tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60262832336072272762024-03-19T15:01:16.646-07:00Flowering FictionThe Life and Writing of Amanda Rose.Amanda Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04443959611192521029noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6026283233607227276.post-37376083250813874572015-01-07T22:46:00.001-08:002015-01-07T22:47:04.982-08:00Happy New Years IWSGers!<br />
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Hey guys! Happy New Years!!! ^^ :D
So it’s another IWSG Wednesday which means it’s time again to share our fears, failures,
successes and give advice or encouragement. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuStzhp9cgFY7h2v2zWr1N99Q4OTkops4YB6XKjSEMuIIaXhFnDZVzAy6PZT2ZoPLklKxkgbYp8gSWQ9B51qcSQBvDpfe4a2tyy4WNCk1MCx8wPun4TjdFYTfRFSALAnF9xmdPc1yrO_c/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuStzhp9cgFY7h2v2zWr1N99Q4OTkops4YB6XKjSEMuIIaXhFnDZVzAy6PZT2ZoPLklKxkgbYp8gSWQ9B51qcSQBvDpfe4a2tyy4WNCk1MCx8wPun4TjdFYTfRFSALAnF9xmdPc1yrO_c/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" height="273" width="320" /></a></div>
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Right
now I am working on revising my YA faery novel and…I hate it. It’s not horrible
and certainly not hopeless, but during the holiday season and the crazy work
hours that went with it, I put revision off and now I am working like a
madwoman to catch up. I’ve also got so many little brands in the fire that it’s
really kind of distracting, but they aren’t things I can put off right now. I’ve
discovered that this piece really should probably be in third POV and so that
sets me back even further. I really do like the story, but this part of the
revision process is the part that I really hate. I want to get some opinions on
it sooner than later, but it’s still too early in the process and I’m afraid that
I won’t get the kind of feedback I need because I’ll be changing what I would
have been sending out anyways. I kind of just want to face plant on my keyboard
and call it a night, but that’s not really an option.<o:p></o:p></div>
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What do
you do when you’re discouraged and on a deadline? </div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is a wonderful place where writers can share their worries and failures as well as their successes and advice. Led by our fearless leader </span><a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, IWSG meets the first Wednesday of every month and you can join on his site </span><a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">. There's also a brand new website now so be sure to check it out </span><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.</span></o:p>
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Amanda Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04443959611192521029noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6026283233607227276.post-40538744064273148272014-12-02T23:30:00.000-08:002014-12-05T23:11:45.106-08:00December IWSG 2014 Revisions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuStzhp9cgFY7h2v2zWr1N99Q4OTkops4YB6XKjSEMuIIaXhFnDZVzAy6PZT2ZoPLklKxkgbYp8gSWQ9B51qcSQBvDpfe4a2tyy4WNCk1MCx8wPun4TjdFYTfRFSALAnF9xmdPc1yrO_c/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuStzhp9cgFY7h2v2zWr1N99Q4OTkops4YB6XKjSEMuIIaXhFnDZVzAy6PZT2ZoPLklKxkgbYp8gSWQ9B51qcSQBvDpfe4a2tyy4WNCk1MCx8wPun4TjdFYTfRFSALAnF9xmdPc1yrO_c/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" height="273" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hey IWSGers! Hope you’re all doing well as Christmas and New Year’s grows ever closer. The Holiday season is upon us and in full swing! :D Have you gotten started on your Christmas list yet or are you one of those early birds that’s already got it done and has been done for weeks now. (If you’re one of the latter, what’s your secret? ;D )<br />
Anywho, it’s the first Wednesday of the month and coincidentally, also the last IWSG Post of the year. It also happens to be…my Birthday! Yay! *confetti* ^^ :D So onto matters of the writer! I am working on revisions of my <a href="http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/" target="_blank">ICL</a> novel and I am learning how much a different creature it is than writing. I absolutely hate the opening of my book, but I am finding spots where I can fine tune it, but I think that’s part of my problem as I get going here. I am fine tuning when I should be…doing something broader? I am not sure. Where does one start when diving into revisions? Do you read over the whole manuscript and then work on chunks? Do you start at the beginning? Work backwards since you’re characters are more defined at the end?<br />
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What do you do when you start revisions? Do you have a system or method that helps you keep on track? Let me know in the comments below! :)<br />
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Merry Christmas and Happy Writing! ^^ :D<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is a wonderful place where writers can share their worries and failures as well as their successes and advice. Led by our fearless leader </span><a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, IWSG meets the first Wednesday of every month and you can join on his site </span><a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">. There's also a brand new website now so be sure to check it out </span><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.</span>Amanda Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04443959611192521029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6026283233607227276.post-66439970674200348882014-11-05T09:02:00.000-08:002014-11-05T09:02:01.199-08:00November IWSG Small Victories<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuStzhp9cgFY7h2v2zWr1N99Q4OTkops4YB6XKjSEMuIIaXhFnDZVzAy6PZT2ZoPLklKxkgbYp8gSWQ9B51qcSQBvDpfe4a2tyy4WNCk1MCx8wPun4TjdFYTfRFSALAnF9xmdPc1yrO_c/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuStzhp9cgFY7h2v2zWr1N99Q4OTkops4YB6XKjSEMuIIaXhFnDZVzAy6PZT2ZoPLklKxkgbYp8gSWQ9B51qcSQBvDpfe4a2tyy4WNCk1MCx8wPun4TjdFYTfRFSALAnF9xmdPc1yrO_c/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" height="273" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hey
IWSGers! Hope you guys and gals had a fantastic Halloween are doing good! October
absolutely flew by! I have to keep reminding myself that it’s November already!
Oh well. Time flies when you’re having fun so it couldn’t have been too bad can
it? ;D <o:p></o:p></div>
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Well a
lot has been going on since my last IWSG Post. Before I mentioned that I was working
on two different pieces; a novel for my Institute of Children’s Literature
class and another for the Harvest Contest organized by the Central Oregon
Writer’s guild. I’m very happy to announce that, not only did I finish the
first draft of my novel a whole month ahead of schedule, but I also placed in
the top ten of the Harvest Contest! There were 52 entries in the contest and it
was a tight race. The Awards Night was held October 18<sup>th</sup> at the New
Hampton Inn in Bend and all of the top ten came and read their pieces. It was
great getting to listen to all of them. There was a lot talent and creativity
present and it was a lot of fun getting to talk to the other winners afterwards
and learn more about them. :)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now that
the contest is over, it’s back to work! ;D I’m going to start on editing and
revising my novel and while I’m working on that, I’m hoping to finally finish
another short piece for a different contest. Lots of fun stuff coming up! :D<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is a wonderful place where writers can share their worries and failures as well as their successes and advice. Led by our fearless leader </span><a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, IWSG meets the first Wednesday of every month and you can join on his site </span><a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">. There's also a brand new website now so be sure to check it out </span><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.</span>Amanda Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04443959611192521029noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6026283233607227276.post-27309842648326123692014-09-03T10:32:00.003-07:002014-09-03T10:32:42.531-07:00September IWSG Systems<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hey everybody! Hope you’re all doing fantastic! Today is the first Wednesday of a new month so it’s time again for another IWSG. :D<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuStzhp9cgFY7h2v2zWr1N99Q4OTkops4YB6XKjSEMuIIaXhFnDZVzAy6PZT2ZoPLklKxkgbYp8gSWQ9B51qcSQBvDpfe4a2tyy4WNCk1MCx8wPun4TjdFYTfRFSALAnF9xmdPc1yrO_c/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuStzhp9cgFY7h2v2zWr1N99Q4OTkops4YB6XKjSEMuIIaXhFnDZVzAy6PZT2ZoPLklKxkgbYp8gSWQ9B51qcSQBvDpfe4a2tyy4WNCk1MCx8wPun4TjdFYTfRFSALAnF9xmdPc1yrO_c/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" height="273" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lately I’ve been reading a
lot of success books and I’ve noticed they talk a lot about systems and habits and
how they can make or break you in the long run. I’ve also heard from other very
successful writers that they make time to write every day so I decided to
create my own system and hopefully in the process, create a habit. I’ve always
been a sporadic writer and so for the month of August, I wrote out a chart on
my dry erase board with a slot for each day from Sunday to Saturday and told
myself that every day I was going to write down a word count of 200 words or
more and then record it all on my calendar. The first week I wrote 1,838 words,
averaging at about 262 words a day. Not too bad. Then the next week I totaled 1,876
words, averaging at about 268 words a day. Admittedly I did miss a day that
week to work on edits, but overall, still not too bad. Then the third week I
started gaining a little ground. I wrote 1,992 words and averaged about 285
words. I missed another day for editing, but there was still a pretty good jump
in my word counts. Week four saw a big jump. I wrote a total of 2,758 words and
averaged 394 words a day! Woohoo! Now for those marathon writers out there that
pull in about 3,000 words a day, this might look like nothing, but for me, it was
huge! After all was said and totaled up, for the entire month of August I wrote
8,809 words and I’m pulling in more every day. I also find that when I sit down
to write, the story comes easier, I’m not fighting myself as much to get the
word counts in and I’m mostly stopping for the day because I have to go to bed
and get up at a decent time the next day. (Don’t underestimate the importance
of a good night’s sleep! It can make all the difference!) Now I’m bumping my
goals up a little higher. I’m trying to do no less than 400 words a day and
climbing all the time. I no longer feel so behind on my course novel and am
feeling pretty good about where I’m at. I also finally submitted to my local
writer’s guild’s contest <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that I’ve
promised myself I’d do for the past two years(hence the two days missed for
editing <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>).
