CD Coffelt and Selfish Writers, Gravity Review, the IWSG and Why I’m Not on Facebook, and the Ninja News

Today I welcome Wilder Mage author, CD Coffelt from Spirit Called!

Writers are Selfish Cusses - Huntress

Have you ever noticed how self-centered we are? The writers in this forum and all other writerly venues?

Yes. Even Alex. *gasp of horror*

What evidence do I have? Why do I commit this blasphemy? Here is the proof:

Writers, bloggers, agents, editors, and published authors all help the people just starting out. They give their time, experience, and expertise. They show them how to format their manuscript, write a query, and create scenes and hooks. They improve a newbies’ grammar, style, and critique their work. They promote book covers and new releases.

Why?

“Light bulb.” – Gru, Despicable Me

It’s because we’re greedy. All of us. From me up the line. Insatiable. From Alex to Stephen King, Jim Butcher, and nearly every author who has made it to the top.

We help the up-and-comer, the ones just starting out, give them hope, and encourage the ones just rejected. We aid them in all their endeavors for One Reason Only.

Because we love to read.

Molding the new writer into Published Author is the best way we know how to create new reading material.

We just want more good books to read.

Looking out for our own self-interests, that’s all.

*tongue firmly in cheek*

Wilder Mage, by Huntress aka CD Coffelt, an Amazon Best Seller

The earthquake wasn’t his fault. Not this time.

Find it at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Musa Publishing, and Goodreads

Ninja News

Pat Hatt is this month’s featured Challenge participant at the A to Z Blog. Find out how Pat and his cat rhymed their way through the Challenge.

Milo James Fowler and Tony Laplume both have a story featured in The Kennedy Curse. Congratulations, guys! Find it on Amazon.

Ella had her butterfly garland featured in the current issue of Somerset Life. Congratulations, Ella!

A J Walker’s The Maze of Mist is available now! You can find it on Amazon. He’s also like to thank everyone who weighed in on the cover art last week.


The very awesome Robyn at Life by Chocolate posted photos of the swag package she won here a couple weeks ago. Robyn, you rock, and so glad that you were the winner!

Second Avenue, Second Hand is now out! This collection of short stories was put together by Wendy Tyler Ryan and features Roland Yeomans, Donna Hole, Stuart Sharp, and others. Congratulations, everyone!

Eye of the Soul by Terri Rochenski comes out today! Congratulations, Terri. First of many books.

And today Stephen Tremp is revealing the cover for his next book, Escalation. This is the third and final book in his Chase Manhattan series. Congratulations, Stephen – looks awesome!

Movie Review

Gravity
Staring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney as two astronauts trying to survive after an accident leaves them stranded in space.
Ninety minutes is the perfect run time for this tense film. Nothing could be scarier than stranded in space and pelted by debris.
The visuals are beyond incredible. (Oscar winner for sure.) Never has a film captured the essence of space so well. There is also something fascinatingly beautiful about watching a space station being shattered. The sound is also minimal, exactly what you’d expect in space.
Bullock is excellent as the medical engineer turned astronaut, and her reactions are what you’d expect during someone’s first trip into space. She has moments of panic, denial, and despair, fighting oxygen deprivation while clinging to her training.
The character building is minimal and the film occasionally feels a little cold. But you are invested in Bullock’s character and on the edge of your seat as she fights to survive.
For those of you who suffer motion sickness, there is one spinning scene you won’t want to watch!
A must-see in 3D and in the theater.
Highly recommend.

IWSG’s Future and Why I’m Not on Facebook

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group website continues to grow, as does the Facebook Group. That has led to several people asking if I will be joining Facebook.

My answer – no.

I have my own personal reasons why I’ve never joined. I’ve heard enough complaints about Facebook’s privacy issues and time suck capabilities that I’ve avoided it. I was also warned to limit my social sites to two-three maximum. I’ve chosen blogging, Twitter, and Google+. (Plus there is Goodreads.) It is all I can do to maintain those, especially now that we’ve launched the IWSG site. There simply isn’t time for me to do more – I barely have time to practice my guitar, let alone write.

