Farewells Put on Hold

Thursday was suppose to be my last day at Write Anything. However, the relaunch of a new and improve WA has been pushed back which means I'm staying for another couple of weeks. I was in the company of a great group of writers for three years. A few more weeks is no big deal.

If you're a writer and active on Twitter, you may have come across the #10bythen challenge, 10 submissions in a month. I know it would go against all my years of practice in the art of procrastination, but I'm seriously considering joining in the fun. I haven't submitted anything since May. It's time I get back on the horse and pray it doesn't throw me off face first in the mud again. I need the boost in motivation since Nano is lurking around the corner, laughing at me. He can be so mean.

At this time, I will hear arguments why I should or shouldn't be involved in #10bythen. Please keep it clean. I'm not in the mood to put anyone in time out.

Read More

WIP Wednesday - Eye of the Tiger

As per the usual routine, I go through great lengths to describe my current work in progress and how I'm so excited about it. That would be scene out of my perfect life. However, I don't have a perfect life. Instead, I'm making lists of things I should be doing so I can stare at it and have bouts of Ferris Wheel guilt until I start actually doing and marking stuff off the list. This all banks on me in the right mood and the drive to want to do it. Hmmmm....perhaps this video clip will get me all pumped up:

Jensen Ackles - Eye of the Tiger

WooHoo!!! Jensen Ackles making a damn fool of himself. Who could pass that up? Season 6 begins in TWO days!!

Read More

Busy Week

Whoa...has it really been two weeks since my last post? Oh, who am I kidding. I am fully aware it's been two weeks and I'm ashamed of myself. Here are my list of excuses:

1. Lazy
2. Lack of an interesting life
3. Lazy
4. Lazy

I think that about covers it. But I don't think #2 really can be counted as an excuse. The last two weeks haven't been without drama. My dad and step-mom came in for a visit from Arkansas. Their visits are always "eventful".

My brother and his fiancee have been planning to get married for some time, but recently moved everything up to this Sunday. This may or may not have to do with the aforementioned visit. I don't know and I don't want to know. Family is coming from out-of-town for the wedding, forcing us to ditch our dust collections we worked so hard to obtain. Don't you just hate when that happens? If that's not exciting enough for ya, my birthday is on Friday and my cousin's is on the day of their wedding. I know this reads like a scene out of Sixteen Candles, but trust me. Despite all the craziness, no one's birthday has been forgotten. No drunk foreign exchange students will be found on the front lawn.

Finally, in the midst of all the chaos, my family upgraded to DSL. Realized in the long run it would be cheaper compared to paying from two phone lines and AOL. We are currently in the observational phase to determine whether or not we will keep it. I have to say I'm lusting over the fact I don't have to wait for web pages and downloads to take a gazillion hours to finish loading. No more waiting for someone to get offline so I can check emails. It's very streaking in the middle of Time Square liberating. Of course, while we have moved up in the technological world, others are miles ahead of us, but I don't care.

Happy Wednesday!

UPDATE: Despite not being meticulously planned and the slightly overwhelming heat, the wedding went well. My parents didn't kill each other. No battle royals. Sorry. My aunt and cousins came and went. I love them, but they're better in small doses. My brother and his wife are moved in to their new house. Just waiting for the electric to be turned on now which should be today. All is well....

Read More

New Developments

There has been some new developments in the case of the maimed kitten. Before, we were uncertain if the victim had siblings. Its mother was recently spotted with three kittens estimated to be the same age as the victim. During an afternoon walk with her children, the mother was witnessed in an altercation with a possible suspect in her child's murder. Speculation dictates this female attempted to murder the three minors, causing their mother to come to their defense. Despite reliable witnesses coming forward, no charges have been filed by either party. Could this be the face of a murderer?


Despite recent behavior, we don't have any evidence linking her to this specific crime. The case has gone cold and has been filed away until a new lead presents itself. The killer either went through great lengths to cover their tracks or got really, really lucky. We are now facing the facts Nermal Doe may never get the justice it deserves. This investigator has decided to leave the case in capable hands of more experience detectives citing reasons of watching WAY too many episodes of Law & Order: SVU and NCIS and allowing her armchair investigation continue one more post than it should.

Good day....

Read More

More Sad News

I bring to you folks some rather sad news. Seems to be a common trend for the last week. There are degrees of devastation. This may not rank high on that scale, but it’s a downer either way.

A stray cat, which has become sort of like a pet to us, had kittens recently. We thought she only had the one, but recent sightings suggest maybe there were more. Unfortunately, the one we knew of was killed. We are unsure as to who the murderer may be. The investigation is on going and there are a couple of suspects: one of our dogs and a visiting opossum. The dogs aren’t talking. We haven’t had any luck locating the opossum.

