tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56156134291288849692024-03-14T05:18:30.208-07:00Julie KorzenkoAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03662058845481140283noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615613429128884969.post-78747072135646066012012-07-08T05:22:00.000-07:002012-07-08T05:22:02.813-07:00DRAGON DANCER - Six Sentence Sunday<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<i>Simone lifted her eyes to gaze into his face. He pushed
back from the table and stood, never once releasing her from his hypnotic
stare. Trent’s muscles bunched in anticipation of the kill. Hunter and hunted.
She stepped back, slamming into the side of the refrigerator.</i></div>
<i> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">They were a hairs length from one another. </span></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03662058845481140283noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615613429128884969.post-54303693369225905982012-06-23T07:10:00.000-07:002012-06-23T07:10:25.999-07:00Professionalism in the Writing WorldI've waited quite some time before drafting this post for one main reason. I didn't want to become a member of the society I'm about to malign.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHETf5EbYbLrflq8bYpQ8_RjE2mmbBRLTTMQB18r79BodQ26vNERPWA08SkhjQ-isb2FcZfMwdGydC76ZR9M4bcKe2CPQEsaPJtCLZgoHBxhG1f4B45sEP_Nmi3EXsCxSVUeybr1ohIVQ/s1600/embarrassed11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHETf5EbYbLrflq8bYpQ8_RjE2mmbBRLTTMQB18r79BodQ26vNERPWA08SkhjQ-isb2FcZfMwdGydC76ZR9M4bcKe2CPQEsaPJtCLZgoHBxhG1f4B45sEP_Nmi3EXsCxSVUeybr1ohIVQ/s200/embarrassed11.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I was recently humiliated in a public forum. It was a slap of cold water in the face and absolutely stunned me speechless. If anyone knows "me," you'll realize exactly how shocked I was. Speechless is not something I do well. My first reaction was to write an angry blog about the exchange that embarrassed me. I didn't. My second reaction was to apologize to the individual who decided it was necessary to smack me down. I did that. My third reaction was to get the hell out of dodge and disconnect from an association that harbored the "I rule the world" mentality. I did that, too.<br />
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The individual who felt it necessary to slam my knuckles with a poker in front of many of my peers believed they had that right because it was their forum. It might be your forum, sweetheart, but you are no professional. This is the heart of my post. Professionalism. In this day and age of being able to interact via the internet opens a wide door for misbehavior. It is NOT OKAY to purposely embarrass someone. When circling through a writer's world, you never know who can help you build your dream or offer an insight that opens a door. You NEVER KNOW. Why would you take it upon yourself to purposely alienate and offend? Stupid, if you ask me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHHVxdwnEbBfYaMFe0qZLBJxv9Ug3aJH_j_tLoJSXUZ2Eq8dMJ-02lmcDnYuGXRiKzevETgVvUBDre6xXefqdiyb2gNEqU456_7dVGCptAGtWblpVC46vVrKrWPeMdm78ysE5nm3vkO4/s1600/Mudsling.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHHVxdwnEbBfYaMFe0qZLBJxv9Ug3aJH_j_tLoJSXUZ2Eq8dMJ-02lmcDnYuGXRiKzevETgVvUBDre6xXefqdiyb2gNEqU456_7dVGCptAGtWblpVC46vVrKrWPeMdm78ysE5nm3vkO4/s1600/Mudsling.png" /></a>This same mentality is blowing up all over the internet with the argument of "indie v. traditional." I am so sick of the circular thought patterns and direct attacks on authors from other authors, I just want to scream. Who gives a flying f*ck whether you have published traditionally, independently, or both? Are you selling books? Do you have a fan base? Are you happy? It's about the READERS people. Get over yourselves. We write because telling stories is what we're passionate about. We don't write to get rich. Sure, it would be wonderful if every single one of us were successful enough to write full time. That's our goal, right? To write full time! Not to drink champagne and eat bon-bons all day long. At least, that's my goal. I love my job but balancing work and writing is exhausting. If I ever reach a level where I have the luxury of choosing one over the other, it will be a difficult decision. I'm lucky enough that my passion lies on both sides of the road. Anyway, the point being here is that we strive for our stories to be our jobs. And that's an awesome goal. Keep it in focus!<br />
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This is a business. In business, people behave professionally. If you are traditionally published only, please don't think you have a clue about what it is to write as an independent author.Your opinions are ridiculous, because you don't know. If you are independently published only, please don't think you have a clue about what it is to write as a contracted author. Your opinions are ridiculous, because you don't know. If you are published both traditionally and independently, your opinion is helpful to those trying to determine which path is best for them. You may compare the two avenues as it adds value.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANqvVUBoO6_hudB7RqBg6mXj4JujiMtf25X2NEz74sDtfl-ftmPk08MBpY_Zy4yCIJ1SsqvJ9JzLD2sx_8rkd10V1KrMd5-CgSbnujSITkrE3yC5dO1B46dYZ58OdsF9uQ_9d-51LgVo/s1600/helping-hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANqvVUBoO6_hudB7RqBg6mXj4JujiMtf25X2NEz74sDtfl-ftmPk08MBpY_Zy4yCIJ1SsqvJ9JzLD2sx_8rkd10V1KrMd5-CgSbnujSITkrE3yC5dO1B46dYZ58OdsF9uQ_9d-51LgVo/s200/helping-hands.jpg" width="200" /></a>The bottom line here is that we write because we have stories to tell. Our first thought needs to be to the reader. If you have crafted a great story, the reader doesn't care who published it. The reader isn't out on the internet Googling the mud-slinging blogs that are so link-worthy in the writer's world. If we spent more time honing our craft and less time arguing the publishing basics, we would all be better writers.<br />
