This writer's confession

I have a secret.

One that I'm sure most have figured out by now

I am a little bit of a geek...

I'm pretty sure, if there were a geek gene, I've got it.

This has resulted in an unhealthy collection of books and movies and social awkwardness...

But I'm fine with that

The only downside I've found is when 

I get invited out for trivia night with the sole purpose of helping my coworkers win...

Source: theberry.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Who do you write like?

Looking to see how your writing compares to others? 

Check out this site (borrowed from a fellow blogger)

I Write Like

When it comes to my books:

I write like
Cory Doctorow

I Write Like by Mémoires, journal software. Analyze your writing!

Looking for Inspiration? Try New Zealand

Why do so many amazing things happen in New Zealand?

New Zealand: an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The country geographically comprises two main landmasses ‒ that of the North and South Islands ‒ and numerous smaller islands. Because of its remoteness, it was one of the last lands to be settled by humans. 

  Lack of humans = perfect!

(Humans are dirty creatures)

 

They have airplanes promoting The Hobbit.

The native bird is the Kiwi... 

The flipping KIWI!!

In 1893 it became legal for all male and female citizens to vote!

And I think I even heard that the sun and the moon both rise and set on the shores of New Zealand...

Just watch!

http://io9.com/5980370/a-moonrise-unlike-any-youve-ever-seen

Zombie Friday: Zombie Love

Zombie Friday: Zombie Love

Did you make V-day worthwhile for your lover?

Good

Now for the best day of the week: Zombie Friday!

The day after Valentine's Day is better for many reasons here are a few:

• the candy's on sale
• the flowers are on sale
• the restaurants are empty
• everyone is happy because they just consumed a year's worth of chocolate in one sitting

So, Enjoy the day after Valentine's Day

 

And don't forget,

Zombies need love too!

They won't even be angry that it's a day late

Happy V-Day

Happy Valentine's Day!!

I won't be spending this little holiday at work!

So what does that mean?

I'll be laying around drinking wine and eating chocolate and stressing over my manuscript.

Don't follow in my shoes, go do something romantic.

Looking for Inspiration? Try Australia

 

Looking for Inspiration?

Looking to get away and let your hair blow in the wind?

Looking for a place to relax and swim and get eaten by sharks?

Want to feel the rush of salty air between your balls?

My suggestion: Australia!

 Some interesting facts to aid your decision:

1.  Australia = Liquor!

Apparently the first European settlers in Australia drank more alcohol per person than any other community in the history of mankind. 

*Sign me up for that shit. My liver loves the ETOH!

In 1954 Bob Hawke made it into the Guinness Record Book: he sculled 2.5 pints of beer in 11 seconds. Bob Hawke went on to become the Prime Minister of Australia. 



2. Australia is home to the Echidna. 

Don't know what an Echidna is, watch the informative video below. 
Even if you do know, watch it, it's friggin' awesome:







3.  Police force = Convicts behaving goodly
 

Australia's first police force was a band of 12 of the most well behaved Convicts.

4. Australia is home to some talented bloggers/writers: 

• http://absurdwordnerd.blogspot.com/
•   http://fandelyon.com/

How should I plan for childcare during the Zombie Apocalypse?

Welcome to another Zombie Friday!

First, the countdown: TWD 2 days! Hell Yes!

 Question of the week:

How should I plan for childcare during the Zombie Apocalypse?

Answer:

You Don't!!

If When the Zombie Apocalypse hits you don't let those wee-babies out of your sight!

I'm serious!

 

You don't leave them with Grandma, 

or with this stranger who doesn't give a crap,

or tell them to stay in the house. 

(Dear God don't ever leave them in the house alone)

Why?

Because kids don't listen and bad shit always happens.

(I can say this with confidence, I have a 6yr old.)

 


You know those annoying backpacks with leashes that people use in the mall, 

and we all laugh, 
and point, 
and say things like: 
"I'd never put my kid in one of those."

(yeah, right there, those)

Buy one!

Put it in your Apocalypse-emergency kit

and fill it with ammo.

