The Reindeer Strikes BACK!

The Reindeer Strikes Back.

NOTE:   This will be the last blog post of 2014.   I am in the process of moving, and won’t be able to work on anything writing related.  See ya next year!

Written by Randy Brooks, “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” was first recorded in 1979 by a couple, Elmo Shropshire and Patsy Trgg [1](though she was not in the song at all.)   However, it would be 5 more years until it hit the charts.  The song is about a grandmother, “Grandma,” who got run over by a “Reindeer,” while in the midst of walking home on Christmas Eve.   The song has a few stanzas separated by the chorus:

                                “Grandma got run over by a reindeer,

walking home from our house Christmas Eve…

you may say there’s no such thing as Santa,

but as for me and grandpa we believe.”

                The song has also inspired several parody songs, a TV special (in 2000), and made many fans all over the world.   There have been plush toys made, and also animated specials.

So what is the purpose of this blog post?  What has possessed me to listen to this song again…risking life, limb, and song headache?  Well, I heard it every year from like 1984, to like 1990s.  Then for like 10 years, I didn’t hear it, and was very glad of this.  Did not even give it a passing thought;   until I happened in a Waffle House in 2000, and they were playing it on the jukebox.  I made the mistake of saying I had successfully managed to avoid it.  So of course the staff made it a point to start singing it when they would come by.  The one guy even said, “I wish I had a buck so I could play it over and over and over.”  But he actually redeemed himself when we started talking Classical Music.

Well, then I had another respite from it, and for around 14 years, I did not hear it…until today.   Walking into Scrambler Maries, they were playing it on the speaker.  I was like “NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”  So now I have to suffer from the worse headache making song ever!   And now I pass it along to you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzV9DIL_vrM

You’re welcome!  And Happy Holidays!

---

[1] Copyright 1984 by Kris Publishing (SESAC) and Elmo Publishing (SESAC)

Online Sprinting Tools for NaNoWriMo

Sprinting is a mainstay of doing a NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month).    That 50,000 word challenge every year during November (and a couple of camp Nanos as well).   Or as the NaNoWriMo site puts it, “30 days and nights of literary abandon.”

In order to do this, you basically have to put your internal editor/critic, on hold.  Not editing, not using contractions, heck; I have even taken words that were one, and separated them into two; i.e. every one, grand mother. 

The other tool to use is the sprint or word war.  I had a discussion about the definition about these terms yesterday in a writers group on FB that is geared for supporting Nano.   She stated that the word war, was how many words can you get in a short period of time, and sprints are set numbers.  The way I think of it, they are the same thing, but whatever works for you, is what is important.

I run a sprint group using Google Hangout.   We do 20 minutes of writing, then a 10 minute break, followed by a 20 minute writing spurt, and repeat.   This way you can really garner word count.  As you can see below by my chart for this year’s NaNo, I have pretty much have only 15 ish thousand left, and it is day 12.  

            Day             Sprint 1    2             3                4                             daily      target ct    cum tot

11	576	253	500	485			1814	18337	35567
12	704	627	604	300	501			20004

There are those who do the 50k in one day, and a friend of mine has done it two years in a row!

There are several sprinting programs on the internet that are helpful to get the words on the page.  Write or Die (2), Written Kitten, and Write Deck.  There are probably others, but I felt that these three were the best ones to use for this blog.

The three above are free, but there is also a paid version for Write or Die (20 bucks), which I really did not want to pay for.   So I focused on the free version.

I have done a breakdown of the cutest, best, aggravating programs for sprinting.

#1  Write or Die (2).  I had used this program before, a long time ago, and they have several levels of use. 

Some of the settings are only available in the pay version.  But the only one I really feel comfortable using is the non-startle, non-kamikaze setting.  The Kamikaze setting actually erases your words if you don’t make the goal.

I tried out the stimulus mode with the beach sounds.  I believe the pay version has the backgrounds, the free version does not.  But what it does, you can set the number of words that is your goal (though of course you can go over), you can set the time limit, and you can also set up the sounds that will warn you that you aren’t typing.  Once you hit “Try,” it takes you into a blank screen where you type your text.  If you stop, and you are not typing for too long, the screen turns red, then an annoying sound starts up.  Like a honking car, an alarm clock, barking dogs, and my personal favorite the Peanut Butter and Jelly Song…it’s quite catchy.   But I did notice that with the preset goal, I have something to achieve.   And it has helped me do more with less time.

The next one I will cover:

#2)   Written Kitten

What I like about this program, is that it has a word count.   You can also have settings for when you get the kitten/cat reward picture (i.e. 100 words, 200 words), and the first hundred you don’t get any kitty, but the 200 on up you do (if you have set it for every 100 words).  I like this one a lot, because if I have stressed from a bad day, I do not want to hear that stressful noise that Write or Die has.  I am a cat person too, but you can also change it to puppy, dinosaur, I even did dragon.  You just add on this to the URL.  http://writtenkitten.net/?search=dinosaur   and you change the word after the “=” sign. 

