Friday, August 31, 2012

Ninja News, Movie Trivia, and Giving up Blogging

Jeff Hargett at Strands of Pattern has been featuring an August is Awesome series. And guess what? I have a guest post with Jeff today! Jump over to Strands of Pattern for my take on blogging.

Ninja News!

Don’t forget, next Wednesday is post day for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group.
 
Prayers for Roland Yeomans and others who live in and around New Orleans.

Big thank you to Jeremy Bates for his awesome review of CassaFire!

I was tagged by Michael Offutt for the Be Inspired meme. I think this is the third time I’ve been tagged. As you’ve probably noticed, I don’t do memes, but I will answer one of the questions:
Tell us anything that might pique our interest in your book.
CassaStorm - Twenty years have passed, and now Byron's struggles include intergalactic war, ancient aliens, and his own son.
Yeah, that last one really messes with his head. Heck, it would mess with MY head!

With Labor Day on Monday, I won’t be posting until next Wednesday. But the Ninja will be lurking…

More Ninja answers:

From Rusty Webb - How about, what's your hat size? No, that's too lame of a question. I need something more grand. What's your favorite Flinstone? Still no. Lessee, could you ever dunk a basketball?
Hat size – no idea. Favorite Flintstone – Betty. Dunk a basketball – yes!

From Karen Walker - And yes, I'd love to learn a bit more about Alex, the man. What I know so far is so wonderful.
Thank you, Karen! Well, to keep in line with the wonderful part, I’ll tell you that I adore my wife. She is smarter, sexier, and more amazing now than the day I met her. I am one lucky dude.

Giving up Blogging

Recently I saw a post about bloggers quitting due to negative response. They were book bloggers, dealing with angry authors, trolls, and a general dissatisfaction with what they were doing.

The question – have you ever thought about quitting?

While this Ninja has thought about the day I won’t be able to maintain the same pace I do now, I’ve never thought about quitting. And not just because I’m an author with at least one more book in me.

I refuse to quit on my blogger buddies.

Why you keep coming here, I don’t know. But you do! And to quote the original Spiderman – “With much power comes much responsibility.”

Why do I continue to blog? Because of YOU.

Some of you go through things that just amaze me. You persevere. You don’t give up. And eventually, you succeed.

I want to be here when you succeed. To share your triumphs with the world. And since the Ninja Army is so huge now, I know I can share it with a lot of people.

This blog long ago ceased being about me. It’s about YOU. Someone this week commented that I was Superman and that I needed to reveal Clark Kent. But neither really matters. What matters to me is YOU.

I never set out to be an author. I never thought I’d have an online presence, let alone that it would grow to its current state. I am humbled by the amount of people who leave comments here every week. You keep me going. You make me want to do better. You are a great blessing in my lfe.

So this is to let you know, this Ninja is NOT quitting!

Movie Trivia!

Two actors – name the movie!

1 – Sylvester Stallone – John Lithgow

2 – Kevin Costner – Gene Hackman (two answers)

3 – John Cleese – Jamie Lee Curtis

4 – Emma Thompson – Andy Garcia

5 – Andrew Dice Clay – Wayne Newton

6 – Alec Baldwin – James Earl Jones


Ready for the IWSG? Have you been tagged? Know the answers to the movie trivia? And have you ever thought about quitting? What keeps you going?

Don’t forget to visit Strands of Pattern!

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

The Lost Girl, Ninja News and Answers, and the September Movie Preview!

The Lost Girl

The Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna was released this week – congratulations, Sangu!

Eva’s life is not her own. She is a creation, an abomination—an echo. Made by the Weavers as a copy of someone else, she is expected to replace a girl named Amarra, her “other”, if she ever died. Eva studies what Amarra does, what she eats, what it’s like to kiss her boyfriend, Ray. So when Amarra is killed in a car crash, Eva should be ready.

But fifteen years of studying never prepared her for this.

Now she must abandon everything she’s ever known—the guardians who raised her, the boy she’s forbidden to love—to move to India and convince the world that Amarra is still alive.

What Eva finds is a grief-stricken family; parents unsure how to handle this echo they thought they wanted; and Ray, who knew every detail, every contour of Amarra. And when Eva is unexpectedly dealt a fatal blow that will change her existence forever, she is forced to choose: Stay and live out her years as a copy or leave and risk it all for the freedom to be an original. To be Eva.

