Insecure Writer’s Support Group - Adverbly!

Insecure Writers Support Group, brought to you by Alex Cavanaugh, is here today.  I've been editing some of my previous works and thought I'd get your perspective.  Are you a lover or hater of adverbs?  Have you ever watched School House Rock?  If so...Lolly, Lolly, Lolly, Get Your Adverbs here!

To be honest, I'm not too insecure about this topic.  Still, we're expunging demons here with the IWSG post, right?  That said, I have  *clears throat*  misused adverbs before.  *Ducks for cover*  I know, I know.  Stop throwing sh** at me.  I'm not perfect and yes, I use "ly" adverbs.    

I know many writers aren't adverb fans, but kill me for saying this, I actually don't mind "ly" adverbs.  Dare I say, even in dialogue I don't mind them.  The best post I've read about using adverbs in dialogue was written by Nathan Bransford almost a year ago.  For me, I don't identify my mistakes until I'm in the editing phase.  And when I come across a "ly" word, I focus on whether or not I truly do need it in the sentence.  If not, then I do what Twain recommended...I kill it.  

How about you?  Do you like or hate adverbs?  Do you have a trick to keep your adverb use in check?

Mina B.

Creepy Classic: Hansel and Gretel

It's been far too long since I've featured a Creepy Classic.  I'm such a slacker it's embarrassing.  Life happens and that's my only excuse.  The last book I was supposed to post on was H.G. Wells The Island of Dr. Moreau.  I'll get to that at some point but today I want to feature Grimms' Fairy Tales: Hansel and Gretel. 

Since Halloween is almost here and magic and sorcery continues to have a foothold in my brain, I couldn't resist reading this classic again.  I realize everyone recalls the creepy children's tale, but when was the last time you read it?  Why do I ask?  Well, because most original fairy tales (minus the Disney angle) are disturbingly dark--like I like it.   Who doesn't want to eat little children? Muhwahhhh! Better yet, what parent hasn't thought about dropping their kids off in the middle of the forest to fend for themselves? Heh. Heh.  Like I said, Hansel and Gretel wonderfully paints a freakishly good picture of what witches in classic literature represent: pure unadulterated evil. #lovedit!

Did you know...

Paramount Pictures  is scheduled to release their take on the classic tale--Hansel and Gretel Witch Hunters in early 2013.  Check out the bad ass movie trailer below featuring Jeremy Renner (yum!) as Hansel and Gemma Arterton as Gretel.  Damn, I hope Hollywood doesn't disappoint.

Did you love H&G as much as I did? Which tale is your fav from Grimm? Did you like the movie trailer?

Mina B.

2012 Spooktacular Giveaway Hop

Boo, minions!  This is my third year participating in the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer.  Damn!  The Spooktacular hop was one of the first hops I ever participated in -- which is why its so near and dear to my heart.  With nearly 500 blogs participating, you can bet there will be some amazing giveaways.  Thank the Lords for my Free Sh** Fairy.  Once again, he worked his mojo and sourced one spooktacular giveaway.  How so?  Well, this happens to be one of my favs.  

Pick your Poison!

One (1) lucky winner can choose from the these hot YA novels listed above.  There's an insane amount of buzz going on for each of these YA novels.    Pick your poison between Roth's Insurgent, Cole's Poison Princess and Meyer's Twilight conclusion Breaking Dawn.

To enter…

You MUST be a follower of my blog and MUST fill out this entry form. (And yes, I do check GCF)

Extra entries…
+1 For Becoming my Fan/Like on Facebook/MinaBurrows
+1 Subscribing via email to my blog
+1 Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/MinaBurrows
+1 if you Retweet this on Twitter (limit 1 retweet)

Again, the giveaway runs from 12:01 AM on Oct. 24th - October 31st, midnight. Contest is open to International participants. 

Want to see who else is participating?  Visit I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and check out all the links and hop on by.

Mina B.

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Partners in ParanormYA: Paranormal Truth is Stranger Than Fiction

Happy Hump Day, Minions. Partners in ParanormYA are here today!  I repeat...the dynamic duo themselves, Angela Brown and Gwen Gardner are in Mina's mystic house!  Give it up for these rock'n babes. Wahoo!  This entire month they've been scaring up a storm with the release of their YA paranormal tales, Neverlove and Givin’ Up The Ghost.  As a lover of YA lit, I'm super excited to be a deputized paranormYA partner and thrilled to help get the word out about their fantastic YA novels.

