Insecure Writer’s Support Group, CassaDawn, Cassa Playing Cards Giveaway, Question of the Month, and Ninja News!

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. I encourage everyone to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs.

My awesome co-hosts today are Yolanda Renee, Tyrean Martinson, Madeline Mora-Summonte , LK Hill, Rachna Chhabria, and JA Scott!

We are kicking off with the question of the month today.

What's the best thing someone has ever said about your writing?

I’ve received some amazing comments, reviews, and emails. Many have just blown my mind. But one thing rises above them all.

Truedessa fell in love with Aden and Tamsin from Dragon of the Stars. I wrote the follow-up story, Dragon’s Destiny, for her. And then she told me.

She was writing fanfiction based on those two characters.

She loved Dragon of the Stars and Aden and Tamsin so much, she wanted their adventures to continue.

That just blows my minds. As an author, I feel like I’ve arrived. Someone is writing fanfiction based on my books.

Whoa!

And it really pleases me that it’s Dragon of the Stars. That book, and the final book in my Cassa trilogy, CassaStorm, are the best things I’ve ever written. And yet the other two books have sold far more copies. I wish there was a way I could change that. With Dragon of the Stars, there’s a free short story that continues the adventure. And CassaStorm remains my strongest piece, bringing Byron’s story full circle. (And there’s also a short, CassaFate, in the Heroes of PHENOMENA anthology that continues the story.)

But Truedessa loved my story enough to write her own stories about Aden and Tamsin. And that’s enough for me.

Don’t forget! Voting continues for the genre of this year’s IWSG Anthology Contest! Go HERE to cast your vote. Open through Friday of this week

Ninja News

The MST3K RiffTrax Reunion Show was amazing! I have never laughed so hard in a theater as I did last week. I’ll give you the full rundown and with pictures next Monday.

The third StoryTime Blog Hop takes place on July 27.
See Juneta Key’s site for details.

New Releases:

Made to be Broken by Rebecca Bradley

The Short Game by J.L. Campbell

The Everlasting Circle by Juliana Haygert






Jellyfish Jones – a UBook
From Melanie Schulz’s publishing company, Black and White.

Question of the Month

Hosted by Michael at A Life Examined

“What was the first book (or book series) you really fell in love with?”

Easy! Terry Brooks’ original Shannara trilogy. They sparked my interest in writing.

CassaDawn

CassaDawn is my short story that will appear in the anthology The Thing That Turned Me, available August 5.

Below is the very short trailer for CassaDawn on YouTube. (I contacted my publisher’s illustrator and hired him to make one that matched the rest of my series. It would've just bugged me if it looked different!)

Giveaway!

I have CassaSeries playing cards to giveaway!


I’m not a fan of Rafflecopters, but couldn’t think of another way to do it. You can enter to win by commenting, Tweeting, or reviewing one of the books. Winner will be drawn July 17. Cards will be shipped from my publisher.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What’s the best thing anyone said about your writing? Anyone else see the MST3K Reunion Show? What was the first books you fell in love with? And would you like a cool deck of cards?

A to Z Challenge – O – Cult Classics: One Million Years BC, Ozzy, CS Lewis, and More! Plus the Latest Star Wars Trailer and the Periscope App.

Today I have the great honor of visiting a top-notch site, Adventures in YA Publishing. Think the writing ends when you finish the book? Think again! I have a whole list of writing that follows ‘The End.’

A to Z Challenge – Cult Classics – O

Movies-Music-Sci-fi Book-Bloggers-Dragon Term

Movie –

One Million Years BC
This British 1966 film was a remake of a 1940 movie. It featured Ray Harryhausen stop-motion dinosaurs and a sexy Raquel Welch.

Music –

Ozzy Osbourne – Blizzard of Ozz
This was Ozzy’s first solo album and sold over six million copies. It was also one of the last album sot feature guitarist Randy Rhodes before his death in 1982.

Science Fiction Book –

Out of the Silent Planet – C.S. Lewis
This was the first of Lewis’ Space Trilogy, followed by Perelandra and That Hideous Strength. The title has found its way into music several times, including a song by Iron Maiden and an album by King’s X.

Blogger –

Anne at O’Leary Miniatures
Are you into miniatures? Want to watch the evolution of a fine painter? Then you can do no wrong following the amazing Anne, friend to bloggers from all walks of life!

Dragon of the Stars Term –

Ormentas
They are one of the eight races in the Alliance and among the first to come against Hyrath. Their primary battleship is called a Predator.

Dragon of the Stars is out now!
Check out the site What Are the Kargrandes? for clues as to how they tie into the story.

