CassaFire Tour Day Seven, Ninja News, Ninja Fact, and More Trivia!

And the party continues! Hope I’m not keeping you all up past your bedtime.

Today’s stop is with the adorable Talli Roland!

Talli is without a doubt the cutest Canadian-English girl you will ever meet. She also possesses one of the happiest, most bubbly personalities you will ever meet. She’s an incredible author and one of the best cheerleaders in the world. Really glad Talli is on my side.

Be sure to visit Talli Roland for my take on women and female characters.

Don’t forget that everyone who comments here on my blog over the next two weeks will be entered to win this cool prize package from my publisher. So be sure to comment every single day!

Ninja News

Thanks to everyone who visited me Under the Tiki Hut yesterday! Yes, the Ninja scored some points.

Tomorrow is the first Wednesday of the month – don’t forget to post for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group!

A to Z Co-Host Tina Downey contributed a story to the book, Until They Have Faces. You can read about it HERE. Proceeds from the book go to benefit Boulder, Colorado’s homeless, and more information on the project can be found at Bridge House Boulder Outreach for Homeless Overflow. Congratulations Tina and all the volunteers that made the book possible!

The video contest is open until this weekend – visit A to Z Challenge Blog for details.

Ninja Fact

I’ve only regretted writing one thing. I won’t give away spoilers here, but there is a scene in CassaStar I wish I’d never had to write. I’m not an overly emotional person and live life on an even keel. No great highs or lows. But that one scene was really difficult. I regret it, and yet, there could be no other way to forward the story. Perhaps that is another reason why CassaFire jumps ahead twenty years. Like Byron, I needed some distance…

Trivia answers from Monday:

1 – In what movie do we reach Ludicrous Speed? Spaceballs
2 – Name the creator of Calvin and Hobbes Bill Waterson
3 – This 1981 movie boasted the tagline “From the director of Animal House… a different kind of animal.” An American Werewolf in London
4 – Name the quarterback who threw for 5000 yards in one season; a record held until this past year Dan Marino (Broken by two quarterbacks this past season, Tom Brady and the new record holder, Drew Brees.)

Trivia Questions – Hodge-Podge!

Let’s see how you do with this mix…

1 – What year did Disneyland open?

2 – What is Eminem’s real name?

3 – What type of gas was used to float the Hindenburg?

4 – What race always occurs on Memorial Day Weekend in the USA?

5 – What body of water in the Middle East is the saltiest and most mineral-laden in the world?

You didn’t forget the IWSG tomorrow, did you? Any regrets in your writing? Know any answers from yesterday’s trivia? How about today? Some of you need to at least try one of these trivia challenges…


Now, go visit Talli Roland! I heard she’s serving wine…

CassaFire Tour Day Six, Hearththrob Blogfest, Ninja News, Pronunciations, and 80's Trivia!

One more week of partying – can you handle it?


Today’s stop is a fun piece at Under the Tiki Hut

I’ve followed Carol for a long time now (i.e. – I can’t remember when I didn’t follow her) and her posts are fun and lighthearted, like her Friday Top Ten. Guest posts on her site always revolve around the guest sitting under the Tiki Hut. Now, usually the beaches around the Tiki Hut are filled with men and strangely devoid of beautiful women. However, knowing the Ninja was coming, there’s been a slight change of scenery…

Under the Tiki Hut will never be the same!

Don’t forget that everyone who comments here on my blog over the next two weeks will be entered to win this cool prize package from my publisher. So be sure to comment every single day!

Today is the Teenage Heartthrob Blogfest hosted by Sarah and Vic

There was only one for me when I was a teenager – Buck Rogers’ star, Erin Grey!

Ninja News

Thanks to everyone who visited my stop on Friday at Michael’s SITE!

The best resource in the world for writing tips, promoting tips, and everything in between is Elizabeth Craig’s Writer’s Knowledge Base. More links to more articles than you can possibly imagine. I got lost in there Sunday afternoon…

Laura Eno’s new book, Immortal Desires, is out! Buy it on Amazon Congratulations, Laura!

Rachel Morgan’s new book, Guardian, comes out today. Congratulations, Rachel!!!

It’s Read an eBook Week! I’m doing my part…

The last stop in my tour will be with Sia McKye – and she posted her review of CassaFire last week HERE Thanks, Sia!

Very special shout out to Matthew at The QQQE Tina Life is Good. Matthew visited close to a hundred of my Catch Fire posts last Tuesday and one of his comments in particular was really special – thanks, dude! And Tina has been announcing my book and tour to every person who sends the A to Z Challenge blog an email – thanks so much! You are both just the best of friends.

Pronunciations

Several have asked how to pronounce the names in CassaFire. I tried to make everything simple, but here’s a guide:

Athee – Like the Goddess “Athena”, just leave off the “na”
Mevine – “meh-vine”
Tgren – “ta-grin” said quickly
Ernx – “Urnks”

Trivia answers from Friday:

1 – “Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?” Raiders of the Lost Ark
2 – “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
3 – “Charging a man with murder in this place was like handing out speeding tickets at the Indy 500.” Apocalypse Now
4 – “Son, your ego’s writing checks your body can’t cash.” Top Gun
5 – “What we have here is a failure to communicate.” Cool Hand Luke

Trivia Time – The 80’s!

1 – In what movie do we reach Ludicrous Speed?

2 – Name the creator of Calvin and Hobbes.

3 – This 1981 movie boasted the tagline “From the director of Animal House… a different kind of animal.”