Minions...I give you Partners in ParanormYA, Gwen and Angela!

Thanks for hosting the Partners in ParanormYA blog tour today, Mina!

A rather strange partnership you say? You could say we are opposites in many ways. Just look at our book covers.

The cover of Neverlove is photographic, real, in your face. The beauty on the cover has a secret as evidenced by her face being partially hidden. The teardrop adds mystery. You know there’s something dark happening there. Angela Brown writes dark paranormal.

About Neverlove: For Abigail and Basil, there is a choice they both fear making. Duty or love? There can be only one.

The cover of Givin’ Up The Ghost is illustrated. Even though the girl on the cover is clearly running from the goons in back, the cartoon-like nature of the characters takes the edge off the spooky stuff inside. Gwen Gardner writes light paranormal.

About Givin' Up The Ghost: Indigo Eady's life erupts into mischief and mayhem when a ghost enters her teen abnormal life demanding answers for his death.

You can see that paranormal isn't just for the stout of heart. The weak of heart can enjoy it, too.

So what do the Partners in ParanormYA have in common?

We have a secret...

Source

The PIP’s are big fat scaredy cats. You heard right. We are scared to death of things that go bump in the night. We don’t watch stuff on television that: sends us scurrying to lock the doors and check under the beds and in the closets, or dump rings of salt around our homes or burn sage or make holy water or keep guns with silver bullets under our pillows.

The scariest Gwen goes is The Nightmare Before Christmas or Hocus Pocus.

And Angela? Let’s just say that while researching for a tour post, she had to quit reading Ghost Files and wing it.

Yes, we’re quite the anomaly, but we’re looking for a cure. Any suggestions?

How about you? Do you get scared watching movies, or at things that go bump in the night?

***

Thank you both for stopping by.  And no...I would have never guessed you two spook so easily.  

I love it! 

About Angela Brown

Born and raised in Little Rock, AR, Angela now calls Central Texas home. She's a lover of Wild Cherry Pepsi and chocolate/chocolate covered delicious-ness. Steampunk, fantasy and paranormal to contemporary - mostly young adult - fill her growing library of books. Mother to a rambunctious darling girl aptly nicknamed Chipmunk, life stays busy. Her favorite quote keeps her moving: "You may never know what results come of your action, but if you do nothing there will be no result." ~ Mahatma Gandhi 

About Gwen Gardner

Running, writing and reading are my favorite things.  I am also a dreamer.  Have you ever told yourself that "someday" I'm going to travel or write or whatever it is that you are passionate about but can't do right now for whatever reason? You can go for years and years and keep telling yourself that "someday" you'll do it. Too often "someday" never comes. But mine did. I am a former Administrative Manager and Vice President of a successful swimming pool plastering company - until I woke up one day and realized that my "someday" had arrived. I quit my job, moved to the mountains and began to write. Crazy, I know. But even crazier? Is when you get to the end of your life and realize that your "someday" is too late. Life is much too short for that! So the adventure has begun.

These books are creepy good so hurry up and get your copy today!

Purchase Angela Brown’s Neverlove at Amazon US, Amazon UK, Barnes and Noble, Amazon FR, and Amazon DE.

Purchase Gwen Gardner’s Givin’ Up The Ghost at Amazon US and Amazon UK.

But wait...there's more!  There are two giveaways! Visit Partners in ParanormYA for the Big Swag Giveaway and for the Week Two Giveaway.  Enter today!

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Something Wicked Comes!

Rainy Day Ramblings created this month-long celebration for Halloween! When I first read about it, I decided instantly I needed to participate. This killer spooktoberfest features an insane amount of book bloggers who go GA GA for paranormal books.  Take your spooky pick from witches, ghouls, zombies, vampires, Gods or werewolves, this Halloween giveaway has something for you! Their calling it the ultimate Blog Trick or Treating Event so get your pillow cases ready, minions and let's go treating!

Today is my day to participate in the hop and I'm celebrating one of my favorite authors, Kresley Cole.  From the giddyup, I've adored Cole's addicting style and smoke'n hot Immortals After Dark series.  The adult paranormal series rocks, minions and if you need more to persuade you then check out two of my reviews.

- A Hunger Like No Other - my review
- Wicked Deeds on a Winters Night. - my review

Cole is pretty amazing so when she recently released her first YA series which her website states is a "Supernatural Adventure for Young Adults" called Poison Princess, I nearly knocked over a few teenagers myself to get a copy when it released Oct. 2nd.  And now that copy is up for grabs for this month long Halloween extravaganza.  So what this series about?

