Ninja News, Thanks, Movie Remakes, and Super Quiz

The wonderful and talented author, Annalisa Crawford, invited me to visit her blog today. She wanted to know what made my blog so popular and she wouldn’t accept “I have no idea” for an answer! Visit her site to see what answer I made up instead.

Ninja News!

Our very own Cassie Mae has an agent!! Congratulations, Cassie. You are going to be the best and most amusing author ever – and I mean that in a good way!

Rachel Morgan’s next book, Masquerade, is available today. This is the fourth book in the Creepy Hollow series. Congratulations, Rachel!

Want to know all the details about using photos on your site and copyright issues? Denise Covey at L’Aussie Writer put together a great post on the subject, complete with links to free image sites.

You know Sean McLachlan is an author, but did you know he also contributes travel articles to Gadling. Right now he has a series running called "Exploring Orkney: Scotland's Rugged Northern Isles." Check out Gadling’s SITE.

I also updated the Awesome Authors and Books page and am working on adding more blogs to my sidebar - if you are a regular blogger buddy of mine and you don't see your book or your link, let me know!

Special Thanks!

A big thank you to the awesome people of the UK who’ve purchased my books! I don’t know who you are or how it happened, but my books have bounced around in the top one hundred for science fiction on Amazon UK for three months now – and it just blows my mind. Thanks so much! And to think I didn’t even want to be an author…

Movie Remakes

Love them or hate them, here’s some more movies being remade in the next couple years:



Child’s Play – I didn’t think the first series was very good
Dune – Because we can never have too many versions I guess
Short Circuit – Guess Johnny Five does look a little dated
Suspiria – First one was weird and creepy enough
Tomb Raider – Time to reboot all those video game movies now

Super Quiz!

Anyone remember that trivia game? Let’s play!

Science – How many colors are there considered to be in a rainbow?

Sports – What is the official diameter of a hockey puck in inches?

Geography – Name the reef off the NE coast of Australia.

History – Name the first permanent English colony on the American mainland.

Movies – Who played Hawkeye in the movie M.A.S.H?

Words – A handwriting expert is called a ___?

Next Week!

Monday is the August movie preview and trivia answers
Wednesday is post day for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group
Friday I have a special guest

Excited about all the great news and cool links this week? Think those movies should be remade? Know any of the trivia answers? (Come on, try to guess at least one!) Any plans for the weekend besides staying out of the heat?

Don’t forget to visit Annalisa!

A to Z Challenge - L - and I won!

For the A to Z Challenge, I am featuring some awesome bloggers. These individuals have offered so much support of my book, CassaStar, and me on my blogger journey. Of course, I’ll be keeping up with the world of movies, music, and pop culture stuff as well! Ninjas are just talented that way...


Life by Chocolate
Robyn has a twisted sense of humor! Her posts on celibacy and life in Paradise will have you in stitches. But beneath that tough, wry appearance is a wonderful woman full of compassion. Robyn highlights the absurd aspects of life. Give her visit. Oh, and bring chocolate!

L’Aussie Writing
Denise is just a wonderful person. She defines the word ‘involved.’ She’s supportive of her writer and author friends and passionate about helping those in need. One could not ask for a better cheerleader.

Lynda at W.I.P. It had a 500 Followers Giveaway Contest – and I won a $20 Amazon gift card! Or rather, gift email. Lynda, thanks and congratulations on the milestone!

Based on a review of Save the Cat Strikes Back at Helen Ginger’s site, I selected that book. The first one had some great tips in it, so I’m looking forward to reading the new one.

Now, if I can just apply those tips to my current manuscript…

Managing 500 and Stuff

First, “The Stuff,” and no it’s not that awful 80’s horror flick...

Yesterday I visited the blog of Chris Phillips with a song that inspired the writing of CassaStar. It’s a short post – and also a cautionary tale for those who leave suggestive comments. (Read it and you’ll understand!)

Today I’m visiting the lovely Elizabeth Mueller, and has she got a treat for you guys – a really unique and special giveaway! What is it? Let’s just say it has to do with my autograph and a guitar…

And I was completely floored by a wonderful review of CassaStar over at Reading at Dawn. Our own L’Aussie Denise is a contributor and her first review is my book. Even more stunning – she doesn’t read science fiction! It’s a small but growing site, so be sure to check it out and support those reviewers.

Now the managing 500…

I am still STUNNED! 500+ followers. I need to do something really awesome. I’m sure everyone’s sick of my book as a prize, though. I’ll get back to you on that…

But for those of you wonder how I manage that many followers… How do I visit that many blogs a day? Here’s my honest answer – I can’t! (Have you done the math? 500+ blogs times five minutes…)

My goal is 100 a day. I have a group of buddies I try to hit every time they post and everyone else I try to visit at least once every one – two weeks. But if I’m busy at work or I go out for the evening, I can’t even manage 100. I usually have to skip long posts and writing blogfest entries as well. But I do try to visit as many of you as possible! (Without my computer privileges being revoked by angry boss or wife.)

I do appreciate those who take the time to comment on my blog. (Really, there are so many cool blogs out there – why on earth are you visiting the NetFlix addict’s site?)

Thanks to everyone who visits – you guys (and gals!) ROCK!

BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS!