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So how about you? Do you
have any systems you put in place to help your writing out? Let me know in the
comments below! ;D<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is a wonderful place where writers can share their worries and failures as well as their successes and advice. Led by our fearless leader </span><a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, IWSG meets the first Wednesday of every month and you can join on his site </span><a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">. There's also a brand new website now so be sure to check it out </span><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.</span>Amanda Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04443959611192521029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6026283233607227276.post-57077269526342853352014-08-06T04:00:00.000-07:002014-08-06T10:04:19.202-07:00August 2014 IWSG<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hey everybody! Hope you’re all doing fantastic! Today is the first Wednesday of a new month so it’s time again for another IWSG. :D<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuStzhp9cgFY7h2v2zWr1N99Q4OTkops4YB6XKjSEMuIIaXhFnDZVzAy6PZT2ZoPLklKxkgbYp8gSWQ9B51qcSQBvDpfe4a2tyy4WNCk1MCx8wPun4TjdFYTfRFSALAnF9xmdPc1yrO_c/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuStzhp9cgFY7h2v2zWr1N99Q4OTkops4YB6XKjSEMuIIaXhFnDZVzAy6PZT2ZoPLklKxkgbYp8gSWQ9B51qcSQBvDpfe4a2tyy4WNCk1MCx8wPun4TjdFYTfRFSALAnF9xmdPc1yrO_c/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" height="273" width="320" /></a></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is a wonderful place where writers can share their worries and failures as well as their successes and advice. Led by our fearless leader <a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></a>, IWSG meets the first Wednesday of every month and you can join on his site <a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>. There's also a brand new website now so be sure to check it out <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So I’ve been intermittently working on a Young Adult Faery
novel for a couple months now and I’m about a third of the way through the
novel and I hate it. All of it. I want to light it on fire and watch it burn.
My main character seems to lack a drive to do anything and the story feels
flat. The beginning came very easily, but I have to admit beginnings are
probably the easiest part for me. I also have a deadline on this project since
it is for a class I’m working on so I can’t afford to set it aside for now.
What did you do when you completely fell out of love on a project? Was there
anything you did that helped you reignite that spark and helped you finish the
project you were working on?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let me know in the comments below! :D <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Amanda Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04443959611192521029noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6026283233607227276.post-60988420483226360092014-07-02T07:40:00.000-07:002014-07-02T07:42:34.811-07:00July 2014 IWSG A Tale of Two…Tales<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hey everybody! Hope you’re all doing fantastic! Today is the
first Wednesday of a new month so it’s time again for another IWSG. :D<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuStzhp9cgFY7h2v2zWr1N99Q4OTkops4YB6XKjSEMuIIaXhFnDZVzAy6PZT2ZoPLklKxkgbYp8gSWQ9B51qcSQBvDpfe4a2tyy4WNCk1MCx8wPun4TjdFYTfRFSALAnF9xmdPc1yrO_c/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuStzhp9cgFY7h2v2zWr1N99Q4OTkops4YB6XKjSEMuIIaXhFnDZVzAy6PZT2ZoPLklKxkgbYp8gSWQ9B51qcSQBvDpfe4a2tyy4WNCk1MCx8wPun4TjdFYTfRFSALAnF9xmdPc1yrO_c/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" height="273" width="320" /></a></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is a wonderful place where writers can share their worries and failures as well as their successes and advice. Led by our fearless leader <a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></a>, IWSG meets the first Wednesday of every month and you can join on his site <a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>. There's also a brand new website now so be sure to check it out <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So I’ve been working hard on a couple of pieces lately, one
being my novel assignment for the <a href="http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/">Institute of Children’s Literature</a> and the
other being a short contest piece for the <a href="http://centraloregonwritersguild.com/annual-writing-contest.html">Central Oregon Writer’s Guild’s Annual Contest</a> (which just opened up state wide! :D Woohoo!). They’re both
coming along great and I’m really excited about both, but they both also have
some upcoming deadlines. The first third of my novel’s rough draft is due in a week
or so and my contest piece is due on the first of September. I’ve almost got my
novel’s first third done and I’m really close to having my contest piece fully
written out, but the editing process is going to take a while. I’ve been having
a bit of difficulty switching back and forth between the two; I get focused and
then I have to switch back to the other piece. When you’re working on multiple
pieces, how do you juggle them? Do you have a system that helps you better
manage your time? Let me know in the comments below and thanks for stopping by!
^^ :D<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Amanda Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04443959611192521029noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6026283233607227276.post-89038186228739954282014-05-07T09:27:00.002-07:002014-05-07T09:27:35.545-07:00May 2014 IWSG<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuStzhp9cgFY7h2v2zWr1N99Q4OTkops4YB6XKjSEMuIIaXhFnDZVzAy6PZT2ZoPLklKxkgbYp8gSWQ9B51qcSQBvDpfe4a2tyy4WNCk1MCx8wPun4TjdFYTfRFSALAnF9xmdPc1yrO_c/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuStzhp9cgFY7h2v2zWr1N99Q4OTkops4YB6XKjSEMuIIaXhFnDZVzAy6PZT2ZoPLklKxkgbYp8gSWQ9B51qcSQBvDpfe4a2tyy4WNCk1MCx8wPun4TjdFYTfRFSALAnF9xmdPc1yrO_c/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" height="273" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 1em 0px;">
Hey Guys! So seeing as how
it is the first Wednesday of the Month, it must be IWSG! So I’ve been a little
hiatus lately, but don’t worry, I’m still writing in the background! ;) What I
wanted to ask all you writers out there is how you respond when people ask you
about ideas you have that you may be currently working on. I was trying to
explain one of my ideas out loud the other day and the more I tried to describe
it, the more I thought, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Woooow that
sounds sooo stupid</i>. And the more I talked about it, the more my idea
started to lose that magic glimmer that had convinced me to write about it in
the first place. <o:p></o:p></div>
How do all you other
writers out there deal with this?<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 1em 0px;">
Thanks guys! ^^ :D<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is a wonderful place where writers can share their worries and failures as well as their successes and advice. Led by our fearless leader <a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></a>, IWSG meets the first Wednesday of every month and you can join on his site <a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>. There's also a brand new website now so be sure to check it out <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>.</span>Amanda Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04443959611192521029noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6026283233607227276.post-36872903231506236232014-03-28T21:00:00.001-07:002014-03-28T21:00:50.550-07:00Gotta love that Aftershock
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 1em 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Do you
ever get that feeling after reading a particularly good book, that if you don’t
move, you’ll absolutely explode??? That if you remain sitting for just one more
second, you’ll absolutely pass out from the sheer epic-ness? I just finished
reading <a href="http://sarahjmaas.com/">The Assassin’s Blade</a> by <a href="http://sarahjmaas.com/about-sarah/">Sarah J. Maas</a> and there are no words. What an
amazing read that leads into a spectacular series. I think I’ve been slowly picked
apart and pieced back together. And I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">loved</i>
it!!! This. This is why I decided to become a writer. Because books can so
utterly move you and in one fell swoop, utterly destroy you. And without even
realizing it, they can pick you up, dust you off and put you back together. I
ran across a video a year or so ago that I think absolutely nails it on the
head. Enjoy! ^^<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/SEi2AqvHsMc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 1em 0px;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Amanda Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04443959611192521029noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6026283233607227276.post-3799526910397006042014-03-09T21:56:00.001-07:002014-03-09T21:56:49.638-07:00Writitng Exercises
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hi everyone! It’s been quite
a while hasn’t it? I hope you’re all doing well and getting plenty of good
writing in. </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> So today I want to share with you a writing exercise
I came up with while doing some brainstorming for my current WIP. I recently
had the opportunity to do a group interview at one of the local retail stores
here in town. They brought in six people, including myself, and had us all interview
together taking turns answering questions and one of the questions they asked
us was, “What two words would you use to describe yourself?” I thought, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Oh this’ll be easy! Piece of cake!</i> ^^
Not so. Have you ever tried to come up with only two words that would wholly
encompass who you are and still do justice to your character? Well it wasn’t exactly
easy, but while sitting at my desk thinking about my WIP, I thought, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What if I tried to use just two words to
describe my characters?</i> It was actually a great exercise. I’m still working
on it for a couple more characters, but it really makes you think about them
and dig deep into what makes each character uniquely who they are. I’ll share a
couple examples just so that you can see a few of mine.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 14pt;">Charming and Elusive<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 14pt;">Swarthy and Cunning<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 14pt;">Adventurous and Delicate<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of course these could be a
little stronger, but you get the idea. Plus as you keep working on your story
and your characters change, sometimes so should some of their words, but not
all the time. In fact, because these words should describe the core of your
character, these words will rarely change, but that doesn’t mean you can’t fine
tune them a little more, not to mention that if you’ve got a seriously dynamic
character who changes during the course of the story, his core could change a
little too. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Try it out and see what you
think. If you want, share one or two of yours in the comments below! ^^ :D<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Amanda Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04443959611192521029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6026283233607227276.post-81284545829242043752013-12-04T18:20:00.001-08:002013-12-04T18:27:11.549-08:00Happy Birthday, December IWSG, and a Movie Review!!!<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 1em 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Hey
everybody! So it has been a crazy awesome week! Yesterday was my 22nd Birthday!
