So I'm finally up on the Walking Dead and saw the mid-season finale last week. I'm a little shocked the show isn't going to be back on AMC until February. Ahh. We have to wait two months!!!!
The finale reminds me of what happened in season 2 when the farmhouse was overrun with dead people and the group was scattered.
I have no idea where Michonne went or Tyreese after the kids shot his attackers and took off. There might be a might up place, but who knows. I think in the chaos there were instructions to take to bus to a meeting location. Anyway, at least our favorites Daryl and Michonne are still alive.
I think it's a bit sad that we lost another loved one. I really liked Herschel as a character, he was a nice guy despite everything that happened. But you do start to think after awhile, the young and old are the weakest links. That being said I never thought Herschel was a weak link, but it stands to reason he was on the hit list. The only protected person is Rick. I don't even think his son is going to survive to the end.
There was one big missing link in this season. I can't remember when this happened but there was one scene where there was a view of hundreds of thousands of walkers headed in one direction. I can't remember whose journey it was. Maybe the trip to the college or something like that. Remember the car was surrounded by dead folks and they couldn't move.
I figured that crowd was going to take the walkers out. That mob is still out there and I wonder if that's going to be the next big challenge.
So far season 4 has been great and offered new unexpected challenges. I just wonder how long they can carry this on. I'm not sad they lost the prison. I thought it was a terrible place. Too big and had too many problems and when you get down to it, a fence can't really keep out a mob of walkers. They were able to push down the fence in this season before the tank raid. They need a castle. Stone walls. independent water source or maybe an island.
My prediction is as follows:
Someone in the group is going to find Carol.
Judith is still alive although they like you to think she's dead because blood was found in her car seat. That being said I thought Carol's daughter would be found alive and I was very wrong there.
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Sunday, November 3, 2013
No time for Walking Dead
Ok. A slight exaggeration. I just finished watching last week's The Good Wife (kickass episode) but I have two Walking Dead episodes, three after tonight, that I haven't watched yet.
I started watching one last night and I just got too creeped out!!!
It's the one where the kid in the shower died from some virus, turned into a Walker and just ate out the neck of someone who was sleeping. Ick.
They started the episode with grossdom to appeal to the preteen crowd I guess, which just doesn't appeal to me. I like the strife, the adventure and some of the danger. But just pure gore shots I can do without.
I have watched now the three episodes of the spinoff series Once Upon a Time in Wonderland and while the acting is great, I am wondering how they are going to keep this up for years to come. After a while I can see losing interest in Alice's efforts to free Silas, which is also the same name of the BIG EVIL in this season of the Vampire Diaries. Coincidence? I think so.
I love the strong character of Alice. Her perseverance is admirable and I like how clever she is.
I do wonder when writers will get tired of the BETRAYAL theme. It seems in every show I've watched, the lead character is betrayed by someone close to them and it's been quite obvious.
There has to be a better way to move a plot forward without having me sit there and assume someone is going to turn the hero in for self serving reasons. The whole thing is quite tired and overused.
I started watching one last night and I just got too creeped out!!!
It's the one where the kid in the shower died from some virus, turned into a Walker and just ate out the neck of someone who was sleeping. Ick.
They started the episode with grossdom to appeal to the preteen crowd I guess, which just doesn't appeal to me. I like the strife, the adventure and some of the danger. But just pure gore shots I can do without.
I have watched now the three episodes of the spinoff series Once Upon a Time in Wonderland and while the acting is great, I am wondering how they are going to keep this up for years to come. After a while I can see losing interest in Alice's efforts to free Silas, which is also the same name of the BIG EVIL in this season of the Vampire Diaries. Coincidence? I think so.
I love the strong character of Alice. Her perseverance is admirable and I like how clever she is.
I do wonder when writers will get tired of the BETRAYAL theme. It seems in every show I've watched, the lead character is betrayed by someone close to them and it's been quite obvious.
There has to be a better way to move a plot forward without having me sit there and assume someone is going to turn the hero in for self serving reasons. The whole thing is quite tired and overused.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Contest winners: Books in the mail
Books were mailed today for the five winners of the Goodreads contest. This was a very expensive endeavor for me. Not including the price of buying the book, the five packages cost $58 in postage fees. The U.S. addresses were cheap, under $3. The U.K. winners cost me $18 each.
Happy reading contest winners!!
Lastly as an observation about the giveaway. About 1,925 people entered the giveway in the four weeks it was listed. I made it to page one and two of the most popular books requested, which I think is amazing exposure. More people added the book at the end of the giveaway than at the beginning.
I had 1,009 people add it in the to-be-read file and as of today, a little more than a week after the giveway ended, 12 people removed the book from to-be-read file since last Monday, but two added it.
It's very hard to figure out psychology and I'm just glad the book got a lot of exposure.
Happy reading contest winners!!
Lastly as an observation about the giveaway. About 1,925 people entered the giveway in the four weeks it was listed. I made it to page one and two of the most popular books requested, which I think is amazing exposure. More people added the book at the end of the giveaway than at the beginning.
I had 1,009 people add it in the to-be-read file and as of today, a little more than a week after the giveway ended, 12 people removed the book from to-be-read file since last Monday, but two added it.
It's very hard to figure out psychology and I'm just glad the book got a lot of exposure.
Walking Dead still alive
What a season opener! It started off subtle and slow, the sheriff becomes a farmer. And then all hell breaks loose at the grocery store.
That was a clever way to get the Walkers into the store but heck, how realistic is it that the ceiling is rotting and the weight of a rack of bones causes holes in the roof versus a helicopter that seems to be siting on the roof comfortably.
I know, I know. Don't apply logic to this show, but I can't help it.
I can't say I'm upset that two new cast members are already dead or on their way to dying and wrecking havoc on the prison group. While the cast is big, I don't want my favorites to die otherwise it might be hard to maintain interest.
Speaking of interest, I do wonder how long they can keep up this fairly generic storyline. Hunt for food, get attacked by Walkers, someone dies, hunt for food, get attacked by Walkers, etc. Wash, rinse, repeat.
In the other storyline, I get why the woman tried to bring Rick to her husband, who I guess was a Walker, for dinner. She thought he needed feeding, although how she managed to stay alive while he was a starving Walker sharing her space is silly. Then she kills herself, heck why didn't she do that eons ago?
This was a strange story that I wonder if it's a setup for something later on. We'll have to see.
What was up with her face? It looked liked she'd been beaten up or had tattoos on her face.
The lighting for this show is sometimes so dim I have a hard time making things out.
"I don't want to be afraid of being alive," best line of the episode.
Not a bad start to season 4. We'll have to see where it goes to judge how it measures up with the other seasons.
That was a clever way to get the Walkers into the store but heck, how realistic is it that the ceiling is rotting and the weight of a rack of bones causes holes in the roof versus a helicopter that seems to be siting on the roof comfortably.
I know, I know. Don't apply logic to this show, but I can't help it.
I can't say I'm upset that two new cast members are already dead or on their way to dying and wrecking havoc on the prison group. While the cast is big, I don't want my favorites to die otherwise it might be hard to maintain interest.
Speaking of interest, I do wonder how long they can keep up this fairly generic storyline. Hunt for food, get attacked by Walkers, someone dies, hunt for food, get attacked by Walkers, etc. Wash, rinse, repeat.
In the other storyline, I get why the woman tried to bring Rick to her husband, who I guess was a Walker, for dinner. She thought he needed feeding, although how she managed to stay alive while he was a starving Walker sharing her space is silly. Then she kills herself, heck why didn't she do that eons ago?
This was a strange story that I wonder if it's a setup for something later on. We'll have to see.
What was up with her face? It looked liked she'd been beaten up or had tattoos on her face.
The lighting for this show is sometimes so dim I have a hard time making things out.
"I don't want to be afraid of being alive," best line of the episode.
Not a bad start to season 4. We'll have to see where it goes to judge how it measures up with the other seasons.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
One day to Walking Dead premiere
Season 4 starts tomorrow and I can't wait. I rarely watch television live so probably won't have comments to make until later in the week. I rely heavily on my DVR and I have a lot going on tomorrow so it's unlikely I'll be free in the evening.
Can't wait to see it. Yeah. It's nice to have a show that I look forward to watching. I haven't been overly impressed with the premieres of my returning shows.
Can't wait to see it. Yeah. It's nice to have a show that I look forward to watching. I haven't been overly impressed with the premieres of my returning shows.
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Last day for giveaway
This is the last day to enter the Goodreads giveaway and get a paperback copy of Cursed. I have 5 copes available.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
6 days left to get free copy of book
The Goodreads Giveaway ends Oct. 7. Hurry and sign up before time runs out.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
What I'm reading
I'm like a lot of big readers and have several books on the go at once.
I just finished part one of Wool by Hugh Howey and have started part two and the long walk down the stairs. This is a fascinating story about a dystopian society surviving in a grain silo that exists a few hundred stories under ground. I feel a little uncomfortable reading the book because the lack of space makes me antsy, a little claustrophobic.
Wool is a self published novel and Howey got a publishing contract for the paper rights after the digital edition became a huge hit. I always read some one star and two star reviews to see what beef folks have with the book. It doesn't dissuade me from buying it. I feel prepared for any possible drawbacks and so far I haven't discovered them in Wool. Yes the story is slow, but it's full of rich detail and personalities that intrigue me.
I'm also reading Morgan Rhodes Falling Kingdoms. It's a library book and only have two more weeks to finish it. I am conflicted on the book and don't want to say too much because I've only read about 50 pages. Unfortunately it's slow reading for me. I shall persevere.
And lastly I am reading Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout in the car. I finished her book Cursed a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed it. I'm not liking this one as much for one main reason: I don't like the main male character. It's not that he's a loveable jerk. He's a hate-able jerk and I am not warming up to him. I hope it gets better.
I just finished part one of Wool by Hugh Howey and have started part two and the long walk down the stairs. This is a fascinating story about a dystopian society surviving in a grain silo that exists a few hundred stories under ground. I feel a little uncomfortable reading the book because the lack of space makes me antsy, a little claustrophobic.
Wool is a self published novel and Howey got a publishing contract for the paper rights after the digital edition became a huge hit. I always read some one star and two star reviews to see what beef folks have with the book. It doesn't dissuade me from buying it. I feel prepared for any possible drawbacks and so far I haven't discovered them in Wool. Yes the story is slow, but it's full of rich detail and personalities that intrigue me.
I'm also reading Morgan Rhodes Falling Kingdoms. It's a library book and only have two more weeks to finish it. I am conflicted on the book and don't want to say too much because I've only read about 50 pages. Unfortunately it's slow reading for me. I shall persevere.