The characters on Tarot cards are real.

The Huntress, the Fool, Death, the Lovers . . . and eighteen other Major Arcana all exist. These warriors, femme fatales, magicians, and devils each have uniquely lethal powers.

And they’re coming for me.

To survive, I’ll have to embrace my own terrifying abilities—and team up with dangerously handsome Jack Deveaux, one of the few people I know that also survived the Flash. But if Jack ever beholds what I truly am, will he abandon me to my fate . . . ?

What to read more?  Here's an excerpt.

Sounds pretty wicked huh?  I can't wait to read Poison Princess too.  Well, thanks to this Halloween fest, you get your chance at win a copy of Cole's Poison Princess.  Enter below for your chance and winning one (1) copy of Kresley Cole's new YA novel, Poison Princess.  The contest starts today, October 10th and ends EOD on October 24th.  That's a whopping two weeks so...get on it!  

To enter see below!

You MUST be a GFC follower of my blog & MUST fill the form.

Extra entries
+1 Subscribe via email to my blog
+1 Like me on Facebook/MinaBurrows
+1 Retweet this Twitter (limit 1 retweet)

Again, the giveaway starts at Wed, Oct. 10th and runs October 24th midnight. Contest is open to International participants.

Want to see who else is participating? See the list below and visit these awesome book bloggers and check out their killer giveaways!  

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October 1st:
Jenny@Supernatural Snark: Kirsty Eagar: Night Beach
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Wendy Higgins: Sweet Evil

Lila@Babbling About Books
Laurie@ Reader Girls: Thomas Winship: Vaempires: Revolution

October 2nd:
Carly@Fiction Fascination Dianna Hardy: The Witching Pen
Rummanah@Books in the Spotlight: Freak by E.K. Henry
Blu@ Not Now...Mommy's Reading:The Fallen Boys by Aaron Dries
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Scorch by Gina Damico

October 3rd:
Jess@The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow: Cinderella Skeleton by Robert D. San Souci,
David Catrow (Illustrator)
Roxy@RoxyKade: Born in Flames by Candace Knoebel
Michelle@Michelle's Paranormal Vault of Books: Book of Ember by Jessica Sorensen
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Amanda Stevens The Prophet

October 4th:
Cassie@Gathering Leaves Brett Talley: That Which Should Not Be Named
Blu@ Not Now...Mommy's Reading: Nightwhere by John Everson
Heather@Buried in Books: Ann Aguirre Outpost Audiobook
Janiera@Books and Beauty: Derek the Ghost Scary School
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: J.L. Bryan: Jenny Pox

October 5th:
Ari@Reading After Midnight: Mira Grant
Maghon@Happy Tails and Tales Blog: Cambria Hebert Betwitched
Kristin@ My Parahangover: Foretold Anthology
Aditi@Highly Readioactive: Kalayna Price: Alex Craft Grave Witch
Jess@The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow: Cinderella Skeleton by Robert D. San Souci,
David Catrow (Illustrator)

October 6th:
Veronica@Mostly Reviews Rachel Hartman: Seraphina
Rummanah@Books in the Spotlight: Holly Barrington
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Jennifer Martin:Don't Break the Glass: Fear Anthology

October 7th:
Lila@Babbling About Books
Catie@Forbidden Passions Reviews Richelle Mead: The Golden Lily
Aditi@Highly Readioactive: Richelle Mead: Bloodlines
Jessica@Jessabella Reads: Maggie Stiefvater:Raven Boys

October 8th:
Jaspirit@The Readers Den Courtney Summers: This is Not a Test
Rummanah@Books in the Spotlight: B.C. Johnson
Jenn@JennRenee Reads Kate Locke: God Save the Queen
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings Rhiannon Frater: Pretty When She Dies

October 9th:
Katertot@A Belle's Tales R.L. Stine Goosebumps
Candace@Candace's Book Blog: Marrisa Marr: Carnival of Souls
Jennifer@ Passionate Book Divas: Joe by HD Gordon
Michelle@ Michelle's Paranormal Vault of Books: Abbi Glines Existence and Predestined
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Darynda Jones: Death and the Girl Next Door