Ninja News

Ever hear of Periscope? Rebecca Bradley explains:
Periscope is a live-streaming video app, and as you will have seen if you have looked at any of the above videos is it’s very versatile and social. It’s made by Twitter so if you download the app you get a list of your twitter friends and you can choose who you want to follow on the app.
Visit her site for the full scoop!

Latest Star Wars: The Force Awakens Trailer!

Second trailer came out yesterday and I caught it on JoBlo’s site - we get Han Solo in this one!

Remember One Million Years BC? (I know why I remember it!) Fan of Ozzy or Lewis? Follow Anne and her amazing painted figures? Heard of Periscope? And what do you think of the latest trailer…?

Be sure to visit Adventures in YA Publishing!

The Hobbit and Ragnarok Movie Reviews, Movie Inspiration with Stephanie Faris, Top Films of 2014, Blogger Issues, and Ninja News

Welcome to 2015! I enjoyed my holiday break (so did Mini-Alex) but it’s good to be back. 


To kick off the first post of the year with some movie inspiration, please welcome the talented and beautiful Stephanie Faris!

Inspired by the Movies

I used to write romance. My specialty was the fun romantic comedies that were popular in the 90s and early 00s but seem to have fallen out of favor in recent years. Except one place. Hallmark’s cheesy movies.

I have to admit, I’m a sucker for those movies. Before Christmas, I discovered a wealth of Hallmark movies on YouTube and indulged in day-long marathons while I worked. I realized something as I was enjoying one sweet romance after another: romantic comedy heroines have quite a bit in common with the young girls in my middle grade novels. They’re spunky, idealistic, and they want to make a difference in the world.

Some writers are inspired to write by the latest superhero blockbuster or dystopian teen angst story, but not me. I’m inspired by idealistic women who have their flaws but always mean well. Think Meg Ryan in just about every movie she did in the 90s. Or Kate Hudson in her romantic comedies of the early 00s. We fall in love with them because they aren’t perfect. We fall in love with them because we can relate.

So if you cringe every time Hallmark advertises its 25 Days of Christmas or you’re thankful every day Julia Roberts and Jennifer Aniston are now too old to play quirky young women, you might not like 25 Roses. Although my main character Mia does have a bit of Robin Hood in her—giving chocolate roses to the kids in her school who never receive them on Valentine’s Day. Everyone loves Robin Hood, right?

Find Stephanie at her Blog, Twitter, and Website
25 Roses comes out January 6 – find it on Amazon

Ninja News

This Wednesday, we invite all Insecure Writer’s Support Group members (Bloggers and Facebook members) to post an introduction of yourself. Include it with your regular IWSG post (please keep it to one hundred words or less) or post it Wednesday when prompted at the Facebook IWSG.

Dragon of the Stars is on two new lists at Goodreads - Can’t Wait Sci-Fi and Fantasy of 2015 and Excellent Space Opera. So if you’re looking forward to it or you’ve read and enjoyed it, please hop over and vote. Thanks!


You might not know this, but Trisha @ Words and Stuff is a singer and you can hear her on Rotting Apples’ new album, The Falling Sound.

New Books

Fight the Greek Bite by Pat Hatt

Across the Ages by RaShelle Workman

Shallow Waters by Rebecca Bradley
Her first - congratulations, Rebecca!

Grudge by JL Campbell

Blogger

Recent changes with Blogger have resulted in a new annoying feature–the I Am Not A Robot button. It appears you can now turn off Captcha (check–many of you still have it on) but that button is always there. I’m not a fan of the embedded comment box (because I have to keep scrolling up and down, answering comments) but it’s the only one without that annoying button.

And speaking of comments–did you know that once you hit two hundred, that’s all that appears on the page? You have to either show the next batch (with a pop-up comment box) or Show More (with embedded) to see the rest. So your comments on my last post weren’t eaten–they were just hidden.

Movie Reviews

The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies
The movie wasn’t necessary, but I’m happy with any chance to return to Peter Jackson’s vision of Middle Earth! No, this will not be an unbiased review. I loved the first five Middle Earth films, and I loved this one.
The movie showcases what Jackson does best. The one battle encompasses most of the movie and it’s spectacular. Plus we are so invested in the characters at this point and really care what happens to them.
It’s a bittersweet ending for several reasons, including the fact it’s the last venture into Middle Earth.
Highly recommended!