And lastly I am reading Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout in the car. I finished her book Cursed a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed it. I'm not liking this one as much for one main reason: I don't like the main male character. It's not that he's a loveable jerk. He's a hate-able jerk and I am not warming up to him. I hope it gets better.
Friday, September 6, 2013
The Goodreads giveaway starts Monday and runs through Oct. 7. This is your chance to get a paperback copy of Cursed, signed by the author (me) and mailed to you.
This promotion is only available in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia and New Zealand. These are countries where I have sold copies of Cursed.
Don't forget you can buy your own paperback either through Amazon or Createspace.
All you have to do is be a Goodreads member, go to giveaways and sign up.
Thanks for reading.
This promotion is only available in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia and New Zealand. These are countries where I have sold copies of Cursed.
Don't forget you can buy your own paperback either through Amazon or Createspace.
All you have to do is be a Goodreads member, go to giveaways and sign up.
Thanks for reading.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
New cast on The Walking Dead
I wouldn't normally care about new cast members because this show is, for the most part, made up of unknown actors. My husband recognized Andrew Lincoln because he's British as is my husband and I guess he was on a few Brit shows.
I can't say anyone looked too familiar to me otherwise than someone who might have been a guest on a show.
BUT that has all changed with the addition of Lawrence Gillard Jr.
I love this guy. He was one of the lead actors in the first season of The Wire. He was also in the second season but was killed off.
It's funny but I found his drug dealer character very sympathetic probably because Gillard played him with a conscience.
The Wire was one of my favorite shows, although the later seasons were not as good as the first two. It was gritty, realistic and fascinating despite its at times gruesome subject matter.
I think Gillard will be a great addition to this emotionally overwrought show. When you think about this show in a realistic sense, it's pretty dreary and I'm not sure how I'd manage. Then again the difference between reality and this show is there is always some hope.
New season starts Oct. 13.
I can't say anyone looked too familiar to me otherwise than someone who might have been a guest on a show.
BUT that has all changed with the addition of Lawrence Gillard Jr.
I love this guy. He was one of the lead actors in the first season of The Wire. He was also in the second season but was killed off.
It's funny but I found his drug dealer character very sympathetic probably because Gillard played him with a conscience.
The Wire was one of my favorite shows, although the later seasons were not as good as the first two. It was gritty, realistic and fascinating despite its at times gruesome subject matter.
I think Gillard will be a great addition to this emotionally overwrought show. When you think about this show in a realistic sense, it's pretty dreary and I'm not sure how I'd manage. Then again the difference between reality and this show is there is always some hope.
New season starts Oct. 13.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Cursed Giveway on Goodreads soon
Tonight I received the paperback copies of the revised Cursed for a giveaway I'm planning to hold on Goodreads.
I'm going on vacation Friday, so I'll set this up when I get back and work with a couple of blogs to promote the giveaway.
Essentially you have to be a Goodreads member and you sign up for the giveaway and the five lucky selected winners will get a book in the mail.
I've been looking forward to doing this all summer. I'll post the details in a week or so when I have them.
Good luck.
I'm going on vacation Friday, so I'll set this up when I get back and work with a couple of blogs to promote the giveaway.
Essentially you have to be a Goodreads member and you sign up for the giveaway and the five lucky selected winners will get a book in the mail.
I've been looking forward to doing this all summer. I'll post the details in a week or so when I have them.
Good luck.
Friday, August 16, 2013
I had a near head-on collision with crazy driver
Had super scary day today.
I was getting on the bridge heading south and rounding a curve when this brown late model SUV was swerving wildly between its lane - northbound - and mine - southbound - when it jerked into my lane and stayed there.
I couldn't see the people driving but the car was rocking from side to side as if there was a struggle over the steering wheel.
I want to say it was all going in slow motion. There was this car, out of control, headed straight for me. Head lights to head lights. I screamed and screamed. I know the thoughts going through my head were, what can I do, we are going to crash. Unconsciously I swerved into the lane to my right, which miraculously was clear and the erratic car continued down the bridge driving in the wrong direction.
The biggest surprise is that the right lane was clear. For the past month the 18-wheeler transport trucks have been backed up on the bridge, bumper to bumper, to the toll booth. They are tightly fit together and I can't believe the lane was clear. I didn't even get a chance to look, I just swerved instinctively to get out of the crazy car's way.
That was an occasion where if I had been injured or died it would have entirely been that other driver's fault. I am so glad I was alone in the car and my daughter wasn't with me.
I keep having flashbacks to the event and still can't believe the right lane was clear otherwise I would have crashed into the side of a transport truck.
I don't know what was wrong with that car, whether it was out of control or the person driving it was crazy. I just can't believe nothing happened. That is the closest I have ever come to having a major accident.
When I stopped at the Nexus booth I reported the car. Unfortunately I couldn't see the license plate. I didn't even see who was driving.
When I got to the office I called the U.S. Border Patrol and was surprised to hear there was no accident on the bridge. I don't know what happened to that person but I am glad no one was hurt, including myself.
I was getting on the bridge heading south and rounding a curve when this brown late model SUV was swerving wildly between its lane - northbound - and mine - southbound - when it jerked into my lane and stayed there.
I couldn't see the people driving but the car was rocking from side to side as if there was a struggle over the steering wheel.
I want to say it was all going in slow motion. There was this car, out of control, headed straight for me. Head lights to head lights. I screamed and screamed. I know the thoughts going through my head were, what can I do, we are going to crash. Unconsciously I swerved into the lane to my right, which miraculously was clear and the erratic car continued down the bridge driving in the wrong direction.
The biggest surprise is that the right lane was clear. For the past month the 18-wheeler transport trucks have been backed up on the bridge, bumper to bumper, to the toll booth. They are tightly fit together and I can't believe the lane was clear. I didn't even get a chance to look, I just swerved instinctively to get out of the crazy car's way.
That was an occasion where if I had been injured or died it would have entirely been that other driver's fault. I am so glad I was alone in the car and my daughter wasn't with me.
I keep having flashbacks to the event and still can't believe the right lane was clear otherwise I would have crashed into the side of a transport truck.
I don't know what was wrong with that car, whether it was out of control or the person driving it was crazy. I just can't believe nothing happened. That is the closest I have ever come to having a major accident.
When I stopped at the Nexus booth I reported the car. Unfortunately I couldn't see the license plate. I didn't even see who was driving.
When I got to the office I called the U.S. Border Patrol and was surprised to hear there was no accident on the bridge. I don't know what happened to that person but I am glad no one was hurt, including myself.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
There are only a few days left to get cursed for FREE at Smashwords.
Wednesday is your last day, so get it while it's available. If you already bought it, get a free copy because the story has more scenes and a lot more content.
I chose Smashwords because you can get several different file types there including files for Kindles, Kobos and Nooks.
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/321907
Happy reading.
Monica
Wednesday is your last day, so get it while it's available. If you already bought it, get a free copy because the story has more scenes and a lot more content.
I chose Smashwords because you can get several different file types there including files for Kindles, Kobos and Nooks.
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/321907
Happy reading.
Monica
Thursday, August 8, 2013
As promised I have put Cursed FREE at Smashwords. I've done this for anyone who bought the book already and wants to get the new file or frankly anyone who wanted to read the book but was hesitant to buy.
I chose Smashwords because you can get several different file types there including files for Kindles, Kobos and Nooks.
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/321907
I'll leave it free for a week. Enjoy.
I chose Smashwords because you can get several different file types there including files for Kindles, Kobos and Nooks.
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/321907
I'll leave it free for a week. Enjoy.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Cursed is back on sale
So in high school you always think you'll never use the information you learn in chemistry or the physics. I can't tell you how many times I even thought, I'm never going to use this, when I was figuring out a math problem.
Well, it's just not true. I interviewed a Nobel Prize physics winner and a chemistry professor turning his inventions into gold. Both of those stories required some understanding of chemistry and physics.
The killer is I generally have to use math every day in calculating percentages or deficits or surplus. I analyze numbers and budgets all the time looking for trends and trying to figure out how a town balanced its books.
So this brings us to Cursed, my novel that I published in June. I have increased the manuscript 33 per cent in response to reviews I got that pointed out weak links in the book. Doing the revisions was a great learning experience for me and I appreciate all the helpful input I received.
I hope you enjoy the book. Happy reading.
Well, it's just not true. I interviewed a Nobel Prize physics winner and a chemistry professor turning his inventions into gold. Both of those stories required some understanding of chemistry and physics.
The killer is I generally have to use math every day in calculating percentages or deficits or surplus. I analyze numbers and budgets all the time looking for trends and trying to figure out how a town balanced its books.
So this brings us to Cursed, my novel that I published in June. I have increased the manuscript 33 per cent in response to reviews I got that pointed out weak links in the book. Doing the revisions was a great learning experience for me and I appreciate all the helpful input I received.
I hope you enjoy the book. Happy reading.
Monday, August 5, 2013
The Killing finale - disturbing
I must opine briefly on the finale of AMC's The Killing last night. Again, the two hour finale took a few twists and turns to get to the point of revealing the real serial killer.
I thought the whole episode was well done with a lot of ups and downs especially when Skinner was able to torture Linden with memories of their affair and her personal issues.
I have to say, it took me a few moments to realize the ring on Skinner's daughter's finger was Callie's. I like to think I'm not stupid and I know that Sarah realized Skinner was the killer after seeing the ring, and Skinner knew that Sarah knew after he turned around. It just took me a minute to realize the ring wasn't a replica of Callie's but actually her ring. I know the filmmakers showed us a close-up of the ring a few frames before the revealing moment and I eventually put the pieces together, but I am sad that it took me so long!!
What is slightly confusing is that if Skinner took care to dispose of Callie's body where no one could find it, then why did he burn the last body? He was tying up a loose end but he didn't need to get rid of that girl so openly because that's what opened up the case again.
I was disappointed with the closing scene with the fade to black after Linden shoots Skinner. It leaves us hanging and it's not even clear if there is going to be a fourth season.
I thought this season was really good, way better than season two, although not as gripping as season one.
I hope there is more of The Killing to come.
I thought the whole episode was well done with a lot of ups and downs especially when Skinner was able to torture Linden with memories of their affair and her personal issues.
I have to say, it took me a few moments to realize the ring on Skinner's daughter's finger was Callie's. I like to think I'm not stupid and I know that Sarah realized Skinner was the killer after seeing the ring, and Skinner knew that Sarah knew after he turned around. It just took me a minute to realize the ring wasn't a replica of Callie's but actually her ring. I know the filmmakers showed us a close-up of the ring a few frames before the revealing moment and I eventually put the pieces together, but I am sad that it took me so long!!
