Friday Funny! Okay well, my manuscript is off to my editor where she'll no doubt rip it to shreds. I thought this funny was fitting. I'd say Santa is my manuscript, and I am the reindeer. Yes, my manuscript has decidedly kicked my ass this holiday season.
Fridays with Fred
A few weeks ago, I posted how I busted Fred eating the turkey carcass. Below was his punishment Hehe.
Yeah, he didn't think the punishment fit the crime...but we sure did. LOL. He's too darn cute, isn't he?
Stop by and visit Schatze over at Mary’s BookHounds too.
Have a great weekend.
Mina B.
Hiya, minions! Today, I'm excited to have fellow author, Faith McKay here on my blog. She's here as my guest to discuss her recently released novel, Prophecy Girl.
Minions!...I give you Faith "On the Importance of Enthusiasm."
Thank you, Mina for having me.
I've been told to calm down more times than I could ever remember. I've been told I laugh too much. I care too much. I get too involved. I need to slow down and not stress and play it cool and I never really understand what people are talking about. There was a period of my life where I really gave it my all to do this—to be a more mellow person, more socially acceptable. All this seemed to do for me was grow a healthy sense of apathy. You know what apathy is really bad for? Creativity. I didn't really understand the concept of creativity, because it was just my whole life, until I became apathetic and lost that part of myself. In its absence, I learned its power.
"I began to realize how important it was to be an enthusiast in life. He taught me that if you are interested in something, no matter what it is, go at it at full speed ahead. Embrace it with both arms, hug it, love it and above all become passionate about it. Lukewarm is no good. Hot is no good either. White hot and passionate is the only thing to be."
Roald Dahl, My Uncle Oswald
There is this quote, from My Uncle Oswald by Roald Dahl, and it is a reminder of why it's okay that I laugh so much, I care so much, I become so involved and just enthusiastic—because the alternative leaves me without much idea for what to do with myself.
It's not very prestigious. It's not very dignified, or socially acceptable. But I'm just not sure how to live, let alone how to write, without that white hot passionate drive that gets me up at five in the morning with a document open, typing away as fast as I can, lost in my own head.
If I wasn't so enthusiastic while I pursued my stories, I think I'd be miserable as I approached another day of trying to reach my word count. I couldn't imagine the long and slow process of revising a novel without the enthusiastic need to see it completed.
That's not to say I don't wake up some days lacking that enthusiasm. I may still feel the motivation to work, but I'm not naturally enthusiastic and driving forward with passion. So, what do I do then? I find a way to find that in myself. You'd be surprised what a good air drumming session to a great song (or a REALLY bad one) can do for me. Honestly, banging my head to "Pour Some Sugar On Me" is one of the fastest ways to feel completely silly. A little bit of silliness can be just the ticket to loosening up, and then a quick reminder why I love to write, or about the importance of enthusiasm with that quote from Roald Dahl, and I'm usually ready to enthusiastically have a go at a word document.
What makes you enthusiastic, and what do you do when you lose it?
Faith McKay's Bio:
Faith McKay writes stories about characters with real world struggles in otherworldly settings. She is the author of PROPHECY GIRL, a story where characters struggle with the idea of having a destiny. In comparison, she feels really lucky that her destiny was to struggle with comma placement and be that awkward lady who points out puns at parties.
Other things to know about Faith… She wears two different colored shoes. She is a survivor of child abuse. She has lived with chronic illness for over a decade. A lot of people don't like her because she laughs too much. It's also the reason a lot of other people do like her, so go figure. She listens to more music than people are probably supposed to. She's a nomad. The word sounds really cool, so a lot of people say it, but she actually lives in an RV with her husband and their pet bunny rabbit, Dorian Gray.
Prophecy Girl:
Ever since Samantha Winthrop's mother moved them to Lacuna Valley, supposedly in search of better weather, the list of strange questions she has no answers for has been growing out of control.
Does her little sister, Violet, have the ability to make things happen just by "praying" for them? Are Sam's dreams really predicting the future? Is she destined to marry the boy she just met, and what is the mysterious orb that he's guarding? Why does she get the impression that there are dangerous creatures watching from the woods?
While Sam should be focusing on answering those questions, there is one other that makes them seem almost irrelevant: Is her mother planning on killing her and Violet?
***
Thanks, Faith!
You can purchase Prophecy Girl via Amazon of Barnes/Nobles.
Or check it out on GoodReads.
To learn more about Faith visit her at any of the locations below.
