Retro A to Z Challenge: C – CassaStar 2010

CassaStar – 2010

CassaStar was a debut novel, a total re-write from a thirty year old manuscript, and supposed to be the only book. By the time it launched, I realized it was more than my first book – it was the beginning of an incredible adventure! CassaStar became an Amazon Best Seller in science fiction and spawned two more novels. And to think I didn’t even want to be an author…

2010 fun facts –
*Cost of average house - $232,850.00
*The first iPad was released
*The world’s tallest building at 2,716 feet opened in Dubai, the Burj Khalifa
*The Winter Olympics were held in Vancouver, Canada (USA topped the medal tally)

Movies released –
Inception
Tron: Legacy
Tangled
Iron Man II
How to Train Your Dragon

Music released –
Star One – Victims of the Modern Age
Daft Punk - Tron: Legacy Soundtrack

Games released –
Dragon Age: Origins Awakening
Mass Effect II: Lair of the Shadow Broker

And why is 2010 special?
Because that is the year Elizabeth Seckman watched her two oldest boys get confirmed and accept the Lord for themselves.

Elizabeth is the author of several novels and mother to just as many boys. She is a cheery, caring soul with an amazing sense of humor and a blessing to all who meet her. She’s talented, wise, and just a beautiful lady and person. Find Elizabeth at her blog HERE

Ninja News

If you saw the puzzle piece I posted last week, then here is the full image!
Come Back byMelissa Maygrove
Release date – May 2014
Add it on Goodreads HERE

Now available – Sidelined by Kyra Lennon
Part of her New Adult series, Game On

Game Review

Diablo III Expansion Pack – Reaper of Souls
The new act is short and I finished playing in less than a week. However, it provides a new adventure mode and a new character (a crusader) to help you slay your way through the bowels of hell and the heights of Heaven. And bonus – download was a snap!

Can you believe it’s almost four years since my first book? Following the awesome Elizabeth? Picking up the new books? Played any good games lately? And what do you remember best about 2010…?

I’m also posting at the A to Z Blog today. Hope you’re keeping tabs on the site, because there’s been some good information.

And I am doing my best to keep up with the posts and comments, but forgive me if I miss your post. IWSG day was just a bit overwhelming...

Insecure Writer’s Support Group / Retro A to Z Challenge: B - Blazing Saddles – 1974

Double dose today - Insecure Writer’s Support Group AND A to Z Challenge!

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 Hart Johnson, Chemist Ken, Candilynn Fite, Terri Rochenski, Clare Dugmore, and Lilica Blake!

I’d hoped to complete my current manuscript by the time the Challenge began. Between an overload at work and a health scare with my parents, I did not have time to finish. Since the Challenge will consume all of my energy this month, I probably won’t reach the end until May. Which makes it highly unlikely I will get the manuscript edited and to my publisher this summer.

I’m really bummed. I should’ve taken a month off and written NaNo style. Or just give up as the slowest writer ever. Yes, it’s all right that I don’t crank out books every month, but I’m in danger of falling so far behind that no one will remember.

Someone remind me why I picked this gig in the first place? Being a guitarist in a band isn’t half as stressful…

Be sure to visit other IWSG members.

Over at the Facebook page, a thread will be started for the "letter of the day" and we invite members to share A to Z post links in the thread.
We’ve also put together guidelines for the Facebook Group, and those are posted at the site. Please remember the focus is support and promotional news is to be posted on Saturdays.

Blazing Saddles – 1974

Released on February 7, 1974, Blazing Saddles spoofed Westerns in a unique manner. Cleavon Little as the first black sheriff of a small town, Gene Wilder as his deputy, and every funny, crude, and over-the-line joke you can imagine. Directed by Mel Brooks, this movie is hilarious to this day.

1974 fun facts –
*Cost of average of house - $34,900 / UK - 10,990 pounds sterling
*The Sears Tower became the tallest building in the world
*The world’s population was four billion
*The MRI scanner was developed
*The Miami Dolphins won their second consecutive Super Bowl

Movies released –
Young Frankenstein
The Godfather Part II
Thunderbolt and Lightfoot
The Towering Inferno
Dark Star

Music released –
Rush’s debut album
Kiss’ debut album
ELO - Eldorado

Games released -
The earliest first-person shooter games are released – Maze War and Spasim

Why is 1974 special?

Because that was the year Karen Lang accepted the Lord while at a Methodist church youth group meeting. (She also prayed for her parents and a few weeks later, they got saved.)

Karen is a wonderful person and author. She is steady in her faith and devoted to what she believes in and those she believes in. You can find this caring spirit at Karen’s blog, Write Now.
 

What is your writing insecurity today? (And does it involve Challenge posts or slow writing?) Fan of Blazing Saddles? Have any of those movies or albums? Following Karen? What do you remember about 1974…?

Retro A to Z Challenge: A – Apollo 11 Landing 1969

Co-Host, Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh, welcomes you to the fifth annual A to Z Challenge!

Apollo 11 - 1969

The Apollo 11 moon landing on July 20, 1969 was one of the most monumental points in our history. Man had finally made the journey and set foot on another surface. “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” And yes, I remember seeing it happen on television. (Anyone else want to admit that?)