Purchase The Lost Girl now from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Amazon UK

Ninja News!

Next Wednesday is post day for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. Please remember to post the badge and a link to the IWSG list so others can find the group and join us!




Michael Abayomi’s second book in the Guardians & The Lost Paradise series, The Fall, is available now. Congratulations, Michael!!



And so many questions for the Ninja! It will take me months to answer all of them. Selected a few for today…

From Spacerguy - Alex, is there a price to pay for being Captain of the Ninja Army?
Just the willingness to invest my time and myself.

From Christine Rains - What book are you reading right now?
Just started Roland Yeomans’ The Legend of Victor Standish.

From just about everyone – a photo of me! There is one on my About Me page.
Want something better? Well, Mark Koopmans has something in mind for November…

September Movie Preview!

Here are the upcoming releases for September. As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snarky comments by me. 


7 –

[REC]³ Génesis
A couple's wedding day turns into a horrific events as some of the guests start showing signs of a strange illness.
Director: Paco Plaza
Stars: Leticia Dolera, Diego Martín, Javier Botet, Àlex Monner
Won’t catch it in the theater, but the first two were good.

14 –

Resident Evil: Retribution
Alice fights alongside a resistance movement in the continuing battle against the Umbrella Corporation and the undead.
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
Stars: Milla Jovovich, Sienna Guillory, Michelle Rodriguez, Kevin Durand
Fifth? Sixth? I’ve lost count. As long as they make money (and Milla stays in shape) we’ll see many more. Won’t see this in the theater either, but I will watch on NetFlix. As long as they don’t suck, I’ll keep watching!

21 –

Dredd 3D
In a violent, futuristic city where the police have the authority to act as judge, jury and executioner, a cop teams with a trainee to take down a gang that deals the reality-altering drug, SLO-MO.
Director: Pete Travis
Stars: Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, Lena Headey, Rachel Wood
Urban is supposed to be awesome in this! Now to wipe that awful Stallone film from my mind…

28 –

Looper
In 2072, when the mob wants to get rid of someone, the target is sent 30 years into the past, where a hired gun awaits. Someone like Joe, who one day learns the mob wants to 'close the loop' by transporting back Joe's future self.
Director: Rian Johnson
Stars: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt, Paul Dano
I’ve been looking forward to this film for months! Gordon-Levitt is great in everything now (and he’s in just about every movie as well) and Willis is always fun.

Hotel Transylvania
Dracula, who operates a high-end resort away from the human world, goes into overprotective mode when a boy discovers the resort and falls for the count's teen-aged daughter.
Director: Genndy Tartakovsky
Stars: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez
Thought I’d throw in something for the kids. From the guy who brought us Over the Hedge.

Have you picked up The Lost Girl Yet? Or The Fall? Ready for the IWSG next week? My answers satisfy your curiosity… for now? And what September movies are on your radar?

Monday, August 27, 2012

Author Ciara Knight Weighs in on Science, Ninja News, and Ninja out of the Shell

Special treat today! Author Ciara Knight is here to talk about the science in science fiction. Or rather, that lack thereof. (Hey, I can totally relate!) Take it, Ciara…

I’d like to thank Master Ninja Alex for allowing me to be here today. You are the most giving blogger I know, and you write my favorite genre, science fiction. I’ve always wanted to write in this genre, but avoided it. I hope you don’t mind, but that’s what I’m going to talk about today.

No, not Science!

I’ve avoided writing science fiction because I’ve always been scared of the supporting science. When I began writing The Neumarian Chronicles, I fell completely in love with the story, characters, and plot. I started typing my ideas down as they came flooding in with little effort until I hit the dreaded technology question. What is the power source?

The Neumarian Chronicles is a futuristic post-war setting with airships, so I couldn’t ignore this problem. I consulted some old friends including a mechanic, NASA writer, fighter pilot, and my hubby (The man is aggravatingly brilliant. Of course, I find that totally sexy).

I researched heat engines (Internal combustion and external combustion), electric, pneumatic motors, and molecular motors. I found each one had some issues. In Weighted and the beginning of Escapement (book I of The Neumarian Chronicles) they are in the Mining Territory, located in the wasteland (AKA western USA). I did some research on natural resources that would have likely survived the war, and discovered uranium as an option. Great, I’ll have the airship use a nuclear steam-powered Stirling engine. Problem solved, right?