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This is a new world for writers, and I say get over yourselves and just write on!!! Oh, and please be professional and courteous to all. Support one another. Do not, under any circumstances, publicly embarrass a fellow artist. You never come out looking smart or savvy or knowledgeable. Ever. It's simply not a good thing.<br />
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Peace out.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03662058845481140283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615613429128884969.post-80835921559663118212012-04-12T08:44:00.010-07:002012-04-12T12:13:07.859-07:00All Creatures Great and Small...As a young reader, I inhaled all the James Harriett books. I blame him for this morning's stray from sanity.<br /><br />I have a wonderful backroad, countryside commute to work. This morning was stunning with bright blue skies and streaming sunshine. Living in the humidity-filled South, I always appreciate the snap of crystal air. My commute began around 7:30 a.m. and around 7:45 a.m., I delved into the land of the clearly-not-in-her-right-mind.<br /><br />Rounding a bend, I glanced to the right, and what do I see? A poor, pitiful newborn calf all alone. I mean ALL ALONE, people. His mother apparently needed to have the animal version of DFCS called on her. She needed an immediate smack down. As an advocate of all creatures great and small (thank you, James Harriett), I pulled over.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">What on earth did I think I could do? I glanced down at my feet. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGjGPUcX3QlHs23452MlpGjoPXz1b6dixB9TAvMCkTslDa8BsLI7mN2J7EtXKciLEByjpCYtW1X9ZXnCgtMu9TUNNVWAuZAaSQdZDbzd3oS0M_5aF4HiP-vKaiEAapjJkn7uka9e8Axmk/s1600/shoes.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 108px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGjGPUcX3QlHs23452MlpGjoPXz1b6dixB9TAvMCkTslDa8BsLI7mN2J7EtXKciLEByjpCYtW1X9ZXnCgtMu9TUNNVWAuZAaSQdZDbzd3oS0M_5aF4HiP-vKaiEAapjJkn7uka9e8Axmk/s200/shoes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730552871652439666" border="0" /></a>Clearly, I had not donned the appropriate footwear for traipsing here:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkinEqa7xwxe8T1RUBKuNDawkAOt6oQw8mfXPGCRGrqAt9YYCQO7b_Xohq0YupRdIeIAL76rARtblCbn3zyXarhu44SzfF0MUSskoODSTSh9JHPMEH6X5O2-WZNGhSVBvcpaWMFTT3zU8/s1600/pasture.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkinEqa7xwxe8T1RUBKuNDawkAOt6oQw8mfXPGCRGrqAt9YYCQO7b_Xohq0YupRdIeIAL76rARtblCbn3zyXarhu44SzfF0MUSskoODSTSh9JHPMEH6X5O2-WZNGhSVBvcpaWMFTT3zU8/s200/pasture.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730553434287447314" border="0" /></a><br />I did what every other right minded animal activist would do. I got out of my car and opened the trunk. Much to my dismay, I apparently did not have a stray pair of sneakers hidden beneath the piles of reusable shopping bags.<br /><br />With a sigh, I glanced at the tiny little creature abandoned by its hideous mother. It truly wasn't so tiny. In fact, even if I still owned my gas-guzzling Expedition, this poor baby would probably not fit. About this time, a soft breeze ruffled my perfectly coiffed work-do, and on that soft breeze, an undertone of eau-de-manure assaulted my senses.<br /><br />An image played around in my head. What if I managed to shove this little forgotten piece of steak into my sporty, leather adorned Fusion? Would I be cow stealing? I searched the horizon for any sight of a barn, farm, tractor, man, woman, missing she-bitch-of-a-mother. Nothing. Nada. Nunca.<br /><br />Reality dawned. Here I was, standing in knee high weeds, in heels and a skirt, contemplating shoving a 150 pound calf into the back seat of my car. I imagined making it a quarter-mile up the road before the blue lights of a sheriff's car pulled me over and arrested me for cow stealing. I imagined having to call work and explain that I needed to be bailed out of jail for cow stealing. I imagined having to call my husband and explain why the back seat of my beloved car was shredded and scented like a milk barn because of cow stealing.<br /><br />I apologized to Mignon (yes, in all this imagining I named him) and prayed his mother would return. I then continued my commute to work. I ask, though, if faced with this:<br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTwCBt3NjkSnzTMRy_isDqBHeInIqfc6XJFjwmGutVcaZkZRbyvAsfDIr_oLWjitmGmgP8bsrOIqVnnPLB-hdNulxATjzlc7UGubmTUOXi9hX7PZQ374zBBCwILdvqvqLfN64kBdLS80/s1600/calf.