I got to celebrate with family eating cake and ice cream, topping it off with a night at the
movies. Woohoo! ^^ :D I have to say, I don't feel much older, but I've heard
that doesn't start to set in until later. Lol :) So for my birthday movie, my
brother and my sister-in-law took me to see <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Hunger Games: Catching Fire</i> for the second time (My mom took me to see it
the first time on the day it came out lol). It was really sweet too, because
the lady running the concession stand sang Happy Birthday to me. ^^<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And
I have to say, it was AWESOME!!! Frances Lawrence did an excellent job! He
created a world so intricate and detailed that even though it passes by in
short little bursts, you really get a good sense of it. And the characters I
feel got a whole lot better and deeper. The costumes were so great and some
totally outrageous (lol Effie <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>).
The first half felt just slightly rushed, but for the time they had, they
covered a lot. There were a couple parts that made me giggle…really loudly. :]
If you’ve seen the movie or read the books, all I have to say is. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Johanna</i>. Hehe. ^^ Of course there were a
couple parts that had me tearing up. If you've read the books you know what
parts those probably were. It was pretty funny too, because at the end where
the big hurrah takes place, my brother and I were both pumping our fist saying <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Yeah!</i> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 1em 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
You can
really tell the difference between fans of the books versus those that have
only seen the movies too because my sister-in-law kept leaning over to explain
little nuances to my brother because he hasn't read the books yet. Key word: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">yet</i>. Between the two of us, I'm sure
we'll have him reading them in no time! ;D<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 1em 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Overall,
I would give Catching Fire 4.5 stars only because I felt like there was just a
smidge where they could've done a little bit more, but like I said: Fantastic
job. I'm so glad Frances is doing both Mockingjay part 1 & 2. And after
seeing the second one, I'm really glad they split the movie into two parts
because that will really allow them to dig into the story and honor those parts
that really need it and are huge parts of the overall arc. In my opinion,
Suzanne Collins is a genius. I also haven't read any of her other books yet, so
I might be biased, but Hunger Games is my all-time favorite book series. Ever.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 1em 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<o:p> </o:p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuStzhp9cgFY7h2v2zWr1N99Q4OTkops4YB6XKjSEMuIIaXhFnDZVzAy6PZT2ZoPLklKxkgbYp8gSWQ9B51qcSQBvDpfe4a2tyy4WNCk1MCx8wPun4TjdFYTfRFSALAnF9xmdPc1yrO_c/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuStzhp9cgFY7h2v2zWr1N99Q4OTkops4YB6XKjSEMuIIaXhFnDZVzAy6PZT2ZoPLklKxkgbYp8gSWQ9B51qcSQBvDpfe4a2tyy4WNCk1MCx8wPun4TjdFYTfRFSALAnF9xmdPc1yrO_c/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" height="273" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 1em 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Anyways,
before I go all Fangirl over you guys, today is the first Wednesday of
December, which means it’s time for another IWSG! <span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is a
wonderful place where writers can share their worries and failures as well as
their successes and advice. Led by our fearless leader <a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></a>, IWSG
meets the first Wednesday of every month and you can join on his site <a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>.
There's also a brand new website now so be sure to check it out <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>.</span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 1em 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 1em 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
So every
year at the <a href="http://centraloregonwritersguild.com/">Central Oregon Writer’s Guild</a>, we hold two annual readers showcases
where members can volunteer to read their work to the guild and on December 19<sup>th</sup>
is our next showcase and I volunteered! I’ve never been able to read my work
out loud in public before so I’m super excited and absolutely terrified! I’m
not a great out loud reader. I tend to skip words and mix up letters within
words. I don’t want to read too quickly or slowly especially since I only have
eight minutes to read, but for those that have had the opportunity to speak
before groups and share their work publicly, what have you found works best and
helps you present better? Let me know in the comments below and thanks for
stopping by! <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 1em 0px;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: center;">
Happy Writing! ^^ :D<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Amanda Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04443959611192521029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6026283233607227276.post-36472930374155086372013-11-06T09:35:00.000-08:002014-05-07T09:27:29.512-07:00November 2013 IWSGHappy Wednesday everyone!