Horse:

This sprint tool has limitless possibilities.  For my friend Joshua (AKA THUD), he could use Elephant. 

The third tool I chose was Write Deck.  This was brought to my attention by another friend Austin Blanton (AKA Wolfen)

#3 Write Deck.

This one is a multiple user (though you can do this one solo as well) sprint tool.  You can get together with friends, and both be sprinting at the same time, and you can see each other’s progress too.   This would be fun to get to see how fast you can type. 

  

This one is in Beta, and you have to sign up to use it.    Once you have signed up, you can start a sprint, enter a word goal, and invite other people to join you.  But the drawback (and I have not seen anything that changes that), is once you have reached your goal, then you cannot go any further.    You have to copy and paste your text into a word doc, or Scrivener or where-ever, or it gets lost after a half hour.  Though there is also a way to get it back, but not sure how long it stays.

Whichever program you choose, have fun and play around with it.  Whatever helps you get the words on the page is what is important.   Happy Writing!

My Story "Resting," is Featured in a New Blog!!!!

Thank you so much Heather Glomb for making it your feature Halloween Story!  :)  

The story of the story is this, I wrote it in response to a picture prompt from a ezine called "With Painted Words." I submitted it and forgot about it.  So one day I was Googling my author name, L. Anne Wooley, and up it came.  I was stunned and wondered, "What the heck?"

I looked at the story, and was like, "I remember writing it, but I don't remember *submitting* it.  But there it was a published piece.  And now I bring it to you again.

http://heatherglomb.com/2014/10/31/halloween-feature-short-resting/

The Call to Nano! (And yes, this is me in the Video!) Let the Magic Begin!

The time has come
to heed the call
to let the words fly.

our characters to dance
the dance of romance
or fly to alien worlds

or plunge to the darkest depths
of the sea.

To fly on the backs of dragons
or have tea with a Queen.

From Damsels in this Dress
to Comedy most Divine.

Put Quill to page, or fingers to key
50K here we come!

How I Got My NaNoWriMo 2014 Idea!

                I host a weekly online writers group, and assign weekly “Homework.”  These are prompts, usually from Writers Digest.  The rules are: 

·         You may create your characters

·         Brainstorm ideas

·         Outline

·         Prep other ways like setting

·         You cannot write on it until the night of the event, and you get 20 minutes to write on this (the other prompts are 10).

Usually I don’t get fully done, but I use other prompts to finish it within the same night, if I can.  Especially if I get a feeling it will lead to something better (or something I can work into publishable form).

This year, my assignment was to use the following:

You take a sip from your drink and feel different. That may be because your torso has an extra arm protruding from it. Another sip, another arm. Then a wing. What happens if you finish the drink?

    I brainstormed after writing the prompt out, and started character creation.  Following Joseph A. Campbells “A Heroes Journey,” I chose my MC (main character) mentor, which is her grandmother, and built an antagonist, things and beings who will be the positive influence. 

    I did a basic outline, but that is always fluid thing, because without fail, I have the story refuse to follow it.  Which is basically a good thing, the story is changed for the better, stronger even <insert bionic sound effects here>.

    I won’t tell you what it is about, because it will change in the writing, the first draft, and maybe totally different after editing.    “It’s the Journey, not the Destination,” to paraphrase Ernest Hemingway; and that makes all the difference!

This is the place I Live. Nano Prep Episode 3. SETTING:

     Per Wikipedia setting includes; the historical moment in time, the geographic location in which the story takes place, and "... helps initiate the main backdrop and mood for a story."    While this is the surface definition, and is a good place to start.  It doesn't fully encompass what setting can be.

     One of the weirdest things I learned as I've been on this writing journey, is that setting can be a character in and of itself. "Somewhere in Time," and "The Wizard of Oz," are good examples. These places are every bit as much of a character as the people contained within.

        But what makes a setting come to life?  How do you write a scene so that it is as much of a character as  the people?  Details are what do this.  The vivid painting with words, specifically ... specific details.  Instead of tree, use Oak, Conifer, Willow.  In place of car, use "fire engine red Mustang,.:  That brings up a picture for your readers.    They can be only a few words, you don't need a lot.   Enough to set the scene, introduce it's character, but not so much that it overshadows the story, or drags down the pacing.  

     You as a writer should have a detailed map of your setting.  It doesn't have to be pretty, but just an idea to give you the location of things.   I am a very visual person, and need the help in front of me, so that I get an idea of spacial dimensions for that setting.  


For Example.


Say my setting is a restaurant, I would draw something like this...keep in mind I am a very bad stick artist.

You haz been warned!

Not too late to turn back!!!

Beware....beware!!!

(Okay, enough with the Labrynth references!)   O'S EQUAL TABLES  I'S ARE FISH TANKS.

______________________________________ entrance________________________


O   O    O    O    O    O   O   O   O    O    O    O    O   O   I                                      X  MENS ROOM
                                                                                             I                                     X  WOMEN'S
                                                                                            I

MORE TABLES ARE HERE.