October 10th
Cambria@CambriaHebert
Nora@Noracast Nora Weston: Twelfth Paladin
Karla@ Book Addict J.T. Geissinger: Edge of Oblivion
Mina@Mina Burrows Blogspot: Kresley Cole: Poison Princess
Corina@Pink Fluffy Heart: The Den of Shadows Quartet by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings:Heather Hildenbrand:Dirty Blood

October 11th
Jennifer@Some Like It Paranormal: Lia Habel Dearly Beloved
Tricia@ Tricia Kristufek: Patricia Briggs
Atmika @I Talk Books!: Blackbrooke: Emma Silver
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Fiona Paul:Venom

October 12th:
Diana@Offbeat Vagabond: Alan Goldsher: My Favorite Fangs
Natausha@Dreamland: A Teenage Fantasy
Danielle@Book Whore: Terri Bruce: Hereafter

October 13th:
Nikki@Close Encounters of the Night Kind
Blu@ Not Now...Mommy's Reading:Intricate Entanglement by Su Halfwerk
Aditi@Highly Readioactive:Maggie Shayne: Mark of the Witch
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Sean Beaudoin: The Infects

October 14th:
Prangon@The Nerd in Heels: Elizabeth Hunter Building from Ashes
Patricia@Lady with Books: Michelle Sagara: Silence
Jessica@Jessabella Reads: Adreinne Stolz and Ron Bass: Lucid

October 15th:
Andra@Unabridged Andra
Maria@A Night's Dream of Books: Stroke of Midnight Anthology: Sherrilyn Kenyon
Heidi@ Rainy Day Ramblings: Cambria Hebert: Charade

October 16th:
Christy@Love of Books: Jeyn Roberts
Melissa@Writer Grrl Reads: Michelle Hodkin: The Unbecoming of Myra Dyer
Ana@Bookspark:Inger Iversen:Few Are Angels
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Rob DeBorde: Portlandtown

October 17th:
Nikki@Nicsquared The Scent of Shdaows (Sign of The Zodiac #1) by Vicki Pettersson
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Ingrid Paulson: Valkyrie Rising

October 18th:
Jenn@Indie Supporter: Addison Moore
Suzanne@Paranormal Book Fan: Shannon Dermott Cambion Series
Barbara@Basia's Bookshelf: Velveteen by Daniel Marks
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Sanctum by Sarah Fine

October 19th:
Kimmie@Kimmie's Bookshelf: Rachel Hawkins Hex Hall
Rebecca@Kindle Fever
Kimba@The Caffeinated Book Reviewer: Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter
Ana@Bookspark: KC Neal: Alight

October 20th:
Natalie@Mindful Musings: Simon Holt: The Devouring
Jenifer@Under A Gray Sky: H.P. Mallory: Fire Cauldron Burn
Preet@ A Written Rhapsody: The Evolution of Mara Dyer
Leanne@The Reclusive Reader:Sarah Rees Brennan:Unspoken

October 21st:
Jeanette@Walking on Bookshelves: LM Pruitt
Jenn@JennRenee Reads
Blu@ Not Now...Mommy's Reading: Mind Games by Polly Iyer
Benji@The Non Reluctant Reader: Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey

October 22nd:
Pooja@On Books! :Rebecca Hamilton
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Jess Rothenberg: The Catastrophic History of You and Me
Ali@My Guilty Obsession: J.A. Templeton: Mackinnon Curse
Heather@Buried in Books

October 23rd:
Michelle@Book Briefs: Karina Halle: Dark House
Candace@Novels, Notes and News from your Northwest Neighbors: Kimberly Derting: Body Finder Series
Ali@My Guilty Obsession: J.A. Redmerski: Mayfair Moon Series
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Undead: Kirsty McKay

October 24th
Maja@The Nocturnal Library: Anne Aguirre: Outpost
Jenn@Indie Supporter: Cambria Hebert
Ali@My Guilty Obsession: E.J. Stevens: Spirit Guide Series
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: A & E Kirk: Hex Boys
Kimmie@Kimmie's Bookshelf: Laura Elliot: Shadow Slayer


October 25th:
Nick@Nick's Book Blog: Tara Fullmer: Inbetween
Jenn@Indie Supporter: Lizzy Ford
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Melissa West: Gravity

October 26th:
Maghon@Happy Tails and Tales
Shirley@Shiirleyy's Bookshelf
Kai@Fiction State of Mind: Johnathon Mayberry
Angela@Chaotic Book Corner: Cambria Hebert: Betwitched