First, thanks to everyone who participated in the Top Ten Countdown Music Blogfest. Was that not a blast? 114 bloggers! If you missed some of the posts, please check out the tabbed page above for a full list of participants. All links lead directly to the Top Ten post. Thanks again to everyone who got involved!

Today I am visiting Susan Says describing how to find one’s voice online!

And now - you don’t want to miss the event of the year!

Announcing the
April 2011
A to Z Challenge!

The brainchild of Arlee Bird at Tossing It Out, the A to Z Challenge began last year with a hundred participants, including me.

This year Arlee is thinking BIG. Really BIG! Three hundred participants. He needed year to spread the word and Talli Roland, Jen Daiker at Unedited, and myself are proud to co-sponsor this event.

What is the A to Z Challenge?

It’s blogging a letter of the alphabet every day the month of April (with Sundays off for good behavior.) It begins April First with the letter A and ends April 30 with the letter Z.

And it’s more than just a challenge! It’s a way to get in the habit of blogging on a schedule. It’s a chance to gain followers. Last April, I was a new blogger and went from thirty to eighty followers in one month. But more importantly, those of us who participated became like family. We grew and stretched together. And we had a blast in the process!

So please join Arlee, Talli, Jen, and me as we set off on a quest for three hundred participants in the A to Z Challenge!

I also have several very special guest spots this week! Yes, Alex has been busy...

Wednesday I was at L’Aussie Writing talking about my publishing journey.

I’m also at Selling Books! My publisher had forwarded the opportunity to be a featured author on this site and I filled out the questionnaire last December. So I’ll be just as surprised to read it!

And special announcement:

L’Aussie also posted how authors, publishers, and readers can help Queensland. So read her post HERE for details!

Starting the New Year off with a Smile!

Happy New Year! Today, it’s all about the smiles…

Today is the Eye Candy Blogfest, hosted by Vicki at Rambles and Randomness “Post a favorite picture - something that makes you smile every time you see it.” Be sure to check out the others entries as well! I thought long and hard (and almost hurt myself) over which picture to select. Yes, my first thought was Kate Beckinsale. I won’t deny it. But ultimately, I selected an image that holds a special meaning for me. This is Frank Frazetta’s “Battlestar Galactica,” created for the original TV show:  Battlestar Galactica and Star Wars were big influences on my original idea for CassaStar. This painting sparked my imagination more than any other medium. I could see the Cassans and their ships, and the adventures of Byron and Bassa came to life. The desolate, rocky planet in the painting even became a scene in my story, and the only one to survive the rewrite. (I’m sure those who’ve read the book know the scene, as it was also the most difficult to write.) So when I look at this picture, I smile – the raw beginnings of CassaStar!

I also received the Making Smiles on Faces Award from L’Aussie. Thanks so much! Most of my blogging friends are good at making me smile! (Which made narrowing it down REALLY tough.) But I couldn’t list everyone, so I just selected a few special charmers: Abby at Above Water Yvonne at Welcome to my World of Poetry Old Kitty at Ten Lives and Second Chances Jules at Trying to Get Over the Rainbow Thanks to everyone who voted for my trailer at Parajunkee. She’ll announce the winners soon! Meanwhile, the book trailer contest voting at Spunk On A Stick’s Tips starts today! Mine’s one of almost twenty trailers. If you think it’s the best, hop on over and vote! And a special thanks to Edi’s Book Lighthouse - he just posted the best books of 2010 and CassaStar was in the top three from small publishers. Thanks, Edi – that definitely makes me smile!

Movie Review and Awards!

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

The third book in this series of seven is without a doubt my favorite. However, due to lackluster reviews of the movie, I went in with low expectations. Before I give my review, I will offer a disclaimer. If you’ve never read the books, you might not like it as much. If you’ve read and loved the books and are fully invested in the characters, you’ll probably enjoy it much more.

Dawn Treader follows the book much closer than Prince Caspian and is a better film. It’s not as powerful or memorable as the first film, but it boasts good pacing and a fun adventure. Lucy and Edmond return to Narnia, dragging along their dour cousin, Eustace. This is where the movie nails it – Eustace is perfect. He’s a sourpuss and wet blanket in the beginning and you pretty much hate the kid – until a moment of greed changes his form.

It also conveys a strong message to those of faith every time Aslan appears on the screen. The ending is very moving, and I was impressed they kept a key line from the book, spoken by Aslan – “In your world, you know me by another name.”

It’s not perfect, but overall it’s a good fantasy and Christmas movie. I enjoyed it!

Next up, some awards I’ve been hoarding:

The “Awesome Award of Awesome Awesomeness!” From Jamie at Mithril Wisdom. Jamie’s blog just turned one and he’s a really cool young man with a bright future. Thanks, Jamie!

I am passing this on to Old Kitty, who has never failed to stop by with a witty comment. (Of course, she must share this award with Charlie…)

I received the “L'Aussie Fair Dinkum Award” from L’Aussie Writing. Thanks so much!

I am passing it on to Talli Roland. She’s indeed a fair lass!

And finally, I received the “Summer Blogger Award” from Carol Kilgore at Under the Tiki Hut. Thank you, Carol!

I am passing it on to Laura Eno at A Shift in Dimensions, who is a great example of summer in winter.

Thanks everyone!

Now, anyone else see a cool movie this week? Don’t forget, Inception came out on DVD this week! Next Tuesday, it’s Despicable Me. And has everyone seen Tangled? Why on earth not?!