BACK WALL
_________________________________________________________________________________



      You get the basic gist of that.   But setting can invoke emotions in characters.   Like say the above eatery is the place where your main characters boyfriend proposed.  You want to make it as special as the proposal itself.  If I were drawing this, I would put a lot more detail...I'm just not a good computer graphic artist.   It is not where my talents lie.  But I can do a pretty good drawing with pen and paper.  Not good enough to hang in the Louvre of course, but it gets me in the mindset of how I need to describe the scene.  

     How to do this.  I might write the above scene something like this.

Linda ran her fingers through her hair nervously while Ralph was in the rest room.   She wondered why he had brought her to the snow white linen cloth, and fine silver dining place.    It wasn't really her style, but he had insisted.  So now she was dressed up in this finery, looking around at the silk flowered, candlelit tables, chandeliers raining down light on the tables; looking more fairy tale then eating establishment.  She saw Ralph make his way over to her, he was wearing a black tux, with white shirt and blue bow tie.  She had helped him put it on earlier, when he had been silent as a monk.



      This is one way of giving out details of setting, through the eyes of the character.   The other is for an omniscient narrator giving out the setting, and just plunking down the character into the scene.  
     Depending on what kind of impact you want to make, is how you should choose which method is best for your story.   You can always try it both ways, and then take whichever way that doesn't work, out later.  This is good for Nano times as you are going for word count.  
      There are various books on crafting the setting.   Writers Digest Books has at least one that I can name offhand:

         "Settings (Elements of Fiction Writing).  http://www.amazon.com/Setting-Elements-Fiction-Writing-Bickham/dp/0898799481/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1414123964&sr=1-4&keywords=settings+for+writing

But check out your local library, ours stocks lots of craft books for writers.  Enjoy your NaNoWriMo!

GOOD LUCK!

Be sure to check out my other Nano series articles and Nano 101 blogs.

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2014/10/nanowrimo-prep-gathering-karl-road.html

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2012/10/countdown-to-nanowrimo-2012-yes-it-is.html

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2012/08/how-to-write-50000-words-in-dayer-30-or.html

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2014/10/getting-to-know-you-creating-memorable.html

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2012/10/nanowrimo-101-basics-part-2-sprint-so.html

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2012/10/nanowrimo-101-basics-part-3.html


http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2012/08/winning-camp-nano-august-2012.html

NaNoWriMo Prep Gathering @ Karl Road Library; October 19, 2014

NaNoWriMo  Gathering;    October 19, 2014

 Karl Road Branch Columbus Metropolitan Library.

Review by L. Anne Wooley

We gathered at the Karl Rd. Library, about 30 of us.  First timers and veterans alike.  The Municipal Liaison from the Columbus Region was there and led the discussion.  She gave a lot of good advice and had a show and tell with different writing books.  She also mentioned Nita Sweeney who has a local newsletter for Central Ohio writing events, as well as being a former student of Natalie Goldberg, she also teaches Natalie’s Methods. 

The diverse nature of the people who came, was really cool.   We had a couple of nurses, students, a former journalist were among them.  There were like 4 or 5 first timers, along with multiple long timers.  I fell about into the middle.

Topics of discussion were Planner vs. Pantser, those terms were defined as.  Planner- someone who outlines, creates the characters, world builds, basically everything to do with ‘Planning.’ 

A Pantser- on the other hand, is someone who just makes it up as they go along. 

I am in between.  I do some character development, and world building, basically most of the background stuff, and some tentative story line. 

The next thing we went over, was different ways to get and flesh out ideas.  She laid out the “Mind Mapping,” and then the “Snowflake Method.”  (advancednovelwriting.com).   the mind mapping is just writing down the ideas, in a brainstorming fashion.  Just writing down stuff at random, then you can connect the ideas and get an outline type thing.

Someone asks about how to get word count?  She suggested word padding.  One of the ways to do this, was to do a challenge.  One year she did a challenge with a writing group, which everyone put a “Travelling Shovel of Death,” in.    In my online Nano Group, we have used murdering one of the Admins for the past couple of years.  Then there is a suggestion of putting crayons on fire.  You can always take them out in edit phase.  But they can go to your word count.  Other ways to do this, have your character do a diary, or write a letter.  Again, these can always come out.   Me, I add a scene I know will go out; similar to the former suggestions.

The books that she showed off had among them; Victoria Lynn Schmidt’s Book in a Day.  If you get this book, she has an online presence through Yahoo groups.  There are a lot of novel writing worksheets on there: A four page Character Creation Sheet, Plot sheet, and several others.  I personally use the Character sheet.  I do a 100 question questionnaire (though I only use what fits), then I will move the answers over to the four pages, where they are handy.  She also had Anne Lamont’s “Bird By Bird,” Jane Yolens “Take Joy,” and several other 30 day novel books. 

·         From Jane’s, she mentioned a few things.  Jane says “Value the process, not the product!”  She has this above her desk.