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTwCBt3NjkSnzTMRy_isDqBHeInIqfc6XJFjwmGutVcaZkZRbyvAsfDIr_oLWjitmGmgP8bsrOIqVnnPLB-hdNulxATjzlc7UGubmTUOXi9hX7PZQ374zBBCwILdvqvqLfN64kBdLS80/s200/calf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730557910857850210" border="0" /></a></span></span></span><br />Would you, too, not be tempted to turn into a bovine's superhero?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03662058845481140283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615613429128884969.post-40108858203037660752009-09-06T07:51:00.000-07:002009-09-06T07:59:16.423-07:00Still lousy at blogging...Yes, I'm still very very very lousy at blogging. I am a writer that is actually writing. A few updates to add here:<br /><br />ANGEL FALLS - Release Date April 2011, Medallion Press<br />(this is the second installment of a three book trilogy following Jake and Cassidy)<br /><br />DEVIL'S GOLD - November 2, 2009 - will be the featured thriller for <a href="http://dearreader.com/">Dear Reader<br /></a><br />I have been writing monthly reviews for International Thriller Writers - <a href="http://thrillerwriters.org/">Here</a><br /><br />Also, if you are a debut thriller author with your very first book in print, please stop by and join ITW Debut Authors program - <a href="http://www.thrillerwriters.org/debut_authors/who-we-are-1/">Here</a><br /><br />JulieAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03662058845481140283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615613429128884969.post-80347033843729835302009-04-05T08:14:00.000-07:002009-04-05T08:30:42.189-07:0074W is where?Last weekend, my husband Bob and I embarked on our road trip to Asheville, North Carolina. As I was wrapping up logging my hours for work, Bob decided to map quest our route and print a map. We live in the northern section of Georgia and decided to take the scenic route through the mountains as we had plenty of time to reach our destination before my 7:00 p.m. signing.<br /><br />One hour into the trip:<br /><br />Bob: Check the map and let me know where to go?<br />Julie: (glances at the minuscule square that's supposed to be a "map") Seriously?<br />Bob: Yeah, why?<br />Julie: The map is too small. I can't make out the route numbers because of the fat blue line that shows us where to go.<br />Bob: Oh.<br /><br />Two hours into the trip:<br /><br />Bob: We're in Franklin, NC - check the map and tell me where that is.<br />Julie: (glances once more at the flippin' tiny map, puts on her reading glasses to see if that will help and then glares at her husband) Seriously?<br />Bob: No Franklin?<br /><br />Three hours into the trip:<br /><br />Cell phone rings:<br /><br />Mother-in-law: Hey we're here. Where are you?<br />Julie: Seriously?<br /><br />........................................<br /><br />We did make it well within our time limit. And I'm the first person to tell you that I love the feeling of not really knowing where you're going but knowing everything will be okay. It's adventurous and fun.<br /><br />Leaving Asheville was an entirely different experience.<br /><br />Bob: 74W right?<br />Julie: (feeling smug) Yep.<br />Bob: Ok. 40W to 74W right?<br />Julie: (definitely the superior gender) Yep.<br />Bob: Ok. That sign says 240W to 74W.<br />Julie: Seriously?<br />Bob: Yeah. Do I turn?<br />Julie: Uhhhhh...yep. (decisiveness is always good)<br /><br />Ten minutes later:<br /><br />Bob: That sign says we're on 74E.<br />Julie: Uhhhhh...go that way 40W.<br />Bob: (cannot print what was said)<br />Julie: There...that sign says 40W, 74W uhhhh and 26W and 74E. How can we be going both East and West?<br />Bob: Seriously?<br />Julie: (cannot print what was said)<br />Bob: (cannot print what was said)<br />Julie: (really can't print what was said)<br /><br />We made it home. We didn't kill one another. And we have learned not to follow what the signs say in Asheville, never to print anything from map quest, and to invest in a GPS system.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03662058845481140283noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615613429128884969.post-10842480196016059612009-03-29T07:05:00.000-07:002009-03-29T07:24:52.351-07:00Book Signings...I am a rather shy person. I see y'all who know me rolling your eyes and shaking your heads. But I am shy. I don't like to toot my own horn, and I certainly am NOT a salesperson. In this business, however, I need to just get over myself.<br /><br />In January, when I received my box of books, I dragged myself <a href="http://foxtalebookshoppe.com">here</a> and begged my friend who happens to be part-owner of the bookstore to allow me to have a book signing. Ellen was extraordinarily gracious and, much to my surprise, more than happy to offer her services. On March 7th, I had my first book signing. It was great fun. I had threatened all of my friends and family appropriately and forced my father to serve wine to prevent people from running out the door. Phew, book signing number one was a success.<br /><br />Onto book signing number two. With the help of family, I managed to secure a signing at <a href="http://malaprops.com">Malaprops</a> in Asheville, North Carolina. Finding Malaprop's was a piece of cake. It was finding North Carolina that we had trouble with. That story will be told at a later time. Anyway, Malaprop's wanted a reading. Please refer to Paragraph 1 of this post regarding my inherent shyness. This was a nightmare to me. A huge obstacle and one I sweated about. My kind friend, Ellen, laughed and told me to pick a paragraph or two and keep it under three minutes. Three minutes is a life time when reading ones own words.