imagine my own fancy seafood diner:

They discuss books like this:

While my favorite book remains this:

They discuss television shows I’ve never heard about because this is the show I watched last:

So, my goal is to get a bit of my old self back (or the illusion of). Be a little more like this: 

Wait a minute. . . 

Just Nonesense Blogfest

As a writer, I rely on all my senses to bring my stories to life. But what if I didn’t have one of those senses? What if I lost one of the most important of all?

A good friend of mine has struggled with diabetes since she was a young child. Diabetes has been rough on her body. Last year she had surgery to try and save one of her eyes, but it wasn’t successful and now, whatever sight she had left is dwindling.

I can’t imagine her fear—her anger. But, she is in remarkable spirits. One of our mutual friends took the initiative and published several of her blog posts into a book called, Just Nonesense by Melynda Fleury.

Melynda has already lived quite a live and never hold back on anything she does. Her mouth tends to always get her in trouble, which is great for more of her hilarious blog posts. She's always dreamed of becoming a writer, and although her path isn't quite what she imagined, she is a great writer with lots of stories to tell. 

Already her book is doing fantastic with less than a week of sales. With medical costs mounting and the need for talking diabetic monitors, she could use the money. She may not be able to read her own book, but maybe you can. Or, check her out at her blog: CrazyWorld