And seeing that it’s the first Wednesday of the month, that means it’s time for
another IWSG!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<o:p><br />
</o:p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuStzhp9cgFY7h2v2zWr1N99Q4OTkops4YB6XKjSEMuIIaXhFnDZVzAy6PZT2ZoPLklKxkgbYp8gSWQ9B51qcSQBvDpfe4a2tyy4WNCk1MCx8wPun4TjdFYTfRFSALAnF9xmdPc1yrO_c/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuStzhp9cgFY7h2v2zWr1N99Q4OTkops4YB6XKjSEMuIIaXhFnDZVzAy6PZT2ZoPLklKxkgbYp8gSWQ9B51qcSQBvDpfe4a2tyy4WNCk1MCx8wPun4TjdFYTfRFSALAnF9xmdPc1yrO_c/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" height="273" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<o:p> </o:p><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is a
wonderful place where writers can share their worries and failures as well as
their successes and advice. Led by our fearless leader <a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></a>, IWSG meets
the first Wednesday of every month and you can join on his site <a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>. There's also a brand new website now so be sure to check it out <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
So I’ve got something on
my mind I want to ask all of you out there. I am almost finished with a short
story that I have been working on for what seems like ages. I’m thinking it’s
going to end up being somewhere around 10,000 words and it is a Science Fiction
piece that is very close to my heart. Since I am almost done, I’ve been going
back and forth on how I want to publish it; traditionally or self-publish. If I
go with traditional publishing, I won’t have to worry about paying for a cover
or the editing (I don’t think so anyways. Please correct me if I’m wrong). BUT
I also don’t have anything else published yet which means that it could be a
little bit more difficult to place than I’m anticipating. Since it is such a long
piece for a short story, I’m also worried about where I would publish it,
because it would be way too long for a magazine. Maybe an anthology, but I don’t
know.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
My second option which I’m
leaning towards the most right now is self-publishing. If I self-publish, I
will definitely need to spend the money to pay for a professional cover as well
as an editor. I’m liking this option more because I will have more control of
my work on this particular avenue, but here is the crux of the matter. I don’t
have anything else out there yet so I am currently an unknown and I don’t have
a decent work sample I can offer for free yet. Should I let this be my free
piece or should I put a price on it? I’ve worked so hard on it and right now I
could really use the money, but with paying for a cover and editing, I don’t
know how much to expect or if I should expect any returns all. I don’t know.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
What do you think? How
did you publish your first piece and if, like me, you haven’t been published
yet, what avenue are you planning to use?<o:p></o:p></div>
<o:p> </o:p>Thanks for stopping by and
Happy Writing everyone! ^^ :D<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />Amanda Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04443959611192521029noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6026283233607227276.post-13676103423581765162013-10-22T21:07:00.000-07:002013-10-22T21:07:53.082-07:00Beyond the Edge Launch Party<span style="color: #333333;"></span><h1 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #cccccc;">I’m a little late to the party, but
yesterday was the official release of M.Pax’s fourth book in her Backworlds
series <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Beyond the Edge</i>! </span></span></span></h1>
<span style="color: #333333;">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="color: #cccccc;"> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRHIVDG500YChBI0YxCVitQvSi49AFjML7DAGo5wyJ0A_TDmgFP_e8ncll2M6EBAwlnUvWmwmV5LTkN1DZa_dlP5YAr0rF2hqhLjSKmMeSy7sLEIFwj9QuDpVNuKeJIGZzHn_N_mS35xQ/s1600/beyondtheedgeWB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRHIVDG500YChBI0YxCVitQvSi49AFjML7DAGo5wyJ0A_TDmgFP_e8ncll2M6EBAwlnUvWmwmV5LTkN1DZa_dlP5YAr0rF2hqhLjSKmMeSy7sLEIFwj9QuDpVNuKeJIGZzHn_N_mS35xQ/s1600/beyondtheedgeWB.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></span></a></div>
</o:p></span></h1>
<h1 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: small;">
</span></h1>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Some truths are better left unfound.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></h1>
<h1 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: small;">
</span></h1>
<h1 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #cccccc;">In the far future, humanity settles the stars,
bioengineering its descendants to survive in a harsh universe. This is the
fourth book in the science fiction series, The Backworlds. A space opera
adventure.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></h1>
<h1 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: small;">
</span></h1>
<h1 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #cccccc;">For two years Craze’s dear friend, Lepsi, has been missing.
The murmurings of a haunted spaceship might be a message and may mean his old
pal isn’t dead. The possibility spurs Craze and Captain Talos into space to
uncharted worlds. Searching an unfamiliar region of the galaxy beyond the
Backworlds, they stumble upon a terrible truth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></h1>
<h1 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: small;">
</span></h1>
<h1 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Meanwhile, Rainly remains on Pardeep Station as acting
planetlord, dealing with the discovery of her man’s dark and brutal past. Alone
and questioning her judgment, her introspection unlocks more than heartache.
Latent protocols in her cybernetics </span><span style="color: #cccccc;">activate, forcing her to face a sinister
secret of her own.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></h1>
<h1 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">
Read the first chapter on M.Pax's website <span id="goog_2133259731"></span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span style="color: #cccccc;">here<span id="goog_2133259732"></span></span></a><span style="color: #cccccc;">.</span></span></h1>
</span><br />
<h1 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"> </span></h1>
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Ebook</span></span></h1>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FHD01T0" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Amazon</span></span></a></strong></span><span style="color: #cccccc;"> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FHD01T0" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; text-decoration: underline;">AmazonUK</span></a></strong></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/beyond-the-edge-m-pax/1117000112?ean=2940148640059&itm=1&usri=2940148640059" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; text-decoration: underline;">Nook</span></a></strong></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/362256" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; text-decoration: underline;">Smashwords</span></a></strong></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/beyond-the-edge-7" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; text-decoration: underline;">Kobo </span></a></strong></span></span></span></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B00FHD01T0" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">AmazonDE</span></span></a></strong></span><span style="color: #cccccc;"> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B00FHD01T0" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; text-decoration: underline;">AmazonFR</span></a></strong></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.amazon.es/dp/B00FHD01T0" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; text-decoration: underline;">AmazonES</span></a></strong></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.amazon.it/dp/B00FHD01T0" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; text-decoration: underline;">AmazonIT</span></a></strong></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00FHD01T0" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; text-decoration: underline;">AmazonJP</span></a></strong></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.amazon.in/dp/B00FHD01T0" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; text-decoration: underline;">AmazonIN</span></a></strong></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00FHD01T0" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; text-decoration: underline;">AmazonCA</span></a></strong></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com.br/dp/B00FHD01T0" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; text-decoration: underline;">AmazonBR</span></a></strong></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com.mx/dp/B00FHD01T0" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; text-decoration: underline;">AmazonMX</span></a></strong></span> /</span></span></h2>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"> </span></span></h3>
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><strong><span style="color: #cccccc;">Paperback</span></strong></span></h1>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Edge-The-Backworlds-Volume/dp/149286532X/ref=tmm_pap_title_0" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">AmazonUS</span></span></a></strong></span><span style="color: #cccccc;"> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyond-Edge-4-The-Backworlds/dp/149286532X/ref=tmm_pap_title_0" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; text-decoration: underline;">AmazonUK</span></a></strong></span> / </span></span><span style="color: #333333; text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.amazon.de/Beyond-Edge-4-The-Backworlds/dp/149286532X/ref=tmm_pap_title_0" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">AmazonDE</span></span></a></strong></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.amazon.fr/Beyond-Edge-M-Pax/dp/149286532X/ref=tmm_gpb_title_0/279-9621913-8842658" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; text-decoration: underline;">AmazonFR</span></a></strong></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.amazon.es/Beyond-Edge-4-The-Backworlds/dp/149286532X/ref=tmm_pap_title_0" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; text-decoration: underline;">AmazonES</span></a></strong></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.amazon.it/Beyond-Edge-4-M-Pax/dp/149286532X/ref=tmm_pap_title_0" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; text-decoration: underline;">AmazonIT</span></a></strong></span>/ <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.amazon.in/Beyond-Edge-Volume-The-Backworlds/dp/149286532X/ref=tmm_pap_title_0" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; text-decoration: underline;">AmazonIN</span></a></strong></span> /</span> </span></h3>
Amanda Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04443959611192521029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6026283233607227276.post-31957893139232117062013-09-04T22:45:00.000-07:002013-09-04T22:45:15.598-07:00September 2013 IWSG
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hey everybody! So today being Wednesday means it’s time
again for IWSG! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuStzhp9cgFY7h2v2zWr1N99Q4OTkops4YB6XKjSEMuIIaXhFnDZVzAy6PZT2ZoPLklKxkgbYp8gSWQ9B51qcSQBvDpfe4a2tyy4WNCk1MCx8wPun4TjdFYTfRFSALAnF9xmdPc1yrO_c/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuStzhp9cgFY7h2v2zWr1N99Q4OTkops4YB6XKjSEMuIIaXhFnDZVzAy6PZT2ZoPLklKxkgbYp8gSWQ9B51qcSQBvDpfe4a2tyy4WNCk1MCx8wPun4TjdFYTfRFSALAnF9xmdPc1yrO_c/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" height="273" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is a wonderful place