An autopsy could have provided some answers. However, we weren’t equipped to perform such a procedure nor did we have the right expert on the payroll. Instead, we released the body to the family. His mother and alleged brothers and sisters decided we should do the honors of playing a funeral. I will keep you updated if we ever have a suspect in custody though it’s unlikely one will ever be determined.

Hopefully, this little guy is at peace.

Read More

RIP Jamie Eyberg

All fun and games must be put aside. Some tragic news has been making its rounds the past couple of days. Jamie Eyberg and his wife Ann died after being exposed to an unknown gas.

This is the kind of news that you have to read a few times before your brain fully understands what it's saying. Unfortunately, I can't go on and on how great Jamie was as a person and a writer. I knew of him but had very limited interaction. What I've learned from others, it sounds like he was a great guy. You know the type that makes you feel honored to have rubbed elbows with him even if it was only once. Just so sad.

Aaron Polson is kindly dedicating the first print issue of 52 Stitches to Jamie and the profits will go in to a memorial fund for their kids Brendan and Kennedy.

He will be missed....

Read More

Shroud Issue #9

Shroud Magazine Issue #9 Summer 2010 is off to the printers. I would like to say my story is among those chosen for it but unfortunately, it's still sitting in limbo (okay...this is the last time you'll hear me whine about this until I get the official yay or nay from them. I promise. Really, I mean it. I swear on the chicken nuggets.)

In the meantime, we must commence in the standard oohing and aahing of this publishing gem which includes stories, columns and interviews from the Brothers' May, Lon Prater, Robert Canipe, Marie Brennan, Alethea Contis, I. E. Lester, Debbie Kuhn, and Ty Schwamberger while the ritual sacrifice and chants are being prepared in its honor.

Or if you can bypass all the fuss and just head on over to Shroud's website and pre-order yourself a copy for $6.99. I'm sure the Gods won't be too angry with your lack of patience.

Read More

Happy Dark Day

I couldn't escape posting on Friday the 13th. I tried hiding under the bed, but the boogeyman pushed me out. Michael Myers is hogging the closet. So, I'm left here exposed to all the bad elements. I have a bulls-eye painted on my back thanks to my thirteen-letter name. Why must I be cursed? Anyway, enjoy the deliciously devious bunny and stay away from black cats, mirrors, ladders, the number thirteen, ambulances, birds in houses, lighting three cigarettes with the same match, cracks in sidewalks, crows, cutting your fingernails, stabbing knitting needles in yarn, and closing pocket knives. Happy Friday the 13th!

Read More

Getting Back on Track

As you can see, today's post is not "WIP Wednesday" related. Not really working on anything. Therefore, nothing to report. But I am trying to get back on track with editing. I have a freshly printed copy of "The Boy in the Book" cluttered with several Post-Its full of notes. I also Printed out a copy of "The Phantom House". Published only once but desperately needing a rewrite or it's being tossed in to the pit of lost stories.

In other news, Cate Gardner's newest short story collection, Strange Men in Pinstripe Suits is available for pre-order ($1.99 off the cover price if you do it now). In celebration, she's holding a contest. Onipar a.k.a. Anthony J. Rapino decided I was among the lucky ones to be dubbed strange. Now, it's my turn to bestow this honor on to seven others, but first, the rules:

The 'Strange Men in Pinstripe Suits' award is given to only the strangest of folk, and as the recipient of such you are deemed very strange indeed. Congratulations.

Now you must go forth and celebrate the strangeness of friends (and strangers - strangers are always allowed) by nominating blogs run by strange folk. *Beware, some people don't like you to refer to them as strange…Try to avoid them if possible.

Some rules:

1. Add the logo of the award to your blog post.
2. Add a link to the person who awarded it to you (don't mess with strange people).
3. Nominate seven other blogs telling us why you think the recipient is strange enough to deserve the award.
4. Leave a message for those nominated on their blogs.
5. And, if you email catephoenix(at)gmail(dot)com and tell her you've received the award for your strangeness, she'll enter you in the biggest kick-ass Strange Men competition ever. Details over at strangemeninpinstripesuits.com (click on the award link on the home page)

1. Leah at Daily Piglet wants to be a mermaid. What's not strange about that?

2. Courtney at Haunt Jaunts I believe our two minds think alike.

3. John at Season of Shadows is all about Halloween all the time.

4. AutumnForest at Ghost Hunting Theories - what can I say about her? She's just that cool or in this case strange. ;)

5. Julie at Above the Norm - can't talk about one without the other. Her and autumnforest are two of a kind.

6. Kristi at Random daily thoughts... cuz she's alive!!!! oh and she's taking x-ray photos of her books.

7. Susie at Ghostposts - currently reading her book Dragon Creed. One can only be strange to come up with a story about a boy turning in to a dragon. :)

Read More

Apologies With Video

I would like to apologize for my insanity on Friday with a couple of videos:

Stupid Girls (Only in Hollywood) By: Saving Abel. I'm not a huge Saving Abel fan but I've come to LOVE this song.

