Maybe I jumped the gun on this a little, but here's my latest article on My choices for best of the decade - http://tinyurl.com/y9wh4zp See if you agree, disagree, whatever. ;) Enjoy.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Christmas eve
I didn't intend to do another this week, then I found out: Local author Anna Small explains Christmas past - :) Enjoy her article (and mine. ;)) Have a lovely Christmas!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
The two days of Christmas?
I cannot believe Christmas is only two days away! I have baking to do for tomorrow night, I have presents to wrap still. *sigh* Well, guess I have work to do today. :) Just wanted to pop in and update a few things. And of course, I have another new article.
A new review up: A Perfect Christmas with Debbie Macomber . Enjoy. :)
A new review up: A Perfect Christmas with Debbie Macomber . Enjoy. :)
Monday, December 21, 2009
And another new article...
Is everyone finished with their Christmas shopping? If not, maybe this new article will help: Release ideas for last minute shopping - http://tinyurl.com/ykhcmuc. I hope you find something you like! :)
A good writing week
I have been doing a lot of work on the latest first draft of my latest WIP--particularly this week and....Woohoo! I'm on the home stretch! Unlike the last one, I am very pleased with the way this one is going. *S0* relieved!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Who doesn't love Jane Austen?
I do! So, this latest: it's a Jane Austen night on tv so I wrote up a little review/preview. :) Jane becomes a legend - http://tinyurl.com/yc7jhyp
My favorite holiday.
My favorite holiday? Halloween. I know, how that must sound, but I just love dressing up, and with my brother enamored of it too, we sometimes go all out with tableux and so forth for the holiday. Second favorite holiday is Christmas, of course--the colors, the food, the gift exchanges, what's not to love? :) It's all the stressful stuff I could do without.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
New Brenda Strange alert
Just putting a quick one up, poor Patty's been waiting for this all day, before I run off to errands. I hope to have a review copy of this one soon.
Have a great Saturday and I hope you find this one useful!
Local author new release next Brenda Strange adventure
Have a great Saturday and I hope you find this one useful!
Local author new release next Brenda Strange adventure
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
Philippa Gregory review
Latest book review up...Probably one of my first...well, not so likey ones. LOL Enjoy.
Phillippa Gregory's Other Boylen Girl
I can only hope no one takes offense to it! LOL
Phillippa Gregory's Other Boylen Girl
I can only hope no one takes offense to it! LOL
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Thankful
I am a little late on this but I wanted to share what I am thankful for.
1) For my family and friends, for loving me and putting up with me for another year.
2) To the doctors at Moffitt for taking care of my little brother so well.
3) For the ability to write, and write well.
4) For the agents and editors still willing to look at submissions.
5) To my new friends at in the RWA and the Tampa branch who are so encouraging.
6) For anyone and everyone who's helped me out this year. If I've forgotten you to post your names here, I apologize.
7) For, last but not least, the few people that take time out of their day to read my posts, and follow me here on Blogger and Twitter.
Thanks to each of you. Tis all much appreciated!
1) For my family and friends, for loving me and putting up with me for another year.
2) To the doctors at Moffitt for taking care of my little brother so well.
3) For the ability to write, and write well.
4) For the agents and editors still willing to look at submissions.
5) To my new friends at in the RWA and the Tampa branch who are so encouraging.
6) For anyone and everyone who's helped me out this year. If I've forgotten you to post your names here, I apologize.
7) For, last but not least, the few people that take time out of their day to read my posts, and follow me here on Blogger and Twitter.
