A to Z Challenge - The Princess Bride and Passion, plus the Ninja News

My theme for the A to Z Challenge is Favorite Movies, Bloggers, and Music! I’ll name a favorite movie that corresponds with the letter, and then select a character from the film. I will then name a favorite blogger who reminds me of that character, and then dedicate a song to him. (Also corresponding with the alphabet.) I’ll wrap it all up with trivia and/or fun facts about the movie, the blogger, or the music!

In addition, two lucky commenters this month will receive a review copy of CassaStorm! One comment per day and each is worth one entry except – the first and one hundredth comments on each day will receive ten entries!

The Princess Bride

This film is just about as close to a perfect movie as one can get. It has a good heart, great comedy, and a genuine spirit. This movie will have you smiling from beginning to end – and quoting the awesome lines for years to come!

Buttercup is the princess-to-be who still believes in true love. She is the gentle spirit that captivates the heart of those who come in contact with her. Innocent but knowing, Buttercup seeks truth, fairness, and her chance for happily-ever-after.

Who is Buttercup?

Kimberly at Art of Infiltration!

She not only possesses Buttercup’s spirit, she even looks a little like her! Kimberly is a believer in everyone she encounters. A seeker of truth and knowledge, she desires the happily-ever-after for everyone.

Kimberly is a writer, a teacher, and a mother.

To you I dedicate Passion by Stream of Passion. (Title leads to YouTube,)

Because passion is what you possess!

Trivia and Facts:

Did you know there was a real Dread Pirate Roberts, also known as Black Bart, who is reckoned by many to be the greatest pirate ever?

Who wrote both the novel and the screenplay for The Princess Bride?

O’s trivia answers – Annalisa Crawford lives in Cornwall, UK, and Orgy’s first hit was a cover of New Order’s Blue Monday.

Ninja News

Julie Musil walks you through the steps to setting up an author Facebook page.

Roland Yeoman’s book, The Legend of Victor Standish, will be released as an audio book this summer! That is so cool – congratulations, Roland!

My awesome co-hosts for the May 1 posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group will be Lynda Young, Mark Koopmans, and Rachna Chhabria! Thanks to all of you who offered – I will be getting back to you guys in the coming months.

Don’t forget to sign up for the Best/Worst Movie Remake Blogfest on May 17!



Can you rattle off Princess Bride Quotes? Following Kimberly? Fan of Stream of Passion? (You now know they are a Dutch prog rock band.) Know the trivia? Do you have an author Facebook page? And are you still having fun with the Challenge? I may break the clone machine by the time it’s over…

Ninja News, Wednesday Movie Quote, and the A to Z Sign-up List is OPEN!!!

I discussed nosh with two hungry pups at The Life of a Novice Writer yesterday. If you missed it, check it out. Those pups like to talk to any author with nosh!

Ninja News!

Thanks to Stephen, Mark, Elise, and CM for hosting the Re-Introduce Myself Blogfest on Monday. So sorry, I still wasn’t able to get around to all of the participants AND all of my blogger buddies the past two days. Epic Ninja fail…

Jamie at Mithril Wisdom and Allison at Geek Banter are hosting the Level Up! Blogfest. “On February 20th, talk about a game you play or used to play; tell us how it works and share your love of the game with the rest of us. It can be any kind of game you like, from World of Warcraft to Hopscotch, from Monopoly to Blackjack and everything else in between. Tell us what you love about that game.”

Kimberly at Art of Infiltration shared twenty-two books she enjoyed reading last year (or wanted to read this year) with her seventh grade class. She said the kids were excited about three books – Possession by Elana Johnson, 18 Things by Jamie Ayers, and CassaStar. Whoa!!! Kimberly, that made my week.

With all of the books being published, I wanted to highlight another published artist. Ella at Ella’s Edge is a poet, photographer, and master craftswoman. If she can envision it, she can make it. Ella has had many of her beautiful pieces featured in magazines, and this past December she had several in Somerset Studio Gallery and Somerset Life. Ella, you are talented beyond words!

Liz Fichera’s latest book, Hooked, is available today. Congratulations, Liz!

Wednesday Movie Quote

Today’s favorite movie quote theme is “Light Fantasy.”

My favorite: (Double today!)

“Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya, You killed my father. Prepare to die.”

“Have fun storming the castle!”

Both from The Princess Bride.

What is yours?

A to Z Challenge Sign-ups Open!!

Sign-ups open today – but read first before entering your name!!

The A to Z Challenge is posting every day in April except Sundays (we get those off for good behavior.) And since there are 26 days, that matches the 26 letters of the alphabet. On April 1, blog about something that begins with the letter “A.” April 2 is “B,” April 3 is “C,” and so on. You can use a theme for the month or go random – just as long as it matches the letter of the alphabet for the day. We recommend short posts, turn off Word Verification, and visit five blogs (or more) a day beginning with the one after yours on the list.

This year there are categories for those looking for like-minded blogs. Select ONE category code and enter it after your blog’s title/name. The code applies to your blog, not your theme for the Challenge and is purely optional. However, if your blog has adult content, you MUST mark it (AC) or it will be removed from the list. Codes are as follows:

1. WRITING : (WR)
2. BOOKS: (BO)
3. FILM : (FM)
4. PHOTOGRAPHY: (PH)
5. GARDENING: (GR)
6. CRAFT: (CR)
7. ART: (AR)
8. MUSIC: (MU)
9. CULINARY: (CU)
10. LIFESTYLE: (LI )
11. FASHION: (FA)
12. PERSONAL: (PR)
13. SOCIAL MEDIA: (SO)
14. GAMING: (GA)
15. EDUCATION : (ED)
16. POLITICS: (PO)
17. HISTORY: (HI)
18. SCIENCE: (SC)
19. HUMOR: (HU)
20. TRAVEL: (TR)
21. MISCELLANEOUS: (MI)
22. ADULT CONTENT: (AC)

Be sure to grab the badge and display it in your sidebar so we know you are participating and link to the A to Z Blog.

