The Big Reveal Bloghop – There’s no turning back now.

Big Reveal 032113I am a bit hesitant to participate in The Big Reveal Bloghop because, well, there’s no turning back now. Once you reveal your theme you kind of have to follow through with it. Well, here I go.
The theme for my 2013 A to Z Challenge is My Hometown; Past & Present. My formative years were spent in Dallas, Texas and the surrounding suburbs.  I recently moved back after being away for 7 years. So much has changed. I thought I would play tourist in my own home town, from A to Z.
To take it one step further, I will be penning short flash fiction pieces for each stop on the A to Z trail. That’s right, 26 short stories in 26 days.
Now, a word on these stories. I was going to write all completely original stories written in the setting and using the setting for the day.  Well, I do have a life so that won’t be realistic. Here are the parameters I set for myself and these stories:
Each story will be set in the location for the day.
The story can be original or a memory of something that happened to me in that setting.
It’s up to you guys out their to decide which stories are true and which are from my imagination.

I wanted to take a moment to extoll the greatness that is The A to Z Challenge. It is such a blast and I’ve been looking forward to 2013 A to Z since the end of 2012 A to Z. If you haven’t signed up, do it now. If you have signed up, get ready for a wild ride.

If you signed up for 2013 A to Z, tell me your theme in the comments?  If you didn’t sign up, why not? 

 

My Weekly Update – Proud

Proud

Yesterday, I attend the funeral of a close family friend. A beautiful celebration which culminated his sons speaking eloquently about what their father meant to them. So, touching. I am proud to have known him and his family.

I was also proud to be with my family during the ceremony. We are so blessed to be able to spend time together.

RIP Uncle Milton.

Favorite Find

I found this vlog, KelsNotChelsNotLive,  the other day on Google+. I love this girl. She is so funny and so on point when it comes to writers and writing.

This was my favorite, but she has a whole series, check them out on YouTube.

Have you thought about doing a Video Blog? What’s stopping you? 

New Followers
Valeriu Dg Barbu 
Katya Moonstone
Cheryl at CK Poisoned Rose’s Writings
Opinionated Man
Live Life Love Bacon
Adam P Bellotto at Eat, Sleep, Television
 
Next Week’s Schedule
Monday – Ninja Captain Alex Top Ten Movie Countdown Blogfest
Tuesday – Anniversary Guest Post – Vikki Thompson
Wednesday – Progressive Book Club Post – Save the Cat
Thursday – The Big Reveal Bloghop
Friday – Anniversary Guest Post – D.C. McMillen
Sunday – My Weekly Update
 
Big Reveal 032113

TOPTENMOVIE 031813

 
 

My Weekly Update – Edits, Please.

I’m a Minnion

A to Z Challenge #195

Thanks to Nicole from The Madlab Post for choosing me to be one of her minions.

I am on a staff with Sheila Siler, Tami Van Zalez and M.J. Joachim. A talented, smart and fun group to be a part of and we will do Nicole proud.

Have you signed up for the A to Z Challenge?  For more information, read this.
Still trying to figure out a theme, read this.

Third Week Of Edits

In order to stay up to date on my edits, I have a number of accountabilities (that’s a word) in place.

  1. the writers dojo – As a part of NiNoReMo group, I have set a goal to edit 12 chapters in the month of March.  Ali cross and the rest of the group are super supportive and I don’t want to let them down.
  2. Beta readers – I am sending chapters to my beta readers as soon as I finish editing them and it’s a good sign when my beta’s are calling me to send more chapters. They are breathless with anticipation (anyone know where that quote comes from?).  And, one of my beta’s said, I can’t wait to see if the main characters get together, but she picked the wrong two main characters, so she is going to be in for a surprise. That’s what I hope every reading my book when they read it. I suck them in and then turn the tables on it.  hahahahaha(evil laugh).
  3. DFW Writer’s Conference – I want my beta’s to finish reading so I can have all edits done and ready to go for the conference in May.  All those agents out there are just waiting to read my manuscript. 😉

Do you work better when you’re held accountable or are you one of those internally motivated people (hate envy proud of those people)?  