Truth is, the Facebook page is running just fine without me! Several of the admins have taken the group and run with it, planning a schedule, approving members, and answering questions.

I want both sites to be self-sufficient and continue to grow and expand beyond me. The IWSG is really important to me and I want it to benefit writers long after I am gone. (And nobody panic – the Ninja is not leaving anytime soon!)

Today my post at the Insecure Writer’s Support Group website talks about the importance of the group and the site and where it is headed. I also ask the question – what does the IWSG mean to you?

Are writers selfish cusses? Did you follow Pat during the Challenge? Think Stephen’s cover rocks? Did you see Gravity? And is it all right if the Ninja avoids Facebook?

Visit the Insecure Writer’s Support Group website and let me know what the group means to you…

My Poetic, Awesome Online Mom, Ninja News, and MIB III Review

Today I have the honor of featuring one of my dearest blogger buddies, someone I often refer to as my online mom – author and poet, Yvonne Lewis.

I met Yvonne over two years ago during the very first A to Z Challenge. (Not me in the picture - that's Danny.) She is just such a wonderful person. Yvonne is loving, gentle, and very genuine. She also has a wonderful free spirit and an eye for beautiful moments. I just adore this gracious and special lady.

Her latest book, Written From the Heart, is a wonderful collection of her poetry. I was honored beyond words when she asked me to write a blurb for her book. Seeing my name on the back of her book was more thrilling than seeing my name on the front. Anyone can publish a book, but not everyone can give another author a meaningful quote. Yvonne, thank you again.

She is here today to share with you a little about her book:

WRITTEN FROM THE HEART:

This book that I wrote
Was to let the readers see.
That after many years of heartache,
There's fun and laughter in me.

Like going to the park,
And descend a slide
While my children and grandchildren
Conveniently disappear and hide.

The book also enlightens people
My blessings I do count.
There are many worse off than me,
That I do not doubt.

My love of traveling is evident to see,
Touring the U.S. and Spain.
So I can escape from
Britain's continual rain.

Also Daniel O Donnell concerts,
I really do enjoy.
I'd travel to the ends of the earth,
To see my "Danny Boy".

The "Blurb" of the book,
I'm proud of I confess.
For the final part was written
By fellow blogger Alex....no less.

I wrote this book in the first place,
To let the whole world see.
But most importantly
That my family would be proud of me.

I know some of you have already bought,
I'm so grateful for a start.
I think there's a poem for everyone,
In "Written From The Heart"

- Yvonne

Visit Yvonne at Welcome to My World of Poetry and purchase her book at Amazon You can also catch Yvonne today at the A to Z Blog where she answers a few questions about the Challenge, Danny Boy, and Arlee Bird.

Ninja News!

Author Andrew Leon at Strange Pegs has taken some of the stories from a class he taught at his kid’s school and created a book, Charter Shorts. Proceeds from the book benefit the school, which is really cool, so grab a copy today!

Wendy Tyler Ryan’s new book, Fire’s Children is out now! Long fight to make it happen so congratulations, Wendy.

This comes courtesy of Edi’s Book Lighthouse - Incredible Submarine Themed Rooms. If you have a thing for submarines or steampunk, you’ll enjoy these images.

Movie Review

Men in Black III
A vast improvement over MIB II, which lacked in the humor department. This one plays more like a straight adventure film, although Will Smith has some very funny lines. It involves time travel and wraps up a lot of plot ties. Best part was Josh Brolin’s performance as a young agent K – he nailed Tommy Lee Jones. Not a movie that you have to catch in the theater, but it was good.

Following Yvonne? Enjoy her poetry? Any news I missed? Did you see MIB III? Or did you contribute more money to The Avengers’ billion plus take?And is anyone else hooked on watching The Hatfields and McCoys?

UNSTOPPABLE - A to Z Challenge

It’s the third A to Z Challenge! Blog the letters of the alphabet in order every day except Sundays The participation list is HERE – start with the blog after yours and visit at least five blogs a day. Mostly, make new friends and have fun!

My theme – I have selected a word for each day and will present to you blogger buddies who fit that description, along with movies, music, etc. My theme is to give back, highlight some awesome bloggers, and have fun in the process.