I love spoof movies. They're so hilarious. When I heard about Vampires Suck, I thought it would be spoofing all the latest vampire movies/TV shows, but it seems Twilight is the favorite once again. Doesn't matter. If the movie is anything like the trailer, it's going to be a must see.

Read More

Banging My Head

I was doing so well with the whole waiting thing. Twelve submissions this year so far. Almost doubles my record for 2009. And yet I find myself banging my head on the wall, creating concussions and all that for only one. I was given a tiny bit of hope for good news and a month or so later, I'm still waiting. Doesn't help when you're reading about others receiving their acceptance or rejection letters from the same magazine. And I'm still waiting. Waiting....waiting....waiting. I hate this part.

Would have been better if they hadn't put that damn false hope in my head. I know what you're saying. They're busy reading hundreds of submissions. Be patient. No news is good news. Yada yada yada. I know the script but the movie still sucks.

In the meantime, I'm dumping my Nano blog from last year, Sinister Tales. I tend to worry about those who follow dormant blogs. Mine hasn't been active for almost a year and yet still managed to get 10 followers. Thanks for the support...I think. If you want to read the excerpts of my Nano project, you have til the end of the weekend to do so.

Read More

WIP Wednesday - Recognized

I don't have anything to report. I'm beginning to think these weekly updates are pretty useless since I'm just a lazy sack of taters.

I did get an email from the the International Blogging Recognition Council. Somebody referred my blog to them. They reviewed my "I Told You So" post and decided my little slice of the internet world was deserving to be a “Recognized Blog”. I don't know if that's a bad or good thing. The psychotic bunnies may be trying to trick me in to believing I'm actually special. They're diabolical that way. Never trust a cutesy animal.

Read More

A Letter

Dear Fellow Book Lovers,

I thank you for sharing your love for books with me. I always enjoy learning of new authors and books. However, at this time, my "To-Read" pile is starting to remind me of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Unlike this infamous structure, these Jenga blocks won't hold out much longer. Could we please hold out on any new additions until next year. I was never voted "Most Likely to Read a 100 Books within a Year" in high school for a reason.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Andrea


P.S. Oh, who am I kidding? MUST HAVE THE PRECIOUS!! Tell the hobbits to stop stealing it from us!

Read More

WIP Wednesday - Stewie Rocks!

The lack of posts equal the lack of drama and productivity. My sincerest apologies. Okay, so they're not so sincere but I know there is a "sorry" in there somewhere. I did update my website a little. "Tornado Luck" was retired to the "Free Stories" section. May not be written to perfection but it's one of my favorites from my Contemporary days.

I'm also an official member of Goodreads. Received my author status thanks to a little anthology entitled A Medley of Fiction. I've only seen my name in print twice but it still makes me all giddy. You can find my ugly mug at http://www.goodreads.com/sthrnwriter.

And for your viewing pleasure, this is Stewie with his version of Bryan Adams' (Everything I Do) I Do it For You. Enjoy!

Read More

I Told You So

I knew all that good luck would go on vacation with the polar bears. I'm hating this week already and it's only Monday.

First, our computer phone line died. A call was made to the phone company and their response stated we may not get it back until Wednesday. Thankfully that wasn't the case.

Second, I've been expecting several packages in the mail. Never really had a huge problem with mail getting here in a timely matter. Someone new must be working at the post office because I've gotten nada. Been waiting a few weeks for some and has yet to show. I swear one day all the mail and packages I was suppose to get will miraculously appear on my front door step. It'll be a happy day. I may even smile.

Last, it seems I may have to send in a withdraw to Apollo's Lyre. Been waiting for over two months for a response to my submission. Sent in a query. A whole lotta nothing in return. I hate when editors feel the need to not even send you a courteous email to say they are backed up or just don't care in general. After I do the honors, I'll have only one submission in limbo. *sigh* I started the year out so well.

Read More

Supernatural News

It's time for some Supernatural News. All of the guys have signed on for the new season, including Cas and Bobby. They've already started filming at the beginning of this month and started with the fourth episode. Why? Because the fabulous Jensen Ackles is directing it!!! In this episode, Bobby takes center stage. We'll get to see what he's made of as a leading man.

I have to admit I like the move from Thursday nights to Fridays. Thursdays are grocery night here. I don't have DVR and always managed to miss parts of the show. Thanks to reruns I can catch up on what I missed. Don't know if the move is good for the show in general. Hopefully, it won't lose viewers.

Season six premieres on September 24th!! Totally can't wait! Obsessively counting down the days.