What is slightly confusing is that if Skinner took care to dispose of Callie's body where no one could find it, then why did he burn the last body? He was tying up a loose end but he didn't need to get rid of that girl so openly because that's what opened up the case again.
I was disappointed with the closing scene with the fade to black after Linden shoots Skinner. It leaves us hanging and it's not even clear if there is going to be a fourth season.
I thought this season was really good, way better than season two, although not as gripping as season one.
I hope there is more of The Killing to come.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Busy but not forgotten
The past few weeks have been very busy and I feel like I have little to show for it.
I am almost done with the additions I am making to Cursed. I was hoping to have them done by now because there are some scheduled reviews for August.
I've been juggling that with kids birthday parties, my kid's birthday party (she turned 4), an unexpected trip to Toronto to visit a sick friend and other dreary life dramas that can't be avoided or ignored.
So bear with me. I will have everything organized and figured out within the next few weeks. The summer is zipping by so fast I feel like I haven't had a chance to enjoy it.
That isn't surprising considering how much rain we've had. It's been a monsoon in southeastern Michigan. Everything is green and soggy.
And lastly, I have not finished The Killing yet so don't spoil it for me but I have enjoyed this season. It had a lot of suspects but not a ridiculous amount. I have two episodes to go and it's looking like the guy in prison really did his wife in. I admit that I fast forward through those prison scenes. I find them boring.
I am almost done with the additions I am making to Cursed. I was hoping to have them done by now because there are some scheduled reviews for August.
I've been juggling that with kids birthday parties, my kid's birthday party (she turned 4), an unexpected trip to Toronto to visit a sick friend and other dreary life dramas that can't be avoided or ignored.
So bear with me. I will have everything organized and figured out within the next few weeks. The summer is zipping by so fast I feel like I haven't had a chance to enjoy it.
That isn't surprising considering how much rain we've had. It's been a monsoon in southeastern Michigan. Everything is green and soggy.
And lastly, I have not finished The Killing yet so don't spoil it for me but I have enjoyed this season. It had a lot of suspects but not a ridiculous amount. I have two episodes to go and it's looking like the guy in prison really did his wife in. I admit that I fast forward through those prison scenes. I find them boring.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Cursed update -- book offline
I have taken Cursed offline for a couple of weeks. I have to fix some errors and make some changes and would prefer to re-present the book rather than keep it up for sale while I add some scenes.
It is still for sale on Smashwords and Createspace because it's too much work to take it down and then repost it. I will be adding a new text file when it's ready but for now it's still there.
I've had some great - yet critical reviews - of the book and I want to address some of the criticism. I don't want to sell anything but the best book I can write.
The book is short because Evolution is long. Does that make any sense? I spent five years writing Evolution and it's full of rich detail and full characters. I wanted Cursed to be a shorter, quicker read and didn't realize in doing so I was cheating the reader of a fuller experience.
Everyone has noted that the story is very good. That is such a compliment because I worked very hard developing the plot and putting hints in the story toward future storylines in other books.
But I also wanted the reader to feel a connection to the characters and be fulfilled. It seems I have accomplished that with the main character but at the expense of subordinate characters. So I am making revisions, adding scenes and will repost it in a few weeks and put it up for FREE so that anyone who bought it and wants to download a newer version and hasn't yet read the book can do so at no cost.
Thanks so much for those who have already read the book and I hope you won't abandon me as I work to make the product even better.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
New cover for Evolution
My YA dystopian/science fiction/paranormal book has a new cover thanks to Sarah Dalton, a British designer. I bought the picture but needed it enhanced. While there is no person on the cover, I hope it's mysterious enough that it attracts some attention.
I don't have an official release date for Evolution. I had originally planned for August but I'm not sure that is doable. I can say Evolution will be released sometime in the next quarter. That's as close as I can get to a release date.
I don't have an official release date for Evolution. I had originally planned for August but I'm not sure that is doable. I can say Evolution will be released sometime in the next quarter. That's as close as I can get to a release date.
Evolution is a story of survival. It's about a group of friends who have survived a horrific virus that has taken the lives of most Americans. Michigan can be an inhospitable place in the winter, so the group decides to go to Florida. The journey is perilous but also gives the teens time to discover the "Remarkable" skills they've developed after being sick.
I need to work on the book blurb because the story is much more complicated than that. The teens/aka virus survivors are cogs in a complex wheel of a man's revenge and thirst for power.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Downton Abbey is fabulous
When I'm watching great TV shows I generally have good and bad things to say about the show. I can't help it, nothing is perfect. The Killing dragged out the mystery way too long and seems to have learned its lesson with season three, which I'm liking.
Mad Men has a lot of up and down episodes. The first part of season six was a total yawn but the season picked up speed midway. I really liked its last few episodes and the ending was great. I felt like Don was finally going to peel back the layers of his mystery and with the people who should know, his children. The Walking Dead is entertaining but likes to take gore a bit too far.
I started watching Downton Abbey a couple of weeks ago. I have seen bits and pieces of some episodes but never saw one in its entirely.
I'm now almost halfway through season two and the show reminds me of Mad Men without the sex and yet the show is better. I've watched 12 episodes that have spanned 6 years. The plots move ahead on fairly small issues but they pack a punch.
I think the dialogue is witty, the storylines are clever and press the boundaries of the historical societal norms for the early 20th Century.
I started watching the series through Netflix and saw 2 episodes before Netflix lost the license to the show. That was annoying. Makes me question whether I should keep Netflix much longer.
Anyway, I just love the storyline between Mary and Matthew. It's totally applicable to today and how someone's pride can get in the way.
Mad Men has a lot of up and down episodes. The first part of season six was a total yawn but the season picked up speed midway. I really liked its last few episodes and the ending was great. I felt like Don was finally going to peel back the layers of his mystery and with the people who should know, his children. The Walking Dead is entertaining but likes to take gore a bit too far.
I started watching Downton Abbey a couple of weeks ago. I have seen bits and pieces of some episodes but never saw one in its entirely.
I'm now almost halfway through season two and the show reminds me of Mad Men without the sex and yet the show is better. I've watched 12 episodes that have spanned 6 years. The plots move ahead on fairly small issues but they pack a punch.
I think the dialogue is witty, the storylines are clever and press the boundaries of the historical societal norms for the early 20th Century.
I started watching the series through Netflix and saw 2 episodes before Netflix lost the license to the show. That was annoying. Makes me question whether I should keep Netflix much longer.
Anyway, I just love the storyline between Mary and Matthew. It's totally applicable to today and how someone's pride can get in the way.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Birthday sale
In honor of three birthdays next week I put the e-book version Cursed on sale at all locations where the book is available including Amazon, B&N, Kobo and Smashwords.
The sale runs from June 30 to July 6. Cursed is now 99 cents, down from $2.99.
The birthdays I speak of are mine, Canada's and the United States.
July is a busy birthday month because it's also my daughter's fourth birthday at the end of the month.
So, Canada celebrates 146 years of independence, the U.S. is 237 and I'm ??. I'm at an age where I don't like to talk about my age.
So Canada's big day is July 1, the U.S. July 4 and I'm also July 4.
So have a slice of cake, blow out a candle and celebrate. Maybe shoot off some fireworks too!!
I think I'll go to a July 4 parade and help teach my daughter about her county's history.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
The sale runs from June 30 to July 6. Cursed is now 99 cents, down from $2.99.
The birthdays I speak of are mine, Canada's and the United States.
July is a busy birthday month because it's also my daughter's fourth birthday at the end of the month.
So, Canada celebrates 146 years of independence, the U.S. is 237 and I'm ??. I'm at an age where I don't like to talk about my age.
So Canada's big day is July 1, the U.S. July 4 and I'm also July 4.
So have a slice of cake, blow out a candle and celebrate. Maybe shoot off some fireworks too!!
I think I'll go to a July 4 parade and help teach my daughter about her county's history.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
New office location causing me angst
This isn't a dilemma but I am undecided about our new office location.
We used to be in this 100 + year old building one block from the Detroit River and I could see the water from my desk, which meant I could see a bit of Detroit. I could see right down Ferry Street and occasionally an ice breaker would be parked at the dock.
When Red Bull came to town, I didn't need to go to the races because I could see the planes do practices from my desk.
But here is the new view:
I can't see the water anymore but I can still see Detroit. I never had a view of the Ren Cen before and it was only a few months ago that I discovered GM has an LED sign that changes images.
I think I'm feeling guilty about liking our new location. Change is good. Right?
We used to be in this 100 + year old building one block from the Detroit River and I could see the water from my desk, which meant I could see a bit of Detroit. I could see right down Ferry Street and occasionally an ice breaker would be parked at the dock.
When Red Bull came to town, I didn't need to go to the races because I could see the planes do practices from my desk.
But here is the new view:
I think I'm feeling guilty about liking our new location. Change is good. Right?
Sunday, June 9, 2013
AMC's The Killing continues its deadly streak
AMC's third season of The Killing hasn't disappointed although it's starting off much like the first season.
I love how Lyndon goes for a run, recognizes the surroundings as from the drawing a little kid drew while locked in an apartment with his mother's body for several days and finds several bodies in a swamp.
The only problem with this story is that the original crime was 4 years ago when the kid was 6. There is no way a kid of 6 could draw that well.
My daughter is 4 and just started coloring within the lines and not very well. Ok. I'm nitpicking.
I have so far found the street kids to be very realistic, especially Bullet. I don't want to say the other kids are formulaic because we've only seen a bit. The Lyric chick is a bit stereotypical in that she's hooking to make money for her boyfriend so he can start his modeling career. This is a pathetic love affair and yet somewhat realistic in that kids that are prostitutes don't exactly have high self esteem.
I'll have to see where this goes before I judge too much. So far I'm loving being back with Holder and Lyndon. Holder still talks like some goofy white rapper street kid. It's nice to see he hasn't changed.
I love how Lyndon goes for a run, recognizes the surroundings as from the drawing a little kid drew while locked in an apartment with his mother's body for several days and finds several bodies in a swamp.
The only problem with this story is that the original crime was 4 years ago when the kid was 6. There is no way a kid of 6 could draw that well.
My daughter is 4 and just started coloring within the lines and not very well. Ok. I'm nitpicking.
I have so far found the street kids to be very realistic, especially Bullet. I don't want to say the other kids are formulaic because we've only seen a bit. The Lyric chick is a bit stereotypical in that she's hooking to make money for her boyfriend so he can start his modeling career. This is a pathetic love affair and yet somewhat realistic in that kids that are prostitutes don't exactly have high self esteem.
I'll have to see where this goes before I judge too much. So far I'm loving being back with Holder and Lyndon. Holder still talks like some goofy white rapper street kid. It's nice to see he hasn't changed.