1969 fun facts –
*Cost of average house - $15,500. / UK - 4,640. pounds sterling
*Woodstock took place on a New York farm from August 15-17
*The first ATM in the USA was introduced
*The Airplanet was created, predecessor of the Internet
*Monty Python’s Flying Circus debuts
*The Beatles give their last public performance
*The NFL turned fifty

Movies released –
True Grit
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Easy Rider

Music released –
Beatles – Yellow Submarine

Why is 1969 special?

Because Old Kitty was born that year and in the same month men walked on the moon!

Kitty is the most positive and energetic soul you will find online. She always has a cheery word and is usually responsible for my first laugh of the day. She posts at Ten Lives and Second Chances, featuring photos of her two cats, Charlie and Gumtree.

Ninja News

Thanks for the prayers and words of support last week. Always scary when it’s your parents, but looks like everything will be fine. Missed you guys and I’m glad to be back.

Challenging Destiny by Cherie Colyer is now available on Kindle and to celebrate, Cherie’s throwing a party and giving away fun prizes! See her blog for details. Find Challenging Destiny at Amazon US and Amazon UK.

Hold Still by Lisa Regan is now available!

Krista McLaughlin’s Breathless is available today! Buy it HERE



The IWSG Site is also participating in the Challenge, and we invite members to share their Challenge posts on the Facebook page. (And don’t forget we post on Wednesday.)

And for those into hard rock, Chevelle's latest, La Gargola, releases today.
Been listening to it on iTunes Radio for the last week, and it's amazing!

Movie Review

Muppets Most Wanted
Even more fun than the last one, the film puts the gang on the road in Europe and part of a international heist. It pokes fun at itself and other pop culture references. There’s an incredible cast of cameos and stars, including Tom Hiddleston, James McAvoy, and Ray Liotta. If you grew up with The Muppet Show, you’ll find a lot to enjoy.

What do you remember from 1969? Have you met Old Kitty? Excited about the new books? Seen the new Muppet movie? And are you ready to rock the A to Z Challenge?

My A to Z Challenge Theme, Saving Mr. Banks Review, Melissa Maygrove’s Puzzle Contest, and Ninja News

Movie Review

Saving Mr. Banks
Staring Emma Thompson, Tom Hanks, and Colin Farrell, it focuses on author PL Travers as Walt Disney tries to woo her into a movie version of Mary Poppins. Half of the movie is told in flashback to Travers’ childhood and her relationship with her father, played by Farrell.
While a bit overlong, the story is charming and moving. All three leads shine, especially Thompson, and some of the best scenes involve the three writers working with Travers and moments with her chauffer, played by Paul Giamatti. At its core, the story is about letting go of the past.
Recommended

Ninja News

This Wednesday, March 26 – Milo James Fowler will be at the Insecure Writer’s Support Group site, so be sure to stop by.

Carrie Butler’s Honesty (Mark of Nexus #2.5) is now available!



Nicole Singer posted funny, failsafe blogging tips. This was my favorite - when all else fails, mention Firefly!

The Hostile Smile by Pat Hatt is now available – this makes book #31!

Cover reveal –
Love’s Sorrow
By Terri Rochenski



And we are now just one week away from the start of the fifth A to Z Challenge!

Cover Puzzle Contest!

In anticipation of her debut cover reveal on Monday, March 31st, Melissa Maygrove is sharing some teaser images this week. A trivia question has been paired with each one. It’s a contest!

Hop around to participating blogs and collect all 7 answers, then give them to Melissa by Saturday. Your answers don’t have to be correct to win, but you must submit a complete list by the deadline to be entered in the drawing for the giveaway. The prize is a free e-copy of her book once it’s published and a $10 gift certificate to either Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

‘Sometimes a single choice alters the course of a person's life forever.’

Come Back

Western Historical Romance

Adult / New Adult

Coming May 2014

Teaser images designed by Carrie Butler, Forward Authority Design Services

Check Melissa’s blog for links to all the questions - HERE

A to Z Theme Reveal

Hosted by Damyanti’s team, you can visit team member Jemima Pett for the full list of participants.

Every year, my theme revolves around featuring my blogger buddies. I wasn’t sure how I would top last year, but I finally hit upon a cool idea –

Retro Feature!

I’m going retro this year – every day will be a movie or music feature (matching the alphabet) that corresponds with a given year.

There will also be fun facts and information with each year – cost of a house, world events, sports, and movies, music, and games released.

Where does the feature come in? Each year was chosen because something significant happened to a blogger buddy that year, and they will be featured!

It’s always a new batch of blogger buddies for the Challenge, but this year it’s wide open, so be watching – you never know who I will feature or when!

Anyone else see Saving Mr. Banks? Excited about the new and upcoming releases? Think you can solve Melissa’s puzzle? What’s your theme for the Challenge? And what do you think of mine?

My work project is almost done, but due to health issues within my family, I will be completely off the grid at the end of this week. (I’ll try to check emails once or twice a day.) My next post will be April 1, day one of the Challenge. Thanks for understanding.