<br /><br />I didn't read. Couldn't. Nope. No way. What I did do is play on one of my strengths -- talking. I love to talk. And I had a whole room full of people ready to listen to me. So I talked about the Niger Delta and about the plight of the gray wolves. I was nervous. I kept that "three minute" number in my head and blabbered away. In hindsight, I probably could have slowed down just a bit and relaxed. But Ellen said three minutes, damn it. And that's what I was going to do. So in three minutes, I educated everyone on the Niger Delta and the gray wolves. You can imagine how fast I was talking. But I survived.<br /><br />And now I am on a mission to find other independent book stores to allow me a signing. It's not easy to garner book signings. Actually, it's plain frustrating. But it's my job. Because after this month, Devil's Gold is no longer new. I am the person that has to push it out there and keep it fresh. <br /><br />On a totally unrelated subject -- I have some very cool bookmarks. So if any of you have my book and would like a bookmark, just let me know!<br /><br />JulieAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03662058845481140283noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615613429128884969.post-8854685554180443242009-03-29T06:52:00.000-07:002009-03-29T07:05:48.658-07:00Marketing...who me?My boss, <a href="http://eafamilylaw.com">who you can find here</a>, is an inspiration when it comes to marketing. I am a lousy blogger but have come to the realization that this is an important tool and should not be overlooked. I sat back and thought about what I can do to make this an interesting place that readers would want to come back to again and again. Honestly, I know none of you care about what I had for dinner or how much weight I need to lose. I had to figure an angle out, similar to how my boss has cornered the market on Father's Rights. I am a curious person by nature and nosy. In addition to that, I do live a rather unusual and larger than life existence. I'm also a klutz and know how to laugh at myself. So I have thought that my angle to this whole blog thing will be to allow y'all a small insight to my crazy existence while connecting the dots to influences in my writing. This will either be extraordinarily boring or slightly entertaining. AND, most of all, having just had my book released this month I thought that I would also bring you on the journey of self-promotion and all the thrills and frustrations I am finding along the way.<br /><br />So to break it down...I am going to have three focus points of this blog:<br /><br />1. Writing - my personal insight into the craft<br />2. Marketing - my personal insight into promotion and book sales<br />3. Another dreaded moment - your insight into my person<br /><br />Here we go....Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03662058845481140283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615613429128884969.post-54021705702914113412009-03-01T07:02:00.000-08:002009-03-01T07:03:08.926-08:00Release Day!I can't believe my baby is officially part of the "published" world. Amazing. What a wonderful feeling this is.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03662058845481140283noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615613429128884969.post-38015047137845194372009-02-11T12:28:00.001-08:002009-02-11T12:37:58.360-08:00Countdown!March 1 is peeping its nose around the corner. I am very excited. So far, my reviews are great. I pray I don't embarrass myself with this book. It's not exactly like the times I open my mouth when I shouldn't then adamantly deny it later with a "I said what? No no no...that's not what I meant at all..." I don't think I can run around and pull my book of the shelf and say "Honest, I didn't mean to write that..." LOL.<br /><br />Switching topics -- I would like to give a shout out to all my other Medallionites. For those of you who have never read a Medallion Press book, I encourage you to go <a href="http://www.medallionpress.com/">here</a> and order away. These individuals are an incredibly talented group of writers and definitely worth reading.<br /><br />And I have SO NOT picked my contest winner yet! Seeing as everyone who entered is forced to love me through the one-bat syndrome, I know I can get away with my procrastination.<br /><br />Back to the writing corner for me...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03662058845481140283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615613429128884969.post-46904287414751231632009-01-08T08:16:00.001-08:002009-01-08T08:28:14.602-08:00CONTEST!I received my author copies of Devil's Gold and have decided to initiate a contest to give away a free autographed copy.<br /><br />Contest Rules:<br /><br />Post the most bizarre wildlife trivia you know. The one that makes me laugh the loudest or stuns me into silence gets a book. I will confirm the validity of the trivia, but I certainly won't rule out a well-crafted and believable fake fact when selecting a winner. You have until Sunday at 10:00 a.m. The winners will be announced Monday morning. Get busy.