Things to stay away from:

·         Don’t have manuals around you when you write.  Have a book you enjoy reading for craft as inspiration (fiction).

·         Prep your space before you start writing, or you will use that to procrastinate.  Also prep some healthy foods, like vegetables, so that they are at hand. 

·         Try not to research while you are writing.  There is a forum on Nanowrimo site where you can add your question on research, and when you are ready to look, there probably will be an answer for you.   Look for “Reference Desk.”  You can save that to your forum preferences.

·         Do try to find a book that is written in similar point of view.

She also had Chris Baty’s “No Plot, No Problem,” which has a new edition out.  He corrected what he said in the first edition, “Everyone has one novel in them.”  To “Everyone has many novels in them.”  Which I agree with!

He also has Magna Carta 1 and Magna Carta 2

1 is “Thing’s about books that you love.’  For me that is characters that overcome and find the strength to within themselves.     Magna carta 2…”Things you hate about books.”  *** Pointless endings***  Like City of Angels.  The story is very strong, and the ending would have been great had it stopped with the happy ending.  But NO, they had to do the pointless ending.   

Another thing I don’t like, is switching scenes, time periods or pov without it being marked (alerted).

She also mentioned write ins.   Some folks bring sticky’s with them, and put their problems down on them.  Then others can put 5 suggestions for fixing them on other sticky’s, you may not use them, but they could jog something that will work.

Lastly, she mentioned Jim Butcher who wrote the Dresden Files series.  He had all the books plotted out before he wrote the first one.  That is something that JK Rowling also did.

Sprints were also discussed, and I mentioned things about Scrivener, even gave a demo to one of the attendees. 

I highly recommend going to your write ins, and kick offs.  They are so much fun, and it’s nice to be in a room with others who share the same joy!

Feel Free to Check out my Nano Blogs as well: 

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2012/10/countdown-to-nanowrimo-2012-yes-it-is.html

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2012/10/nanowrimo-101-basics-part-2-sprint-so.html

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2012/10/nanowrimo-101-basics-part-3.html

And the Elements of Story:

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2014/10/getting-to-know-you-creating-memorable.html

Stay Tuned for More…

NaNoWriMo First Draft Pledge!

This is something I came up with in 2012.  Enjoy.

The NaNoWriMo First Draft Pledge

Dear Internal Critic (IC).

            Although I value your input, I respectfully request that you refrain from your task whilst I get the first draft down on paper, PDA, cell phone, Ipod, Nook, Kindle, Mac, and/or computer (PC/Laptop).

            While I need your capable assistance in the rewrite/revision process; I humbly request you cease and desist to interfere with this part of the creative process (first draft).

            What this means for you, is that you can take a vacation!  Heck, you and the other writers/Nanoers I.C.’s could get together with our external critics (i.e. parents who don not support us, bf/spouses of that same ilk), could go on a holiday….heck, even have a convention!

            Ahem…once our rough drafts are done, and I mean rough (or why else would they be called that), you may come back, roll up your sleeves, and get back to work…  constructively of course.  Until that time, let us be free to write the worst crap in the universe!

            Thank you for your support and cooperation in this matter.

                                                                                    Your Friend

<sign below>

You can print it out and sign it, hang it where you can see it (next to your writing area perhaps?)

Feel Free to Check out my Nano Blogs as well: 

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2012/10/countdown-to-nanowrimo-2012-yes-it-is.html

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2012/10/nanowrimo-101-basics-part-2-sprint-so.html

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2012/10/nanowrimo-101-basics-part-3.html

And the Elements of Story:

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2014/10/getting-to-know-you-creating-memorable.html

Getting to know you.... Creating Memorable Characters Nano Prep Episode 2

What about a story makes you want to keep reading?   Is it the setting, the world building, the plot?  Well, those are certainly important aspects of story; but it's the characters that move the story.  They are the most important aspect of story, but they cannot exist without the other as well.

So what makes an interesting character?  How do you build your character?  A character should be multi-layered.  They should be pretty believable for the reader to care about them.   They should also learn something, and change during the course of the story.

But how to do that?  Basically I use a questionnaire, and then I moved the responses to a four paged synopses of the character.

The questions go over what the character looks like, what scars do they have, and character quirks.  Like do they chew their fingernails?  Do they have any regrets?  Do they have any nervous habits/ticks.

It's the little things that can make your reader empathize with, and root for, your characters.  I generally do not complete a character until the edit phase, but get enough detail to write the first draft.  Do we need to know everything about that character?  A reader does not, but we as the characters creator should know pretty much everything about our characters.

Below is a picture of a Character sheet that I use.  This comes from Victoria Lynn Schmidts "Book in a Month."  When you get her book, she has a yahoo group that you can join.

This isn't the complete one, but it gives you an idea.  You can also find Character sheets here:

http://www.eclectics.com/articles/character.html

And the questionnaire I was telling you about:

http://skitten.best.vwh.net/100questions.html

Those are a couple to get you started.

