Networking Tips for Shy Writers, Ninja News, Maguire's Corner, Blog Readers, Wednesday Movie Quote, and the Phone Book

Today I welcome the awesome Christine Rains!

NETWORKING TIPS FOR SHY WRITERS

I love to talk about writing. It's my passion. The problem is, like many writers, I'm shy. I can't just talk to anyone. Sometimes it's all I can do to remember to breathe when in social situations. I'm lucky I've not fainted yet. And yes, that noise is me knocking on wood.

This makes networking immensely difficult. Yet it's a necessity in our profession. How do I meet other authors and promote myself without losing my voice again? (Oh yes, it's happened.)

Thank goodness for the internet! Blogs, Twitter, Facebook, review sites, writer's groups, etc. There are many ways to get your name out there from the safety of your home. You can get cozy in your favorite chair, wear your Star Wars pajamas, and sneak some of your kid's Cheerios when he's not looking.

But one day, you'll have to leave the Godzilla slippers behind and venture out to a writing conference or book signing. Face-to-face with other people. Yikes! How do you survive?

Remember to breathe. It helps not to faint. Those other people are there for the same reason you are. As alone as you might feel, you are one of them.
Be yourself. You might be a little geeky, but so what? Be honest about who you are, let your passions shine through, and you'll be respected for it.
Use being shy to your advantage. Be a good listener, and even though you don't say a lot, remember it's quality over quantity.
Have business cards, flyers, and other promotional items at the ready. If you lose your voice, a card can speak for you. Plus, people love free things. Give stuff away and you'll be remembered.
Smile. A friendly smile will take you a long way.

In the not too distant future, all your networking will likely be done online. We can create avatars of ourselves from the cast of Firefly and chat about writing while hanging out in Serenity. (I call Zoe!) Until then, be proud of who you are. It's okay to be geeky or shy. What you have to say is important because you're the one saying it.

Do you have any face-to-face networking tips for shy writers?

Thank you so much for hosting me today, Alex!

1305 & 1306 – The Oracle and the Vampire (The 13th Floor series, #5)
By Christine Rains
Genre: paranormal romance

Having fallen for her gorgeous neighbor might not be so bad if Harriet McKay wasn't in her hideous banshee form every time Kiral saw her...

Find it here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and Smashwords

Christine Rains is a writer, blogger, and geek mom. She has four degrees which help nothing with motherhood, but make her a great Jeopardy player. When she's not writing or reading, she having adventures with her son or watching cheesy movies on Syfy Channel. She's a member of Untethered Realms and S.C.I.F.I. The 13th Floor series is her first self-published series. She has seven novellas and twenty-one short stories published.
Website Blog Facebook Twitter Goodreads

Ninja News

Thanks to everyone who commented on my interview with Tammy Theriault! She is willing to take on more victims…

Misha Gericke is hosting another Word Master Challenge – Famous Adaptation. See her site for details – you could win an Amazon gift card.

Ellie Garratt’s book, Passing Time, is free through this Friday. Download it from Amazon US or Amazon UK

Coming Soon!!!

Maguire's Corner
By Heather M. Gardner
Published by Front Porch Romance

Coffee shop owner Maggie Maguire doesn’t trust the new police chief her father hired to protect Maguire’s Corner. He’s a stranger, cold, bossy and annoyingly handsome. But, Maggie’s witnessed a serious crime and now someone’s trying to kill her. The man that aggravates her most might be the only one that can help her.

Police Chief Jack Munro likes his new job and his new town, and unfortunately he also likes the stubborn but beautiful town sweetheart. His self-imposed hands-off Maggie policy is about to be put to the ultimate test when he must keep her close to protect her while he tracks down a ruthless killer.

Determined to ignore Jack’s charms, Maggie attempts to help him unravel the mystery but when their lives hang in the balance she must decide how much she’s willing to risk to save the man she suddenly can’t resist.

Congratulations, Heather!

Blog Readers

After solving issues with both Bloglovin’ (couldn’t comment on some blogs) and Feedly (couldn’t delete blogs) I’ve decided I’m going to use… both! Feedly updates faster but Bloglovin’ looks better. (And I have the app.) So I’m just going to bounce back and forth between the two, depending on how I feel that day.

Google Reader may self-destruct now!

Wednesday Movie Quote

Post your favorite here or play along on your own blog.

Today’s genre is monster movies.

My selection comes from Lake Placid:

Mrs. Bickerman (played by Betty White): I'm rooting for the crocodile. I hope he swallows your friends whole. You might want to arrest me for that too. Is that a crime? To wish the chewing of law enforcement?

Next week – sports films!

The Phone Book

This is for Maurice:

Are you a shy writer? Fan of Christine’s series? Excited for Heather’s upcoming book? What Reader are you now using? What is your favorite monster movie quote? And just what is the meaning of the phone book…?

Iron Man III Review, Rush Clockwork Angels Concert, Ninja News, Wednesday Movie Quote, and Bloglovin’ Question

Iron Man III Review

Another great entry in the series.
It’s less of an Iron Man movie and more of a Tony Stark film. Downey reprises his role with ease, firing off witty and hilarious comments left and right.
The special effects are great. What really shines are the action sequences, especially the ending. (The director wrote the Lethal Weapon series, so he knows his action.) We get multiple Iron Man suits this time as well. (Although the constant breaking down of the prototype began to grow old.)
Die hard fans of the Marvel comics will be disappointed with the villain, The Mandarin. I’m a DC guy so I had no history with the character.
It doesn’t pack the same emotional punch as the first two, but as a superhero action film, it delivers. Highly recommended.