Thanks to each of you. Tis all much appreciated!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Before the Pilgrims
One last article up for the week. Unplanned, but I found something interesting to share: Before the pilgrims - http://tinyurl.com/ybzs5l8
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
A new Thanksgiving themed article
Hi everyone! Well, I'm back from my little mini-vacation. It was nice up in Orlando yesterday. Not too hot, not too cool, but as expected the theme park was a wee bit crowded. Still, we had fun. :)
I'm back with yet another article. The Examiner loves holiday themed things so this is my contribution: Thanksgiving themed reading. Enjoy--and thanks for sticking with me, this year! :)
I'm back with yet another article. The Examiner loves holiday themed things so this is my contribution: Thanksgiving themed reading. Enjoy--and thanks for sticking with me, this year! :)
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
another author blog day
Boy this is a busy blogging week. Romance author C.L. Wilson is blogging at a place called Musetracks. This one will be especially interesting to writers, as she talks about worldbuilding. Don't miss it.
Links are in the article here, or you can go directly to it here. Have fun!
Links are in the article here, or you can go directly to it here. Have fun!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Happy Veteran's Day!
For the Veterans Day holiday, I found an interesting book, starring a veteran, to review for you. You can can see it here, if you like.
and thanks to our vets! :) You're appreciated, especially in my family, where we have/had many of them, from WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.
and thanks to our vets! :) You're appreciated, especially in my family, where we have/had many of them, from WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
speaking of train wrecks
My book became one, so I've started it all over, from scratch. *sigh* A year of work down the tubes....
Zombies!
I'm currently speeding my way through this certain zombie book in preparation for reviewing it. But since I'm pretty sure I won't have it done this week, in the meantime, I popped up this review of Laurell K. Hamilton's second novel--which, incidentally, includes zombies. Gah.
(Ok, ok, listening to my little mental voice (that sounds remarkably like my fanboy little brother) yack in my ear now, so I have to eventually go toss in some codes on the ole Playstation and see if I can get away from the Resident Evil zombies before they eat my brain. LOL I wonder if that means I should drag hubby out to see Zombieland one of these fine days.... oh, dear. ;))
(Ok, ok, listening to my little mental voice (that sounds remarkably like my fanboy little brother) yack in my ear now, so I have to eventually go toss in some codes on the ole Playstation and see if I can get away from the Resident Evil zombies before they eat my brain. LOL I wonder if that means I should drag hubby out to see Zombieland one of these fine days.... oh, dear. ;))
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
writing projects and train wrecks...
Too late for National Novel Writing Month, and being in the middle of something else that I don't really want to stop, (and never really being a big fan of NaNoWriMo anyway--since....50,000 a month=ouch and been there, done that before it caught on) I was amused today to find (ready for this?) NaNoRevisMo. Which shouldn't kill the hands as much, methinks.
Now if only they had pretty web badges. ;)
And good luck to all my friends in NaNoWriMo.
Now if only they had pretty web badges. ;)
And good luck to all my friends in NaNoWriMo.
Another new book review posted
Posted another new book review: of Carrie Vaughn's Kitty and the Midnight Hour. Which I think is another good one. :) I hope you will enjoy it. Have a great day!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Another new review up
Hello again! Are you all recovered from Halloween candy overload yet? I hope so. I cannot believe it is November, already. November! It doesn't feel like it(and in large part because of our really warm temperatures here. Yes, I know my northern friends are cringing. Don't worry, I am sure we'll be paying for it this winter. ;))
Anywho, we had a very busy weekend, involving moving vans and lots of heavy lifting, and I'm paying for *that* right now. But I had to get some work done, so I thought I'd drop in a leave the newest link here, if anyone wants to see the latest book review. :) It's here, by the way. I hope you find it enjoyable. Have a good one, and don't go overdosing on that candy corn, y'all! ;)
Anywho, we had a very busy weekend, involving moving vans and lots of heavy lifting, and I'm paying for *that* right now. But I had to get some work done, so I thought I'd drop in a leave the newest link here, if anyone wants to see the latest book review. :) It's here, by the way. I hope you find it enjoyable. Have a good one, and don't go overdosing on that candy corn, y'all! ;)
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
I've been busily writing up articles this week. So, yep, got a new one. A review of another local author Patty G. Henderson's Burning of Her Sin. I hope you enjoy it. :)
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Halloween review posted
Two bits of news. one: CL Wilson's new book is finally out--woohoo! Can't wait to get around to reading that.