Friday, June 7, 2013
Went back to work
I've been recovering from foot surgery for the past two months and returned to work this week for the first time. The time off enabled me to finish Cursed and catch up on the television shows I had wanted to watch but couldn't.
I'm watching The Killing as I contact book lovers about reviewing my book. It's a tough slog. It reminds me of job searching. You get a response from every 15 to 20 contacts.
I remind myself there are 330 million people in the U.S., 60 million in the U.K. and 33 million in Canada. These are the countries I'm targeting. There has got to be 50 people in those three countries interested in getting a book for free in exchange for writing a review.
If you want to read the book contact me. The offer won't be around forever.
I'm watching The Killing as I contact book lovers about reviewing my book. It's a tough slog. It reminds me of job searching. You get a response from every 15 to 20 contacts.
I remind myself there are 330 million people in the U.S., 60 million in the U.K. and 33 million in Canada. These are the countries I'm targeting. There has got to be 50 people in those three countries interested in getting a book for free in exchange for writing a review.
If you want to read the book contact me. The offer won't be around forever.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Cursed in paperback now available
This is the official launch of Cursed, the first in the Tysseland Chronicles series.
The book synopsis is here:
When
17-year-old Sasha orders her latte at a local café, she hardly expects to get
robbed. Strangely, the men don’t want money from the register. Instead they are
interested in the necklace she is wearing that her mother gave her years ago.
Sasha
can’t understand why the men would want the worthless piece of stained glass
that hangs around her neck from a leather cord. It’s not worth anything or is
it? She comes to realize not all value is measured in dollars and cents.
This
is the night she meets Evan, who saves her life by distracting the robbers as
the couple dodge flying bullets. It takes days for Sasha to acknowledge that
her burgeoning magic abilities helped keep them safe. She’s adamant in keeping
that secret from Evan. She doesn’t want him to know she’s a freak.
Cursed
is a thrilling romantic and exhilarating read. Monica Wolfson takes readers to
a fantasy world they won’t want to leave.
______________________________________
The book is available in e-book or paperback. You can find the links under my Shop tab.
I will have a giveaway in a couple of weeks on Smashwords and at least two signed paperback copies will be available.
The Tysseland Chronicles is a set story told over four books from Sasha's viewpoint about a young teen discovering her new magical powers, finding love and nullifying a threat on her life.
A fifth novel is a companion story told from Willow Bean's viewpoint about her life after she left her mother's queendom.
One reviewer of Cursed on Goodreads commented that it was nice to read about a heroin that could solve her own problems. No one can do everything on their own but I don't like victim heroines. I also hate DUMBASS moves by lead characters. (Case in point read my review of AMC's The Walking Dead).
There is a difference between taking a chance and doing really stupid things. I like books with thoughtful plots and I hope that's what readers think of my book. I hope I haven't put any characters in peril for just a thrill. I feel like every chapter was written for a reason and moved the story along.
If you want to send me feedback or report a typo/writing issue send an email to monicawolfsonwrites@gmail.com.
Thanks for reading,
Monica
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Amazon may be a juggernaut but don't dismiss Nook/Kobo/Smashwords
I was in Panera Bread on Friday and the woman at the table beside me was reading a book on a Nook. I didn't think much of it. She said she paid $75 for the device and it's only good for reading books. She said she loves that she doesn't have to carry around armloads of paperbacks.
I know most people seem to read books on the Kindle, which has a ton more capabilities. I read books on an iTouch. I like being able to load more things on my device than just books. I can read the books with either the Kindle or the Nook apps.
I mention this because in reading a lot of blogs about self publishing many big authors recommend enrolling in the KDP Select program, which means for three months you can only sell your book on Amazon. In exchange your book in enrolled in a library system. If someone borrows your book you get almost $2 versus .35 cent if your book is 99 cents or .70 cents if it's 2.99 and so on.
You also get the ability to give your book away for free or put it on sale.
I read some blogs about how some authors made more money from the library borrowing than they did from sales at other online stores like B&N or Kobo or Smashwords.
That may be true. I've had a couple of people borrow the New Parents Survival Guide, which means I made $2 instead of 35 cents. But I've decided that Cursed is going to be available on the many outlets out there until I think I need to change tactics.
So far my sales on B&N, Kobo and Smashwords combined represent 50 per cent of my total book sales.
So I'm not giving up on everyone else yet.
I know most people seem to read books on the Kindle, which has a ton more capabilities. I read books on an iTouch. I like being able to load more things on my device than just books. I can read the books with either the Kindle or the Nook apps.
I mention this because in reading a lot of blogs about self publishing many big authors recommend enrolling in the KDP Select program, which means for three months you can only sell your book on Amazon. In exchange your book in enrolled in a library system. If someone borrows your book you get almost $2 versus .35 cent if your book is 99 cents or .70 cents if it's 2.99 and so on.
You also get the ability to give your book away for free or put it on sale.
I read some blogs about how some authors made more money from the library borrowing than they did from sales at other online stores like B&N or Kobo or Smashwords.
That may be true. I've had a couple of people borrow the New Parents Survival Guide, which means I made $2 instead of 35 cents. But I've decided that Cursed is going to be available on the many outlets out there until I think I need to change tactics.
So far my sales on B&N, Kobo and Smashwords combined represent 50 per cent of my total book sales.
So I'm not giving up on everyone else yet.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Cursed cover
I am so proud that my cover is a big hit. Every reviewer so far that has agreed to review the book loves the cover.
My dad - 80 - thinks it's great too. This is the same father that reads the YA recommendations I send his way.
One reviewer was so blown away by the cover that I sent her a copy of the cover for book 3. It kicks butt and is so beautiful that I am impressed every time I look at it. Alas, I must keep it under wraps.
Book two is outlined but I've only written the first two chapters.
My priorities right now are to release Cursed next week, edit Evolution for an August release and write Stolen -- Tysseland Chronicles book 2. I would love to get book two done by the end of the year but I don't want to make any promises.
Oh and recover from my foot surgery, start running again, spend time with my daughter and husband. I have a full life.
Happy reading.
My dad - 80 - thinks it's great too. This is the same father that reads the YA recommendations I send his way.
One reviewer was so blown away by the cover that I sent her a copy of the cover for book 3. It kicks butt and is so beautiful that I am impressed every time I look at it. Alas, I must keep it under wraps.
Book two is outlined but I've only written the first two chapters.
My priorities right now are to release Cursed next week, edit Evolution for an August release and write Stolen -- Tysseland Chronicles book 2. I would love to get book two done by the end of the year but I don't want to make any promises.
Oh and recover from my foot surgery, start running again, spend time with my daughter and husband. I have a full life.
Happy reading.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
AMC's The Walking Dead third season
I know I'm super late to be summing up a season months after it ended but I'm a little behind -- by years -- on my TV watching.
The Walking Dead has a unique charm. I'm not keen on the gore, as I've mentioned before, but the show has definitely hooked me. Season 3 had fewer DUMBASS moments than in the first two seasons, which made it much more enjoyable. I still don't get the Governor and his mental illness except to sum it up as he's just CRAZY.
Rick went a little nuts too but soon recovered.
I like many others am not sad to see Andrea dead. She bored me. For a smart lady, I found her incredibly unintellectual.
A smart woman would have at least tried to kill the Governor even if it meant her end. Instead, for inexplicable reasons, she sticks with him even after she finds out about the heads in jars and the dead little girl.
Up until Michonne joined the show, the women in The Walking Dead were very uninspiring. You could totally tell it's a male written, male created, male thinking show. I have not read the comics, so my guess is the women are modeled after the comics, which are also probably written by men for men.
Part of me is outraged because it's women and men falling back into gender roles from biblical days. The ladies do all the cooking and cleaning, while the guys get to kill bad guys. It's uninspiring and boring. To boot, like typical women, the ladies have to cook, clean and fight, while the men just fight. The women do it all.
I would love to see a woman take charge. It's not like Rick is a brilliant mind, especially when he's hallucinating. He's repeatedly made DUMBASS decisions. Cripes, he was only a Sheriff's Deputy. Anyone who has covered the police knows Sheriff's departments are the lowest paid and have the least impressive personnel.
The only admirable female character is Michonne, who I just love. Maggie is pretty cool too, but she only joined the show in season 2.
One thing this show is missing is a little sass, a little flirtation, some sexual tension. It doesn't have to develop into a romance but the dialogue in this show could really use a boost of attitude. It would be nice if they found someone who was intellectual.
My second favorite character is Daryl. He's a redneck with a heart. I love it. I find it a little disturbing they are trying to pair up Daryl and Carol. She's just a super lame character. She needs a boring man like her. Daryl, he deserves a spitfire who made it out of the trailer park.
Why is it they can't find a safer place that isn't the size of a shopping mall? It's not like these monsters are thinking folk. They are rotting corpses that are easily defeated. It doesn't make sense to me how the military got so overrun. I'm hoping there is a huge military presence and community full of people living somewhere, maybe on an island. Otherwise, if you really, really think about it, The Walking Dead is very depressing.
The Walking Dead has a unique charm. I'm not keen on the gore, as I've mentioned before, but the show has definitely hooked me. Season 3 had fewer DUMBASS moments than in the first two seasons, which made it much more enjoyable. I still don't get the Governor and his mental illness except to sum it up as he's just CRAZY.
Rick went a little nuts too but soon recovered.
I like many others am not sad to see Andrea dead. She bored me. For a smart lady, I found her incredibly unintellectual.
A smart woman would have at least tried to kill the Governor even if it meant her end. Instead, for inexplicable reasons, she sticks with him even after she finds out about the heads in jars and the dead little girl.
Up until Michonne joined the show, the women in The Walking Dead were very uninspiring. You could totally tell it's a male written, male created, male thinking show. I have not read the comics, so my guess is the women are modeled after the comics, which are also probably written by men for men.
Part of me is outraged because it's women and men falling back into gender roles from biblical days. The ladies do all the cooking and cleaning, while the guys get to kill bad guys. It's uninspiring and boring. To boot, like typical women, the ladies have to cook, clean and fight, while the men just fight. The women do it all.
I would love to see a woman take charge. It's not like Rick is a brilliant mind, especially when he's hallucinating. He's repeatedly made DUMBASS decisions. Cripes, he was only a Sheriff's Deputy. Anyone who has covered the police knows Sheriff's departments are the lowest paid and have the least impressive personnel.
The only admirable female character is Michonne, who I just love. Maggie is pretty cool too, but she only joined the show in season 2.
One thing this show is missing is a little sass, a little flirtation, some sexual tension. It doesn't have to develop into a romance but the dialogue in this show could really use a boost of attitude. It would be nice if they found someone who was intellectual.