Rush Concert Review

Last Friday night – and well worth missing Iron Man’s opening!
Rush is probably the oldest band that is still relevant, producing albums, and touring. They have twenty-four gold and fourteen platinum albums, for an estimated forty million albums sold worldwide. And they still put on an amazing show.
This was the second leg of their Clockwork Angels tour. For those of you who are steampunk fans, you’d dig the album – and you’d really like the stage setup and animation. They performed nine songs from the album, complete with a small accompanying orchestra. They also played a unique set of old favorites.
What continues to amaze me about this band is quality of both the music and the performance. Geddy, Alex, and Neil are three of the best musicians in the world and are truly a sight to behold in concert.
And I won’t even scare you with how many times I have seen this band in concert….

Mini-Alex didn’t get to go, but he did get a cool t-shirt!

Ninja News

First, I have to say thanks to you guys! Author CM Brown featured a poll during the A-Z Challenge, asking people to vote to Appreciate a Fellow Blogger – and I won! Thanks, everyone. That really means a lot, because I’m sure during the month there were many bloggers nominated.

Michael Pierce’s next book is now available – Susy Asylum.

In SUSY Asylum, there is no release. There is no escape. No hope…

This is the sequel to Provex City, which is receiving a new cover – second edition should be available soon.

Congratulations, Michael!

The Post A to Z Road Trip kicks off today, hosted by Tina Downey, Shannon Lawrence, and Nicole. If you’d like to join them as they continue visiting those on the Challenge list, sign up at the A to Z Blog.

Talli Roland has a new book coming out November 2013 – The No-Kids Club.

Almost-forty Clare Donahue is living child-free and loving it – except for her shrinking social circle…

Congratulations, Tallie! And funny, since you no longer belong to that club.

And Katherine at Katherine’s Corner had her photo selected for the cover of Ruby For Women Magazine.

Congratulations, Katherine!

Wednesday Movie Quote

Post your favorite here or play along on your own blog.

Today’s genre is psychological thriller.

My choice is from Manhunter:

Will Graham: I know that I'm not smarter than you.
Doctor Hannibal Lecktor: Then how did you catch me?
Will Graham: You had disadvantages.
Doctor Hannibal Lecktor: What disadvantages?
Will Graham: You're insane.

Next week’s genre – monster movies!

Bloglovin’

I was waiting until after the Challenge to start using a new reader. Bloglovin’ seems more user friendly than Feedly and will likely be my preferred reader. It doesn’t update quite as fast as Google Reader, but it does update all blogs and not hours later. (Or in poor Robyn’s case, not at all!) Following and unfollowing is easy, as are adjusting the various folders.

I did discover one drawback though. Bloggers who have their comment box on a separate page, such as Jay Noel and Medeia Sharif, I’m unable to comment because Bloglovin’ won’t pull up that second page. It’s just a blank screen. I had to hop over to Google Reader to find them there and leave a comment. Has anyone else noticed this and is there a setting I can adjust?

What did you think of Iron Man III? Any Rush fans out there? Excited about Michael and Talli’s books? Taking the A to Z Road Trip? What’s your favorite psychological thriller quote? And anyone else using Bloglovin’?

A to Z Challenge – Jurassic Park and Journey on the Waves of Time, Plus Ninja News and Another Blog Reader - Bloglovin'

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!

Jurassic Park

One of the best action films ever. Spielberg did an amazing job capturing the book and bringing it to life. The special effects still hold up, even after twenty years. The performances are so good they invest you completely in the story.

Dr. Ian Malcolm is Mr. Logic. He sees the holes in any plan and isn’t afraid to poke more holes. Armed with a wicked sense of humor and a sharp tongue, he’s very unique.

Who is Ian Malcolm?

Andrew Leon at Strange Pegs!

He’s very analytical and known as the Grammar Nazi for a reason. Andrew sees more than most of us and can never be accused of going with the flow. That’s the very thing that keeps conversations with him refreshing and memorable. You want an intelligent discussion? Go see Andrew! (Dry humor included.)

Andrew is the author of The House on the Corner, The Shadow Spinner series, and others.

To you I dedicate Journey on the Waves of Time by Ayreon. (Song title leads to YouTube.)

Because you are like the Universal Migrator, looking for truth. “Give me the answers to questions, Reveal to me secrets of life…”

Trivia and Facts:

Ayreon founder, Arjen Lucassen, has started and controlled many projects and bands over the years. After the success of the debut album Embrace the Storm, he let the members of this band continue on their own, and they now have several albums – name this Dutch progressive metal band.

I’s trivia answer – when Tina mentions “The Engineer,” she is referring to her husband.

Ninja News

Chuck at Apocalypse Now had an awesome post for I – Imagination – and he named four authors, most of whom you all know, as those he felt had the most imagination. To my surprise, I was one of them!! Thanks, Chuck – you the man!

He was the blogger featured for A, but you may have missed some of Al Diaz’s amazing creations. Look at this dragon:

He was also at Julie Luek’s yesterday and revealed a piñata that won him third place in a contest hosted by Museum of Popular Art:

You can see more details by watching the YouTube Video.

Al, you have an amazing talent!

I also discovered a new reader to replace Google Reader - Bloglovin’ At the moment, I like it even better than Feedly. You can transfer your Google Reader files directly, but if you follow even half as many people as I do, it will take a few minutes. You have been warned…

Dig Jurassic Park? Following Andrew? Ever heard of Ayreon? Know the trivia answer? Think Al’s artwork is amazing? And anyone else tried Bloglovin’?