where writers can share their worries and failures as well as their successes
and advice. Led by our fearless leader <a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/">Alex J. Cavanaugh</a>, IWSG meets the first
Wednesday of every month and you can join on his site <a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So this week I want to ask all you lovely folks out there
about creativity, and to put a twist on a used and abused question we writers
get all the time, I want to ask you, not where you get your inspiration, but
where you get your creativity. Or rather, how do you feed your creativity? At a
writer’s group about a year ago, I got talking to a gal about getting those
creative juices flowing and she said that she loved pottery and that when she
worked on her pottery that she found she had more creativity to put towards her
writing as well. I suppose you could translate that into something along the
lines of: Creative things breed more creativity. Whether that’s true or not
remains to be seen, but I wanted to see what all of you found helped you tap
into your creativity and apply it towards your writing. Let me know in the
comments below and thanks for stopping by and reading! ^^ </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
Amanda Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04443959611192521029noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6026283233607227276.post-90942589645935839222013-06-05T19:15:00.002-07:002013-06-05T19:15:01.271-07:00June 2013 IWSG<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuStzhp9cgFY7h2v2zWr1N99Q4OTkops4YB6XKjSEMuIIaXhFnDZVzAy6PZT2ZoPLklKxkgbYp8gSWQ9B51qcSQBvDpfe4a2tyy4WNCk1MCx8wPun4TjdFYTfRFSALAnF9xmdPc1yrO_c/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuStzhp9cgFY7h2v2zWr1N99Q4OTkops4YB6XKjSEMuIIaXhFnDZVzAy6PZT2ZoPLklKxkgbYp8gSWQ9B51qcSQBvDpfe4a2tyy4WNCk1MCx8wPun4TjdFYTfRFSALAnF9xmdPc1yrO_c/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" height="273" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hey everyone. Happy June! I
still can’t believe May is over and June is here. And being that today is the
first Wednesday of the month it’s time again for IWSG, which is hosted by the
amazing <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/">Alex J. Cavanaugh</a> so be sure to check out his site and say hello. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So yesterday I joined a brand
new critique group. I loved the group I was in before and they gave me great
feedback, but after I started at my new job, my full time schedule did not allow
me the time I needed to meet with them during the day and thus I have been
without a group for about six months. Well just yesterday I met with a great
group of gals forming a new group and I’m proud to say, I have a critique group
again!!! XD The only problem is that it’s been sooo long and I’ve been sooo out
of practice critiquing that I find it hard to articulate what it is I want to
say. What do you find helps the most when starting a new group? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is a wonderful place where writers can share their worries and failures as well as their successes and advice. You can view the list and join the group on Alex's site <span style="color: #6aa84f;"><u>here</u></span>.<br />
<br />
Happy Writing! ^^ :DAmanda Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04443959611192521029noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6026283233607227276.post-5144558806582243662013-05-07T20:41:00.000-07:002013-05-07T20:41:13.577-07:00Reading Round Up<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
When I started
this blog, one of the things I wanted to talk about is books. As a writer it’s
important to read, and read a lot. Well I’ve been trying to do just that and I
wanted to share two books of which I just finished reading.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnpqHxAT8w2m5-4548ek435TIOQKya_ewJ1kbOmgliAKYy6jY8yFWoUBb0IIKo7UUWQJW0wrDbMOSJAc_RqYVh6Edc4QQ6dSL2PAtDOoCTIX_Kr76KJvzSWLjwbrjvaKVdneNs71IRns/s1600/outlining-161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnpqHxAT8w2m5-4548ek435TIOQKya_ewJ1kbOmgliAKYy6jY8yFWoUBb0IIKo7UUWQJW0wrDbMOSJAc_RqYVh6Edc4QQ6dSL2PAtDOoCTIX_Kr76KJvzSWLjwbrjvaKVdneNs71IRns/s1600/outlining-161.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
The first book I want to talk about
is K.M. Weiland’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Outlining Your Novel:
Map Your Way to Success</i>. This is an excellent read that I would recommend
to any author who's on the fence as to whether or not they are a
"pantser" or an "outliner". I learned that I am most
certainly an outliner, but the thing that this book enforces, that I really
like, is that it encourages you to outline creatively, whether that means
doodling characters and scenes, mind mapping, or writing your own reviews to
gain a sense of your goals.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot of people think outlining will take the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">va voom</i> out of their writing journey,
which for some people it does, but I like how the author approached the
outlining process and enforced creatively putting together a rough plan that
will keep you on track and help you to avoid writing yourself into a corner. I
think this is something I struggle with a lot. After it's all said and done,
some of us (like me) just want to go, get started, and light those keys on fire
as you blaze through the first draft. Mrs. Weiland encourages readers to slow
down a little and scribble out that rough plan in whatever words necessary to
get that plan on paper. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone
looking for a good read on writing craft.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
My Rating (on a scale from 1 to 5):
<span style="color: yellow;">****<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
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“<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Writers
often look upon outlines with fear and trembling. But when properly understood
and correctly used, the outline is one of the most powerful weapons in a
writer’s arsenal. With the help of the book <i>Outlining Your Novel: Map Your
Way to Success</i>, you will learn how to choose the right type of outline for
you, brainstorm plot ideas, and discover your characters.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Outlining
Your Novel: Map Your Way to Success</i> is published by Pen For A Sword
Publishing and is 192 pages in length.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
You can find K.M. Weiland's Website
<a href="http://www.kmweiland.com/index.php">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBiB_lJHS9OXR2s9-NmSD7r57JM9vbrnczdXZGGioy6kFCuspvVdE6cx-69iblNnDZR37HBW9t5kVn7dycNj3Xr-0uz5yIhvDHkrF6ZQ-W4mFt4_YpKrfUeqsQ1y5luQIiKXr_ljhR9I/s1600/IronKingBig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBiB_lJHS9OXR2s9-NmSD7r57JM9vbrnczdXZGGioy6kFCuspvVdE6cx-69iblNnDZR37HBW9t5kVn7dycNj3Xr-0uz5yIhvDHkrF6ZQ-W4mFt4_YpKrfUeqsQ1y5luQIiKXr_ljhR9I/s1600/IronKingBig.jpg" height="320" width="200" /></a></div>
</span><br />
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The second book I finished reading recently
is Julie Kagawa's <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Iron King</i>. This
book started off quite quickly getting to the punch after only a few short
chapters. Meghan Chase is a heroine you can root for and totally agree with.
The scenery depicted is beautiful and represents each of the faery courts perfectly.
The romance aspect of the book didn't come into play until halfway through the
book and seemed a little sudden and rushed to me. If I could've made any
suggestions, I would've explored that relationship a little further and at
least give a little more foundation for Meghan's love interest.
Otherwise, this was a pretty riveting read and I would definitely recommend it
to anyone into faeries and faery lore.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
My Rating: <span style="color: yellow;">****<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
“Megan Chase has a secret
destiny—one she could never have imagined… <o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
Something has always felt slightly
off in Meghan’s life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when
she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When a dark stranger begins watching her from
afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan
senses that everything she’s known is about to change.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But she could never have guessed the
truth—that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a
deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she’ll go to save someone she
cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face…and to find
love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his
icy heart.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
<em>The Iron King </em>is published by Harlequin Teen and is 368 pages in length.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
You can find <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Iron King</i> and other books by Julie Kagawa at her website <a href="http://juliekagawa.com/wordpress/">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>Amanda Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04443959611192521029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6026283233607227276.post-53469927825726950192013-04-01T22:29:00.000-07:002013-04-01T22:29:04.892-07:00March Milestones on a Monday<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
</span><div style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Neglect.
There’s just no other word for it. I’ve been neglecting my blog. Sure life has
been busy busy, but that’s no excuse. Not really. Mostly I’ve been reading.
Reading, working, and repeating. Right now I’m in the middle of a book called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tuck</i> by Stephen
R. Lawhead. It’s a welsh rendition of Robin Hood and I would definitely
recommend it to anyone who likes medieval stories. The first two, <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Hood</span></em> and <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Scarlet,</span></em> set a high bar
and the third is definitely living up to it so far. :) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Well as March has finally drawn to a
close, a lot of things have started settling down. My brother’s wedding was a
beautiful occasion and I will admit, I might have sprung a leak during the
ceremony. Actually I turned into a fountain, but they were tears of joy! </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">My twelve year old sister caught
the bouquet and my five year old brother cut a pretty good rug on the dance
floor. Altogether it was a beautiful wedding and I couldn’t be more proud of my
big brother. As if a wedding weren’t enough, three of my little sisters were baptized
yesterday and my three youngest siblings were dedicated. So many milestones in
one month! I might burst if I swell with any more pride for all of them. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now it’s back to my classwork. I’m
starting on my second assignment for The Institute of Children’s Literature
putting together a synopsis of my book. I’m still working on a couple other
projects on the side, but it's time to buckle down and focus. Hope you all had a lovely April 1st and didn't suffer too many April's Fools pranks.</span><br />
<br />
Happy Writing Everyone! ^^ :D</div>
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br /></div>
Amanda Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04443959611192521029noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6026283233607227276.post-81974753030860021712013-03-31T19:58:00.001-07:002013-03-31T19:58:37.994-07:00Happy Easter!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Happy Easter everybody!!! I hope you all had a hoppy holiday.