My second favorite character is Daryl. He's a redneck with a heart. I love it. I find it a little disturbing they are trying to pair up Daryl and Carol. She's just a super lame character. She needs a boring man like her. Daryl, he deserves a spitfire who made it out of the trailer park.
Why is it they can't find a safer place that isn't the size of a shopping mall? It's not like these monsters are thinking folk. They are rotting corpses that are easily defeated. It doesn't make sense to me how the military got so overrun. I'm hoping there is a huge military presence and community full of people living somewhere, maybe on an island. Otherwise, if you really, really think about it, The Walking Dead is very depressing.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Thanks to Allison Ingman who helped me come up with a title: Evolution. The second half of the two-part book will be Revolution.
This series was initially going to be a trilogy but I think the ideas I have are best said in two books. The first one is 82,000 words. I see the sequel being longer.
Evolution will be published in August. I need a couple of months to do some editing. This labor of love has been underway for more than five years.
I started it in 2008. I've changed the character names three times because I have not been satisfied with the names I've chosen.
The lead character in Cursed is Sasha and I like the name and have always felt comfortable with it.
In Evolution, some names have never felt right. I have finally settled on the name Dax for the male lead. I know everyone is going to think it's some trendy name but it's not. It's the name of one of the photographer's I work with and I have always loved his name.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
A stranger read my book and liked it
I am so flattered. I haven't released Cursed officially yet because I'm still waiting to hear back from Beta readers and make some changes. To do that though I have to leave the book on Amazon so that my beta readers can download it with the gift links I sent them.
I did send it off to one reviewer.
Anyway I posted the book cover and a sample on Goodreads to start getting some publicity. And there a 25-year-old woman I don't know read and liked the book and wrote a short review. I am so flattered. It makes me feel awesome.
You can see the review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17925344-cursed
Now I am agonizing over how pathetic I am. I really like it that someone read my book and liked it!!!
I am happy today.
I did send it off to one reviewer.
Anyway I posted the book cover and a sample on Goodreads to start getting some publicity. And there a 25-year-old woman I don't know read and liked the book and wrote a short review. I am so flattered. It makes me feel awesome.
You can see the review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17925344-cursed
Now I am agonizing over how pathetic I am. I really like it that someone read my book and liked it!!!
I am happy today.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
AMC's The Killing and Walking Dead
So I finally broke down and watched these two shows. I can't say exactly why I was reluctant. I thought a show called The Killing was going to be too gory. How wrong I was.
I finished the first two seasons of The Killing last night and was very impressed. I think stretching a murder mystery out over two seasons is a bit of a slog but it was very well done.
I think by mid-second season I was getting a little tired. I like how the investigation came full circle.
I kind of knew the car had to be tied to the killing in some way either to frame the politician or well used by someone in his camp. I did think the mayor did it until they showed him on the phone seemingly talking to the Indian chief. That was much too set up and I knew it wasn't him.
In the big picture I'm still perplexed as to why the aunt shoved the car in the lake. I understand that she didn't know it was her niece. But her married lover and the politician guy were arguing and her boyfriend was saying that he was never going to leave his wife. So why would she do it? I didn't think that was resolved very well. I loved how dark and dreary the show was and I loved the two lead characters. They are great actors and had a certain depth you rarely see in police shows.
My only irk is that there was too much torrential rain. It rains in Seattle (or Vancouver where they film the show) a lot, but it's more drizzly, misty.
I am so glad to see that AMC is bringing the show back for a third season and will be setting my DVR.
Now on to the Walking Dead. This is the show that I should have feared as gory. I just couldn't understand a zombie show. These people are dead, what is there to happen?
There are two things that really bother me about the show. I think the hubby and I are having a hard time with the overt gore. Every episode has at least three situations where a zombie's head is dramatically smashed, slashed, dismembered, pommeled or gored. It's this part of the show that I find icky. My husband cringes while I hold up my hand in front of the screen. I figured this part was meant for the 13-year-olds in the crowd. Everyone reminds me it's a horror show. I disagree. It's a survival show like The Stand mini-series.
While this show isn't overly predictable, it sort of is in the sense that you know there will be a scene in the hour that is what I call the dumbass moment. There is always an event where a character is in jeopardy of being zombie lunch because of a stupid risk. This is when I'm yelling at the TV and sometimes hoping the person will die because they are such a DUMBASS.
What I do like about the show is it's making some characters unpredictable. I love Darrell. I was afraid of him at first but he has so grown on me. I love his redneck smarts.
The cop's friend, you know the one who was sleeping with his best friend's wife, I can' remember his name, but oh, is he going evil. This is a scary turn, almost as frightening as being a zombie snack.
I just wish they had some stronger female characters. The women have become a bit too predictable in the old fashioned I'll do the laundry and cook the meals kind of way. Seriously? There isn't a guy in the group that would prefer to wash some clothes than go out looking for that lost kid?
I'm only in mid-season two and hope to be caught up by the time the next season starts.
The TV analysis brings me to my summary. I am now watching three AMC shows because I also record Mad Men, which is a little dull this season (6) but they just had the merger so maybe it will pick up.
It's getting to the point where AMC is rival of Showtime and HBO in terms of quality shows because AMC also has Breaking Bad. Since AMC is not pay cable makes you wonder why it is that network television can't produce shows of the same caliber.
I finished the first two seasons of The Killing last night and was very impressed. I think stretching a murder mystery out over two seasons is a bit of a slog but it was very well done.
I think by mid-second season I was getting a little tired. I like how the investigation came full circle.
I kind of knew the car had to be tied to the killing in some way either to frame the politician or well used by someone in his camp. I did think the mayor did it until they showed him on the phone seemingly talking to the Indian chief. That was much too set up and I knew it wasn't him.
In the big picture I'm still perplexed as to why the aunt shoved the car in the lake. I understand that she didn't know it was her niece. But her married lover and the politician guy were arguing and her boyfriend was saying that he was never going to leave his wife. So why would she do it? I didn't think that was resolved very well. I loved how dark and dreary the show was and I loved the two lead characters. They are great actors and had a certain depth you rarely see in police shows.
My only irk is that there was too much torrential rain. It rains in Seattle (or Vancouver where they film the show) a lot, but it's more drizzly, misty.
I am so glad to see that AMC is bringing the show back for a third season and will be setting my DVR.
Now on to the Walking Dead. This is the show that I should have feared as gory. I just couldn't understand a zombie show. These people are dead, what is there to happen?
There are two things that really bother me about the show. I think the hubby and I are having a hard time with the overt gore. Every episode has at least three situations where a zombie's head is dramatically smashed, slashed, dismembered, pommeled or gored. It's this part of the show that I find icky. My husband cringes while I hold up my hand in front of the screen. I figured this part was meant for the 13-year-olds in the crowd. Everyone reminds me it's a horror show. I disagree. It's a survival show like The Stand mini-series.
While this show isn't overly predictable, it sort of is in the sense that you know there will be a scene in the hour that is what I call the dumbass moment. There is always an event where a character is in jeopardy of being zombie lunch because of a stupid risk. This is when I'm yelling at the TV and sometimes hoping the person will die because they are such a DUMBASS.
What I do like about the show is it's making some characters unpredictable. I love Darrell. I was afraid of him at first but he has so grown on me. I love his redneck smarts.
The cop's friend, you know the one who was sleeping with his best friend's wife, I can' remember his name, but oh, is he going evil. This is a scary turn, almost as frightening as being a zombie snack.
I just wish they had some stronger female characters. The women have become a bit too predictable in the old fashioned I'll do the laundry and cook the meals kind of way. Seriously? There isn't a guy in the group that would prefer to wash some clothes than go out looking for that lost kid?
I'm only in mid-season two and hope to be caught up by the time the next season starts.
The TV analysis brings me to my summary. I am now watching three AMC shows because I also record Mad Men, which is a little dull this season (6) but they just had the merger so maybe it will pick up.
It's getting to the point where AMC is rival of Showtime and HBO in terms of quality shows because AMC also has Breaking Bad. Since AMC is not pay cable makes you wonder why it is that network television can't produce shows of the same caliber.
Friday, May 10, 2013
An even newer cover for CURSED
After the great feedback I got on the cover I had the designer make some adjustments and we changed the font because it was hard to read.
The designer has also made me two other covers for subsequent books and they are even better.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Cursed is done.... cover revealed!! Looking for beta readers.
My new YA novel Cursed is finished. I am rewriting it and looking for a couple of beta readers. If you are interested in reading an advance copy of the book contact me at monicawolfsonwrites@gmail.com.
I can supply a word doc or ebook file from Amazon. The files should be ready in the next couple of days.
All I ask for is for honest feedback and eventually for you to post a review on Goodreads or Amazon once it's published.
What I can do is post the cover. It was done by Sarah Dalton from the U.K. I found the cover at Book Cover Designer. I hope ya'll like it as much as I do.
Thanks,
Monica
I can supply a word doc or ebook file from Amazon. The files should be ready in the next couple of days.
All I ask for is for honest feedback and eventually for you to post a review on Goodreads or Amazon once it's published.
What I can do is post the cover. It was done by Sarah Dalton from the U.K. I found the cover at Book Cover Designer. I hope ya'll like it as much as I do.
Thanks,
Monica
Friday, April 26, 2013
Scandal is salacious
In catching up on television I've not been able to watch, so far I've nailed two seasons of Homeland, an assortment of movies like Argo, Zero Dark Thirty, Transformers, Captain America, The Avengers
and two seasons of Scandal.
I like many of you have seen the promos for Scandal but never watched the show. One of my co-workers told me last year it was good but I didn't have time for it. Of course as the shows I love go off the air (Fringe), it creates openings (Vampire Diaries).
So, I watched the two seasons of Scandal over the past few days and I must say I'm torn. The first seven episodes were great. But this romance between the President and Olivia doesn't do it for me. It seems to be all about aggressive booty calls and not real emotion.
I'm probably one of the only people who was happy that the President found out about the voting scheme and was pissed off at everyone. Yeah. It was over between him and Olivia. I found the relationship stereotypical and old. The flashbacks to before the election were dull. I fast-forwarded through them.
WARNING SPOILER
I don't understand why the judge tried to assassinate the president. She thought he wasn't legitimate? Damn right. And it didn't bother her when the V.P. was trying to get her to resign. In fact she framed another man for the crime that she committed. It would have made more sense if the V.P. or someone who would have benefited from his death was the culprit. The attempted assassination was a great storyline and it was well done that it looked like it was the evil businessman and yet it wasn't. But picking the judge didn't make sense and was a weak ending. Ok, the president killed her (by pressing down on her abdomen?). I knew he was going to kill her but thought he'd smother her with a pillow.