Ragnarok
This Finnish film is what I’d call a hidden gem. It’s nothing you haven’t seen before, but it’s done really well.
Set against the backdrop of Viking mythology, the film begins with a quest that that takes a turn for the worse.
The scenery and cinematography are stunning. The acting is solid and the special effects are also very good, especially considering the tiny budget.
A ‘Watch Now’ on NetFlix, with subtitles.
Recommended.

My Favorite Movies of 2014

There were some excellent films last year, especially in the superhero category. Here are my top favorite movies of 2014 and their grosses:

1 – Guardians of the Galaxy (Currently $773 million dollars worldwide)
2 – Captain America: The Winter Soldier ($714 million worldwide)
3 – X-Men: Days of Future Past ($746 million worldwide)
4 – Edge of Tomorrow ($369 million worldwide)
5 – The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (Currently $723 million worldwide)
6 – Godzilla ($525 million worldwide)
7 – Dawn of the Planet of the Apes ($708 million worldwide)

Sadly, Guardians was not the highest grossing film of 2014. For reasons unknown, Transformers: Age of Extinction made $1.087 billion dollars worldwide. Go figure!

What were your favorite films?

Did everyone have a good Christmas and New Year’s? What movies inspire you? Picking up some new books? Annoyed with Blogger? Have you seen the last Hobbit film or Ragnarok? And what were your favorite films of 2014?

Ninja News, The Partner's Progeny, Guests, NetFlix Reviews, and World Trivia!

Ninjas lead secret lives, but MJ Joachim asked if I would share a few personal things for my Blog Hopper Marathon spot. Visit her site today for the inside scoop.

Ninja News!

The Challenge Participate Feature is back at the A to Z Blog, and today it’s Mary Montague Sikes, who did a painting a day for the Challenge.


Big thanks to Rachna and everyone who visited Rachna’s Scriptorium last Friday for my time management tips!

Rebecca Bradley has an agent for Shallow Waters - Kate Nash of the Kate Nash Literary Agency. Congratulations, Rebecca!

TF Walsh just signed with Crimson Romance for her novel Cloaked in Fur, an adult urban fantasy. Congratulations, TF!

Doralynn Kennedy just signed a contract for her book, Spiders, with the Wild Rose Press. Congratulations, Doralynn!

Special thanks to MJ for her touching post about generosity and the awesomeness of this online community.

Book Release!

The Partner's Progeny by Shelly Arkon

Bullies rule … or do they?
For seventeen years, Victoria Sheek has been a paralegal surpervisor at the Law Offices of Pereene, Carr, and Sevino, specializing in injury law. Rumors portray her as a bully. She remains confident that her position will never cease because of close relations to one of the founding partners, Mr. Carr.
Until Mr. Pereene, the head partner, hires Monica Bowman. Smitten with her because of her resemblance to his deceases granddaughter, Melissa, and his memories of her, she can do no wrong.
Which one of the two girls will keep their position at the firm? It takes and unexpected event to decide the outcome of this rivalry.

Shelly Arkon is the author of Secondhand Shoes. She lives in New Port Richey with her husband and two dogs. She’s also a member of Florida Writer’s Association and Writer’s of Mass Distraction.

Guest Spots

I enjoy featuring my blogger buddies and welcome a couple guests here every month. My calendar tends to fill quickly, so if you have a book coming out or something interesting you’d like to share, drop me an email. Guest spots are open to my blogger buddies (most of whom are listed in my sidebar) and the guidelines are HERE.

Recently on NetFlix

I really have almost reached the end of NetFlix. Here are some recent watches:

Kill List
Death cult goes to great lengths to recruit man to be their anti-Christ.
Disturbing, creepy, weird, and depressing. Plus evil
Only recommended if you like those things in your movies.
I’ve also come to the conclusion that there are some really bad horror movies out there.

John Dies at the End
Man accidentally takes drug called ‘soy sauce’ and it gives him the ability to see other dimensions.
Weird, fun, quirky, and trippy.
Recommended if you enjoy those four things.

The Finder
Man comes back from the war with the ability to find anything, and once he starts, he can’t stop.
Very fun and funny. Yet another great show tragically cut short after only thirteen episodes.
Check this gem out – highly recommended!

World Trivia

For those of you stumped by my movie and music trivia, this one might be more your style.

1 – What drink did the Incas invent?

2 – Name either of the countries that are home to the Mayan Pyramids.

3 – What large tree grows in Yosemite National Park?

4 – What body of water is the saltiest in the world?

5 – Who is buried under Paris’ Arc de Triomphe?

Answers on Wednesday!

Cheers to everyone who signed contracts recently! Picking up Shelly’s book? Want a guest spot later this year? Seen either NetFlix movie or the show? And do you know any of the trivia answers?