October 27th:
Claire@Claire Reads Katie Alender: Bad Girls Don't Die
Jude@ In Between: Gena Showalter: Intertwined
Margaret@JBridger Writing: Annette Curtis Klause: Blood and Chocolate
Aditi@Highly Readioactive:Kendare Blake: Anna Dressed in Blood
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Jody Gehrman: Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft

October 28th:
Rachel@Unforgettable Books: Katie Alender: Bad Girls Don't Die Triology
Kapri@Book Fanatics: Anna Jarzab: All Unquiet Things

October 29th:
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Rhiannon Frater
Jen@Starry Eyed Revue: Kendare Blake: Girl of Nightmares
Mandee@Vegan YA Nerds
Veronica@Mostly Reviews Christopher Pike
Melissa@Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf: Born Wicked Jessica Spotswood
Blu@ Not Now...Mommy's Reading: JT Baroni: The Legend of Rachel Petersen

October 30th:
Michele@A Belle's Tales Ann Aguirre Razorland
Elise@EC Writes: Halloween Anthology
Erin@Erin Danzer, YA Author: M. Leighton:Gravity
Katertot@A Belle's Tales R.L. Stine Goosebumps
Laurie@Reader Girls: Kimberly Sabatini: Touching the Surface
Michelle@ Michelle's Paranormal Vault of Books: Vlkolak King by Rebekah Armusik
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Derek the Ghost Scary School #2 Monsters on the March


October 31st:
Cambria@Cambria Hebert: Bewitched Novella Release
Krista@Breathe in Books: Libba Bray: The Diviners
Blu@ Not Now...Mommy's Reading: Brody Sommers
Monique@Monique Morgan:Rise of the Infected Release Day!

Movie Buzz: Oconomowoc (the film)

Are you a fan of quirky comedy movies like I am?  If so, then I have a film for you.  Oconomowoc is a "feature-length comedy" about a confused adult who "moves back in with his mother and reluctantly signs on with his friend's mishandled t-shirt business hoping to find a little direction."

The comedic film is the brainchild of  Andy Gillies, an up-and-coming Writer/Director, who is quickly making his mark in the movie-riddled world of Hollywood.  Andy grew up in South Florida so you can imagine how excited us Floridians are about Oconomowoc.  Stop if you will and contemplate the commitment it takes to not only write an intelligent script--let alone hysterical story--but also coordinate all the finite details, including finding a producer (Joe Haas Media (JHM) & What Productions), actors, edit the darn film and all the other crap that comes with it. Good Lord and we think just writing a novel is tough.

The movie stars some incredibly talented actors too including Brendan Marshall-Rashid, Cindy Pinzon, Andy Gillies, Andrew Rozanski, Michael Kennedy, Emily E. Harpe, Ben Harpe, Kruz Karstedt, Deborah Clifton, John Kishline, Jatsiry Neuberg.  I'd appreciate it if you could watch the trailer, let me know what you think and then share, reblog, Facebook or Tweet it with as many friends as possible.

  

The idi film was recently accepted into the American Independent Film Festival and is scheduled for its debut in Los Angeles this November. This is pretty big news so once again, please share. For the most current and up-to-date information about Oconomowoc, like them on Facebook here.  Also, check out their IMDb Profile. If you're interested in donating money to support Oconomowoc, you can do so via Paypal,  See details under their FB page.

Mina B.

IWSG: Writing vs. Blogging

Insecure Writers Support Group is finally here, and it feels like 2012 is flying by at warp speed, doesn't it?  Before I forget, special thanks and #shoutout to Alex for creating IWSG.  It's tremendously helpful to vent about my writing frustrations.  

For this month's IWSG, I've been struggling the last few months with balancing my life, and ultimately, it is coming down to writing vs. blogging.  I find myself overwhelmed with not only writing, but managing everything else.  Lately, my days are so packed, I ask myself, "Am I going to post today or am I going to write?"
Sadly, for my minions and blogger buddies, I've been choosing to write or edit.  

Between work, kids, home and husband, I feel like I only have a mere hour or two to write and usually at night.  During the day, I edit here and there--usually when I take breaks from work.  Most of the time, I write my posts at night.  But sometimes, I become engrossed in my WIP that I stop and say,"Oh sh**...I have to blog."  Damn. 

Does that ever happen to you?  Do you ever ask yourself if you're blogging too much and writing too little?    Or vice versus?  Is this a ridiculous question?

Mina B.