Faith's Website: http://faithmckay.net
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/faithmckaybooks
Twitter: http://twitter.com/faithmckay
Mina B.
Welcome to the “Cheers, Cavanaugh BlogFest hosted by Mark Koopman, Morgan Shamy, Stephen Tremp, and David Powers King, the BlogFest runs from December 10 - 12.
1. Alex's Description
I believe Alex is a tall, physically-fit man with a youthful disposition. His preferred attire is a worn pair of Levis 501's that he wears with Rush concert t-shirt that he purchased during their Bones tour over twenty years ago. His favorite pastime is a toss up between jamming on his Gibson with his band-mates, heading to the theater with his beloved wife or riding on the never-ending blogging train supporting his ever-increasing ninja tribe.
2. Who could play Alex in a documentary? (Living or dead.)
Mathew Fox, the star of cult favorite, Lost, would be my pick to play Alex. Am I right, ladies? I think Alex would approve. Yes? No? What do you think?
3. I'm not sure if I've ever met anyone like Alex. He feels like a big brother to me which may sound ridiculous but that's what I think. He's supportive, loyal and is as true as a friend as you could have realistically online. He's someone you look up to and aspire to be like.
4. My FF about Alex - it's well over 100 words, but I had fun writing it.
The phone rang as Alex types the last sentence for tomorrow’s blog post. He answered the phone not paying attention to the caller.
"Hello?"
"Alex Cavanaugh, please," an unknown male voice carried across the line.
"This is." Alex replied.
"Is this Alex J. Cavanaugh, author of the sci-fi Cassa series?"
"Yes, can I ask who is call-"
Alex was cut off by the caller. "And also Casa Storm?"
"Yes, but-"
"And the Ninja Captain of hoards of writer/blogger minions?"
"Yes-"
"The creator of the IWSG," the caller stopped to howl on the other line, "Insecure Writer's Support Group. I love that one, by the way. Where were you when I started my career back in the 60s?"
"I have no idea. May I ask who this is?" Alex said.
"You may. I've just read your series, and I really enjoyed them. I actually have a call into your publisher to get my hands on Cassa Storm. They won't release a copy to me until they have spoken to you--which is why I'm calling."
Alex attempted to speak, but the caller continued.
"I like your Cosbolt pilot, Bryon too. I must know what's in store for him. You by chance don't have an agent do you?"
"No."
"Well, there's plenty of time for that. You see, I've recently sold my baby--something I've treasured my entire life. Now I'm in need of a new project."
Alex stops the caller. "I'm sorry. Who is this again?"
"Lucas. George Lucas."
And that was just the beginning for Alex. No amount of writing or guitar playing could have prepared him for that phone call. The rest was history.
***
I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did. You're such an inspiration, Alex. I wish nothing but crazy, inconceivable success and happiness for you!
Mina B.
As part of the Writers4Writers, the group led by Stephen Tremp, Mary Pax, C.M. Brown, and Christine Raines, I'm participating in a special book feature for author/blogger, Nancy S. Thompson. Go Nancy!
Sapphire Star Publishing recently released Nancy's suspense novel in October. The book is titled The Mistaken and is getting killer buzz on the blogosphere. Here's the book description.
All Tyler Karras wants is to enjoy life with his expectant bride; what he gets instead is a graveside seat at her funeral. With the woman who killed her uncharged and still free, all Ty wants now is revenge. His brother, Nick, has dangerous connections and suggests a sadistic plan: grab the woman responsible and hand her over to his associates—sex-traffickers in San Francisco’s Russian Mafia. They offer Ty more than he dreamed possible. In exchange for the woman, they’ll finally let his brother leave the business for good—with his debt wiped clean and his heart still beating.
There’s just one problem: Ty kidnaps the wrong woman.
Now he must protect her from the very enemy he’s unleashed, but the Russians are holding Nick as leverage to force Ty to complete their deal. Caught in a no-win situation, Ty must find a way to save himself, his brother, and the woman, but with the Russian Mafia, even two out of three makes for very long odds.
***
Sounds good, huh? You can purchase a copy at the following locations:
Amazon & Barnes & Noble
But wait...there's more!
Nancy is currently doing a giveaway for one signed copy of her novel, The Mistaken.
Visit Goodreads to enter! Contest runs until December 12th.
Have you read this book? Do you know Nancy? You can find her on FB or follow her on Twitter.
Have a great day!
Mina B.