4 – Name the quarterback who threw for 5000 yards in one season; a record held until this past year.

Whoa! Who was your teenage heartthrob? Been lost in the Writer’s Knowledge Base? Did you know how to pronounce those names correctly? How’d you do on last Friday’s trivia? And do you know any of today’s questions?


Now, go visit Carol at the awesome Under the Tiki Hut!

CassaFire Tour Day Five, Ninja News, Trivia, and Random Stuff!

This is the party that never ends from the Ninja who never sleeps!

No really, I like my sleep. I may sleep until noon on Saturday…

Today’s awesome stop - Michael Offutt!

I found Michael’s blog last year through the Pay it Forward Blogfest. (See, blogfests do pay off!) Michael is also a science fiction writer and his first book comes out soon. I’m also kicking off Michael’s blog tour for Slipstream in May. So hopefully the A to Z Challenge doesn’t wear everyone out, because you won’t want to miss it!

Don’t forget that everyone who comments here on my blog over the next two weeks will be entered to win this cool prize package from my publisher. So be sure to comment every single day!

Ninja News

Thanks to everyone who visited Elana Johnson yesterday for my interview. She is just awesome.

Weird things have been happening since the changes with Google and Blogger took effect – anyone else notice?

A Daft Scot Lass posted a list of things that indicate you are addicted to blogging at her SITE. It’s hilarious – you need to read it!

Apple has a BIG announcement coming next Wednesday! It better be the release date of the iPad 3!

Jessica Therrien’s book Oppression came out as well on Tuesday. So yes, we are both responsible for the Internet meltdown that day. Congratulations, Jessica!

Lynnette Labelle has a list of commonly misused words for writers.

Random Ninja Fact

Since my Ninja facts have been silly all week, thought I’d give you a serious one. The most poignant thing I’ve learned as a Christian (relationship not religion – big difference) besides the fact I am loved and forgiven is that to truly love God, one must also love God’s people. Believe it or not, that used to be one of my struggles. (And if you drive really slow in front of me, I still struggle!)

Trivia answers from yesterday:

1 – Where is Australia’s Northern Territory capital? Darwin
2 – Where does the Detroit River end? Lake Erie
3 – What city holds Mary Queen of Scots’ throne? Edinburgh
4 – Where does the Hope Diamond rest? Washington, DC

Trivia Time – Movie Quotes!

All right, let’s try movies again. Name the movie…

1 – “Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?”

2 – “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

3 – “Charging a man with murder in this place was like handing out speeding tickets at the Indy 500.”

4 – “Son, your ego’s writing checks your body can’t cash.”

5 – “What we have here is a failure to communicate.”

Anyone else experiencing weird blogging things? Excited about the iPad 3? Get yesterday’s trivia right? Know any of today’s questions? Come on! A couple are really easy…

Now – go visit Michael Offiutt!

Day Four CassaFire Tour, News, Trivia, and Stuff!

There were more CassaFire posts yesterday – you guys just blow this Ninja’s mind! Someone even said they had a crush on me…

Today my tour stops at the awesome blog of Elana Johnson.

I found Elana’s blog less than two years ago. At the time, she had around 1,600 followers. I was blown away by that following but bravely jumped in and followed and commented. A couple months later, she decided to do a joint blogging series on followers, comments, topics, and relationships. She asked Jen Daiker, who had over 700 followers at the time, to join her. For some odd reason, she also asked me! I think I had a little over 200 followers. It was a real honor, one I will never forget. Thank you, Elana! Not sure what you saw in this Ninja, but I appreciate that vote of confidence.

So please hop on over to Elana’s BLOG!
 
Don’t forget that everyone who comments here on my blog over the next two weeks will be entered to win this cool prize package from my publisher:

Ninja News

Thanks to everyone who visited Isis yesterday for my tips on building a Ninja army. It takes involvement through following, commenting, blogfests, and giving back, but more important, it takes the right attitude and spirit.

Here’s a list of helpful Facebook pages for authors to promote their book, courtesy of Dafeenah at Indie Designz

Roland continues my story of capture at the hands of aliens and subsequent rescue by him, Byron, and Athee HERE. You the man, Roland!

Caught the new Avengers movie trailer yesterday morning – looks awesome!

Random Ninja Fact

Everyone knows I like rock music – progressive rock, hard rock, and heavy metal. But what music DON’T I like? Sorry, but just can’t get into blues, jazz, or new age, don’t like pop, and really don’t like country. Yes, I’m a headbanger! I just like the depth of music in that genre.

Trivia answers from yesterday:

1 – Name the first AC/DC album to feature singer Brian Johnson. Back in Black
2 – Where was Cheap Trick’s live album recorded? (Theater and country) Budokan Theater in Japan
3 – In what movie did Black Sabbath’s The Mob Rules appear in 1981? Heavy Metal
4 – Who writes most of Rush’s lyrics? Drummer Neal Peart

Trivia Time – Locations!

Not up on your 70’s/80’s music? Let’s try locations instead!

1 – Where is Australia’s Northern Territory capital?

2 – Where does the Detroit River end?

3 – What city holds Mary Queen of Scots’ throne?

4 – Where does the Hope Diamond rest?

Anyone get all the music questions right? Care to guess on the locations? Had a blogging meltdown due to Blogger and Google changes? Have you been reading Roland’s tales of me in space? Alien probes are so evil…


Don’t forget to visit the awesome Elana Johnson!