No.

There are ships, trains, and boats from other areas. I continued my research and discovered what else would most likely survive a great war. Coal in one region, salt-water in another, etc…

You’ve probably already solved my dilemma, but I was so deep in research I didn’t see the obvious.

*Palm to head* Dah!

Why does there have to be one technology? There is no internet, phone, or easy transportation. This world is rebuilding under tyrannical rule. There would be no ONE power source. They would be scavenging for whatever they could to survive.

The funny part is that most of the science isn’t discussed in the book, but I know how everything works. Also, you smarty-pants out there won’t call me out for using the wrong power source. Okay, I know someone will, but that’s okay. I loved the process and learned so much about science, technology, and myself as a writer.

Now, I totally accept the roll of a fearless Ninja of science. Well, at least in my writing.

Weighted 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.

Author bio:
Ciara Knight writes to ‘Defy the Dark’ with her fantasy and paranormal books. Her debut novel, The Curse of Gremdon, was released to acclaimed reviews, securing a Night Owl Top Pick and five stars from the Paranormal Romance Guild. Also, released in 2012 is her young adult series, Battle for Souls.

For a full list of her work, please go to her website.

Ciara is extremely sociable and can be found at Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, and her blog.

Ninja News

Milo James Fowler at In Medias Res is holding a contest for the latest volume of Bardic Tales and Sage Advice (in PRINT), which includes his story "The Second Option." Visit his blog for details.

Part Three of Andrew Leon’s book, Shadow Spinner, is available for free on Amazon now.

Thanks to everyone who visited Teresa at Journaling Woman last Friday. Glad you liked my writing tip.
I think it’s my new motto!


Today is the special cover reveal of EJ Wesley’s new book!! 
Congratulations, EJ!!!

And he's holding a giveaway at his blog, so check it out.

My movie trivia question on Friday – which movie series/franchise has TWO films in the top ten of all time? Believe it or not, Pirates of the Caribbean! On Stranger Tides and Dead Man’s Chest are both in the top ten with over a billion dollars each. (No idea why, but that’s the answer.)

Beyond the Ninja Shell

Several of you commented that you enjoyed finding out things about me at Teresa’s blog that you don’t find here. I’ll admit, I don’t divulge much on my own blog, whether because I’m a private person, or yeah, I’m still shy, or just the fact I don’t think I’m all that interesting. So I’ll leave it up to you guys – what do you want to know? I won’t reveal all, but I’ll do my best. And snark may or may not be involved.

Questions for Ciara about science? (Hey, can’t ask me – I still don’t know how a teleporter works.) Get the trivia question right? And anything you’d possibly want to know about the Ninja…?

Friday, August 24, 2012

Ninja News, Video Feature, Movie Remakes, 2012 Movie Grosses, and Interesting People!

Teresa at Journaling Woman has a special feature called “Friday’s Interesting People.” And guess what? Today I’m the interesting person! (Hey, one day out of the year’s not bad.) So stop by her blog and check it out.

Ninja News!

Want to know what’s involved in setting up and running a writer’s retreat? Just ask author Jessica Bell. She’s also running a special Wednesday feature, so leave your question HERE.

Melynda’s Labor Day Blogfest and Bookfair – “This September, Wayman Publishing is honoring Melynda Fleury for her brave fight against diabetes by offering a 3 part giveaway to get everyone involved in reading and this giveaway!” See Siv Maria’s site for details.

Overused words! Want some alternatives? Bish Denham posts a great list of alternatives every Thursday as she makes her way through the alphabet. See the full list of overused words HERE.

Sean McLachlan at Civil War Horror is having a birthday sale until the end of August! Check out the details on his blog.

Video Feature!

I had issues with C. Lee McKenzie’s book trailer last week, so posting it for her today!


Movie Remakes Question

Hollywood has been pumping out the movie remakes lately. Some have worked well (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) some have failed (Total Recall.) Most of us would prefer they made some new films, even if they are based on books. (Hollywood, feel free to contact my publisher about movie rights to CassaStar and CassaFire.)

However, since they appear determined to continue remaking older films, here’s my question – what old film would you LIKE to see remade?