<br /><br />There will be two winners:<br /><br />First Place: Free Book & trivia inserted in ANGEL FALLS (acknowledged, of course)<br />Runner Up: Trivia inserted in ANGEL FALLS (acknowledged, of course)<br /><br />Disclaimer: It's my contest so whatever I say goes -- enter at your own risk.<br /><br />Have fun and be creative.<br /><br />JulieAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03662058845481140283noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615613429128884969.post-69165929539619693332009-01-06T04:44:00.000-08:002009-01-06T04:55:25.701-08:00The Darker Side of Inspiration...I don't write fluffy.<br /><br />Along with the beautiful comes the ugly...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOheWubevrVaHZTr22XXZcBMNPUIZLoRczFNEE54B2SE5uKkSU8fj2qqefBw-WbZZF0znX1MOsVzDdzxPKX5ZWjsp3-6RUbtAMRSFP4MK4LruiNvDZYkBPTpTSxFQ1bFLTq58A-IotaH4/s1600-h/niger.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOheWubevrVaHZTr22XXZcBMNPUIZLoRczFNEE54B2SE5uKkSU8fj2qqefBw-WbZZF0znX1MOsVzDdzxPKX5ZWjsp3-6RUbtAMRSFP4MK4LruiNvDZYkBPTpTSxFQ1bFLTq58A-IotaH4/s200/niger.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288161572595057362" border="0" /></a><br />And what the ugly is destroying...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxRin6mLKxtgNjb9F9FUmbZ4B1H_M_6FLoLypO0X6OiIvic7A3LFDVHe405UzebItM3d_ofZagByYDXkDqhae7R7olAs0q57Wiu9uuS3Oz3TLhhFqBuQiDmjCHlX-uFXINqIWO8zAxmw/s1600-h/pygmy_hippo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxRin6mLKxtgNjb9F9FUmbZ4B1H_M_6FLoLypO0X6OiIvic7A3LFDVHe405UzebItM3d_ofZagByYDXkDqhae7R7olAs0q57Wiu9uuS3Oz3TLhhFqBuQiDmjCHlX-uFXINqIWO8zAxmw/s320/pygmy_hippo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288162782904955490" border="0" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03662058845481140283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615613429128884969.post-63955881486972790002009-01-03T10:41:00.000-08:002009-01-03T11:57:14.316-08:00Inspiration<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmM1tGY02KV8LGuufnHZm5c8i3lo-2ABGQsHaSx6fO0KnbdkPAIz2TbWd1caYbsMSph8eNr13-L7UeKkvgbO2RclcMwcmE6wEJbJLtpNkPUmmRf06kjupjw2T8017NReNgiFQ7WT922c/s1600-h/wolves_0011024x768_5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmM1tGY02KV8LGuufnHZm5c8i3lo-2ABGQsHaSx6fO0KnbdkPAIz2TbWd1caYbsMSph8eNr13-L7UeKkvgbO2RclcMwcmE6wEJbJLtpNkPUmmRf06kjupjw2T8017NReNgiFQ7WT922c/s320/wolves_0011024x768_5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287158723874488546" border="0" /></a><br />As the release of Devil's Gold nears, I thought that I would disclose my inspiration for the story. Several years ago, we vacationed here:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ranchoalegre.com/">Rancho Alegre</a><br /><br />It was an amazing trip, comprised of <a href="http://www.wyomingballoon.com/Photo%20Gallery.html">Hot Air Balloon Rides </a><br /><br />and a day with <a href="http://mad-river.com/whitewater.cfm">Mad River!</a><br /><br />But most of all, it was the quiet beauty of the majestic Grand Tetons that permanently invaded my soul. Soaring mountain peaks tipped with white embracing plains scattered with buffalo, elk and, of course, wolves.<br /><br />This is where the inception of Devil's Gold occurred. This is where I left a small piece of my heart.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/JDK/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03662058845481140283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615613429128884969.post-72802946521999625462009-01-02T08:36:00.000-08:002009-01-02T08:40:29.932-08:00The Year of WolfeeI am now anxiously counting down the weeks, days, hours and minutes until I can hold my book. I love my publisher Medallion Press. However, they have certainly gone above and beyond with the publicity for Devil's Gold. I knew they liked the book, but who would have figured it was earth shattering...<br /><br /><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081230/ap_on_sc/yellowstone_quakes">March 2009 - DEVIL'S GOLD</a><br /><br />Happy New Year all!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03662058845481140283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615613429128884969.post-9031770475391307132008-10-08T14:23:00.000-07:002008-10-08T15:03:32.206-07:00Edits!I received my edits yesterday which provided a flurry of excitment, causing me to hand out the wrong cell phone number to Medallion's author liason, Kerry. Thank goodness she's used to crazy writers and was able to look up the correct number. In addition to that, my brain shut down, and I confused the meaning of anagram and acronym. Yes, please join me in yelling <span style="font-style: italic;">idiot. </span><br /><br />The edits were relatively painless and the manuscript scattered with positive comments. I suppose that's to help prevent the <span style="font-style: italic;">I suck</span> syndrome. I'll share what I learned. My characters are stuck in perpetual "Joker" mode because they grin so damn much. Easy fix. I have inflamed Mr. Webster with my lack of farther/further differential knowledge. Note to self to blow up page 46 of The Elements of Style. Oh yes, and sometimes I became so engrossed with the story that I forgot to clearly indicate who was speaking. Hey, wait a minute, that's one of <span style="font-style: italic;">my</span> pet peeves. How dare I commit the same atrocity in my own work?