Why?

You ask.

What's the point?

You ask.

Case in point right there.

 

Because 

there is no phone-a-friend option, when your kid goes missing and there are Zombies roaming about.

Source: aboutzombies.net via Meredith on Pinterest

The Next Big Thing

The Next Big Thing Blog-Hop

I want to thank Louise West for tagging me in this Blog-hop!

If you haven't clicked on her name yet, do it! 

And take a look at her WIP: "The Hungry-Man." 

It's worth it! Now go. And then come back here. 

I don't usually post my stories on my blog, but I guess it's time to take the plunge, so here it goes:

1. What is the working title of your next book?
                  Saratoga

2. Where did the idea come from for the book?
                 I'm an avid gardener and I had this crazy idea about a girl who can grow things really well, and dance, because I used to dance. And I really miss it.

3. What genre does your book fall under?
                Fantasy/SF

4. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
                 The God's want their earth back and Demi is their secret weapon, she just doesn't know it yet.

5. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
                 I'm so torn! I would love to secure representation, but with all that I've been reading lately, I'm leaning towards self-publishing.

6. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
                10 weeks

7. If your book was made into a film, which actors would you cast as your characters?
                Demi: Emma Watson
                Dylan: I need a Matt Grevers look-a-like

8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
                The Goddess Test
                    mixed with
                Percy Jackson & The Olympians

9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?
                My love for the earth, and ballet, and mythology, and coming of age novels.

10. What else about your book might piqué the reader’s interest?
                   It's rich in Greek Mythology, the Gods are Gods, and by that I mean assholes, just as they should be, just as they've been depicted in mythology. 
                 This is not a rehash or a retelling, it's an original story I made up in my crazy head. 



Tag, you're it:

Madison Dusome
Matt Anderson

7 Line Challenge

7 Line Challenge

Thanks a bunch to Louise West for tagging me for this blog-hop. This is my first and I'm guessing a few people out there will never have seen one before, so, for the uninitiated- here's the deal.

I'm about to post seven lines from page seven of my work in progress... "Saratoga"  Exciting stuff! I will tag seven (hopefully!) other writers who will, in turn, do the same on their blogs. I suggest you click on the links and check them out.

OK- here it is!

Saratoga

Father was there within a few minutes, walking around the tangled mess, scratching his jaw, trying to figure out a way to get me down. He tried ladders, but they just sunk into the tall grass as though it were warm butter. He chopped at it a few times with his garden shears, but it just grew back underneath me. It refused to let me down.

I leaned forward, tears in my eyes. “Maybe I could just climb down?” I ask them.

“No,” Father replies. “Stay where you are, we’ll get you down. I don’t want you to-”

But it was too late. I had leaned too far over the edge, the edge near the cement patio.

Tag! You're it! 

Chris Andrews 

Madison Dusome

Matt Anderson

Paula Harrold

This is your mission:  Go to line 7 on either page 7 or page 77 of your manuscript and do a post with the next 7 lines, then tag 7 people to keep the challenge going! This a short and savvy way to see what others out there in the blogosphere are writing.

Zombie Apocalypse Lawn Care Guide

Welcome to another installment of Zombie Friday!

Questions of the week:
 

Does the thought of your lawn grass reaching epic proportions cause you anxiety?

Are you worried about who will take care of your lawn during the Zombie Apocalypse?

Are you planning on hiring someone to mow the lawn once the Zombies start crawling?

Don't bother! 



Why?

The lawns always manage to get tended to.

(see, right there)

It seems to be a complete mystery as to how this happens. 

It even has Captain Picard all worked up, 

and if the Starship Enterprise can't figure out this conundrum, 

I'm guessing nobody can.

My theory:

It's those friggin' garden gnomes 

trampling the grass


Zombie Gnomes are the worst!

Don't believe me.

 

Did you ever wonder why we never see any pink flamingos after the Zombie Apocalypse hits?

 



 
Zombie Gnomes, not even the fairy tale creatures are safe.

Source: tips.by via Meredith on Pinterest