My selection – 1979’s Buck Rogers.
Yes, I had a huge teen crush on Erin Gray, but the film is as cheesy as hell.
Make one that is more serious, with great effects, and no Twiki noises, and it just might rock. (Maybe Erin can make a cameo appearance?)

Movies – the Money-Makers so Far

With two-thirds of the year gone (when did THAT happen?) here are the biggest money-making movies so far. All totals are world-wide because that’s what really matters.

1 – The Avengers - $1.48 billion

2 – The Dark Knight Rises - $900 million

3 – Ice Age: Continental Drift - $800 million

4 – The Amazing Spider-Man - $692 million

5 – The Hunger Games - $623 million

6 – Men in Black 3 - $623 million

7 – Madagascar 3 - $565 million

I’ve seen six of the seven! How many have you seen?

And quick movie trivia – one movie series has TWO films in the top ten of all time – name the series.

Lots of good news today! Did you like the book trailer for Alligators Overhead? What movie do you want to see remade? Surprised by the top movies so far? (Ice Age 4 – really???) And do you know the answer to my trivia question?

Don’t forget to visit Teresa at Journaling Woman!

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Ninja Back From Vacation! Carol Kilgore and the Tiki Hut Invasion! New Book Releases and Cover Reveals! Movie Trivia Answers! Dogs and Cats, Living Together… Mass Hysteria!

I’m back from vacation! Did you miss me? I was able to get online more than anticipated, but I know I missed a lot of awesome stuff from you guys. And I aim to make it up to you this week!

And my special Challenge Participant Feature interview at the A to Z Blog today is Golden Eagle! Be sure to stop by and hear about her topic for the Challenge.

Tiki Hut Invasion

Please welcome the awesome Carol Kilgore from the infamous Under the Tiki Hut blog! She is here to amuse the Ninja Army like it was nobody’s business…

Pinch me. Please.

Ouch! Not so hard.

Am I really here? This is Alex J. Cavanaugh's blog, right?

Ninja Alex?

Wow.

Oh. I guess I should tell you who I am and why I'm here. My name is Carol Kilgore, and I blog over at Under the Tiki Hut. There's no beach here, like at the Tiki Hut. I see space – planets, stars! And that funky-looking meteor that just zinged past.

A LOT MORE OF YOU are moving around out there than at the Tiki Hut. I recognize some of you, but I see new faces, too.

The reason I'm visiting Alex today is to recruit Cassans for tell you about my debut novel. IN NAME ONLY is just like nothing at all like Alex's books. The story is about Summer Newcombe, a woman caught up in the Federal Witness Security Program, and how she fights back. She's just been relocated to Padre Island and has no real home, no family or friends, and no place to hide from those seeking to do her harm.

There are spaceships and epic battles is a Beach and a Kayak, a Hot Firefighter, an Older Woman with a Tiny Dancing Dog. And Guns and Roses. Not the band. And more. Oh yeah…there's also a plot with a young woman in danger. If she's more at home with guns than roses, that's because she wants to stay alive. On earth. I tried to place her on Tgren, but Alex beat me to the punch.


Carol writes a blend of mystery, suspense, and romance she calls Crime Fiction with a Kiss. You can find her here: Blog Website Facebook Twitter Goodreads

IN NAME ONLY is available at Amazon in both Kindle and print editions.



Thanks, Carol! And sorry about getting to Tgren first...

Awesome Book Cover Reveals!



Uprising (Children of the Gods #2) by Jessica Therrien

“Elyse knows what it means to keep a secret…”

Jessica Therrien is the author of the young adult paranormal fiction series Children of the Gods. Book one in the series, Oppression, was published by ZOVA Books in February of 2012 and became a Barnes & Noble best-seller shortly after its release. The second book in the series, Uprising, will be available in February of 2013.




 
Forged by Greed by Angela Orlowski Peart

“Their choice had been taken away long before they were born…”

Available September 20, 2012. Visit Angela at her BLOG and soon at her new Website






Now Available!



Weighted by Ciara Knight

Purchase it at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Smashwords.



Beneath the Mountain, Book #3 of The Futhark Chronicles by Susan Gourley

Susan’s epic fantasy is now available on Amazon for only $2.99. The first book of this series, The Keepers of Sulbreth, Book #1, is now available everywhere for only .99 and the second book, Beyond the Gate, Book #2, is now only $1.99.