^^ :D I’ll have some updates tomorrow, but for now, enjoy your Easter evening! ^^<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYL7bj2sc3EMaAPsi0Wlrj9S2FDf2QX-z4eT_3rPNsGnLrHW6-xTuCPkOQGzc5r1q5BBQ3aFt8eb8udRcAUTPA6rmXY_lMYSyVpInxOX9KPqflbg-wDNUQpJsJ7mLrnaC43GqYFvmIQg/s1600/easterpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYL7bj2sc3EMaAPsi0Wlrj9S2FDf2QX-z4eT_3rPNsGnLrHW6-xTuCPkOQGzc5r1q5BBQ3aFt8eb8udRcAUTPA6rmXY_lMYSyVpInxOX9KPqflbg-wDNUQpJsJ7mLrnaC43GqYFvmIQg/s1600/easterpic.jpg" height="307" width="400" /></a></div>
Amanda Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04443959611192521029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6026283233607227276.post-69224463184264105722013-03-04T00:00:00.000-08:002013-03-04T07:45:16.004-08:00Boomtown Craze Launch Party!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It's that time again ladies and
gentlemen, because author Mary Pax has done it again! Craze and company are
back in the third installment of the Backworlds series, Boomtown Craze. :D<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgynuBN5PmG6Te5zPlbxHYePD36kSNYkcD5fk9AwOCJxaryM_ScUmfEWePoUMeSH9JuHIw94ILLmdW0MfAXBuzB_zP5OmFyRyTCXjbo7ZmA_f79nx42qXjKoYNRmh95B4O4avtGF9IS3is/s1600/boomtowncrazeWB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgynuBN5PmG6Te5zPlbxHYePD36kSNYkcD5fk9AwOCJxaryM_ScUmfEWePoUMeSH9JuHIw94ILLmdW0MfAXBuzB_zP5OmFyRyTCXjbo7ZmA_f79nx42qXjKoYNRmh95B4O4avtGF9IS3is/s1600/boomtowncrazeWB.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">In
the far future, humanity settles the stars, bioengineering its descendents to
survive in a harsh universe.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">To
secure his future, Craze must propel his world into a more prosperous era. Only
days away from the grand opening of his new and improved tavern, he is
confronted by a loony Backworlder intent on mucking up his plans. Gaunt and
trembling, she claims her spaceship is possessed. She also has a connection to
the underworld that shakes loose the dark past of one of Craze’s closest
friends. It all threatens to end Craze’s prosperity before it begins.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Meanwhile
off world, Captain Talos works desperately to outwit the mercenary Jixes and
lure them away from his and Craze’s budding prospects. The mind-control weapon
Talos uses against them is wearing thin, and his next move may be his last.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Will
Craze and Talos’s efforts bring about a grand new age of boom or damn them to
forever struggle in the dust?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paperback Available from:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boomtown-Craze-Backworlds-M-Pax/dp/1482593734/ref=la_B005QP85OW_1_2_title_0_main?ie=UTF8&qid=1361990382&sr=1-2">Amazon</a></span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> / <u><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boomtown-Craze-Backworlds-M-Pax/dp/1482593734/ref=la_B005QP85OW_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1361992755&sr=1-2">AmazonUK</a></u>
/ <u><a href="http://www.amazon.de/Boomtown-Craze-3-M-Pax/dp/1482593734/ref=sr_1_cc_2?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1361992942&sr=1-2-catcorr">AmazonDE</a></u> / <u><a href="http://www.amazon.fr/Boomtown-Craze-M-Pax/dp/1482593734/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1361992864&sr=1-1-catcorr">AmazonFR</a></u><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.it/Boomtown-Craze-3-M-Pax/dp/1482593734/ref=tmm_pap_title_0">AmazonIT</a></span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> / <u><a href="http://www.amazon.es/Boomtown-Craze-3-The-Backworlds/dp/1482593734/ref=tmm_pap_title_0">AmazonES</a></u><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ebook Available from:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boomtown-Craze-The-Backworlds-ebook/dp/B00BJ6FUKO/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1361488390&sr=1-3&keywords=backworlds">Amazon</a></span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> / <u><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00BJ6FUKO">AmazonUK</a></u>
/ <u><a href="http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Boomtown-Craze/book-q-odoM07tkeBWDyHXQJYiA/page1.html?s=fSLqmDLOO0-zzEl3YJqdJQ&r=3">KOBO</a></u> / <u><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/boomtown-craze-m-pax/1114666014?ean=2940016344546&isbn=2940016344546">BN</a></u> / <u><a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/287532">Smashwords</a></u> /<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B00BJ6FUKO">AmazonDE</a></span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> / <u><a href="https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B00BJ6FUKO">AmazonFR</a></u>
/ <u><a href="https://www.amazon.es/dp/B00BJ6FUKO">AmazonES</a></u> / <u><a href="https://www.amazon.it/dp/B00BJ6FUKO">AmazonIT</a></u> / <u><a href="http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00BJ6FUKO">AmazonJP</a></u> / <u><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00BJ6FUKO">AmazonCA</a></u> / <u><a href="https://www.amazon.com.br/dp/B00BJ6FUKO">AmazonBR</a></u><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To learn more about Mary and the Backworlds series,
visit M.Pax's website <u><a href="http://mpaxauthor.com/">here</a></u>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Amanda Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04443959611192521029noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6026283233607227276.post-89013930208582051722013-02-06T05:00:00.000-08:002013-02-06T17:42:37.187-08:00February IWSG 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuStzhp9cgFY7h2v2zWr1N99Q4OTkops4YB6XKjSEMuIIaXhFnDZVzAy6PZT2ZoPLklKxkgbYp8gSWQ9B51qcSQBvDpfe4a2tyy4WNCk1MCx8wPun4TjdFYTfRFSALAnF9xmdPc1yrO_c/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuStzhp9cgFY7h2v2zWr1N99Q4OTkops4YB6XKjSEMuIIaXhFnDZVzAy6PZT2ZoPLklKxkgbYp8gSWQ9B51qcSQBvDpfe4a2tyy4WNCk1MCx8wPun4TjdFYTfRFSALAnF9xmdPc1yrO_c/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" height="273" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 1em 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Hey
everyone! I hope you're all doing well. Happy IWSG!!! January has been a crazy
month so I'm sorry I haven't been around much. My grandmother had a stroke two
days before I started at a new job and in less than a month, my brother will be
getting married! Lots and lots going on, which kind of brings me to this
month's IWSG topic: Time. I'm finding that when I get home from work, I'm tired
and mostly just want to crash and call it a night. A lady told me today that it
can take some time to adjust to working full time versus part time, but my
question is: what are some of the ways you balance your time when you don't
have a lot of it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 1em 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
I also
just enrolled in another <a href="http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/">Institute of Children's Literature</a> class on writing
books for children and teens. After my first class with them, I learned a lot
about short stories and articles, but I'm really looking forward to working on
a good length novel one-on-one with my instructor. The way the class is
structured is similar to a writer-editor relationship, so I'm very excited to
get started. :) If anyone is looking for a good class on writing for children
and teens, I would definitely recommend the Institute especially because you
send in your assignments so it doesn't matter where you live; it's basically like
an online class.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 1em 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The
Insecure Writer’s Support Group is a wonderful place where writers can share
their worries and failures as well as their successes and advice. Led by our
fearless leader <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></a>,
IWSG meets the first Wednesday of every month and you can join on his site <span style="color: #6aa84f;"><u>here</u></span>.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 1em 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
I hope
you're all doing well and enjoying the New Year so far. Do you have any plans
for Valentine's? Tell me about them in the comments below! ^^ :D<o:p></o:p></div>
Amanda Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04443959611192521029noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6026283233607227276.post-35060712849761418142013-01-02T23:42:00.002-08:002013-01-02T23:43:23.852-08:00ISWG 2013!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuStzhp9cgFY7h2v2zWr1N99Q4OTkops4YB6XKjSEMuIIaXhFnDZVzAy6PZT2ZoPLklKxkgbYp8gSWQ9B51qcSQBvDpfe4a2tyy4WNCk1MCx8wPun4TjdFYTfRFSALAnF9xmdPc1yrO_c/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuStzhp9cgFY7h2v2zWr1N99Q4OTkops4YB6XKjSEMuIIaXhFnDZVzAy6PZT2ZoPLklKxkgbYp8gSWQ9B51qcSQBvDpfe4a2tyy4WNCk1MCx8wPun4TjdFYTfRFSALAnF9xmdPc1yrO_c/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" height="273" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wow! Sometimes it’s hard to believe another year has come
and gone. 2012 was full of so many good and bad memories, but now 2013 stands
before us like a clean slate waiting to be utilized. A lot of times when I get
new journals, I hate to mar the brand new cleanly, pureness of the pristine
white pages, but this year, I plan to make the most of it and so I’m going to
mark those pages up until there’s no blank space left! ^^ Okay maybe there will
be a little white space in there somewhere, or else I’d probably have trouble
reading it, but you get the idea, right? </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Around this time of year, everyone starts making their resolutions
about what they’re going to do more of, different, or better. Well…I’m not
going to do that. Or rather, I’m not going to make resolutions. I was thinking
this morning about resolutions and how I never seem to hear that many people
doing anything to accomplish their resolutions. I always hear things like, “Oh
well. It’s just a resolution, so it’s okay. At least there’s always next year!”