And two: I posted a review of Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc's novel Fallen from Shadow, Found In Grace. A perfect Halloween read. :) You can see that review here. Enjoy, and Happy Halloween!
And two: I posted a review of Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc's novel Fallen from Shadow, Found In Grace. A perfect Halloween read. :) You can see that review here. Enjoy, and Happy Halloween!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Saturday's speaker
Just wanted to add that the workshops Saturday were great. Particular was impressed by the things author Rachel Hauck talked about setting me thinking from then, even to today. Her My Book Therapy blog has some really good advice too, so I hope she doesn't mind me linking here. Thanks again, TARA, for bringing her in! :)
Saturday, October 10, 2009
October TARA meeting
Had a fantastic day at the TARA meeting today. It was fantastic to meet everyone, and I am looking forward to going to the next (hopefully the December party too). Got home with some good advice and no time to implement it, but! Shall do so asap. And when I got home, found something nice in the mail. So I'm all giddy. :) No, nothing like an acceptance letter, but nice nonetheless! :)
I hope all my readers have/have had a great Saturday, too!
I hope all my readers have/have had a great Saturday, too!
Friday, October 9, 2009
Q and A with C. L. Wilson
Super excited about this. I got an interview with author C.L. Wilson--SQUEE!!!, (I guess you can tell, I'm a fan!) and it's posted up now at my Examiner page, for your reading pleasure here. :)
(by the way, all these Examiner articles look best in Firefox, if you have it)
Either way, I hope you enjoy the interview! :)
(by the way, all these Examiner articles look best in Firefox, if you have it)
Either way, I hope you enjoy the interview! :)
Thursday, October 8, 2009
New review up
And I'm back! I couldn't get in here, the last few days, for whatever strange reason. But in the meantime, I've got a new book review for ...whoever wants to take a peek at it. :) Of a C.L. Wilson novel.see it here
And, I've been writing, as per usual. Finished up a new short story this morning with which I'm pretty happy. :) So all in all, it's been a good week, so far. Saturday I'm going to the next TARA meeting, so looking forward to that. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the review. Thanks for reading.
And, I've been writing, as per usual. Finished up a new short story this morning with which I'm pretty happy. :) So all in all, it's been a good week, so far. Saturday I'm going to the next TARA meeting, so looking forward to that. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the review. Thanks for reading.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
I'm officially published! :)
I just wanted to share this, as I'm excited about it:The magazine that my story is in is finally available! :) Woohoo!!!!!
You can get it here, if you like:
http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/twisted-dreams-magazine---the-magazine-for-those-whose-blood-runs-a-darker-shade-of-red/7631157
I'm officially published--woohoo! If you take a chance and get the magazine, I hope y'all enjoy the story.
Love,
JAD
You can get it here, if you like:
http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/twisted-dreams-magazine---the-magazine-for-those-whose-blood-runs-a-darker-shade-of-red/7631157
I'm officially published--woohoo! If you take a chance and get the magazine, I hope y'all enjoy the story.
Love,
JAD
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Romance authors chat
Thought y'all might be interested in this chat that's coming up this week. I wrote it up here:
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-6332-Tampa-Books-Examiner~y2009m10d2-Author-chat-at-Barnes-and-Noble
Looks interesting. Hope someone has fun with it. :)
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-6332-Tampa-Books-Examiner~y2009m10d2-Author-chat-at-Barnes-and-Noble
Looks interesting. Hope someone has fun with it. :)
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Tired return
I had no time to do anything the last few days, but I did get some reading done, at least. You'd not believe how many I'm reading at once. LOL I've never been too fast a reader, but I'm speed reading now, boy, let me tell ya!