And in other news…

Stephen Tremp’s Breakthrough is free through Thursday on Amazon.

And don’t forget to sign up for my Genre Favorites Blogfest on September 17!

Movie Quote Answers!

1 – “His pattern indicates two-dimensional thinking.” – Leonard Nimoy in Star Trek II
2 – “You know, Burke, I don’t know which species is worse, You don’t see them (screwing) each other over for a (X) damn percentage. – Sigourney Weaver in Aliens
3 – “Can I ask you a personal question? Have you ever retired a human by mistake?” – Sean Young in Blade Runner
4 – “But, the place where you’re supposed to have the toilet paper, you got this little shelf with three sea shells on it.” – Sylvester Stallone in Demolition Man
5 – “This was supposed to be my weekend off, but noooooo! You got me out here draggin’ your heavy ass through the burning desert with your dreadlocks sticking out of the back of parachute.” – Will Smith in Independence Day

Whoa! I really shouldn’t take off for that long. Any questions for Carol? Excited about the new covers and book releases? Did you sign up for my blogfest? Get the trivia questions right? Be sure to visit Golden Eagle at the A to Z Blog. And wonder just what Ninjas do on their vacation…?

Friday, August 17, 2012

Counting Alligators, Ninja News, Speed Readers, and More Movie Trivia

Today I have a very special guest, author C. Lee McKenzie. Now, most people count sheep. Lee counts alligators…

Counting Alligators

When all else fails . . . do research. Let's face it, sometimes the writer has to turn off his brain, or at least switch it to idle. When I need to take a break from a manuscript, I dive into research.

When I do, I always find things that let me flesh out a story with confidence, or I get a great idea for a scene that hadn't occurred to me. Sometimes I just bump into something that's interesting and that I never would have found if I hadn't been hunting for information to use in my story--a little serendipity.

When I started writing Alligators Overhead I didn't know much about those reptiles except they scared the bejeebers out of me. But then I read that when Hurricane Katrina destroyed a lot of their habitat, thousands of these expert swimmers drowned, and conservationists worried they might not make a come back. Not so. They're back and they're back up to healthy numbers.

When I read that, I had to ask, "How do they count alligators?" Two ways was the answer. Find the nests and count the eggs. Euuuu! Not a job I'd want. Alligator mommies do not take kindly to anyone messing with her babes.

There had to be an easier way, right? No, but there was a harder one. Take a boat out into the swamp at night, shine the flashlight around the water hyacinths and red eyes stare back at you. Yep. You can count alligators because their eyes glow red at night. Hmm. Maybe the nest method isn't so bad.

In any case, that little bit of information made for a great scene with my two boys on their first venture into the swamp at night and a trail of red-eyed alligators behind them.

Once you start looking into counting alligators, you’d be surprised what pops up, like, Woody Pines and his Louisiana beat. This is Counting Alligators the safe way.



As writers do you put your brain on idle while you research, or do you have other ways to refresh while you’re working through a manuscript?

Great to be here, Alex. Gotta go and count me some alligators now.

Bio: A native Californian, C. Lee McKenzie lives on the edge of a redwood forest with her husband and assorted cats. When she's not writing or blogging she's hiking or practicing yoga. She usually writes young adult fiction that deals with contemporary, realistic issues. In Sliding on the Edge (2009) she dealt with cutting, and in The Princess of Las Pulgas (2010) she wrote about a family that loses almost everything and has to rebuild their lives together. Alligators Overhead is her first Middle Grade novel. Lee blogs HERE and her website is HERE. Watch the trailer for Alligators Overhead on YouTube

Ninja News!

Thanks to everyone who has signed up for my next blogfest, Genre Favorites! I’m overwhelmed by the response. I wanted to keep it simple and open for everyone. Look forward to everyone’s posts on September 17.

George at CineMarvellous celebrated three years of blogging this week Congratulations! Don’t ever quit on us, man.

Do you write historical or alternative fiction? Edi’s Book Lighthouse highlighted a new magazine called Alt Hist that features short stories. You can read about edition number four at Edi’s site.

AJ Walker has a new book out, At The Gates, Book II of the Timeless Empire series. It’s $2.99 for a limited time on Amazon. You can also pick up Book I, Hard Winter, for just 99 cents at Amazon. Congratulations, AJ!