That Ole Nano Magic Has Me Under It's Spell... or The Best Laid Plans

I tried to fight it.   That urge to write something new.  The urge that I have succumbed to...yes, Virginia, there is a Nanowrimo.  Every year starting November 1, thousands (and even more) begin the journey of 50 thousand (yes, 50,000) words.   We write solo or at write ins.  With our laptops, notebooks, and phones.

The main website:  www.nanowrimo.org, puts out pep talk videos, and articles.  They have a large forum, and you can even have "Nano buddies."   There are participants from all over the world.  There is also a "Young Writers Program," and some teachers have encouraged their students to participate in Nano.

So, back to my dilemma.  I have participated in Nanos from 2005, 2009, 2010 (November and August Camp Nano, same group), 2011, 2012, and 2013.    I have an impending move, and though still no place to move to yet <insane cackle>, I was just going to edit one of the previous novels for publication.  I was not...going to...do another...new draft!   I was going to cut, paste, resculpt, revamp, re...well you get the point, to one of the previous drafts.   And yes, I was originally planning to do that last year....until I saw the new goodies.

But, the last few weeks, I've been feeling that excitement that I get every year around this time.  That feeling of "Coming Home," that I cannot deny.  Though  I am still fighting that urge, today I broke down and started doing some preliminary notes, some character basics, some plot basics.  Yes, a new novel is being brewed up even as I type this!

Where did this SNI  (Shiny New Idea) come from?   Well, I run a writing practice group on Facebook.  It's a closed group though, sorry.  Every Saturday night, we do a google Hangout, running with an event page.  We do writing prompts, and I assign "Homework."  This homework is a prompt that can be used for a story starter.    The rules are, that you cannot write the prompt out, you can do all your background research, planning, character naming/generation, all the prep work, during the week.   Then on Saturday night, we do this as the first prompt.

Last week, the homework generated a story idea for me to expand into a full length novel, and there I was writing notes as well as doing the prompt.  I worked on fleshing out more of it, moving what I had done over into a new document that I could brainstorm.  And so yes, I have got that need to write new.  And I figure, if I can get the 50k done in a week (one of my friends did it in one day!); then I can focus on editing something older.


So one of the questions on one of my Nano facebook groups (one which is not affiliated with the group who oversees the official stuff), was "What do you do in the month before Nano?"  and of course this is paraphrased.

Well, if I usually have been thinking about it for a while before the last month, but it is the last month that I really prepare.   I get a loose outline together, work on my characters (though it is edit phase where everything comes together).  If I plan out everything ahead of time, when I write the first draft, the story will not follow it.  No matter how much I browbeat it into being.   And the thing is, the story is usually right.


So, I normally don't plan out that far.  I just see where the story takes me.  Nothing is set in stone, and is fluid, including the "Outline."   I have the general idea, and they usually don't all get in.  During the month, and in the writing, the truth of the story is revealed.


Anyhow, that's enough for one day.   I'll be posting little tips and hints for Nano-ers.  I invite all my readers to participate in the grand challenge.  It's really not that hard.


Happy NaNo'ing!

CRIMSON TIES BY VL Moon and JT Cheyanne BLOG TOUR! EXCERPT AND A GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!!

Excerpt

“As the female once sang…Que Sera Sera, whatever will be will be,” Laziel’s voice sounded almost melodic, and Arial momentarily pushed aside the feeling of foreboding weighing him down. 

“You seriously didn’t just quote Doris fucking Day of all people. Jesus Mary and Joseph, you’ll be singing Surrey with the Fringe on Top to me next,” Arial teased.

“Oh, you know that one do you? I could just imagine you acting out Curly for me. Want to duet?” Lorenza’s eyes held so much mischief it was easy to believe things would turn out for the best. But, Arial wasn’t so young or so foolish anymore.

He forced a smile as he gently lifted Loz and placed her petite frame back on the chaise lounge. He needed to leave, but the thought of leaving Laziel alone filled Arial with dread. Dainty fingers caught his hand and gripped his fingers tight. 

“Let fate lead the way, Arial. One day at a time. Just look after Lachi for me. Please. Keep that arrogant fucker from hurting himself, and if you do bang heads again. Play nice.” Laziel’s tone although playful still held a hint of warning.

“I swore an oath, remember, one where I pledged my allegiance to him,” Arial stated. “But, nowhere in that oath did it state your creation could attempt to rip my damn throat out, or drink my blood. I could have fucking killed him with the toxins running through my veins. Its pure evil, the very filth of Lucifer’s demon spawn, and he had it in his mouth. Creator save me, Laziel he had that shit in his god damned stupid mouth. I saw the look on his face and it wasn’t good.”

Arial shook his head. “He tries that shit with me one more time, and I’ll knock that superior son of a bitch right onto his regal arrogant ass, oath or no oath. I won’t be responsible for poisoning the very thing I promised to protect.” Shame contorted Arial’s face.
As much as he tried to hide it, the indignity he felt toward his curse threatened to consume him. His chest went tight, and the tattered remains of his once glorious wings drooped. The visual reminder slammed into Arial, robbing him of breath and buckling his knees until his powerful, towering frame played the horizontal tango with the hard wooden floor.

