Memorial Day is a Great Day to Say Thank You

I had a blast participating in Cherie Reich's 2nd Annual Flash Fiction Blogfest and I'd just like to thank Cherie again for hosting it! She announced the six finalists on Friday, an eclectic collection of stories, all of which are great reads (certainly something for everyone). You can check them out right here:

Geek Banter

Medeia Sharif

Far Away Eyes

Title by Jaq

Scribbles From Jenn

Demolishing the Block

I want to thank Ninja Captain Alex again for visiting my blog on Friday and sharing some thoughts on his humble beginnings. He is a writing and blogging inspiration to me, and by reading the comments on his posts every few days, I know there are many other writers/bloggers who feel similarly. I just hope my post did him and his first novel, CassaStar, justice.

From these two events, I've received comments from a number of new bloggers and I'd like to formally welcome you all. I appreciate you stopping by and I hope we can talk more.

Something I've come across time and again as I've been working my way though new blogs over the weekend is the cover release of Ciara Knight's novella, Weighted, which is set for an August release. I'd like to show my support as well and display the cover here. It looks freakin' awesome!  

Here's the blurb: The Great War of 2185 is over, but my nightmare has just begun. I am being held captive in the Queen’s ship awaiting interrogation. My only possible ally is the princess, but I’m unsure if she is really my friend or a trap set by the Queen to fool me into sharing the secret of my gift. A gift I keep hidden even from myself.  It swirls inside my body begging for release, but it is the one thing the Queen can never discover. Will I have the strength to keep the secret? I’ll know the answer soon. If the stories are true about the interrogators, I’ll either be dead or a traitor to my people by morning.

Are you a fan of Silversun Pickups? Their third album, Neck of the Woods, came out a few weeks ago and I've been listening to it exhaustively. I don't think it's better than Swoon; it feels more like a continuation than a progression of their sound. I hear more eighty's new wave influences in this album,  which I enjoy matched with Brian's raspy vocals.  


It is Memorial Day, so let's all take a moment of silence for those who have given their lives for the United States. And if you see a member of the US Armed Forces while you're out, please take a moment to say "thank you."

WoW: Your/You're in for a Treat

 Writing Tip: You're vs. Your

I didn't want to screw up my new schedule on the second week in, but I entered the 2nd Annual Flash Fiction Blogfest on Monday and want extra time to check out all the blogs participating. I definitely recommend you checking out the link, or blogs on the linky in my previous post.

So I'll keep this brief. I ran across this video on Monday and found it interesting: it's of a white rapper, Mac Lethal (I don't listen to much rap and hadn't heard of him until stumbling upon this video), explaining the difference between you're and your, which is one of many common mistaking in writing. I must admit his rapping is hilarious, informative, and impressive. ***Advisory: if you're offended by swearing, don't watch this video.***

Provex City News

Julie at What Else is Possible? mentioned Provex City in her post last Friday, which is awesome and I can't thank her enough!
A few comments from last week advised me to do a blog tour for my book, which sounds great, so I'll have to look into what I need to do to make that happen.

The other thing I really want to take advantage of is utilizing Goodreads. I still haven't done much with it, but I know there are a lot of authors and readers on that site and it's a great place to meet more people and promote. Wish me luck! Friend me, if you haven't already. :)

Work in Progress

Well, I've written about 1000 words in Book 2 over the past week, which is not something to brag about. But at least I did 2 new flash fiction pieces, which I am proud of. My writing routine at work has been disrupted as of late and hopefully I can get my time back real soon because I'm so close! I've just delivered Oliver into a huge heap of danger and need to find a way to get him out of it. The funny thing is that I don't know how he's going to escape yet, and if everyone he's with will escape with him, but I'll think of something.

Do you place your characters into situations where you don't know how you'll get them out until they're already in the middle of it? Did I use you're vs. your right each time in this post? Don't answer that one.

Attention!!! 

On Friday, I'll post my very first review, and it is of Alex J. Cavanaugh's CassaStar. The Ninja Captain himself may even stop by and share a few words...you'll have to check back to find out!

Lightning Flashed!

I found this Flash Fiction Blogfest yesterday and was really excited to participate. Thank you to Cherie Reich for hosting it!

Here are the rules:

1. Entries must begin with the two words: Lightning flashed.
2. Entries must be 300 words or less.
3. Entries must be posted on your blog between May 21 - 23.
4. You must sign up in the linky to have your entry counted.

My flash fiction clocks in at exactly 300 words (including the title)! I hope you enjoy it, and the links to the other awesome bloggers participating is posted below, so be sure to check them out!

Facing the Pane

Lightning flashed, and I wished I hadn’t been looking out the window when it did. For a split second, I saw her standing on the sidewalk facing my house, her carmine dress and stringy blond hair drenched and dripping from the rising storm. Then she was gone again, swallowed by the unforgiving darkness as thunder tolled ominously overhead.

I didn’t know her well, but I was there. Everyone at school knew what had happened, but only a few of us knew the truth. She had visited all the others in the group and now she was visiting me. I couldn’t peel myself away from the window, from her still silhouette.

When lightning flashed again, she appeared halfway up my front yard, her body deathly still, her eyes fixed on me. My hand shook as I clutched the curtain with white knuckles, but I couldn’t let it fall. I couldn’t let her out of my sight—even if all I could see was her spectral shadow standing slightly more than a striking distance away.

The next thunderclap shook the house. The storm was directly overhead. She was right here in front of me, shrouded, but I could still picture her clearly. I could still hear her screaming. I could still—

My muscles tensed involuntarily and sweat trickled down my face as I awaited the next flash. And when it came, where she had been stationed was once again empty. I leaned in closer, placed my free hand against the frosted pane, and scanned the yard. That was when I saw her statuesque figure slowly ascending my two front steps.

I waited for the lightning’s better half, but it didn’t come, only the fierce rapping of my final visitor at the front door.

Lightning flashed; the door swung open.