Fast Readers

Someone else recently posted on the subject of how fast some people read. I admit, I’m in awe of those of you who crank through several books a week. I do good to read one or two a month. (I’m not a fast reader.) I also don’t do many reviews, although I will at least post a star rating on Goodreads.

I always buy my blogger buddy’s books though! I have so many on my iPad right now it just might explode. So even though it may take me forever to finally read your book, I do try to show support by purchasing it.

Movie Quotes!

Science fiction edition - because that's how I roll. Can you name the movie or actor who said…

1 – “His pattern indicates two-dimensional thinking.”

2 – “You know, Burke, I don’t know which species is worse, You don’t see them (screwing) each other over for a (X) damn percentage.

3 – “Can I ask you a personal question? Have you ever retired a human by mistake?”

4 – “But, the place where you’re supposed to have the toilet paper, you got this little shelf with three sea shells on it.”

5 – “This was supposed to be my weekend off, but noooooo! You got me out here draggin’ your heavy ass through the burning desert with your dreadlocks sticking out of the back of my parachute.”

And the Ninja will be gone a few days next week for a much needed vacation. So no post on Monday, but I will be lurking…

Do you count alligators? Signed up for the blogfest? How fast do you read? And know any of the trivia answers?

Monday, August 13, 2012

Bourne Legacy Review, Ninja News, TV Trivia Answers, and Announcing My Next Blogfest!

Yes, after weeks of taunting you, I’m finally announcing the theme of my blogfest today! But first…




Movie Review

The Bourne Legacy
I’ve read the books (except this one – of course) and enjoyed the other movies. And I enjoyed this one as well!
The events of the last Bourne movie overlap, with Jason Bourne arriving in New York. However, the movie focuses on the two leads – Jeremy Renner as Aaron Cross and Rachel Weisz as Dr. Marta Shearing. This movie expands on the Bourne mythos, revealing other operatives and an ever-widening conspiracy to keep the project a secret.
The film has a slower pace in the beginning, but when the action picks up, it goes full throttle. I found it incredibly entertaining and had no problem following the plot. The series could easily continue with Renner or follow another operative altogether. Good film!

Ninja News!

Siv Maria is hosting the Unforgettable Blogfest August 13-15 – post about a place or person who left a lasting impression on you. Her blogfest is to celebrate the release of her first published story, “Secrets of the Ash Tree,” in the fantasy anthology, Open Doors. EBook will be available free for a limited time only through the Wayman publishing book fair starting Labor Day weekend. See Siv’s SITE for all the details!

Part Two of Andrew Leon’s book, Shadow Spinner, is available for free on Amazon now. Download “The Kitchen TableHERE

I was notified last night that I won Diane’s Supportive Blogger Extraordinaire Contest! Thanks so much, guys. I am really honored. Roland and Misha were just as deserving. Thanks to those who voted, and I hope I live up to that title.

MAJOR breakthrough with edits for CassaStorm this weekend! So many subplots emerged by the end of the first draft and I finally figured out how to really tie in one that rocks. So stoked!!

And just to let you know, I will not be posting on Wednesday.

TV Trivia Answers

1 – Burn Notice’s Bruce Campbell also stared in what western series? The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.
2 – On Deep Space Nine, what do Rom and Quark call their mother? Moogie
3 – Who plays Jayne Cobb on the show Firefly? Adam Baldwin
4 – On the X-Files, what character did Mitch Pileggi play? Agent Skinner
5 – On Psych, who plays Shawn Spencer’s dad? Corbin Bernsen

My Next Blogfest!

I’ve hosted six solo blogfests:
Movie Dirty Dozen
Top Ten TV Shows
Top Ten Countdown - Music
It’s All Fun and Games
Worst Movies Ever
First Loves

Now are you ready for blogfest lucky number seven?



Genre Favorites Blogfest, September 17, 2012
One blogfest, four favorites!
List your favorite genre of:
Movie
Music
Books
And a guilty pleasure genre from any of the three categories!

Sign up below and spread the word!

Did you see The Bourne Legacy? Get the TV trivia questions right? And are you ready for the Genre Favorites Blogfest?



Friday, August 10, 2012

Olympic Torch Relay, Ninja News, Favorite TV Shows, and TV Trivia!