About the authors

Laz and Lachi Publications is the combined writing team of J.T. Cheyanne and V.L. Moon. The two met in 2010, fell hard and fast for each other and married in April 2014. They write both independently and together in the gay erotica and gay paranormal genres. They also have a couple of contemporary romance novels under their belt.

Social media links

Our joint page 

https://www.facebook.com/LazLachibooks

  

Website 

http://www.lazandlachi.com/ 

  

JT Cheyanne 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jtcheyannestories 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JTCheyanne 

  

VL Moon 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VenusMoonstories 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/VenusMoon5 

Giveaway:

<a id="rc-d3e3d66a6" class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d3e3d66a6/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>

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IT'S HERE....BLOG TOUR FOR CRIMSON TIES!

STAY TUNED

Buy Links

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MJQSYHE/

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00MJQSYHE/

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/466448

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-crimsonties-1592625-349.html

PARTY LIKE ITS 2014!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Going on today :)   https://www.facebook.com/events/410656962410331/419949721481055/?comment_id=419951478147546&notif_t=event_mall_reply



Hopefully that Link will work :)  

Lots of fun to be had.  Starts at 5:00 p.m. EST :)  

IT'S HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE PAPERBACK VERSION OF THE ANTHOLOGY ARRIVED TODAY....

IT CAME:

This is the first BOOK I've ever been in!  :)  Sure, I've been published before, online.   But this is the first hard copy I've been in!

It's an anthology for charity.   Check out the line below for the Facebook Release Party, AND links to buy the anthology :)

https://www.facebook.com/events/410656962410331/

Buy links

US: http://www.amazon.com/Lupus-Animus-Anthology-Jennifer-Don-ebook/dp/B00KWL0GGA

UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lupus-Animus-Anthology-Jennifer-Don-ebook/dp/B00KWL0GGA

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22351432-lupus-animus

ITS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So here it is in all it's glory!  The Anthology "Lupus Animus:  Charity Anthology" is out today!  You can order it online through Amazon in the US and the UK.

Can’t afford a donation to help out a charity? How about a book?

'She was just eating her meal when she smelled a male wolf nearby - not one of her own. She watched him warily as he came slowly toward the three pups that were out the enclosure again.' Lost Mate, Terry Spear - US Today Bestseller 

Featuring poems, stories and haiku with the theme of wolves and the truth as each author perceives it.

Discover wolves in a sci-fi setting, followed by in character views of wolves in their natural settings and in conflict with humans.

All proceeds go to Artisan Rarebreeds.
Registered Charity Number
HMRC XT37297

With stories, poems and haiku from Ylva and Rose DelaWulf, Sherrill Willis, Zakira Salem, Krystal O'Brien, L. Anne Wooley, Shelley Walsh, Eleanor Musgrove, Delbert McGill, Michael E. Herman, Melina Turner, Caio Henrique Tavares, Yanick Zolnerciks, Paula Acton, Philip Tolhurst, John C. Scott, Jessica Kuilan Gonzalez, Dee Martin, Danielle Newman, James Don and Lisa Miller.

Buy links

US: http://www.amazon.com/Lupus-Animus-Anthology-Jennifer-Don-ebook/dp/B00KWL0GGA

UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lupus-Animus-Anthology-Jennifer-Don-ebook/dp/B00KWL0GGA

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22351432-lupus-animus

CUE FANFARE....COVER REVEAL IS TODAY!

     As promised, today is the day of the cover reveal!

     About six months ago, I was invited to participate in a fundraiser for a group called "Artisan Rarebreeds."
See link below.  Artisan Rarebreeds is a rescue organization based out of Dartford, Kent UK, they sustained a lot of bad weather costs that depleted their funds.  Thus the following anthology was born!

      I am so excited to be part of this worthy cause!   And am thrilled with the cover...can't wait to have a copy in my hands!


  So without any further fanfare....I give you....

 



http://artisanrarebreeds.org/

Cover Reveal on Wednesday May 28, 2014

So I really wish I could do this RIGHT NOW....but I can't...sworn to secrecy...my lips are sealed with duct tape and super glue.  Of course I'm typing, but I think some folks would break my fingers if I did post about it.  Really, I'm not being difficult, JUST to be difficult.  My hands are tied.

BUT, I will tell you it is exciting news that I WILL have on May 29, 2014.   It's so thrilling, and you will see the cover for this VERY EXCITING news!

When I saw it, it took my breath away, it was so beautiful.  But you'll have to take my word for it.  Wednesday....that is all you have to wait for.  Seriously, less than 3 days from now.   It's not that much time to wait....

<cackles evilly>   ahem.

Anyhow, I hope you will all enjoy it, and hang in with baited breath until Wednesday May 29.  2014...reserve that date on your calendar, and Check back then with the blog.  It will be worth it I promise.


Li 

"Only another writer can...."

