Faith Slightly Restored

I have to say my faith in our postal system was restored...slightly yesterday. Look what I got in the mail:


I won one of John Wolfe's Season of Shadows giveaways. The 4th season of A Haunting DVD box set was the prize but John always manages to add a few extra goodies. My little goodie bag included candy and foam critters. I love people who are big in to Halloween. Not many people around here go all out for the holiday. It's so sad. If you're not following his blog, you should be. Hint Hint...

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Mail Hell

Look what I got in the mail yesterday:


The two cassette tapes from the Braille Library in Los Angeles, California was suppose to be a Nightmare on Elm Street hat, a little trinket I won in a giveaway. This is becoming a very bad habit. I've had several books that were sent to me for review mysteriously get lost in the mail just to add to this fiasco. To top it all, the postal service wanted to raise the price of stamps for like the third time this year. Why? With service like this, who would want to pay more to have their stuff lost or damaged?

It's one of those times I wish I had a magic wand or something. I could just zap things from one place to the other without the use of the middle man. Would be nice....

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The Wait is Over

I made a promise. Stood my ground. Avoided temptation to display my impatience on my precious blog. As of Tuesday, my silent stance is over. The official verdict is been rendered:

Dear Writer,

I'd like to thank you for your submission to Shroud. Unfortunately it was not selected for a second read nor for publication at this time.

We have very limited space at Shroud and I truly wish I could publish and pay for more stories than I currently accept but it's just not an option. Please do not consider this a "rejection" of your work, but more of a "we'll have to pass for now".

In most cases, we try to offer a personlized response to submissions. If you have not received one, then please accept our sincere apologies for the impersonal nature of this note.

You can read why you did not receive a personlized response here: http://bit.ly/9dG5Am

Thank you for entrusting your creative work with Shroud. We hope to hear from you again in the near future.

Best,

Tim
--
Tim Deal
Editor & Publisher
Shroud Publishing LLC
http://www.shroudmagazine.com
http://www.twitter.com/shroudmag
http://shroudpublishing.blogspot.com/

There's the kick in the coffin that I needed to make this week just so perfect. Can't say that I'm surprised. Oh, there were prayers for an acceptance but the rejection was expected. Oh well. The parades, fireworks and chickens in bunny suits will have to wait a little longer, I guess.

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The Number Zero

It's thirteen days in to #10bythen for the month of October. What's my progress? The number is still sitting at zero. I know it's terrible. It should be raining frogs and crickets to highlight my shame. However, the month isn't over yet. There's still time to rectify the situation. Until then, you may scold....I mean encourage me as much as you like to get to work.

My lack of productivity has spilled over in to Nano. In prior years, I visited the website on a daily basis. Not so much this year. Log on maybe once or twice a week. Don't know why I have such a ho-hum attitude towards it.

Maybe the demonic raccoons have been working their magic. I swear they devised a treaty with the vampire skunks and are now plotting against me. Just a matter of time before they make their first move.

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Draculas

Behold! The cover art for DRACULAS By: Blake Crouch, Jack Kilborn, Jeff Strand, and F. Paul Wilson. You may drool if you like. I'll wait.................................Finished?

J. A. Konrath offered digital advance reader copies to any reviewers (with a few strings attached) who wanted read and do a write-up on it prior to it being released on October 19th. I received my copy yesterday. Can't wait to dig in.

If you want to review it, there's still time to ask for your ARC. Visit Konrath's blog for details.

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Titles Please Apply Here

I hesitantly joined in with the #10bythen crowd. My work ethics are atrocious. After five days, I have nothing to report on this end. Now, this doesn't mean I've sat on my fanny and done nothing.

A few weeks ago, I was watching a crappy horror movie (can't recall the title). Just when I thought I had wasted an hour of my life an idea popped in to me head and did a jig. Got my little flower notebook and jotted down note after note. Reread it today and it still makes sense. I guess if you fire enough bullets in a barrel you're going to hit a fish sooner or later. I'm using the Roanoke Colony mystery as inspiration. From the POV of a person situated right in the middle of all the craziness that leads to a town disappearing. Set in a modern day small town. Not in Roanoke or where the colony use to be. Haven't wormed out all details yet.

I spent a couple of hours yesterday, trying to come up with a working title. Resorted to a Random Title Generator. I don't have too much luck with titles. Here are a few possibilities:

The Darkness of the Doors
Sleeping End (possibly to be used as the name of the town)
History of Ashes
The Shadow's Truth
No Healing

No decisions have been made yet. I hate making decisions. I'm not a very decision-oriented type of person. I try.....I know. I know. Get back to work. Is it December yet?

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Oh No! It's the Dreaded Meme!

Poor voodoodoll by Jorshma on Deviant ART

I was never good at playing tag. My attention span is not always as I would like it to be. However, Anthony tagged me with this meme and with the spirit of doing anything with this blog today, I choose to join in.

1. If you could have any superpower, what would you have? Why?

I could go for the usual suspects, x-ray vision, immortality, etc. However, after watching Zombieland for the third time, I think I would like the ability to have power over a zombie, controlling it's every move. I think it will be of great use when the zombie apocalypse hits, don't you think?

2. Who is your style icon?

I'm suppose to have a style icon? Who sent that memo out and why didn't I get it?

3. What is your favorite quote?

"Human beings can always be relied upon to exert, with vigor, their God-given right to be stupid." Dean Koontz ~~ enough said.

4. What is the best compliment you’ve ever received?

I know certain someone who constantly compares me to THE Stephen King even though I doubt I've come close to earning the comparison. It's flattering nonetheless as it's not from a member of my family.

5. What playlist/CD is in your CD player/iPod right now?

I'm probably one of the few people in the universe who doesn't own an iPod. Uncertain if that makes me lucky or not. In my CD player is a nice mix of Disturbed, Paramore, and Breaking Benjamin with a side of Theory of a Deadman and Skillet.

6. Are you a night owl or a morning person?

Depends on the moon phase at the time.

7. Do you prefer dogs or cats?

Dogs are sweet but I prefer cats. They don't bug me every five minutes or try to steal food from my plate when they think I'm not looking.

8. What is the meaning behind your blog name?

It was named Southern Expressions, but I soon realized people were becoming rather disappointed when they weren't getting a full list of our colorful charm here in the south. So, expressions was turned in to Writemares due to the fact I've had more bad writing dreams than good ones as of late. Gotta break a few eggs right?

Now, I know this is the part where I'm suppose to tag other people. But I don't like it when people make me do stuff. If you want to participate, all the bells and cauliflower to you. I promise no curse will be placed upon you if you decide not to join in. Really.....I mean it. My voodoo doll is in for its 1,000 hex check-up. So, you're safe.

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I'm In!

Okay, so I'm arm has been twisted in to a pretzel. I cried out "Uncle and Cheeseballs!" and gave in to peer pressure. Anthony was so kind to relay the rules of #10bythen to me. Expect the shameful apology letter at the end of the month blaming everyone for my failure because you know it's never my fault. My momma said so....HA!

Now, I'm impatiently awaiting the relaunch of the NaNoWriMo website (I'm sthrnwriter on Nano if anyone wants to look me up) which is suppose to take place sometime tonight (at least, that's what they tweeted and we all know tweets are always gold). I can't wait to chat with my once-a-year friends and display the pretty new graphics on here oh so proudly. Then, I can let my nerves take over, throw up a few times and convince myself that after three previous "wins" this will be the year I fail. (Don't look all cross-eyed and crazy at me. This is my process.) In the meantime, enjoy the following video:

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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.

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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!!

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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....

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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....

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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.

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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....

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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.

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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!

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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. :)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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