Nicole at Write Me a World has been hosting an Olympic Torch Relay, with daily posts inspired by the Olympics. And now, it is my turn! Visit Nicole’s SITE to find out why I think writing should be an Olympic sport.

Speaking of the Olympics…

Highlight for me was watching the USA win Gold and Silver in Women’s Beach Volleyball. Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings won their third Olympic Gold medal, solidifying their names in Olympic history.

And for the final match, all four women wore bikinis – joy!

Ninja News

EJ Wesley will be revealing the cover art for his book soon and needs your help! Check out his site for details.

MsHatch at Maine Words is holding a three year blogging anniversary giveaway!

Voting continues for Diane’s Supportive Blogger Extraordinaire Contest, Thanks DL and all the others who nominated me – you guys rock!

Don’t forget, Monday is the big reveal!

Save the date – September 17

Favorite TV Shows

Yes, my childhood was spent in front of the TV. Recently with NetFlix, that addiction has continued into adulthood. Those of you who’ve avoided this addiction, I salute you! In the meantime, these are some of my favorite shows, in no particular order:

Present:
Psych
Burn Notice
Leverage
Breaking Bad
The Glades
Sports Nation

Past:
Eureka
Firefly (curse you FOX!)
Stargate SG1
Stargate Atlantis
Star Trek Next Generation
Star Trek Deep Space Nine (my favorite Star Trek series)
Star Trek Voyager
Star Trek Enterprise
X-Files
Farscape
Yes, I tend to lean toward the science fiction shows!

TV Trivia

For those of you who struggle with the movie trivia…



1 – Burn Notice’s Bruce Campbell also stared in what western series?

2 – On Deep Space Nine, what do Rom and Quark call their mother?

3 – Who plays Jayne Cobb on the show Firefly?

4 – On the X-Files, what character did Mitch Pileggi’s play?

5 – On Psych, who plays Shawn Spencer’s dad?

(What, you were expecting questions about Glee or something? Be serious!)

Did you watch the final beach volleyball game? Ready for Monday’s reveal? Know the answers to the trivia questions? Seeing The Bourne Legacy this weekend? And what are some of your favorite TV shows?

Don’t forget to visit Nicole at Write Me a World

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Childhood Monster Blogfest, Extreme Ninja News, My Next Blogfest, and Movie Trivia Answers

Today at the the A to Z Blog is an interview with the awesome Lynda R. Young! Her blog is an excellent resource for writing tips, but for the Challenge, she featured her photography skills. Lynda is one of my first followers and just such a special person. Go check out her answers to my geeky questions!

Who Was Your Childhood Monster?

This blogfest is hosted by Christine Rains, author of the awesome Fearless. Tawa wants YOU!

I didn’t really have a childhood monster, but one scary creature did haunt me.

Remember the crappy 70’s movie Trilogy of Terror? The one with Karen Black and the fanged, knife-wielding tiki doll?

I was about eleven when I saw that film. We’d just moved into a new house and the furniture hadn’t arrived yet, so I had to sleep on the floor for a few nights. After watching said evil tiki doll terrorize Ms. Black, let’s just say the experience of sleeping on the floor was not fun! I won’t ruin the memory by watching the movie again (it was cheesy when I was eleven – bet it looks really bad now) but I can still hear freaky sounds that doll made…

Extreme Ninja News!

Jennifer Hillier’s new book, Freak, came out on Tuesday! Congratulations, Jennifer.

Michael Abayomi’s new book is out! Guardians and the Lost Paradise, Book I – The Journey is the first of six books. Congratulations, Michael!

Emily King is co-hosting the What I Did Last Summer – Fact or Fiction? Blogfest.

Mark Koopmans, Cassie Mae, Morgan Shamy, and Leigh Covington are hosting the What If Blogfest, which runs August 13-17.

Laura Eno, M. Pax, Ciara Knight, and Brinda Berry are hosting the Chocolate Blogfest on September 10.

VikLit at Scribblings of an Aspiring Author is holding a really awesome hundred follower giveaway. The prizes just rock!

Voting continues for Diane’s Supportive Blogger Extraordinaire Contest, Thanks DL and all the others who nominated me – you guys rock!

My Next Blogfest!

Still saving the date? September 17, 2012.

Want to know the awesome theme?

Come back Monday, August 13 to find out!