It is interesting that the show runners have sustained a single story line for 29 episodes -- the affair between Olivia and the President. Considering I'm a fan of Gray's Anatomy, I am surprised by the clever twists and turns of the plots but the emotion and genuine friendship I feel on Gray's is not present on Scandal. It's like you have to trade emotion for smarts.
I'm also surprised by the series of speeches that they make on the show. It reminds me a lot of Coach's diatribes on Glee without the snarky-ness.
Anyway, I recently added the show to my DVR list. Since it's on ABC I probably don't even need to record it because they make 5 episodes available.
and two seasons of Scandal.
I like many of you have seen the promos for Scandal but never watched the show. One of my co-workers told me last year it was good but I didn't have time for it. Of course as the shows I love go off the air (Fringe), it creates openings (Vampire Diaries).
So, I watched the two seasons of Scandal over the past few days and I must say I'm torn. The first seven episodes were great. But this romance between the President and Olivia doesn't do it for me. It seems to be all about aggressive booty calls and not real emotion.
I'm probably one of the only people who was happy that the President found out about the voting scheme and was pissed off at everyone. Yeah. It was over between him and Olivia. I found the relationship stereotypical and old. The flashbacks to before the election were dull. I fast-forwarded through them.
WARNING SPOILER
I don't understand why the judge tried to assassinate the president. She thought he wasn't legitimate? Damn right. And it didn't bother her when the V.P. was trying to get her to resign. In fact she framed another man for the crime that she committed. It would have made more sense if the V.P. or someone who would have benefited from his death was the culprit. The attempted assassination was a great storyline and it was well done that it looked like it was the evil businessman and yet it wasn't. But picking the judge didn't make sense and was a weak ending. Ok, the president killed her (by pressing down on her abdomen?). I knew he was going to kill her but thought he'd smother her with a pillow.
It is interesting that the show runners have sustained a single story line for 29 episodes -- the affair between Olivia and the President. Considering I'm a fan of Gray's Anatomy, I am surprised by the clever twists and turns of the plots but the emotion and genuine friendship I feel on Gray's is not present on Scandal. It's like you have to trade emotion for smarts.
I'm also surprised by the series of speeches that they make on the show. It reminds me a lot of Coach's diatribes on Glee without the snarky-ness.
Anyway, I recently added the show to my DVR list. Since it's on ABC I probably don't even need to record it because they make 5 episodes available.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Boston Bombers will not ruin community spirit
It's taken me a few days to process what's happened in Boston.
I know everyone in the country has been affected by the horror. I feel a particular attachment to the city chosen to terrorize and the event used as vehicle to kill people.
In the mid-1990s I lived on Hemenway Street in Boston, about 1.5 miles from the bombing site, when I went to graduate school. I also lived in Somerville, about 7 miles from Watertown. Boston is a metropolitan area of many small cities. It's interconnected by the T and was hard to distinguish between Boston and Brookline or Cambridge and Somerville.
In my first year there I covered the Boston Marathon for the Wellesley Townsman. My job was to interview folks as they got to the top of gigantic hill near Wellesley College.
I don't remember what I wrote but I do remember the experience. As a runner, I understood the value of the exercise but I had no desire to run a marathon. I didn't run my own marathon until 10 years later and I chose a course with very few hills.
I loved my time in Boston and made great friends. It's an amazing city full of intelligent and compassionate people.
It's particularly bothersome to me that the bombers chose a marathon event to target for mass casualties. My husband and I talked about it today. When we saw the carnage at the Boston Marathon finish line I immediately thought of my husband and daughter waiting for me at the top of the last hill at the Detroit Marathon finish line last fall. I ran the half and my family members were there to cheer me on as I ran the last few hundred feet. I gave my husband and my daughter a hug and my husband whispered for me to finish strong. Strangers standing nearby yelled encouragement to me and it lifted my spirit. It really does. It's like you are running this event and you want to do well for other people other than yourself. You feel like these people have faith me and you don't want to let them down.
I told my husband that I didn't want to stop running half or full marathons. I didn't want these bombers to scare us from accomplishing our running goals.
My husband told me he and my daughter would be at every finish line of every race I ran. He said he'd be looking around for suspicious activity and making sure he didn't stand near any abandoned bags.
That may sound silly but it did make me feel a bit relieved. Thousands of people take part in running races every weekend. I'm sure the bombers didn't think about the terror they'd strike in the hearts of runners world wide but they did. They didn't just violate the city of Boston but also damaged a sport that many of us do to maintain fitness and good health.
I hope that marathons continue unimpeded and with the joy they give the runners and the community folks who come out to cheer us on and support us in our brutal pursuits. The best part of a marathon is running by people who are unrelated to you and yet are cheering you on toward your victory. It's one of those selfless acts and it's particularly upsetting that the three people who died, Martin Richards, Krystle Campbell, Lingzi Lu, were bystanders watching the runners and cheering them on.
They were there to support family or friends or just to enjoy a wonderful community event.
I know everyone in the country has been affected by the horror. I feel a particular attachment to the city chosen to terrorize and the event used as vehicle to kill people.
In the mid-1990s I lived on Hemenway Street in Boston, about 1.5 miles from the bombing site, when I went to graduate school. I also lived in Somerville, about 7 miles from Watertown. Boston is a metropolitan area of many small cities. It's interconnected by the T and was hard to distinguish between Boston and Brookline or Cambridge and Somerville.
In my first year there I covered the Boston Marathon for the Wellesley Townsman. My job was to interview folks as they got to the top of gigantic hill near Wellesley College.
I don't remember what I wrote but I do remember the experience. As a runner, I understood the value of the exercise but I had no desire to run a marathon. I didn't run my own marathon until 10 years later and I chose a course with very few hills.
I loved my time in Boston and made great friends. It's an amazing city full of intelligent and compassionate people.
It's particularly bothersome to me that the bombers chose a marathon event to target for mass casualties. My husband and I talked about it today. When we saw the carnage at the Boston Marathon finish line I immediately thought of my husband and daughter waiting for me at the top of the last hill at the Detroit Marathon finish line last fall. I ran the half and my family members were there to cheer me on as I ran the last few hundred feet. I gave my husband and my daughter a hug and my husband whispered for me to finish strong. Strangers standing nearby yelled encouragement to me and it lifted my spirit. It really does. It's like you are running this event and you want to do well for other people other than yourself. You feel like these people have faith me and you don't want to let them down.
I told my husband that I didn't want to stop running half or full marathons. I didn't want these bombers to scare us from accomplishing our running goals.
My husband told me he and my daughter would be at every finish line of every race I ran. He said he'd be looking around for suspicious activity and making sure he didn't stand near any abandoned bags.
That may sound silly but it did make me feel a bit relieved. Thousands of people take part in running races every weekend. I'm sure the bombers didn't think about the terror they'd strike in the hearts of runners world wide but they did. They didn't just violate the city of Boston but also damaged a sport that many of us do to maintain fitness and good health.
I hope that marathons continue unimpeded and with the joy they give the runners and the community folks who come out to cheer us on and support us in our brutal pursuits. The best part of a marathon is running by people who are unrelated to you and yet are cheering you on toward your victory. It's one of those selfless acts and it's particularly upsetting that the three people who died, Martin Richards, Krystle Campbell, Lingzi Lu, were bystanders watching the runners and cheering them on.
They were there to support family or friends or just to enjoy a wonderful community event.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Showtime's Homeland good but rubs me wrong way
While I can't walk on my foot 22 of 24 hours, I am getting seriously caught up on Showtime's Homeland.
I just finished season 2 and am torn by the events in the finale.
Actually throughout the season Carrie embarrassed me or ticked me off.
I loved it when Sol said she was the smartest and dumbest person he knew because she sometimes took DUMB to a new level.
She is still seriously unstable and made very irrational choices. Yes, they often paid off and she was always right. Carrie always solves the case even if she has to use crazy to get there.
I was very disappointed at the end that she was giving up her career for Brody.
Why do television shows have to do that? I can't be the only viewer who is not attached to the Carrie/Brody hookup. I do not see love there. I see weakness. I see a lustful affair that will burn out when they discover who each other really is.
That's why I did like the very end with Brody on the run and Carrie returning to her job. I could not watch a full season of Carrie/Brody on the run.
Now I guess she'll work on the inside to protect Brody and find the real terrorists.
I was hoping she'd take an interest in government assassin Peter. I liked him although he couldn't control Carrie anymore than anyone else.
I just finished season 2 and am torn by the events in the finale.
Actually throughout the season Carrie embarrassed me or ticked me off.
I loved it when Sol said she was the smartest and dumbest person he knew because she sometimes took DUMB to a new level.
She is still seriously unstable and made very irrational choices. Yes, they often paid off and she was always right. Carrie always solves the case even if she has to use crazy to get there.
I was very disappointed at the end that she was giving up her career for Brody.
Why do television shows have to do that? I can't be the only viewer who is not attached to the Carrie/Brody hookup. I do not see love there. I see weakness. I see a lustful affair that will burn out when they discover who each other really is.
That's why I did like the very end with Brody on the run and Carrie returning to her job. I could not watch a full season of Carrie/Brody on the run.
Now I guess she'll work on the inside to protect Brody and find the real terrorists.
I was hoping she'd take an interest in government assassin Peter. I liked him although he couldn't control Carrie anymore than anyone else.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Homeland rivals Vampire Diaries for my interest
While recovering from foot surgery I am getting my fill of televisions series I have wanted to watch but not had the time.
So far I've watched the entire first season of Showtime's Homeland and it's pretty amazing. Every episode is different and exciting.
I'm not a keen of characters with mental illness but Carrie is a good mix of mostly sane and insane creativity.
I do wonder how they will stretch out the Sgt. Brody character much past the first season. It would be ridiculous for him to become president.
Anyway, this is a fabulous show and well worth the investment.
So far I've watched the entire first season of Showtime's Homeland and it's pretty amazing. Every episode is different and exciting.
I'm not a keen of characters with mental illness but Carrie is a good mix of mostly sane and insane creativity.
I do wonder how they will stretch out the Sgt. Brody character much past the first season. It would be ridiculous for him to become president.
Anyway, this is a fabulous show and well worth the investment.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
New Parent Survival Guide will be free tomorrow
The New Parent Survival Guide will be free tomorrow on Amazon from midnight to 11:59 p.m.
Get your copy during the 24 hour sale.
Thanks for your interest.
Get your copy during the 24 hour sale.
Thanks for your interest.
Additions to YA novel sample Cursed now online
While I am at home recovering from foot surgery I plan to finish YA novel Cursed and its sequel or two. I am very ambitious, perhaps too much so. My husband always says my eyes are bigger than my stomach.