As for the writing thing...well, same there: I've been so tired today, after our Universal trip yesterday, that I've not really done any. Have been thinking about it, though. Trying to figure out how to work the major climax, now that the original ending doesn't seem to fit anymore.
Someone once called me the queen of resurrecting characters, so ;) I'll figure it out.
And I got one more article out for the week, for whatever's it's worth. I hope to have finished up at least one of these books for next week, and after that, we'll see what happens.
In fangirl news, I'm still kicking myself for forgetting Stargate's been on around here again. *grr* I hope I don't forget again between now and Sunday night!
As for the writing thing...well, same there: I've been so tired today, after our Universal trip yesterday, that I've not really done any. Have been thinking about it, though. Trying to figure out how to work the major climax, now that the original ending doesn't seem to fit anymore.
Someone once called me the queen of resurrecting characters, so ;) I'll figure it out.
And I got one more article out for the week, for whatever's it's worth. I hope to have finished up at least one of these books for next week, and after that, we'll see what happens.
In fangirl news, I'm still kicking myself for forgetting Stargate's been on around here again. *grr* I hope I don't forget again between now and Sunday night!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
New review up
And since I'm not going to have as much time to post things this week as I usually do, I'm rushing through writing my reviews and so forth. Anyway, I've posted a new one, of (my goodness, it seems weird to think of it this way) an older (2007!) novel:
http://www.examiner.com/x-6332-Tampa-Books-Examiner~y2009m9d29-Reviewing-Nora-Roberts-Blood-Brothers
I hope you like it.
http://www.examiner.com/x-6332-Tampa-Books-Examiner~y2009m9d29-Reviewing-Nora-Roberts-Blood-Brothers
I hope you like it.
Monday, September 28, 2009
tweaking babble--and a question of the day
And, in the daily tweaking, I was able to add a little more in to the story, some from version one, as well. :) The biggest problem I always seem to have in stories is just how long to make the first three chapters. I know, I know, seems a silly thing to worry about but....But I've been read enough about submissions (and gone through it myself a time or two) enough to worry about things like that. Still, some of the stuff that is there, sorta kinda needed to stay that early. Not worrying about it yet; I can always shift it around again, once the revisions progress a little more....
So, if you write, how do you arrange your manuscripts? :)And, if you write romance: Where do you place your first affection scene? That's the question of the day.
So, if you write, how do you arrange your manuscripts? :)And, if you write romance: Where do you place your first affection scene? That's the question of the day.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
A little progress
Doing a little more today, mostly just reading (C.L. Wilson's second book Lady of Light and Shadows--love C.L. Wilson's stuff. :)), and inputting what I'd written up yesterday. But do plan to write up the rest of that chapter, hopefully before I go to bed.
Meanwhile, I put up a Q and A over at the Examiner with a brand new YA author: Kitty Keswick. Can't wait to see her book in print!
Meanwhile, I put up a Q and A over at the Examiner with a brand new YA author: Kitty Keswick. Can't wait to see her book in print!
Monday, September 21, 2009
New article up
Ok, so I've been piddling around in other programs today, but I finally managed to get some reading done and a few minutes of thinking (that now have to go in a notebook or somewhere). But in the midst of all that morning craziness ;) I managed to get an article up. Take a peek if you like.
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-6332-Tampa-Books-Examiner~y2009m9d21-Live-from-the-blogosphere
And hopefully I'll have at least one Romance Author q and a waiting for me, in the next few days. Stay tuned....
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-6332-Tampa-Books-Examiner~y2009m9d21-Live-from-the-blogosphere
And hopefully I'll have at least one Romance Author q and a waiting for me, in the next few days. Stay tuned....
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Beauty quote
Virginia Woolf:
"The beauty of the world has two edges, one of laughter, one of anguish, cutting the heart asunder."
"The beauty of the world has two edges, one of laughter, one of anguish, cutting the heart asunder."
And as I was going to post....
...thunder hit. Oh, well. Short then, but what's new?