Director’s Cut Movie Trivia Answers

1 – Broderick – Military – Chimps Project X
2 – Holden – Newman – Ratings Network
3 – Costner – Protection – Singer The Bodyguard
4 – Lobotomy – Fletcher – McMurphy One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
5 – Spielberg – Genetic – Dinosaurs Jurasic Park
Big Bonus!! - Lucas – Automatons – Pleasence THX 1138

What was your childhood monster? (Anyone else remember that creepy tiki doll?) Excited for the new releases? Ready for more blogfests? Dying to know the theme of mine??? And did you answer any movie questions correctly?

Don’t forget to visit Lynda Young at the A to Z Blog!

Monday, August 6, 2012

Game On Time! Fearless! Ninja News! And the Director's Cut of Movie Trivia...

I am happy to host author Kyra Lennon today as part of her blog tour for Game On! Knowing I have a thing for music, Kyra wanted to talk about music and writing…

Some writers write to music, others find it a distraction. I fall somewhere between the two. When I first wrote Game On, I had no issues writing to music. In fact, if there was no music, I wasn’t getting anything done! The story first came together in 2006, and back then, the music that got me through was Fozzy. I’m not sure whether everyone has heard of them, but for those who haven’t, the band is fronted by WWE’s Chris Jericho. There is something kind of … hot about rock music, and playing their songs motivated me like crazy.

Another of my favourite musical inspirations is Maroon 5. Adam Levine’s voice and lyrics seem to hit me in places I didn’t know existed (minds out of the gutters please! :p) Levine writes such beautiful songs, it’s hard not to be inspired by it.

The problem I had when I was doing rewrites for Game On, six years later, was that I no longer have the same concentration levels I once had. Music became a distraction, not a motivator. I was a bit gutted, because I love my music. But I did what I had to do. Turned it all off and got the work done.

I put it down to my aging brain making me unable to do two things at once, but I hope that I can find a way to get music back into my writing process because I really miss it. Plus, Maroon 5 have an awesome new album out which is playing in a constant loop whenever my laptop goes off!

Do you write to music, or does it mess with your concentration? What music do you like to listen to while you’re working? Have any bands or singers inspired your stories?

Game On Synopsis
After swapping her small town life to work for one of the top soccer teams in the U.S, Leah Walker thought she could finally leave the ghosts of her past behind. However, when she meets serial womanizer, Radleigh McCoy, the memories of her old life come swarming back, and she is forced to ask herself whether she has really changed at all.

Game On Buy Links: Amazon eBook Amazon Paperback Amazon UK eBook Amazon UK Paperback Smashwords eBook


Fearless!

Christine Rains’ awesome book is available now!

I read parts of it during the A to Z Challenge, and every morning I looked forward to the next excerpt.

Christine is also hosting a blogfest to celebrate her books’ release, Who Was Your Childhood Monster? It runs August 7 – 9, so you still have time to participate. Tawa wants YOU!

Fearless is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords. And you can find Christine at her Blog and Website.

Ninja News!

Roland Yeomans is holding another contest! You can win an autographed copy of Iron Man II’s Robert Downey Jr. OR Scarlett Johansson. See his site for details.

Cate Masters has a new book out – Death is a Bitch. Congratulations, Cate!

Siv Maria has been working on a book and the first chapter will be published as a short story in a Fantasy Anthology, Open Doors, on September 4th by Wayman Publishing. Congratulation, Siv!

Congratulations to Powdered Toast Man and LC Frost for winning copies of CassaStar and CassaFire from The Writing Nut. And special congratulations to Terry who won a bonus third book for her grandson Caden.

And big surprise!! Voting is now open for Diane's Supportive Blogger Extraordinaire Contest – and I was notified I'm one of the three nominees! Thanks so much, guys. You rock! Voting runs until this weekend.




Movie Trivia!

Ever played Director’s Cut?


Three clue words – name the movie:

1 – Broderick – Military - Chimps

2 – Holden – Newman - Ratings

3 – Costner – Protection - Singer

4 – Lobotomy – Fletcher - McMurphy

5 – Spielberg – Genetic - Dinosaurs

Big Bonus!! - Lucas – Automatons - Pleasence

Do you prefer silence or music? Picked up Game On or Fearless? Participating in Christine’s blogfest this week? Want to watch me grovel for votes? And any ideas on the movie trivia? Come on, a couple are really easy…