Post to Ponder – Edit Edition

Chapter Edits – A Quick Overview by Raewyn Hewitt – If you’re new to editing and not sure where to start, follow these steps. It will get you far. 
Four Situations When We Should Tell Rather than Show by Marcy Kennedy – I know this sounds blasphemous, but read it. It makes so much sense. 
Close Edits: What I Look Out For by Tara Tyler – Great list of edits to look for. 

My Favorite Blog of the Week

Rejection Love Letters – John Tompkins is a writer who has turn rejection into triumph. Ok, maybe not triumph, but he certainly has the right attitude.  I have been LOL’ing over his sight all week.  He turns his rejection letters into love letter.
New Followers
Jenny Keller Ford
Billy Dawson
Carissa Taylor
Leo Rex
Crafted in Carhartt
Rick Mallery
 
Next Week’s Schedule
Tuesday – Tattoo Tuesday – calling all tattoo’ed writers
Wednesday – SQM Silver Lining Playbook
Friday – The Only Exception Blog Tour
Sunday – My Weekly Update

My Weekly Update – Better Late Than Never

Twenty Seven days into 2013 and I now I am starting to understand.  Well, Better Late Than Never, right?

  1. I understand that my lackadaisical, laid back, ‘oh, I’ll get to it’ attitude about blogging is not for me.  I need a schedule. I am going back to announcing my schedule for the week – better late than never, right? 
  2. I understand that while I can’t spend all my time on social media and be a productive writer, I can’t ignore days of social media and expect to be on top of things.  Playing catch up all the time doesn’t work for me – better late than never, right? 
  3. I understood that I needed some time after my last job to relax and recharge.  But, 6 weeks out of work and I am bored and unproductive in every part of my life.  Far be it from me (What a great saying, I feel like my grandma) to use all this extra time to practice writing habitually, reading cognitively and editing effectively.  But, I am starting now – better late than never, right? 
  4. I am realizing that with so many opportunities out there for pitching/querying/submitting to agents/publishers on blogs/twitter/facebook/writer’s conferences. My three first drafts aren’t ever going to be ready, sitting on my desk unedited – better late than never, right?

Have you had any Better Late Than Never lessons learned this year?  

Awards

one-lovely-blog-award

Thanks so much to EM Castellan for the The Lovely Blog Award.

Also, a quick thanks and shot out to Karens Different Corners for awarding me the Liebster Award, although I am not sure I should except because I have more then 200 followers, I appreciate the recognition regardless. And, she is close to 200 herself, so follow her and prepare to gain knowledge and be entertained.

Post to Report On

Hey, Y’all: Dialect and Slang From the Write AngleAs someone from Texas, I have to practice not making all my characters sound like Texans.  What do y’all think about dialects and slang? 
Character Study by Left and Write – How much character development do you do before and during writing and editing? 
6 Things You Didn’t Know About Becoming and Published Author: a guest post by RaeBeth McGee-Buda on Amanda Fanger – #2 – Editing is Tough – I knew it. 
The First Draft Run Through Blues by Raewynn Hewitt – Makes me want to cry. 
Editing is Writing Too by Raewynn Hewitt – The push I needed to get off my butt and put my butt in the chair and edit. 
New Followers
Tim The Film Guy
William Stadler
Special thanks to my email followers as well.  
 

Next Week’s Schedule

Monday – Re-Introduce Myself Blog Hop
Wednesday – The Word Master Challenge
Friday – Imaginary Friend Blog Hop
Sunday – My Weekly Update

And, don’t forget to sign up for Blogging from A to Z Challenge on Wednesday, January 30, 2012.  Click the badge below for rules and Tips on Blogging from A to Z.

 

And, congratulation to Aldrea Alien for knowing her Bilbo/Gollum Riddles. Here are the answers:

1. Mountain.
2. Teeth.
3. Wind.
4. Sun in the sky shining upon daises on a hill.
5. Darkness.
6. Egg
7. A Fish.
8. A fish lay on a table. A man sat on a stool. And the cat got the bones.
9. Time!

A to Z Challenge Interview

Hello Everybody,

Not quite back, yet.  I’ll resume full blog duties tomorrow, but had to share with you this interview I did for the A to Z Challenge website. Ninja Captain Alex interviewed me about my A to Z Challenge last year. My theme was Australia.

Please check out the interview and let me know you think.

And, start thinking about your theme for next years A to Z Challenge.

What will your theme be for 2013?