This was a prompt from my writers group on facebook.  Here is my response...(Edited of course)

             Today I was at the “Sherlock Holmes,” travelling exhibit at Columbus Ohio’s “Centers of Science and Industry,” (COSI).  As I started through the doors to the exhibit;  I never thought I would have a profoundly touching SQUEE moment.
           
          The opening had a video where Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's great nephew (or a couple of greats?) read off a greeting.  There were walls with;  newspaper articles,  memorabilia, excerpts from serials of his short stories. copies (thinking they were first editions) of his books... Then came the Squee moment.  I walked over to one of the display cases that was on top of a table.  They had pieces of paper, dark around the edges, but remarkably well preserved. I read the description, because I didn't  know for sure what it was... 

        It was actual manuscript pages for stories and books; in Doyle's own handwriting.   I was fan-girling over this revelation.  In a way, he came alive to me, like never before.  I looked how much nicer his handwriting was than mine.  It’s amazing that handwriting would be such a powerful force, that it would be so profound.  

        The fact that nobody else was having that reaction was amazing and disappointing.  I had never connected with him before;  he was a writer, I am a writer… That he went through the same struggles that we as writers face every day, made the connection even stronger.  He was a trendsetter of his day.  The scientific methods in his Sherlock Holmes books, though crude, began a new look into how to figure out the truth of the  "Whodunnit."  

        If you have a chance to see this exhibit, it is good for young and old alike; here is the link to the Exhibit site.  It is a travelling exhibit, and it is International so check in your area to see if they are coming to a venue near you..

http://sherlockholmesexhibition.com/

Stuff and Nonsense (Yes, I'm really stretching for a blog topic!)

So I really don't have anything ready for public consumption... yet...but here is a list of upcoming Blog topics....coming to a SCREEN NEAR YOU!   (could not resist that ) :P

• "The Birth of an Idea" - Looks to be like a 2 part deal so far.  
• "Beware the Disco Death Bots." - This is a short story born of a "homework" assignment I gave in a group event on Facebook.   I posted one of those pictures where you take the letter of your first name, the last letter of your last name kinda deal, and it gave me that title (supposedly for my horror story).  
• The final version of the Zombie Hedgehog story I posted like almost a year ago...don't worry, I'll have the first version included in the final draft.
• I also will be part of an anthology that is going to raise money for an animal rescue place in Great Britain.  They lost a lot of their savings due to bad weather.   My contribution is a story told entirely in Haiku.   Yes, I hear what you are thinking...  "Insane," and "Glutton for punishment come to mind."   But hey, at least it wasn't told entirely in PUNS.  Hmmmmmm.......  
• I also have some goodies up my sleeve, but too much to look forward to, spoils the broth...er.  Too much to look forward to, makes Lisa a dull girl?   

In other news, I'm doing a bit of beta reading (basically a fancy name for critique).   It's really good experience, and it helps me with my writing as well.

If you like what you read here....give me a shout out, and follow me if you would.  :)   I love hearing from my readers.    Let me know if you have suggestions for me to make the blog better.   

That should be good for now.  Have a great weekend everyone.

Now I am off to bed, tomorrow I have to be up at 5:00 am.  It's for a good event, Susan B. Komens Race for the Cure (Breast Cancer awareness, and fund raising).  My big brother Tim and I are walking 5 kilometers.   We did it last year, and it was a blast!  I'll be sure to post pictures.

Thanks everyone.  

Li.   

Stay Tuned

First off, I apologize for not writing a blog more recently.  It is something I am trying to get more active with.  Though they may be few and far between until I get moved to a new home.  Since our parents deaths, my brother Tim and I are trying to sort out the home we have lived in since 1979.   

So, the writing thing is basically slowed down even further.   We do have time, but I want to be moved before my contract is up with the client I'm working for now is over.  So time is getting close.  

I will be posting more of my work as well.  And to your writers out there, I've got some cool things for you all as well.  

Till then, stay tuned to this space for more goodies to come!

Hailing Frequencies closed :)

Li.

SSSSSSSPPPPPPPTTTTTTTIIIIIINNNNNNGGGGGG...WHERE ARE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wish it were Spring.  The smell of the earth renewing, the buds blossoming out into ecstatic beauty. The green of the grass, vibrant as if it glowed.  The soft breeze cuddling your cheek.  I love Springtime in my home state of Ohio.  And we sure could use it now that we are supposed to go down to a negative 17 Farenheit (which when I used the Farenheit/celsius converter said that it was 27.222 - degrees celscius).  

So the last time we got down to that level of cold, it was in 1983, my senior year in HS.  And we lost our power!  It was about 8 hours until we got it back, but the house got sooo cold. 

Luckily, I've kept my power on, but the internet...not so much.  But it has been fun watching the Robin, who has his food stash between our handicap ramp, and the front windows.  Though a Cardinal couple (male and female), have discovered his stash!   Don't know what the Robin will do, some sort of revenge is planned no doubt.

On the writing front, I've started the editing process on "If the Fates Allow."  And have started a facebook page on it.  Though need to set up a website for it.  Will have to figure that part out tomorrow.  