I decided to go back and rewrite a chapter I'd already finished (grr); so now we are up to god knows what in the word count--if I don't count the chapter that has to be rewritten. If I *do* then I can fudge and say I know what I'm up to. :) So since higher counts make me happy, let's do that. Because gods know, I haven't had much to be happy about this week...Yeah, had some personal stuff to take care of Friday, so I'm not really surprised I haven't gotten much done writing wise.
And of course, I also had weird dreams last night; got a battle ax to the arm. Have no idea what that's about....
New article coming up at Examiner tomorrow and hopefully, I can get more work done before the week's out. Must away...freaking thunder! Hoping my friend Blue hears something good about her friend. *fingers crossed*
I decided to go back and rewrite a chapter I'd already finished (grr); so now we are up to god knows what in the word count--if I don't count the chapter that has to be rewritten. If I *do* then I can fudge and say I know what I'm up to. :) So since higher counts make me happy, let's do that. Because gods know, I haven't had much to be happy about this week...Yeah, had some personal stuff to take care of Friday, so I'm not really surprised I haven't gotten much done writing wise.
And of course, I also had weird dreams last night; got a battle ax to the arm. Have no idea what that's about....
New article coming up at Examiner tomorrow and hopefully, I can get more work done before the week's out. Must away...freaking thunder! Hoping my friend Blue hears something good about her friend. *fingers crossed*
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Found this neat story about deceptive social behavior. Sort of Pavlov meets Asimov?
For Evolving Robots, Deception is in the genes.
Cool, huh?
For Evolving Robots, Deception is in the genes.
Cool, huh?
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Ouch and stuff
My carpal tunnel flared up yesterday, darn it, but I was able to get some work put down in a notebook; we're not exactly in War and Peace territory, but we're moving, at any rate! ;)
Sunday, September 13, 2009
My first post
So, yesterday, I went to my first TARA meeting, and it was interesting. :) I had fun.I though we were gonna die/be late to the meeting this morning. First I got up late, (dope me) and it rained all freakin' morning. I *hate* driving in the rain! And we caught every freakin' light on the way out, almost none on the way home.
But we arrived, and hubby went over to the Barnes and Noble and I settled in. All in all, it was fun, but lasted way longer than I expected! We didn't finish up until 3pm! There was a workshop in the morning that was...well, interesting....
But! I ended up with two killer sentences--one I got to read, out loud, one I didn't. I like the second one better, natch. Got to sit next to a lovely few girls (*waves to Hawk*) and enjoyed their company. At the newbie/guest introductions, (*waves to Elissa*) Elissa Wilds shouted down the table at me to stand up and introduce myself, so I did, and told them about my story win. She waved her finger at me and said, "Good thing you mentioned that, or I was going to make you!" *blush*
Got to chat with E in the lunch line, and sit with her at lunch and that was nice. I further introduced myself to a few other folks, some pubbed, some not at all yet; but I never did get to say even hello to a few folks I wanted to. All in all, t'was really fun (on what had been a horrific week), and I look forward to going back.
But we arrived, and hubby went over to the Barnes and Noble and I settled in. All in all, it was fun, but lasted way longer than I expected! We didn't finish up until 3pm! There was a workshop in the morning that was...well, interesting....
But! I ended up with two killer sentences--one I got to read, out loud, one I didn't. I like the second one better, natch. Got to sit next to a lovely few girls (*waves to Hawk*) and enjoyed their company. At the newbie/guest introductions, (*waves to Elissa*) Elissa Wilds shouted down the table at me to stand up and introduce myself, so I did, and told them about my story win. She waved her finger at me and said, "Good thing you mentioned that, or I was going to make you!" *blush*
Got to chat with E in the lunch line, and sit with her at lunch and that was nice. I further introduced myself to a few other folks, some pubbed, some not at all yet; but I never did get to say even hello to a few folks I wanted to. All in all, t'was really fun (on what had been a horrific week), and I look forward to going back.