You’re A to Z Hosts are founder Arlee Bird at Tossing It Out, Damyanti Biswas at Amlokiblogs, Alex J. Cavanaugh, Tina Downey at Life is Good, DL Hammons at Cruising Altitude 2.0, Jeremy Hawkins at Retro-Zombie, Shannon Lawrence at The Warrior Muse, Matthew MacNish at The QQQE, Konstanz Silverbow at No Thought 2 Small, Stephen Tremp at Breakthrough Blogs, Livia Peterson at Leave it to Livia, L. Diane Wolfe at Spunk on a Stick, and Nicole at The Madlab Post.

This is the fourth Challenge. The very first one changed my blog forever! Are you ready to join us in the greatest blogging event ever?


Enjoy Monday’s blogfest? Joining the game blogfest? Follow the talented Ella? What is your favorite light fantasy movie quote? Joining us this April for the A to Z Challenge? If you have ANY question, please ask. I am a co-host and here to help. And do you have a theme…?

Don’t forget to visit The Life of a Novice Writer!

A Modest Internet Star Visits, Ninja News Overload, Award, and Movie Trivia

Juliana Haygert interviewed me and it's up now!

Modest Internet Star

Today I have a treat for you – a doggie treat! Yes, Penny the Jack Russell dog and Modest Internet Star is visiting today, with a little help from her owner, Gary.

Greetings and lucky you, yes it's me, Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest Internet star. First of all, I wish to thank that very kind human, Alex, for allowing me the opportunity to amaze you with my guest 'pawsting', sorry, posting.

I submit the occasional posting over at my human Gary's site aka "klahanie". By example, my ongoing mission is to help make Gary a better writer. Alas, he's struggling. However, I've managed to teach him a few simple tricks like, roll over, beg and shake a hand.

I was recently interviewed by Gary. One of his questions was, "Do you have any writing suggestions for aspiring authors?" To which I replied, "Write from the heart. Make your writing intimate. Write in such a way that your reader really feels like you're talking directly to them. Make your reader care about the story. Most importantly, grab and hold onto the reader's attention from the very first sentence. Never give up and pursue your dream. Do your best to make your dream a reality.

Yes, I'm flattered to be famous. Although the pesky 'puparazzi' are forever hounding me. And I tried to add some "snark", whatever that is, to this posting. I figure it must be a mixture of snore and bark!

The vital ingredient of my writing is that I demonstrate the unconditional, non-judgemental love that we animals give to humanity. We have lessons to teach. If only mankind would listen.

If you have never visited the site I 'pawblish' on, here it is, Klahanie.

Once again, thank you Alex, my human friend.

Thank YOU, Penny! You are now a Modest Internet Superstar.

Ninja News Overload!

Katherine is holding a giveaway at her blog, Katherine’s Corner– lots of books to win, including a copy of CassaStar!

Tara and Viklit are hosting the I’m Thankful for my Readers Blogfest in November!

Tasha Seegmiller is celebrating her one year blog anniversary with a giveaway!

If you want to know what’s going on in the world of contests and submissions, visit Kimberly’s site, The Art of Infiltration. Every Monday she posts links and the list is impressive!

Black Gate has just published Sean McLachlan’s historical fantasy novella The Quintessence of Absence. And he is on assignment in Iraq for the next three weeks! So congratulations and prayers for safe travels.

My awesome co-hosts for the November 7 posting of the IWSG will be LG Keltner and CM Brown!

The Angry Lurker is holding a two year giveaway of custom dice! And they are very cool…

David Powers King announced that Ink Pageant is celebrating its first birthday with a Kindle Fire giveaway!

Lynn Kelly’s new book, Curse of the Double Digits, is out now! And she’s holding a big giveaway to celebrate. Congratulations, Lynn! Purchase it on Amazon.

Cally Jackson is hosting The Year I Turned 18 Blogfest – visit her site for details!

Nick Wilford at Scattergun Scribbles is celebrating one year of blogging with a three book giveaway!

Cat Lavoie’s new book, Breaking the Rules, is now available – congratulations, Cat!

Award

Patsy Collins gave me the Super Sweet Blogger Award – thank you, Patsy!

1. Cookies or cake? Cookies because you can eat more of them.
2. Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate – with peanut butter, of course.
3. What is your favourite sweet treat? Hot Tamales! (Bet you didn’t see that one coming.)
4. When do you crave sweet things most? After popcorn. Must be the salt.
5. If you had a sweet nickname what would it be? Does Stud Muffin sound sweet?

Passing this one on to Livia, because she is indeed a real sweetheart.

Horror Movie Trivia

Name the director! (All well-known directors.)

1 – The Frighteners
2 – Mimic
3 – Bram Stoker’s Dracula
4 – The Serpent and the Rainbow
5 – The Keep


Any questions for Penny the Modest Internet Superstar? See any good giveaways? Good blogfests and new releases? (I know – a lot today! That’s what I get for skipping Wednesday.) Know the movie trivia? And seeing a movie this weekend? I still might see Sinister, but first I’m hitting Argo. 91% on Rotten Tomatoes…

Remember my interview with Juliana Haygert - it's live now!