Read More

Grinding My Gears...Again

I don't have anything to report on the writing front. So I'm grinding my gears instead.

You know what grinds my gears? Commas. I'm good with any other punctuation. Commas make me feel funny and self conscious. I don't like it. Why does everything have to be separate? I thought we all were suppose to be getting along? Words can't live in harmony either? Commas are obviously nothing but periods with fancy tails. Trying to be like "q". I think they are in cahoots. They're planning something and the government needs to get on this before they go on some killing rampage. I think we need to start a petition or a mob. Whichever floats your boat. Commandeer Doc Brown's Choo-Choo Train time machine and send them both to the 1800s. Keep the riff-raff out of our time period.

Back to you Diane...

Read More

Where's Some Tissue

I sent my little goodbye letter to the other writers of Write Anything. They have big plans for the website but it's time for me to let that go. I hate goodbyes. It's like writing "The End" on your favorite story. You fall in love and then force finality on it.

My last post won't be for a few months (I think). I have plenty of time to prepare myself for the goodbye. It's just sad times...

Read More

Drama Drama

Apparently, I have a gift in creating drama without even trying. I wrote a post on Write Anything (or rather recycled one of my old ones) about why the space between sentences rule was changed. Just a little FYI to share with the masses and somehow that pissed someone off. Left several comments about why I'm terrible writer and why the other writers at Write Anything should ditch me. Sadly, it's not the first time (don't know if the same person left all the harsh comments).

I'm not taking it to heart. Everyone has the right to their own opinion. This person decided to make theirs very loud and clear. The fact they're hiding behind an anonymous name like "censorship" shows a lot about them, but whatever. On to better news...

Received another book today. Horror Yearbook had a contest a few weeks ago. They were giving away five copies of The Strain by: Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan. I was one of the lucky people to win a copy, but then again, only two or three people entered. The odds were in my favor on this one.

Didn't care for the UPS guy/girl leaving the package on top of our car that's sitting out in the rain. I mean we have two in a carport. This was supposedly done because no one was home. Well guess what UPS guy/girl? We were home! Thank goodness the book didn't get drenched. I guess he/she just didn't want to tangle with our new little snaky friend hiding out in our pond. Where's Billy the Exterminator when you need him?

Read More

Third Times a Charm

So, I was right. These things do come in threes. I entered a giveaway hosted by Jessica from Ghost Stories and Haunted Places. My prize includes a hardcover copy of The Thirteenth Tale by: Diane Setterfield and a couple short stories by Lovecraft.

However, my luck doesn't seem to translate to writing. I also entered Autumn Forest's short story contest at Ghost Hunting Theories and didn't even get an honorable mention although I can kind of understand from reading those who did win. Anyways, below is the story excerpt I submitted. You can read it, love it, hate it, bang your head against your computer screen to avoid it....whatever you choose.

Final Footprint

Matt Gilmore stepped out in to the gloomy morning. The air weighed on his shoulders with sour notions of a former life. The transformation showed its grotesque demure that night with the last drop of death. Violent tremors took over as the final mutation settled within his bones. One week after swallowing the poison, his heart pounded its last beat.

He walked across the green lawn, each step more difficult than the last. Images of his transformation remained fresh in his mind. He continued to walk. Matt made the phone call to The Center. One week. He was stuck with himself for one week. Hunger slowly crept up within him but kept walking until two white marble headstones came into view. Matt collapsed before the dirt mounds. He would wait alongside the wife and daughter stolen from his life with the soul ripped from his chest trapped in the white Victorian, shadowing his grief.

He dug his pale hands into fresh dirt. Memories of their smiling faces flashed in his mind, blinding him to the intruder’s approach. Whispers filled his ears. A chilled breeze whipped past him, consuming his mind with familiar emotions. Soon such a feeling would be absent to him completely. All thought and reason would drain from his existence, but on this day, he fed his sorrow as he waited to be recruited.

Another ambush of whispers and giggles sailed through him, slightly more recognizable than the first. However, the third wave opened his eyes to the truth. The barrier didn’t hold; his humanity now roamed free to inflict its rage on whomever it chose. A moment of panic passed by as he turned to his former home. A hand lightly grasped his shoulder, spinning his stiff body to face his adversary. The air appeared as vacant of life as before. Another light tap on his shoulder forced an additional one-eighty. His body temperature dropped a few more degrees. His stomach rumbled. Memories began to melt away.

Golden leaves scattered to a distant freedom with no natural aid. Soil shifted under his fingers. Matt spotted movement escaping from his eyesight from one side to the other, circling its prey. Isolating him in his final hours of sanity. Spirits were always great weapons for psychological warfare. His specter would be a great asset to any army, but could he survive the part of himself determined to destroy its final physical footprint in the world.

Read More