He's not so much talking about food as he is my expectations.
I envisioned this story running 7 parts with some story lines continuing book to book with independent plots for each book.
Cursed is about 60 per cent done and I hope to have it finished in a week or so. That may sound fast but I am stuck on the couch with an elevated foot and have now been doing rewrites for five hours straight. The sad part is it's been five hours of rewriting Chapter One.
Which brings me to the reason for this blog. In addition to the prologue for Cursed, I have posted Chapter One.
Feel free to send feedback to monicawolfsonwrites@gmailcom
Happy Reading.
He's not so much talking about food as he is my expectations.
I envisioned this story running 7 parts with some story lines continuing book to book with independent plots for each book.
Cursed is about 60 per cent done and I hope to have it finished in a week or so. That may sound fast but I am stuck on the couch with an elevated foot and have now been doing rewrites for five hours straight. The sad part is it's been five hours of rewriting Chapter One.
Which brings me to the reason for this blog. In addition to the prologue for Cursed, I have posted Chapter One.
Feel free to send feedback to monicawolfsonwrites@gmailcom
Happy Reading.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
My 3-year-old is already a teenager
I can see the future and it has me worried.
Since the time change on March 10, I've had to drag my munchkin out of bed each morning to get her to daycare. She screams for us to turn off the lights. This morning she insisted it wasn't morning yet and demanded I leave the room.
On the flip side, after the time change in November she was getting up at 6-630 a.m. even on the weekends. That lasted until the time changed in March. I have been enjoying sleeping in on the weekends until 730, gasp, even 8 a.m. last Sunday, so I feel bad complaining.
So I'm not. If she wants to be grumpy, fine. The best way to get her out of her mood is to say she's wearing her "grumpy pants." Oh my! "Oh the indignity," as Gordon would say. I will get Chloe to do her Gordon imitation and post the video. It's amazing.
So, I'm putting up with the whining and protests but I'm not sure I'm going to be as patient when she's 14.
She has my husband's wake up genes or my sister's.
When the alarm goes off, I get up. I rarely hit snooze. That's because I have my morning set to the minute. The alarm goes off at precisely the time I need to get up, wash and dress.
My husband, on the other hand, used to set the alarm and hour earlier and hit snooze for an hour. This nearly ended our marriage. I was losing an hour of sleep just so my husband could hit the snooze button. Unlike him, once I wake up, I rarely fall back asleep.
So, this morning I told my husband my daughter was all his when we hit the teen years. He protested that I will have to get her up at 5:30 a.m. so she can catch the 6 a.m. bus to high school. (in our town high school starts at 7 a.m. -- crazy -- bad idea.)
I protested and he claimed since I am the "morning person," it will be my duty.
I have 11 years to think of a counter argument.
Since the time change on March 10, I've had to drag my munchkin out of bed each morning to get her to daycare. She screams for us to turn off the lights. This morning she insisted it wasn't morning yet and demanded I leave the room.
On the flip side, after the time change in November she was getting up at 6-630 a.m. even on the weekends. That lasted until the time changed in March. I have been enjoying sleeping in on the weekends until 730, gasp, even 8 a.m. last Sunday, so I feel bad complaining.
So I'm not. If she wants to be grumpy, fine. The best way to get her out of her mood is to say she's wearing her "grumpy pants." Oh my! "Oh the indignity," as Gordon would say. I will get Chloe to do her Gordon imitation and post the video. It's amazing.
So, I'm putting up with the whining and protests but I'm not sure I'm going to be as patient when she's 14.
She has my husband's wake up genes or my sister's.
When the alarm goes off, I get up. I rarely hit snooze. That's because I have my morning set to the minute. The alarm goes off at precisely the time I need to get up, wash and dress.
My husband, on the other hand, used to set the alarm and hour earlier and hit snooze for an hour. This nearly ended our marriage. I was losing an hour of sleep just so my husband could hit the snooze button. Unlike him, once I wake up, I rarely fall back asleep.
So, this morning I told my husband my daughter was all his when we hit the teen years. He protested that I will have to get her up at 5:30 a.m. so she can catch the 6 a.m. bus to high school. (in our town high school starts at 7 a.m. -- crazy -- bad idea.)
I protested and he claimed since I am the "morning person," it will be my duty.
I have 11 years to think of a counter argument.
Monday, March 18, 2013
The Survival Guide for New Parents is going to be exclusive to Amazon for the next three months. It's not about a preference for the service, although createspace made it super easy to publish the book. It has more to do with not getting my butt in gear and making a book cover for the other sales agents.
I should have picked the exclusivity button from the start then I'd already have a month in. Doesn't really matter. This gives me time to get the book cover ready for the next release on B&N, Apple, etc.
I also have one little piece of pride. One person who bought the book also took my recommendation and also bought Baby 411. I'm so happy that someone read the book and took away some of the advice.
I'm just proud that someone listened to me. As the youngest of three, no one ever listens to me.
I should have picked the exclusivity button from the start then I'd already have a month in. Doesn't really matter. This gives me time to get the book cover ready for the next release on B&N, Apple, etc.
I also have one little piece of pride. One person who bought the book also took my recommendation and also bought Baby 411. I'm so happy that someone read the book and took away some of the advice.
I'm just proud that someone listened to me. As the youngest of three, no one ever listens to me.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Don't forget to post a review
I'm really proud of my New Parents Survival Guide. My sales are modest but I'm happy to get it out there and help some other folks who are seeking advice.
I just encourage folks to post reviews on Amazon, even if you didn't like it. I'm OK with honesty.
I just encourage folks to post reviews on Amazon, even if you didn't like it. I'm OK with honesty.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Vampire Diaries is my new favorite show
I know it's weird that I just started watching a show in its fourth season. Forgive me. I've been busy.
The latest episode wasn't all that surprising. Jeremy appears to really be dead. He's even starting to rot.
Tyler is definitely gone. And Elena burned the house and has gone native.
OK. So we'll see how this plays out. What I found interesting isn't what was in the show.
It's what I read online about a new spinoff series called the Originals starring Klaus, his last surviving brother and now his sister.
The pilot is going to be one of the April episodes of the Vampire Diaries.
I must say, this is intriguing. I love Klaus and even Rebekah, she's so sad with her pathetic vulnerability. I even like Elijah. I'm a little worried about what kind of stories they'll be telling.
The only series that work with the bad guy as the lead are ones where he's actually got a human side like Dexter or the guy in Breaking Bad.
Klaus has rarely shown a vulnerable side. I loved the scene with Caroline when he saved her of course after biting her because he loved her but those moments are few and far between. Also, I don't see Caroline leaving the Vampire Diaries.
The departure of the Originals makes room for Silus though.
So I was wrong on the next person to die. It was Khol, not Rebekah. But it was an original!!! And the real professor, he's dead in the forest and Silus has taken on his appearance.
The latest episode wasn't all that surprising. Jeremy appears to really be dead. He's even starting to rot.
Tyler is definitely gone. And Elena burned the house and has gone native.
OK. So we'll see how this plays out. What I found interesting isn't what was in the show.
It's what I read online about a new spinoff series called the Originals starring Klaus, his last surviving brother and now his sister.
The pilot is going to be one of the April episodes of the Vampire Diaries.
I must say, this is intriguing. I love Klaus and even Rebekah, she's so sad with her pathetic vulnerability. I even like Elijah. I'm a little worried about what kind of stories they'll be telling.
The only series that work with the bad guy as the lead are ones where he's actually got a human side like Dexter or the guy in Breaking Bad.
Klaus has rarely shown a vulnerable side. I loved the scene with Caroline when he saved her of course after biting her because he loved her but those moments are few and far between. Also, I don't see Caroline leaving the Vampire Diaries.
The departure of the Originals makes room for Silus though.
So I was wrong on the next person to die. It was Khol, not Rebekah. But it was an original!!! And the real professor, he's dead in the forest and Silus has taken on his appearance.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Toddler Tip #1
This problem has happened to me twice now even though I thought I had self corrected.
It's really hard to predict how fast or slow your kid will grow.
Last spring, my daughter's feet grew like weeds. One day she was wearing a six, the next it was seven and inbetween I had bought her $55 shoes. It was so frustrating.
It was another story with the clothes. My daughter grew out of her tops in March but it was too cold to wear short-sleeves.
I could not find any long-sleeved shirts in any stores. I found a couple of strange tops in the clearance section but other than that the stores were devoid of winter clothes.
It's a good thing we had a warm spring so the need for long-sleeved shirts wasn't needed for too long.
Well, last fall I bought size 3 pants for my girl even though the size 2 pants still fit. The mistake I made was buying three pairs of jeans. My daughter has an addiction to sweat pants and has so far refused to wear the jeans -- it's been six months and I don't think she's going to change her mind.
So, I'm down to four or five pairs of sweat pants and a couple of leggings. She cut a hole in one pair of leggings, so that takes us down to one pair.
So this weekend I set out to find some more pants. My daughter has been having protest potty accidents and she went through three pairs of pants on Saturday.
So, I went to Target, etc. It's only the end of February but no one is selling long pants. Everything in the shops was spring dresses or jeans. They treat kids clothes just like adults; fashion over function.
Today I was in Wal-Mart and did find some sweat pants tucked away in some low shelf. They had no size 4 pairs, only three. It's a good thing they were only $2.50.
So, lesson here is buy everything you need before the season starts and make sure you know what your kid will or will not wear.
It's really hard to predict how fast or slow your kid will grow.
Last spring, my daughter's feet grew like weeds. One day she was wearing a six, the next it was seven and inbetween I had bought her $55 shoes. It was so frustrating.
It was another story with the clothes. My daughter grew out of her tops in March but it was too cold to wear short-sleeves.
I could not find any long-sleeved shirts in any stores. I found a couple of strange tops in the clearance section but other than that the stores were devoid of winter clothes.
It's a good thing we had a warm spring so the need for long-sleeved shirts wasn't needed for too long.
Well, last fall I bought size 3 pants for my girl even though the size 2 pants still fit. The mistake I made was buying three pairs of jeans. My daughter has an addiction to sweat pants and has so far refused to wear the jeans -- it's been six months and I don't think she's going to change her mind.
So, I'm down to four or five pairs of sweat pants and a couple of leggings. She cut a hole in one pair of leggings, so that takes us down to one pair.
So this weekend I set out to find some more pants. My daughter has been having protest potty accidents and she went through three pairs of pants on Saturday.
So, I went to Target, etc. It's only the end of February but no one is selling long pants. Everything in the shops was spring dresses or jeans. They treat kids clothes just like adults; fashion over function.