So spring is seemingly far away; and I shall await it patiently.  

Can We Haz Spring Nao?????

ITS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!! WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My Beloved RSG thread is BACK!

Remember the thread on my Facebook group I said was gone?  Well, it's back!  And I'm sooo happy!   I don't even care how it got back, its BACK BABY!  

Ahem....carry on :)

Writing Practice-How this Can Help You in Everyday Writing

                I took a long hiatus from writing many years ago, and couldn't even imagine getting back into doing writing again.  Sure I still did an occasional poem, but the actual writing of short stories, and novels, came much later.  I had no idea where to begin, wasn't even sure that I would be able to write anything larger than still doing the occasional poem.
              I was encouraged by a lady friend who was interested in getting back into writing fiction, she had a background in journalism, but wanted to get back into creative writing.  She owned her own business too, but wanted to write novels when she had decided to sell her business.  So our writers practice group was born.  At first it was just she and I, we met at Cup O' Joe's in Easton Town Center once a week.  Then another mutual friend of ours joined, and then a lady who we met there at Cup O' Joe's (well the bar side Mojoe Lounge).  Another two joined us from Barnes & Noble Writing Workshops.  We ended up with five regulars.
           We followed the rules of writing practice, set forth in a book by Natalie Goldberg called, "Writing Down the Bones."  Her rules were simple:

1)  Keep the Hand moving:  Natalie promoted writing by hand, as it was different from typing on a computer, or typewriter.  It is, you connect with a different part of your brain.  It is a tactile difference, with the feel of the pen.

2)  Do not stop to edit.  Do not cross out, leave words misspelled,

3)  Go with first thoughts-even if you can't think of anything, say, "I can't think of anything."  If you say it enough, you will come up with something!

4)  Go for the jugular- do not censor your writing (after all, this is practice, and you don't have to show it if you don't want to!

and number

5)  You are free to write the worst crap in the world (universe/galaxy).


That's it, very simple, straightforward and easy.

Really, once you into writing practice, it becomes easier.  Think of writing practice as a warm up for working on "WIP" (Works In Process).  It's like stretching before exercise, or a warm up.  Which is always important.

Next installment in this series...what a writing prompt looks like.

Writing Practice Part Deux

In the first part, I discussed the rules of writing practice, and how I was inspired by Natalie Goldbergs "Writing Down the Bones."


In this segment, I'll show you what  writing prompt is, or rather does.  One of the ones that Natalie Goldberg put in "Writing Down the Bones," is one she calls "I remember..."  This is one of the easiest ones to do.  For example.

                   
   I remember the day my father died.  The night before had been the last he spoke, and I laid                          out in the backseat of the car.  I missed being able to say good bye to him, a fact I have                                regretted ever since."

At this point, I would continue going on with it, but for this article, I won't finish that.

Writing prompts inspire stories...or snippets that can be made into stories.  Even though the above "I remember..." is based on my experience with my father, I would probably use it for a character in a story at a later date.

Another sort of prompt is pictures.  In my writers group in FB, one of the ladies, posts incredible photos that are really surreal.

Any picture can be used.  For the above example I would probably write something like...

        Fourth of July was the day my mother gained her Independence from her health, and the                                declining of such.  She had lived a good long life of 87 years, and that was mostly healthy.


Yes, another true story.  My mother did pass away on July 4, 2012.  So something like this, would bring up that memory for a writing prompt.

Music is also good for inspiration on writing prompts  Writing prompts are good for not only practice writing, but can also be good for story ideas.  

There are many sites on the net that are geared to help writers with prompts.  Writers Digest Magazine is one of the best.  Here are a few to get you started:

                                         http://www.dailywritingtips.com/writing-prompts-101/

                                         http://www.writersdigest.com/prompts


                                         http://www.creativewritingprompts.com/  (this one is EXCELLENT)


So when I was in the group, I would fill a notebook....what did I do with this notebook?  Stay tuned to my next blog for the answer to that, and many other burning questions :)


                                       

RIP RSG!

      It began life as a innocent story of a girl and a boy in a coffee shop.  The were discussing what the girl was doing (writing a novel in a month); when he exclaimed "But..you're like...hot!"  Thus "Random Guy at Starbucks." Otherwise known as Random Starbucks Guy (RSG) was born.

     

     The post became a place where us crazy writers could get together and joke, laugh, cry, and just relax and have an awesome time.  A year went by, and the numbers climbed. we celebrated reaching 10k, 20k, and 30k...a baby was born, novels written and published, all the while in the background RSG was there, a testament to our accomplishments.  

We thought we'd reach 50k...Then shortly after we went over 36 thousand, it was gone.  Just like that!  No warning by its creator that she was leaving, or that she was taking it down.  No deletions by any of us Admins.  The original poster was also gone!  36k plus comments lost!

  So I mourn the passing of a legend, the special thread, and the impact it had on all of our lives.  She will be gravely missed.

                                             RIP  RSG!