Welcome to another month of Insecure Writers Support Group! Special thanks Alex for creating this growing group. First, I'd like to start with an update. I've made incredible progress editing one of my novels. I write when I can, but I'm attempting to get my YA novel in the best possible shape (again) before sending it to an editor who will rip it to shreds, no doubt one more time. Insecurities aside, I'll keep you posted on my progress.
On another note, I can across a segment by 60 min. It was a powerful piece and a political one too on generation prisoners in North Korea. Have you ever heard of such a thing? I wanted to feature this today, because as I watched, it felt so foreign I swore I was reading a page out of history or better yet, a fictional novel--one with an oppressive government, deadly prisons, murdered children and people oblivious to the world and humanity around them. I decided to feature this impactful video not to depress you, but to remind you where much of our art comes from--real-life history. Please take the time to view this video. It struck a vital cord with me. I bet it does the same for you.
North Korean prisoner escaped after 23 brutal years, December 2, 2012 4:42 PM
Born in a prison camp, Shin Dong-hyuk describes how three generations of a family are incarcerated if one family member is considered disloyal. Anderson Cooper reports.North Korean prisoner escaped after 23 brutal years
Mina B.
It's time for "And You Are?" Blogfest Q & A. Special thanks to Emily King & Tammy Theriault for coordinating this blogfest. There's over 50 blogs participating so if you get a chance, stop by and visit Tammy and then check out the other fabulous bloggers. These questions were not what I was expecting so the answers are...well, I'll let you decide.
1. How many speeding tickets have you gotten?
Two. Once on a date. True story too. My date in the passenger seat asked,"Why are you going so fast? My reply: "Because I have to be first." I don't know what was worse: getting the ticket right after I said that or giving that dude more amo to rag on me. Yeah, that relationship didn't last too long after that.
2. Can you pitch a tent?
I don't do much camping, but if I had to, I could.
3. What was your worst vacation ever?
Once I went to Acapulco with a person who I thought was my friend. I learned a lot on that trip. Like when some people go on vacation--especially in a foreign country--they think that gives them license to turn into a**holes. In short: Worst. Vacation. Ever! That's all I'll divulge on the subject, but it may make for a great scene in a future story. How's that for turning a negative into a positive?
4. What was the last thing you bought over $100?
My son's bday presents. :) Legos are so damn expensive.
5. We're handing you the keys to what?
My dream home in the Keys where my backyard is the Atlantic, and I have an endless supply of margaritas. :)
6. What was the last meal cooked that made even you sick?
Thanksgiving dinner. Lol! Lawd, that food is too rich for me. They call it stuffing for a reason, right?
7. Fill in the blank: Oh my gosh! Becky, look at her butt! It is so big. She looks like _____?
...every a** man's dream.
8. What was your first car?
Honda civic. I'm a Honda owner for life.
9. Your best friend falls and gets hurt. Do you ask if he/she's okay or laugh first?
I used to laugh first. Now, I always ask if she's okay, then laugh my a** off. I can't help it. However demented, there's something I find but hilarious when a person trips. Sorry, have we met? I'm the president of the inappropriate humor club. And you are?
10. What's the worst song ever?
I hope I don't offend anyone with this answer. Even though I liked the movie Dirty Dancing, there are two songs I can't stand. It's a toss-up between Hungry Eyes and Time of My Life. Thank the gods for Patrick Swazye or else I think the movie would have a complete flop. How can you forget some of the cheesiest lines in Hollywood? "No one puts baby in the corner."
Care to share any of your answers to the questions above? Come on...you know you want to.
Mina B.
I've been told to calm down more times than I could ever remember. I've been told I laugh too much. I care too much. I get too involved. I need to slow down and not stress and play it cool and I never really understand what people are talking about. There was a period of my life where I really gave it my all to do this—to be a more mellow person, more socially acceptable. All this seemed to do for me was grow a healthy sense of apathy. You know what apathy is really bad for? Creativity. I didn't really understand the concept of creativity, because it was just my whole life, until I became apathetic and lost that part of myself. In its absence, I learned its power.
Faith McKay writes stories about characters with real world struggles in otherworldly settings. She is the author of PROPHECY GIRL, a story where characters struggle with the idea of having a destiny. In comparison, she feels really lucky that her destiny was to struggle with comma placement and be that awkward lady who points out puns at parties.
Ever since Samantha Winthrop's mother moved them to Lacuna Valley, supposedly in search of better weather, the list of strange questions she has no answers for has been growing out of control.
1. Alex's Description
