Happy Dance Time!

That's right! I have completed the first draft of Mortal Obligation!  I know, it's been a long time coming and I still have a lot of work to do. Editing, revisions, cover art... PANIC! But first, I am just going to enjoy the fact that I accomplished one BIG step. Really, the most important step. You can't have a book without a rough draft. On Wednesday my husband came home from work, took one look at my face handed me the laptop and kicked my butt out the door. I was so close to being finished, but the baby was not willing to share me with the computer and I didn't get to work on it. Once I was alone with no distractions I managed to write  almost 5,000 words in four hours. By Thursday morning I was down to one scene and I could barely believe it. WOOHOO! It was exciting and sad all at the same time. I was finally finished. The story that had been living in my head for years was out... typed into the computer and soon to be printed on paper.

Today, I will print out the rough draft so that I can read through it and make notes. Doing that part in long hand will help me to keep track of my changes and additions. But, for today I am going to enjoy the fact that I finished the rough draft of Mortal Obligation. And clean the house, because it was neglected the last few days as I scrambled towards the finish line.


To celebrate, I thought I would resurrect a video that always makes me laugh...

Feel free to join in on my happy dance at any point!

Yep, It's Follow Friday Time!

This weeks question is: What is your most referred to website for your writing?

I would have to say, that when it comes to my writing Google is my best friend. Really, I am thinking that there are a lot of authors that make the FBI watch list based on their Google searches. Doesn't everyone need to know how to hide a body and to make explosions that have green flames?  And of course, I can't forget Thesaurus.com. This keeps me from using the same words all of the time.  Well, most of the time.

Come join our blog hop, and check out this weeks featured author! Michelle Ferguson  is a wonderful author that has a book that will be up for publication soon.

The rules for the hop are simple!

1)      Follow Elizabeth Sharp, the originator of this hop

2)      Follow the featured author of the week, Michelle Ferguson.

3)      Go to Sharp words and copy the image code found there and paste it in your blog. Add your name to the link at the bottom of the post while you are there.

4)      Copy and paste the rules in your blog, as well as this week’s question.

5)      Answer the question

6)      Follow, follow, follow. This is about networking, people, making connections with people in your community. So talk to us. We don't bite!

7)      If someone stops by, says hi and follows you, the polite thing to do is follow back.

8)      Comment here and introduce yourself and you just might find a new follower or two.

Follow Friday: What Is In A Name?

  Happy Friday Everyone! 

This week's question is: Shakespeare asked What's in a name? But we all know better. So let's talk about names, specifically our blog's name. How did you come up with yours?

Wow, I have a very lame answer this week. I kept my blog name short, sweet and simple. I used my name so that it would be easy to find. That may sound boring, but the joke is on you! I am never boring! So, how could my name as a Blog title signify anything other than pure excitment, awesomeness, and unbridled thrills?  Exactly right my friend. The adventures are a dime a dozen around this blog! So hold on to your butt! Uh huh. Thrills abound...

So, do you want to join in the fun? Here is how you tell everyone how much more interesting your blog title is than mine!

The rules

1)      Follow Elizabeth Sharp, the originator of this hop

2)      Follow the featured author of the week, Paige W. Pendleton.

3)      Go to Sharp words and copy the image code found there and paste it in your blog. Add your name to the link at the bottom of the post while you are there.

4)      Copy and paste the rules in your blog, as well as this week’s question.

5)      Answer the question

6)      Follow, follow, follow. This is about networking, people, making connections with people in your community. So talk to us. We don't bite!

7)      If someone stops by, says hi and follows you, the polite thing to do is follow back.

8)      Comment here and introduce yourself and you just might find a new follower or two.

Not Many Understand

Not many understand what it is like to have a story floating in your head, or the need to share it. Not many understand how much that story is a part of your soul. It is one of the things that make you- You. Not many understand how hard it can be to put your heart out for complete strangers to examine. Not many people understand what it is like to have fought your true calling for years because it is an unrealistic dream. Not many understand trying to fit into jobs that kill your soul and make you feel like a failure. Not many understand what it is like to be a writer. But, S.E. Gordon does. In one short post, he manages to explain exactly how I feel about my need to write.

This Fear by S.E. Gordon

My confession?

I’ve failed at everything I’ve tried.

Except this.

Stupid. Worthless. Loser. How many times have people hurled these words like stones?

But I’m not made of glass. There’s stronger stuff below; a belief that runs right to the core.

I am destined for greater things.

My words will change the world.

Let the legions cast their venom; they do not know me.

Let the critics sneer; the joke is ultimately on them.

I know I can do this. A writer I am meant to be.

Forget about the past failures; they’ve made me who I am. The external world does not faze me; the real challenge lies deep within.

This fear. I must get over it.

What will they see when I am finally revealed? Will they give me a chance? Identify with me?

No.

It does not matter.

They will see I am just like them.

Full of hope. Conviction. Dreams.

And that is all that matters.

I need this, I must confess.

I must find a way to make this work. Find a way to finish. Only then will they see the masterpiece underneath.

I will put myself before them. The entire tapestry, not just a shred of cloth. Myself. My whole self.

I refuse to cower. Refuse to give up.

This fear…just a fool’s errand…

Words echo inside me, fire threaded destiny. Can’t hold them back any longer.

Then I realize what’s gnawing at me.

These words, flowing so beautifully. Such emotion, raw and pure. My one talent, my only talent, please don’t let me screw this up.

I take a deep breath. Calm my mind. And ride the lightening.

This lingering fear is vapor.

I am ready for the next step.

 

 

 

And just in case you missed the link above- You should check out his blog. Not only is he full of motivation, he is a damn good writer, currently working on a Vampire Thriller titled Enura. ( <--- Keep your eyes open for this one ladies and gentleman. These vampires are the real deal.) He also has several humorous (read: crazy, laugh so hard you cry) parodies.

 

Thanks for sharing this with us, Scott. You are made of Awesome!

Me? I'm the Featured Author!

So it is that time again, and guess what? I'm the featured author! If you are part of the writing community, it is likely that you have heard about the post that inspired this weeks Follow Friday question. If you haven't heard about the terrible author response, you can read it here in the comment section. Be warned that there is some foul language. Having said all of that, here is this weeks question:

Inspired by the spectacular melt down of Jacqueline Howett on Big Al’s Book Blog, how do you deal with a bad review?

I haven't officially published any of my works yet, but I hope that I would handle a bad review with grace. I think that the only appropriate way to respond to a review is to say thank you, and in most cases only in a private forum (email, or private message). Bad reviews hurt, even if they are handled in a professional manner. The hurt the author experiences should be kept private, and only shared with friends. Eat some chocolate cake, and watch a good movie- That is how I would handle a bad review. Probably shed a few tears to my friends or my husband, and then move on! You can always get better.

Want to join in the fun? Here are the rules!
The rules 
1)         Follow this blog. 
2)      Click the quill photo and follow Elizabeth Sharp, the originator of this hop. 
3)      Follow the featured author of the week, Nichole Chase. ( <---- That's me!) 
4)      Copy the image code found there and paste it in your blog. Add your name to the link at the bottom of the post while you are there. 
5)      Copy and paste the rules in your blog, as well as this week’s question. 
6)      Answer the question 
7)      Follow, follow, follow. This is about networking, people, making connections with people in your community. So talk to us. We don't bite! 
8)      If someone stops by, says hi and follows you, the polite thing to do is follow back.
9)      Comment here and introduce yourself and you just might find a new follower or two.