UNSTOPPABLE

Bossy Betty
This wonderful woman with a penchant for humor and eye for photography underwent a life-changing event last year, one that nearly wiped her out. However, she is not Bossy Betty for nothing! Struggling through the pain and sorrow, she bravely set out on the new path. I admire her strength and endurance and watch in awe as she tackles life renewed. Betty, you are truly unstoppable!

Leigh at Em-Musing
Her posts may be a wandering musings, but not her actions. Leigh is on the hunt, submitting her queries with determination. Add to her challenges a recent move to Mexico. But that won’t stop her either. And I know all of that unstoppable energy will one day meet with success.

Christopher Nolan
He certainly seems unstoppable with a string of one great film after another. Starting with Memento (from an earlier post) through Batman and Inception (also posted) he has a knack for hitting one home run after another. I can’t wait for the third of the Batman trilogy “The Dark Knight Rises.”

NINJA NEWS!

Wendy Tyler Ryan is putting together the Second Avenue Second Hand Anthology – see her site for details on how to submit.

Full details on the A to Z Reflections post May 7 are posted at the A to Z Blog

Don’t forget the First Loves Blogfest on May 14 – First loves of movies, music, books, and person.

NINJA CONTEST!

To celebrate 1500 followers, I’m holding a giveaway – a copy of CassaStar and CassaFire! This will be a little different though. The books will be donated to the winner’s choice of public or high school library, along with a selection of bookmarks. (The winner also gets bookmarks.)

How to enter: (and must be a follower)

Comment on my posts (just once) U-X (Tuesday through Friday) – one point

Ten extra points for the first comment (please don’t melt my blog)

Ten extra points if you blog about this contest (leave a link so I know)

Winner will be announced Monday during the Z post!

Following Betty and Em-Musing? Think Christopher Nolan rocks? Ready to share your thoughts about the Challenge on May 7? Entering the giveaway? And who do you know who is unstoppable?

Thanks again everyone for making 1500+ followers a reality. And despite the cool suggestions yesterday, I’m sticking with Ninja Captain. After all, Jean Luc Picard was an awesome captain!

News, Pirates, and FFW - The Query

First, I’ve got some awesome news from around the blogging world!

Okay, this just went live at Dafeenah - questions about writing, getting published, and the next novel. Thanks, Dafeenah - you rock!

Ann Carbine Best’s book, “In The Mirror,” was released this past Tuesday. It’s a powerful memoir and I admire the strength required to tell this story. Go check it out and give Ann a hug!

Wendy Tyler Ryan also had a book release this week – “Fire’s Daughter” Go admire the fireworks at her blog and tell her congratulations!

I’ve been grateful for all the awesome reviews of CassaStar, but this one really surprised me. I’ve followed Aleta’s BLOG for a while now and I had no idea she was reading my book until Monday night when it appeared at the top of my Google Reader. I was stunned! And if you’ve never visited Aleta’s blog, you need to pay her a visit. The only way I can describe it is ‘love.’

Now, I invite your to check out my Fantastic Friday Writers partners, as we have some new members - Elizabeth Mueller, Anastasia V. Pergakis, J. D. Brown, Deirdra Eden Coppel, M. Pax at Wistful Nebulae, Jeffrey Beesler at World of the Scribe, Charlene A. Wilson, and Andrew Cooper. I’m sure their take on this subject is better than mine!

Query Letters – Tips and Advice

That topic made me chuckle. Advice? From me? I think the only thing I did right on my query letter was make it short. My synopsis was a whole six lines. Pretty sure I spelled every word correctly as well. Yeah, I can tell I’m really rocking your world with those tips!

However, I can tell you where to go for great feedback! Matthew at The Quintessentially Questionable Query Experiment posts and critiques query letters every week. He provides a full analysis and others add their two cents worth in the comments. Matthew is a sharp dude and his suggestions are awesome. So, if you want some REAL advice, visit his site!

And I’m seeing Pirates of the Caribbean this weekend. Anyone care to come along and keep me amused in case it sucks? I’ll splurge for the Hot Tamales…