<br /><br />Anyway, that was my editing experience. The most difficult debate was a polite suggestion that I redefine the ZEBRA acronym. I did lose some sleep over this. Thanks to my Medallion author group for helping me with that one. I settled on Zoological Environmental Bio Research Agency.<br /><br />I did take my time and re-read the manuscript as I went through the editing process. I will now go and drink heavily and congratulate myself on not submitting to the desire to rewrite the entire book because <span style="font-style: italic;">I suck.</span><br /><br />I have duly noted how far down to start the chapter headings, to use . . . instead of ... and a few other specifics that Medallion prefers. <span style="font-style: italic;">Angel Falls </span>will hopefully be less of a chore for my editors -- who by the way, are awesome. Here's a shout-out to Emily Steele and Janet Bank. Thank you so much for all your hard work and for taking such good care of my first book.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03662058845481140283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615613429128884969.post-18476558204720695342008-07-08T09:21:00.000-07:002008-12-09T01:57:57.294-08:00Time to Breathe....I wanted to post these amazing pictures my son took on his cell phone during our vacation last week.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6dUT8-aGfXKOxEruu1HwC1xIuScaQJGqpRMkJZ3VHhyawHGv0Buitbhjp5kAvzc3ITbTWwTJtfN2IlDlnG29pZHMGAZMk0y1WVHjJ6xhQPwBjlIk_Q-OWXPPrixpgon0RhaZhF488q0/s1600-h/sunset.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6dUT8-aGfXKOxEruu1HwC1xIuScaQJGqpRMkJZ3VHhyawHGv0Buitbhjp5kAvzc3ITbTWwTJtfN2IlDlnG29pZHMGAZMk0y1WVHjJ6xhQPwBjlIk_Q-OWXPPrixpgon0RhaZhF488q0/s320/sunset.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220684836110878802" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0cmLg0Gn0QaL0oeqRL1wdRZaRPFkqN3lAzMiIcNfVJD-x1mIscQcpjzJiNmOvLojNhpD9Ds2yKW1Thkz9MEFzBOL9CMZAcLrrp1P19hhIT1Jl73w6Tn9YmkN_PLcx2mHAdQlruEV6Xo/s1600-h/lightening.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0cmLg0Gn0QaL0oeqRL1wdRZaRPFkqN3lAzMiIcNfVJD-x1mIscQcpjzJiNmOvLojNhpD9Ds2yKW1Thkz9MEFzBOL9CMZAcLrrp1P19hhIT1Jl73w6Tn9YmkN_PLcx2mHAdQlruEV6Xo/s320/lightening.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220684643092588530" border="0" /></a><br />I can't believe that his itty phone captured such fabulous photography. Way cool.<br /><br />In addition to our venture to Florida, we held the annual July 4th party which included about 80 people and a stupendous fireworks display by the eldest child in my family aka my hubbie.<br /><br />Needless to say, I survived both vacation and party as well as a Buffy and Angel marathon which has consumed my evenings for the past month. 1 Month = 7 years of Buffy. I'm exhausted and grateful it's over. I was a faithful viewer of both shows but until you see the episodes back to back, the genius that is Joss Whedon isn't clear. An amazing talent and gift that man holds. I'm awed and jealous and suddenly speaking like Yoda for some unknown reason.<br /><br />I attempted to write while on vacation but that was an absolute waste of time. It's very hard to be at the beach while my characters are in the Amazon, facing all sorts of challenges that I just couldn't bring myself to care about. Me: Look at that beautiful sunrise! Character: I'm dying over here... Me: So what! Do you see that beautiful sunrise?<br /><br />So, needless to say, I'll be back to the grind tomorrow. I gave myself yesterday to readjust from party craziness and today I'm attempting to focus on the job that pays the bills. But tomorrow, I suppose I'll have to rescue my character from whatever peril she's found herself in. I'm really loving this book and anticipating re-immersing myself in the plot. I want to have this submitted to Medallion by the beginning of next month so I have quite a bit of work ahead of me. Not so certain I'm wanting to be me right now...but this is the craft and the writing must go on.<br /><br />JulieAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03662058845481140283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615613429128884969.post-48132397385083398642008-06-18T04:41:00.000-07:002008-06-18T04:45:27.026-07:00Long Gone....I don't balance things well which means that I'm incapable of updating this blog and focusing a hundred percent on my writing. Why? Probably because I multi-task in so many other areas of my life. So I'm heading back to the trenches and probably won't return until Angel Falls is polished and on its way to my publisher.<br /><br />One thing that happened this weekend that was pretty cool - I found myself on Amazon and Borders. What a thrill.....Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03662058845481140283noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615613429128884969.post-61507658591585083132008-04-05T10:20:00.000-07:002008-04-05T10:27:00.796-07:00Things That Get In The Way Of My Writing...1. A really good book (produces the "I suck" syndrome)<br />2. Disorganization (My desk is a mess -- oh well, can't write today)<br />3. Sadness (Zaps the creative energy with a lightening bolt)<br />4. The weather (If it's not conducive to my scene, it's conducive to procrastination)<br />5. Work (An IM of "do the child support worksheet in Jones" while writing a sex scene. I hate writing sex scenes so I'm like "Yes! A worksheet to do...")Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03662058845481140283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615613429128884969.post-75289598887331719332008-03-31T14:26:00.000-07:002008-10-08T15:09:17.706-07:00WastedI am stunned. My heart hurts. And I am relieved.<br /><br />There was this boy I once knew and loved. He was precious and always getting in trouble, making my son's life miserable because it meant the dreaded grounding. Actually, I believe my son spent most of his young life grounded for something this other little boy did. It was my stand that "if you were there, then you were guilty."<br /><br />As this little boy grew into a teenager, he changed. Matured. His wild streak was a mile wide. He was two years older than my son and hormones sent this boy off into the maturity my little man lacked. Their friendship weakened but never waned. There were still occasional overnights here and there, the last one two Friday's ago.<br /><br />There will be no more overnights. This boy has taken another's life.<br /><br />Yes, it was an accident; but nonetheless he is charged with felony murder.<br /><br />My heart is breaking for a life well-wasted. For a spirit soon to be broken. For those summer days where sliding down a muddy hill was enough adventure. For my son.<br /><br />And I sit here thanking God that it was <span style="font-style: italic;">not </span>my son who lost his life. And I feel helpless.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03662058845481140283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615613429128884969.post-62221046764454465002008-03-22T08:25:00.000-07:002008-12-09T01:57:57.423-08:00Staining Hardwood FloorsWho you do not want helping you with this project:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIU4H_9eF9DzFXo_-Su_I03BTH2ADPjYPH586-resuVcPwSXpbqGLk9yV8nDrzpYLvFd9JjbwrpTgWhhFEMR_SUsMNChAgrQEvkOt-pLCfUY9Uoc6xzY8A4VCuBTvoxW78te2jHFRbdE/s1600-h/kitty+kitty.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIU4H_9eF9DzFXo_-Su_I03BTH2ADPjYPH586-resuVcPwSXpbqGLk9yV8nDrzpYLvFd9JjbwrpTgWhhFEMR_SUsMNChAgrQEvkOt-pLCfUY9Uoc6xzY8A4VCuBTvoxW78te2jHFRbdE/s320/kitty+kitty.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180588875185949922" border="0" /></a><br />Every time we turn around, she's there. As are her little itty bitty foot prints. My husband yells at me. I yell at the kids. The kids yell at the cat. None of us can figure out how she keeps ending up downstairs.<br /><br />Will this project never end?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03662058845481140283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615613429128884969.post-32653681312301101022008-03-20T04:03:00.001-07:002008-03-20T04:07:23.121-07:00Writing Is Hard Work!Yesterday I wrote and wrote and wrote. It felt as if I was pulling every word from the very depths of the dictionary and placing them carefully in each sentence. I struggled with each paragraph and every page. After three hours, I walked away from the computer. Watched a very bizarre movie. Came back. Deleted the same twelve pages I'd sweated over all morning and began again. This time, the words were there. And even though I only had time to splash about a thousand of them onto the screen, I felt satisfied. And this morning they read well.<br /><br />What did I learn? I write like crap when I force myself. Go with the flow, baby.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03662058845481140283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615613429128884969.post-6161853958109346192008-03-16T06:05:00.000-07:002008-03-16T06:14:45.823-07:00Weather and WorkStorms blasted my little corner of the world yesterday. Tornadoes set off sirens, and I wasn't allowed to take a break and relish the activity. I love storms, especially when I'm not stuck in traffic on the interstate. But I'd bought a new toy yesterday morning, and my husband insisted I use it -- all day. It's called a palm sander. I purchased this little thinger-majigger to aid in the do-it-yourself project which is consuming my life. We are finishing our hardwood floors. As my husband pushed the sanding machine, I crawled from edge to edge and belt sanded the areas he couldn't reach. Then I had to use my little toy to palm sand the areas the belt sander couldn't reach.<br /><br />I hate this thing.<br /><br />With a passion.<br /><br />My arms ache. My back aches. My body wants to collapse and never awaken. AND to add insult to injury -- I couldn't watch the skies turn all sorts of interesting colors nor enjoy the display of lightening that slashed through the clouds.<br /><br />What I could do is turn my thoughts inward and contemplate my wips. I like to write invisibly. It allows me to discard and rearrange my plot and opens my mind to things I might not consider as I plunge along at the keyboard. I made headway on both the projects I'm working on. It's a shame I have to spend my day with that little toy and not my computer. Did I mention that I hate that thing?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03662058845481140283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615613429128884969.post-37208316143187041632008-03-14T05:49:00.000-07:002008-03-14T06:07:14.844-07:00How Do I Get Published?I'm afraid I can't answer that question, my friends. Why? Because the road to publication is different for every writer. There is no hidden key, magic word or secret spell. How did I get published? Here's a tongue-in-cheek version:<br /><br />1-- I spent months writing this book then years getting it just right.