On the Mayhem Blog

Today at Magic and Mayhem, I'm ranting--just a little--about what's got me riled this week. Hope to see you there!

A Little Mayhem Never Hurts

I'm blogging over at Magic and Mayhem today, and I'm talking about character quirks. Do you relate better to a character with regular-joe traits and quirks? Stop by and leave a comment, I'd love to hear your opinion!

You are the Architect

I'm blogging over at Magic and Mayhem today talking about world building. Hope to see you over there!

Smile With Your Eyes

So last week the amazing Kimberly Minter of Kimberly Minter Photgraphy did my author photos. I've never considered myself photogenic. Not even a little. And if my friend Joy Denisoff hadn't been there to transform my hair and makeup with her super mad skills, I'd have been in big trouble. I tend to make weird faces and I'm generally self-conscious and nervous. But Kim was so great! She made me feel at ease, knew what to say to get me to look the way she wanted, and my self-consiousness melted away. Well, sort of. I'd thought I'd show you guys some of the "out-takes" so you could see what pictures of me usually look like! ;)

"Give me a smirk," Kim said. To which I responded by making this face. Awesome.

I don't even know what's going on here. Notice the skewed necklace, the drunken vagrant expression. Just what you want to see in an author photo!

Ugh. Just, ugh.

I think for this one, she asked me to look contemplative, or pensive, or something equally deep and artistic. Not exactly what we were going for. And again, the necklace is crooked! Why did I even wear the damn thing!?!?!

Uh-huh. Yeah. Nice necklace. Again. ARGH!

I must have been dreaming about ice cream... or a pedicure... or eating ice cream while getting a pedicure...

Ultimately, this is the photo we settled on. Out of 170 shots, Kim picked her 16 favorites. And out of those 16, I chose:

                                                  Notice the absence of the evil necklace? ;)

Thanks again, Kim and Joy!

Magic and Mayhem - Focus, Focus, Focus

Hey guys! I'm blogging over at Magic and Mayhem today, talking a little about my writing space and what I need to focus! Hope you stop by. Also, congrats to Carmen Finestra who won my full manuscript critique on the Help Write Now auction! I can't wait to read your work! If you haven't checked out the Help Write Now site, you're missing out! There are some GREAT items up for bid. I'm bidding on a book trailer, and I hope I win! ;)

Cover Art Love

I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day weekend! It rained here...again. And the greenhouse didn't get planted...again. I'm jonesing for sunshine, people. I. Need. It.

On a happier front, I got the go ahead to show my cover art last week. I am in deep love with this cover. And I'm not gonna lie; I tend to stare at it. A lot. It's absolutely beautiful. Darian looks just as I picture her right down to the hood on her coat and the color of her hair. My favorite part of the cover is the way the artist made the ends of Darian's hair and the edges of her coat wispy, as if she's just leaving, or just entering her incorporeal form. You see, Darian is a Shaede after all, and she'd rather travel as a shadow at night. ;) I'm also struck by the expression on her face. Serene, while at the same time reaching for her Katana and gearing up for an ass-kicking. That's my girl! After seeing my cover, I have only one thought: December can't come fast enough!

You are Not Alone

I'm a guest over at the Gem State Writers Blog talking about networking and living in a small town. I'd love it if you stopped by! :)

Magic and Mayhem - It's All in the Details

I'm talking about my critique style over at Magic and Mayhem today. I'd love it if you stopped by! :)

Brenda Novak Auction

Happy May everyone! We've had two straight days without rain or snow and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the weather will hold. In addition to Mother's Day, yard work, greenhouse maintence, and my birthday (hehe), May is the month of the Brenda Novak Auction to benefit diabetes research. This is a great cause and I'm happy to be participating with my Magic & Mayhem sisters this year.

What did we offer up, you ask? A 4 for 1 critique of a paranormal romance or urban fantasy partial manuscript. The winning bidder will get an in-depth crit from all four agented/published/soon-to-be-published members of the Magic and Mayhem blog. Pop on over and take a look at the rest of this year's offerings as well. There's just too many great items to list!