So I’ve come up with a plan. I’m going to write down one goal and the steps it
takes to reach that goal, kind of like an outline or a road map, and hang it up
somewhere I can see it every day. Studies have shown that people who write down
their goals are more likely to accomplish them. Even more so are the ones who
put what they wrote somewhere they can see it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With that in mind, I’d like to share one small goal I’ve set
for myself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My first goal for 2013
is: Complete a full outline for my novel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve never actually been good at outlining and as such, I’ve
avoided them like the plague, but more and more I feel like I really need one.
In order to accomplish this goal, I’ve started using index cards to write down
scenes that are vital to the plot and organized them into the three different
parts I have planned for my book. So far I’ve got a good feeling so we’ll see!
^^<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today is also the first Wednesday of the month so Happy
IWSG!!! The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is a wonderful place where writers
can share their worries and failures as well as their successes and advice. Led
by our fearless leader <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/">Alex J. Cavanaugh</a>, IWSG meets the first Wednesday of
every month and you can join on his site <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thanks for stopping by everyone! Got goals for the New Year?
Share them down below in the comments! ^^ </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Happy New Year’s everyone!!!
^^ :D</span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPs3YU-KM7Uwb9WI4oUqoRJBHmI1WOqQb-TlUyHNPdm2PmOp_EH2sh_8Kiw-skEBtWqXLRja4quBI8HJl1dSWI-16mcBNOSXN_4LW4lYYRSXlCNb4zw_H-UVMDRySbmNSR9rIxvGpUNM/s1600/16173608-happy-new-year-celebration-background.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPs3YU-KM7Uwb9WI4oUqoRJBHmI1WOqQb-TlUyHNPdm2PmOp_EH2sh_8Kiw-skEBtWqXLRja4quBI8HJl1dSWI-16mcBNOSXN_4LW4lYYRSXlCNb4zw_H-UVMDRySbmNSR9rIxvGpUNM/s1600/16173608-happy-new-year-celebration-background.jpg" height="390" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
Amanda Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04443959611192521029noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6026283233607227276.post-63808778871512253292012-12-28T19:00:00.003-08:002012-12-28T19:00:53.267-08:00Fun Writing Tools<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NPiPghtrSGlZWuV3KF8pmRrgdYFcUolkcQ5fGGmKpjQZwj1JHwBMAdRd6sjCe8QkAz3xivNHtDvyzUdEYsezgX9W2f0GYBlw4dQ3suMkcuj-UaRNZfndDX5QbauTLGX_pfaZO4efcYo/s1600/IMG_0276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NPiPghtrSGlZWuV3KF8pmRrgdYFcUolkcQ5fGGmKpjQZwj1JHwBMAdRd6sjCe8QkAz3xivNHtDvyzUdEYsezgX9W2f0GYBlw4dQ3suMkcuj-UaRNZfndDX5QbauTLGX_pfaZO4efcYo/s1600/IMG_0276.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I don’t know about you, but I love finding fun and funky
stuff, not to mention when it helps with my writing, so I thought I would share
a few I found here with you before the new year arrives. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A while back, I read on a newly
self-published author’s site what different things got her through the writing
process of her book. She listed several online critique groups, articles, and
books, but she also shared a link to a particular site called the EditMinion.
It sounded kind of funky so I had to check it out. As it turned out, the site
was built as a sort of personalized editor. You enter a chunk of text and check
the boxes above for what types of thing you want it to look for and it shows
you where you’re particular bit of text could use some help in those areas. I’m
not very good at explaining it, so I won’t go into too much detail, but if
nothing else, check it out. I find I have a lot of trouble figuring out when I’ve
lapsed into a passive voice and the EditMinion pinpoints that as one of the
things it looks for.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Also by the same creator of the EditMinion, is a program
called Write or Die. It sounded a little extreme to be sure, but after I tried
it out, it turned out to be kind of cool. The purpose of the program is to
teach you to avoid writer’s block by using negative reinforcement. You select a
time and/or word limit for which to follow and type until you exceeded one or
the other. If you sit idle long enough, depending on which version you’re using
(you may set the forgiveness and annoyance less of the punishment), the screen
may start turning redder and redder, or start emitting irritating sounds. The
free online version, which is the version I tried, only turns the screen darker
shades of red until you start typing again. There’s also a kamikaze mode which sounds
scary. It will start to erase what you’ve already written if you aren’t
careful. Yikes! He he. </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Either way, these two tools were kind of fun to play around
with. Check them out and see what you think. Or if you have some cool funky
tools, share them below in the comments.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://editminion.com/">EditMinion</a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><a href="http://writeordie.com/#Web+App">Write or Die</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Happy New Year’s everyone!!! ^^ :D<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
Amanda Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04443959611192521029noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6026283233607227276.post-57891277349848421012012-12-25T22:01:00.001-08:002012-12-25T22:02:02.938-08:00Merry Christmas 2012!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2PdrRSVLiF8tHt-Yy3L561ThRrqr_S49Exg7egA8US-XiWWGtyT3BmBufR2xIInYxJVzC58l5eaidIOV3O7VHbYIBbBoT643Zuoylw70WBEwh6h37bOmJAsSI-doRWMs4nFW_dO0QV8/s1600/christmas13.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2PdrRSVLiF8tHt-Yy3L561ThRrqr_S49Exg7egA8US-XiWWGtyT3BmBufR2xIInYxJVzC58l5eaidIOV3O7VHbYIBbBoT643Zuoylw70WBEwh6h37bOmJAsSI-doRWMs4nFW_dO0QV8/s1600/christmas13.gif" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Merry Christmas
everyone!!! I hope Santa brought everyone lots of great gifts, but more so, I
hope everyone enjoyed spending time with their friends, family, and loved ones. ^^
This time of year is wonderful for getting together and reflecting back on the
past year to look back at what we did well this year and to also figure out how
we can do better next year. For a lot of people, this season can be a hard
time, because they don’t have any family or friends to share with. If you know
anyone that gets kind of down around the holidays, I would encourage you to
give them a smile, or better yet, a hug, and wish them Merry Christmas. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Most times, it’s the
small things that make our days brighter, so have a wonderful Christmas, and
pass on that Holiday Spirit! ^^ :D</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb80VmETZHsm_u6hwPWxoApP346Uw0qLGdv4DoDxy_Vy9oQYrBgSSWeoWVtGlqjWgtuRqNtA4gGALCpu_eNA2y-1jbdLSoasIF6lL-nviRFnrl1RTaEQWBPFSV8RKNzS4QMq1OPFk0FWg/s1600/being-positive-quotes-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb80VmETZHsm_u6hwPWxoApP346Uw0qLGdv4DoDxy_Vy9oQYrBgSSWeoWVtGlqjWgtuRqNtA4gGALCpu_eNA2y-1jbdLSoasIF6lL-nviRFnrl1RTaEQWBPFSV8RKNzS4QMq1OPFk0FWg/s1600/being-positive-quotes-4.jpg" height="302" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Merry Christmas!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
Amanda Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04443959611192521029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6026283233607227276.post-37817606485795204442012-12-14T13:24:00.002-08:002012-12-14T16:31:25.056-08:00The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Blogfest<br />
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Welcome to the Hobbit Blogfest! I know
I haven’t been around the blogosphere very much lately and I do apologize for
that. Life and the holidays have been keeping me very busy lately. I hope you’re
all doing well and staying safe this holiday season. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<o:p> </o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtdx0Wu9EhVDObuekgBDzJcaF4zG3qIviTlAhxNVHzOn7fDqbXR3o6PCuf6UMuue6JTe6iWsdkK1sOZvq9AOgEhOqmkKo-5QXttUKkAKxGU3_LGQ0Bb6FvuDx_WaE6BUE-BMwb5m3A_o/s1600/Hobbit+Blogfest.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtdx0Wu9EhVDObuekgBDzJcaF4zG3qIviTlAhxNVHzOn7fDqbXR3o6PCuf6UMuue6JTe6iWsdkK1sOZvq9AOgEhOqmkKo-5QXttUKkAKxGU3_LGQ0Bb6FvuDx_WaE6BUE-BMwb5m3A_o/s1600/Hobbit+Blogfest.png" /></a></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Answering these four questions will transport us on an
unexpected journey:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What is your favorite
hobbit characteristic/or the one that you think closely resembles you . .