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group posts this Wednesday.

And be sure to visit MJ Joachim today for the inside scoop on the Ninja.

Get Healthy Bloghop, Fast and Furious 6 Review, Ninja News, Wednesday Movie Quote, and How to be Happy!

Today is the Get Healthy Bloghop!

But first…

Ninja News

Special thanks to Gina Goa at Modern World who posted about me for the 3-UP Bloghop!

The Special Edition of The Woven Tale Press is now available. Put together by Sandra Taylor, and out of thousands of posts submitted from this year's A-Z Challenge, twenty-six made their way into this "summary" of what the challenge is all about. It features several of my blogger buddies, including Chuck at Apocalypse Now, Tangent Shell, LG Keltner, Father Dragon Al, Marcy at Maine Words, and Steven Symes. Congratulations, guys!

Shelly Arkon, Norma Beishir, and William Kendall have a created a group on Facebook, Authors for Oklahoma. They’re looking for fellow authors to donate a book, either virtual or paper, to be raffled off or have a donation made to The American Red Cross, and/or make a money donation. The Facebook page is HERE Contact Shelly if you can donate a book!

Nancy LaRonda Johnson started a Tuesday’s Journal Past Blast, which involves posting an old journal or blog entry. She’s opened it up for others to join, so check it out.

Fran notified me of this UK site – Bloggers For Charity, “Wargames Bloggers joining forces to put on a Charity Demo Game at Triples 2014.” They support the charities Men Matter and Help for Heroes, so whether or not you’re a gamer, check it out.

And don’t forget the Insecure Writer’s Support Group is next Wednesday, June 5! My awesome co-hosts will be Sheena-kay Graham, Suzanne Furness, and Laura Eno.

How to be Happy

Rebecca Bradley tagged me with the How to be Happy in 5 Easy Steps Meme.

I may or may not be doing this right, but these are my five steps to being happy:

Love the Lord with all my heart.
Love my wife with all my heart.
Give to others at every opportunity.
Take care of the temple, which includes my church, my home, and my body.
Give thanks in all things.

Think that about covers it!

Passing this on to Lee at Tossing it Out (because I think he’s probably ready for a happy post), Robyn at Life by Chocolate (she could also use a happy post), Mary at Play Off the Page, Hildie McQueen, and Kathe at It’s a Snap!

Wednesday Movie Quote

This week - apocalyptic films. (Before, during, or after.)

Mine comes from Zombieland:

Tallahassee: “My mama always told me someday I’d be good at something. Who’d a guessed that something’d be zombie-killing?”
Columbus: “Probably nobody.”

Next week – dragon movies!

Movie Review

Fast and Furious 6
Dom and the gang are back for one more gig.
While not quite as good as the fifth one, this film still delivers where it matters. The plot is simple (leave your brain at the door) – Hobbs (Johnson) entices Dom (Diesel) and Brian (Walker) to reassemble their crew to take down the commander of a large organization in exchange for full pardons and the chance to reunite with Dom’s girlfriend, Letty (Rodriguez.)
It’s all about the action, and watching Dom’s team race through London is awesome. The last thirty minutes really elevate the film to a new level with sequences involving a tank and an airplane. Kids, don’t try those stunts at home.
When the credits begin, stay in your seat – there will be a Fast and Furious 7. (And what an awesome villain they’ll face!)
Testosterone level – high.
Brain power – low.
Fun factor – full throttle!

Get Healthy Bloghop

Hosted by Stephen Tremp, L. Diane Wolfe, Michael Di Gesu, and myself!

Offer your best tips and plans to get healthy.

Mine is short and simple, and it’s the best thing you can do for your body.

Drink more water.

We’re supposed to get sixty-four ounces of water a day. While some of that can come from other liquids, water is still best. Most people don’t drink nearly enough water though.

Most of the time when we think we are hungry, we are actually thirsty. Rather than grabbing some chips, drink a bottle of water. (If you’re still hungry fifteen minutes later, then eat.) Water is also filling, so you’ll eat less.

Thirst is a poor indicator of when we need liquid. By the time you’re thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Drinking water often prevents this.

Other benefits – helps balance our body fluids, contributes to healthy skin, energizes muscles, and benefits the kidneys and other organs and body functions.

Only downside is more trips to the bathroom, but that’s exercise, right?

Visit others participating in the bloghop for more healthy tips!


Ready to help some charities? What are your steps to being happy? Got a good apocalyptic movie quote? And what are your tips for getting healthy?