<br />In the interim, I moved on to other projects.<br />2 -- I proofed it for decades to make sure everything was correct.<br />Then proofed again.<br />3 -- I researched for 18 weeks, 2 days and 6 hours, to find an<br />agent who would handle the type of book I wrote. That agent rejected<br />it. So then, I began again...<br />4 -- I repeated step three 89 times more and waited<br />and waited and waited and waited some more<br />6 -- I researched for 13 weeks, 4 days and 10 hours, to find a<br />publisher who would handle the type of book I wrote. That publisher<br />rejected it. So then, I began again...<br />7. -- I sold my book.<br /><br /><br />Perseverance will be your best friend, self-doubt your worst. Know that you are not alone. Do your research, scour the links I have provided. I posted a new link today. Redlines and Deadlines. I figured, heck, why reinvent the wheel? Go read their blog. Great great great information.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03662058845481140283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615613429128884969.post-25034038457036357702008-03-10T13:36:00.000-07:002008-03-10T13:53:43.285-07:00Frogs...I love this time of year when the sunset brings peeps and squeaks of mating frogs. Needless to say our pool cover always has about two to four inches of water on top and the froggies love to lay their eggs until the green plastic becomes nothing more than a swarming pond of tadpoles. Each year, I scoop several cup fulls of taddies and dump them in my Koi pond. Why? Well, first and foremost, my fishies are hungry. But second, I love the surprise. A few always survive, and I never know whether I've hatched a bull frog, tree frog or toad. By June, it's pretty apparent. I either have the incessant chirping of a tree frog waking me up at the crack of dawn, deep horn of the bull frog frightening the bejesus out of me in the middle of the night, or a small parade of tiny toads entertaining me while I sit on the front porch.<br /><br />I liken this surprise to my plots. If it's too predictable, the reader will be bored. Move it forward. Change it out. Keep your voice fresh. All of these are daily struggles. As the tadpoles sprout legs and begin morphing into a higher life form so do my manuscripts. I admit I get a complete rush when my ideas pull together and become a full-blown finished book. There's nothing like it -- well, perhaps the Rockin' Roller Coast at Disney is pretty darn close.<br /><br />My latest query from my Dragon Dancer series is receiving partial requests. Perhaps I've finally figured out what it is to write a decent query letter. If that's the case, I'll share. I'm nervous. Very very nervous. One particular agent who requested a partial is my dream agent. Top of the list. And I pray I haven't made some idiotic snafu in the partial.<br /><br />I'm multi-tasking. I've split my day into three parts. I'm moving forward on Angel Falls and the second book of the Dragon Dancer series plus I've decide to scour my first Dragon Dancer book (the one I'm querying) to make certain I've eliminated all overused words. I seem rather attached to the word "that." But that's for another post. :) In addition, I'm working on a novella as an exercising in tightening my writing. It's a real chore, because I'm not a naturally "tight" writer. I like to, um, express myself.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03662058845481140283noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615613429128884969.post-10519921106138603582008-02-25T07:05:00.000-08:002008-02-25T07:12:41.193-08:00Do I Feel Your Pain?Apparently not.<br /><br />I've always considered myself an empathetic creature. Until this past weekend. My husband had knee surgery on Friday to correct a slightly torn meniscus. It was discovered that he had gout/pseudo gout or some such thing which was the root of all his pain. I have an extremely high tolerance to pain and found myself at a loss over the weekend to provide sympathetic care. I did cater and serve but my response to "the leg spasms are killing me" was "been there. done that. get over it." As I wrestled the crutches from my husband's hands, I realized it was a good thing I never felt the call of nursing. And my solution to gout? Giving my husband bitter cherry juice and saying in a jovial voice "drink up, it's good for you."<br /><br />Julie <span style="font-style: italic;">obviously parading around in the skin of her villian...</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03662058845481140283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5615613429128884969.post-12929467606288003522008-02-17T08:48:00.000-08:002008-02-17T08:52:25.351-08:00I Have Nothing to Say...I really don't. Weird, huh? Actually, it's probably because I'm steeped in my current wip. I have been challenged with character naming on this ms. It stems from the wide range of ethnic backgrounds that I have included, creating the insecurity of totally making a serious snafu and giving someone a name that is inappropriate to their culture. I persevered and succeeded but not without much hair yanking and blood letting.<br /><br />JulieAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03662058845481140283noreply@blogger.com0