.?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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I love how happy hobbits are! They enjoy life and from the
looks of things, they know how to throw a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">super
awesome</i> party! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If you could choose
between a scrumptious second breakfast and a perilous unexpected journey –
which would you prefer? <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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A perilous unexpected journey of course! What better place
to find a good story to write about! <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Have you ever left
behind something on a journey (expected or unexpected) and wished you could
have it over and over again? (A pocket handkerchief?)<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Oh yes! My toothbrush!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What is your Favorite
part or quote from the book that you hope will be in the movie?</i> <o:p></o:p></div>
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The dinner party scene! <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Chip
the cups and crack the plates! That’s what Bilbo Baggins hates!”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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As a kid I grew up listening to my dad reading <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Hobbit</i> to my brother and I at
bedtime and watching the 1977 cartoon version by Rankin/Bass. One of my
favorite things about the movie was the music. Enjoy! ^^ <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/mdQ1E3t3Qq0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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</div>
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A big thank to Tyrean and Mary for hosting this bloghop! You guys are awesome!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For a list of all the participants please visit <a href="http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=169529">here</a>.</div>
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</div>
Amanda Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04443959611192521029noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6026283233607227276.post-71005421339453970412012-11-13T12:23:00.000-08:002012-11-13T12:23:28.069-08:00The Renaissance of Hetty Locklear Launch Party and Jousting Contest<br />
Hear ye! Hear ye! Gentlemen and gentle ladies! Lads and lasses! Come and celebrate the release of Lady M.Pax's newest release and cheer on a noble knight in the jousting tournaments!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzOUBWmF5OWgjofRoM2Oy3qn0cysbsSM1dhAMHeo1PvKEHWYBgZib2_hHyhEGMk3hZhJ8fqByKjbby6eGbgrxlPgFXYMzAS-atj7zfpRDky8OA867XHzkeoCd5LLAUghPAYPg82L3VRo/s1600/hetty.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzOUBWmF5OWgjofRoM2Oy3qn0cysbsSM1dhAMHeo1PvKEHWYBgZib2_hHyhEGMk3hZhJ8fqByKjbby6eGbgrxlPgFXYMzAS-atj7zfpRDky8OA867XHzkeoCd5LLAUghPAYPg82L3VRo/s1600/hetty.png" height="400" width="250" /></a><br />
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The Renaissance of Hetty Locklear<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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A New Adult Urban Fantasy, The Renaissance of Hetty Locklear
is the first book in a new series. And it’s now out! The main character, Hetty,
is a twenty-two-year-old, stumbling about in an effort to become a full-fledged
adult. She struggles with self-esteem, weight, relationships, and making the
transition between college and the real world. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Graduation from community college
isn’t the magic elixir Hetty Locklear counts on for becoming an adult. Her
parents, who work the Renaissance fair circuit, insist she spend part of the
summer with them. Hetty doubts pretending to live in the Middle Ages will help
her find her way.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></h3>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> To make it worse, an entity
haunts her at her dead-end job, warning her of a dangerous man she doesn’t
know. The ghost leads her to a lover who has a lot of secrets. He pulls her
farther into peril and into a strange, hidden world of genetic experimentation.</span></i><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><em><span style="color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">New Adult Urban Fantasy with
a contemporary sci-fi twist. Mature content.</span></em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></h3>
<o:p> </o:p><br />
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Available as an ebook at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009Y89X4I"><span style="color: blue;">Amazon</span></a> / <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009Y89X4I"><span style="color: blue;">Amazon UK</span></a> / <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/244930"><span style="color: blue;">Smashwords</span></a> / <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/renaissance-hetty-locklear/id572320796?mt=11"><span style="color: blue;">iTunes</span></a>
/ <a href="http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/The-Renaissance-of-Hetty-Locklear/book-8xZneNgWaEmZ-cHUtMRXLw/page1.html?s=zgfIPn3OpUq9WrjdISGckg&r=1"><span style="color: blue;">Kobo</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Visit <a href="http://www.mpaxauthor.com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.mpaxauthor.com</span></a>
for more links.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQRKt6S2PvHZrJiAKQSTtlBSOmoYCVXlSUbUC3tnNSR5bTy6fhht9Nr8YwbvySKYPgO5szFAoFu9QCF0DseslmOVGDaSdN_6QnwVBh_I2XHZ01b34CxZRdXwujx0V037ghyphenhyphencefH_z6G4/s1600/hetty2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQRKt6S2PvHZrJiAKQSTtlBSOmoYCVXlSUbUC3tnNSR5bTy6fhht9Nr8YwbvySKYPgO5szFAoFu9QCF0DseslmOVGDaSdN_6QnwVBh_I2XHZ01b34CxZRdXwujx0V037ghyphenhyphencefH_z6G4/s1600/hetty2.png" height="262" width="320" /></a></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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M. Pax is celebrating her latest release with a jousting
tournament and contest at <a href="https://www.blogger.com/editor/static_files/www.mpaxauthor.com"><span style="color: blue;">www.mpaxauthor.com</span></a>.
Cheer for the knights to help them win the grand prize, and you’ll be put in a
drawing to win an ebook copy of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Renaissance of Hetty Locklear</i>. Five will be given away. Huzzah!<o:p></o:p></div>
Amanda Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04443959611192521029noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6026283233607227276.post-36064181170261611972012-11-07T19:48:00.000-08:002012-11-07T19:48:05.380-08:00November IWSG<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuStzhp9cgFY7h2v2zWr1N99Q4OTkops4YB6XKjSEMuIIaXhFnDZVzAy6PZT2ZoPLklKxkgbYp8gSWQ9B51qcSQBvDpfe4a2tyy4WNCk1MCx8wPun4TjdFYTfRFSALAnF9xmdPc1yrO_c/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuStzhp9cgFY7h2v2zWr1N99Q4OTkops4YB6XKjSEMuIIaXhFnDZVzAy6PZT2ZoPLklKxkgbYp8gSWQ9B51qcSQBvDpfe4a2tyy4WNCk1MCx8wPun4TjdFYTfRFSALAnF9xmdPc1yrO_c/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" height="273" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hey everybody! Today is the first Wednesday of November so
it must be that time again! </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
Since my last IWSG post, which was my first IWSG post, I’ve been getting back
into the heart of my writing bit by bit and it’s great! I’ve also been reading
a lot more writing articles as well which is kind of great, and at the same
time, not so great. I’ve found a lot of great tips and techniques, but the more
tricks I learn, the less I focus on moving my manuscript forward to stop and do
tons of edits. Editing is a good and necessary thing, but I’ve found I really
don’t make any forward progress when I switch out of my actual writing mode. I
guess if I were to boil it down to one question I could ask my fellow IWSGers,
I guess I would probably ask how do you go about your editing? Do you write out
a chapter at a time and edit what you have? Or do you write the entire
manuscript and then go back and edit?</span></div>
<br />
If you're interested in joining IWSG, <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.ca/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html">Alex Cavanaugh</a> is the wonderful host and you can find his website <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Happy writing everyone! ^^ :D<br />
Amanda Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04443959611192521029noreply@blogger.com10