Today I was in Wal-Mart and did find some sweat pants tucked away in some low shelf. They had no size 4 pairs, only three. It's a good thing they were only $2.50.
So, lesson here is buy everything you need before the season starts and make sure you know what your kid will or will not wear.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Vampire Diaries shocker
I just watched the episode from last week on the weekend while making chili.
That's how I watch TV these days. The kid and hubby are out of the house, I cook and catch up with whatever is on the DVR.
Holy Cow. Vampire Diaries does a good job at killing off its characters. For the first few seasons you always knew those temporary new characters were destined to die by the time they appeared in the fourth or fifth episode.
Then some stuck around and lately they've not been knocking people off.
But since Christmas it's like the show runners want to pare down the cast. Tyler's mom? Drowned.
Jeremy? drained of blood. Tyler? Banished until Klaus kills him.
I feel that Rebeka is next. Or maybe even Klaus because it seems that Silus is the new big bad. You can't have two big bads. It's the Buffy the Vampire Slayer formula. One big bad per season.
While I love Klaus, the originals story line is getting a bit tired. How many times can he threaten to kill everyone?
Catherine's return was a bit of a surprise but I knew that Silus wasn't going to get the cure and it would go to one of our favorite Scoobie gang.
Part of me thinks the show folks who be sick enough to have Rebeka get the cure and Klaus kills her.
I don't think it will go to Elena, too predictable.
All this talk about Silus bringing back the dead, that could be interesting. If he can do it, why wouldn't he bring back Jeremy? The teen who provided him with life?
In the scuffle in the caves, I lost sight of the other hunter. Where was he?
That's how I watch TV these days. The kid and hubby are out of the house, I cook and catch up with whatever is on the DVR.
Holy Cow. Vampire Diaries does a good job at killing off its characters. For the first few seasons you always knew those temporary new characters were destined to die by the time they appeared in the fourth or fifth episode.
Then some stuck around and lately they've not been knocking people off.
But since Christmas it's like the show runners want to pare down the cast. Tyler's mom? Drowned.
Jeremy? drained of blood. Tyler? Banished until Klaus kills him.
I feel that Rebeka is next. Or maybe even Klaus because it seems that Silus is the new big bad. You can't have two big bads. It's the Buffy the Vampire Slayer formula. One big bad per season.
While I love Klaus, the originals story line is getting a bit tired. How many times can he threaten to kill everyone?
Catherine's return was a bit of a surprise but I knew that Silus wasn't going to get the cure and it would go to one of our favorite Scoobie gang.
Part of me thinks the show folks who be sick enough to have Rebeka get the cure and Klaus kills her.
I don't think it will go to Elena, too predictable.
All this talk about Silus bringing back the dead, that could be interesting. If he can do it, why wouldn't he bring back Jeremy? The teen who provided him with life?
In the scuffle in the caves, I lost sight of the other hunter. Where was he?
Friday, February 15, 2013
New Parent Survival Guide available at Amazon
Despite reading all about self publishing, the articles in Writer's Digest don't really do the process justice and explain the ordeal you have to go through.
First off, one article said traditional publishing can take as long as it does to incubate an infant, while epublishing takes as long as boiling an egg.
While that is a clever line, it's completely untrue. I think it took three evenings, probably six hours, to upload my book to Create Space and create the book cover. Boiling an egg is 10 minutes.
The book publishing systems, including Amazon, take 12 to 36 hours to approve the copy and cover of a book. None of this is instantaneous. At it shouldn't be.
But I must say, I am very tempted to just sell my New Parent Survival Guide on Amazon alone.
There are a lot of other publishing outfits but none as simple as Amazon has made it through Createspace.com, which Amazon owns. That process created the ability to buy a paperback and ebook version of my book. It also made making a book cover simple and professional.
So right now my book is only available at Amazon. http://amzn.to/XUI3Ag
I am in the process of uploading my book to Smashwords so that I can send it off to all the other ebook retailers but first I have to design a book cover.
This is the biggest hurdle and frankly, where I have felt the most stress in this ebook book publication business. I know a cover is uber important to the success of a book.
But there are no templates available out there. Createspace has a bunch you can use and makes creating a cover super easy.
So, I am resorting to using Gimp to manipulate the photo I have used on Amazon to make a cover. I have found a You Tube video telling me how to use Gimp to make a book cover and I'll be spending a few hours this weekend doing that.
I have to thank the woman who made the video. Otherwise, I'd have to resort to borrowing one of the photographer's laptops at work to use Photoshop.
My husband pointed out to me that if you want instructions for anything, check YouTube first because it's highly likely someone has made a video.
Just tonight my husband used a YouTube video for instructions on how to repair the clock in my car, which required him taking half of the dashboard off.
I have dived back into writing one of my young adult novels and I hope to have that finished in the next couple of months.
Thanks for listening. Read on.
First off, one article said traditional publishing can take as long as it does to incubate an infant, while epublishing takes as long as boiling an egg.
While that is a clever line, it's completely untrue. I think it took three evenings, probably six hours, to upload my book to Create Space and create the book cover. Boiling an egg is 10 minutes.
The book publishing systems, including Amazon, take 12 to 36 hours to approve the copy and cover of a book. None of this is instantaneous. At it shouldn't be.
But I must say, I am very tempted to just sell my New Parent Survival Guide on Amazon alone.
There are a lot of other publishing outfits but none as simple as Amazon has made it through Createspace.com, which Amazon owns. That process created the ability to buy a paperback and ebook version of my book. It also made making a book cover simple and professional.
So right now my book is only available at Amazon. http://amzn.to/XUI3Ag
I am in the process of uploading my book to Smashwords so that I can send it off to all the other ebook retailers but first I have to design a book cover.
This is the biggest hurdle and frankly, where I have felt the most stress in this ebook book publication business. I know a cover is uber important to the success of a book.
But there are no templates available out there. Createspace has a bunch you can use and makes creating a cover super easy.
So, I am resorting to using Gimp to manipulate the photo I have used on Amazon to make a cover. I have found a You Tube video telling me how to use Gimp to make a book cover and I'll be spending a few hours this weekend doing that.
I have to thank the woman who made the video. Otherwise, I'd have to resort to borrowing one of the photographer's laptops at work to use Photoshop.
My husband pointed out to me that if you want instructions for anything, check YouTube first because it's highly likely someone has made a video.
Just tonight my husband used a YouTube video for instructions on how to repair the clock in my car, which required him taking half of the dashboard off.
I have dived back into writing one of my young adult novels and I hope to have that finished in the next couple of months.
Thanks for listening. Read on.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
New Parents Guide coming out Monday
With great relief and little fanfare, The New Parent Survival Guide is coming out Monday.
If you are expecting your first child, read this 53-page booklet to know how to survive the first year after birth. It's full of tips and advice. It's a nice handy companion to the expert books that you are probably reading.
I wrote this booklet for one main reason: I got such great advice and if I didn't write it down I was going to forget it. I have passed on some of the tips in the booklet and my friends were so grateful that I felt compelled to share with the rest of the frightened new parents waiting anxiously for the birth of their first child.
Can I say the book cover is so cute? It stars my daughter in her most lovable state - sleeping.
I do not have the photo handy as I'm writing this post remotely. I will update it tonight with the picture.
The publication of the booklet also clears the way for me to get the two young adult books I've been laboring over published. I won't state the publication goal date because I feel it's putting unnecessary pressure on me. The only deadline is the one I have in my head and I'm not going to share it right now.
Not surprising, I was delayed again --- you've heard this lament a million times -- but we all got the flu two weeks ago and are still recovering. I hardly slept for three days and am only now catching up. It's the same story for my husband and daughter.
Next year I will not miss my flu shot, even if I have to get it in August.
If you are expecting your first child, read this 53-page booklet to know how to survive the first year after birth. It's full of tips and advice. It's a nice handy companion to the expert books that you are probably reading.
I wrote this booklet for one main reason: I got such great advice and if I didn't write it down I was going to forget it. I have passed on some of the tips in the booklet and my friends were so grateful that I felt compelled to share with the rest of the frightened new parents waiting anxiously for the birth of their first child.
Can I say the book cover is so cute? It stars my daughter in her most lovable state - sleeping.
I do not have the photo handy as I'm writing this post remotely. I will update it tonight with the picture.
The publication of the booklet also clears the way for me to get the two young adult books I've been laboring over published. I won't state the publication goal date because I feel it's putting unnecessary pressure on me. The only deadline is the one I have in my head and I'm not going to share it right now.
Not surprising, I was delayed again --- you've heard this lament a million times -- but we all got the flu two weeks ago and are still recovering. I hardly slept for three days and am only now catching up. It's the same story for my husband and daughter.
Next year I will not miss my flu shot, even if I have to get it in August.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Glad I'm not a bank teller
The guide for new parents is almost done. I should be able to meet my self-imposed deadline and have it online by mid-February.
Life has just become so much work for me. I know I complain a lot. That's my charm.
Every night I try and squeak in an hour of writing. I don't always succeed. Right now my priority is the guide. Before it was the former Virus book. I don't have much more than three or four hours a week to write.
It makes me very frustrated that I don't have more time but I don't know where I'd get it. It's 8:30 p.m. and I've just sat down at the computer.
Now it's 8:35 p.m. and I've just returned from upstairs searching for the origins of a huge crash noise. I was a little freaked after searching every room and finding nothing. My husband discovered a shampoo bottle fell off a shelf in the family bathroom. We must have a ghost because no one was in that room moving around.
So, I'm going to cut this short because I'm writing the guide.When I'm having a crisis of confidence I wonder if I'm wasting my time. I guess I'll know in a few months.
I hope that folks will take a chance on my stories and enjoy them.
That brings me to my assignment today. I don't talk much about work. That's another reason why I don't feel like writing because I do it every day for work.
Anyway, I covered a couple of Criminal Injuries Compensation Board hearings.
The first one was a guy who got stabbed. The second one was profound. It was a woman who had worked at a bank for 35 years. She - TWICE - was the teller on duty when the bank was robbed. The first robbery was violent with men in masks with guns.
The second one was a man with a knife.
The woman is now a mess. I almost cried during the hearing. She suffers from post traumatic stress syndrome, depression, anxiety and is really struggling to live a normal life. She hasn't been able to go back to being a teller because she's afraid of dealing with the public. Who can blame her?
I have covered several bank robberies in my career and I always wondered what happens to the tellers. Well, now I know.
Life has just become so much work for me. I know I complain a lot. That's my charm.
Every night I try and squeak in an hour of writing. I don't always succeed. Right now my priority is the guide. Before it was the former Virus book. I don't have much more than three or four hours a week to write.
It makes me very frustrated that I don't have more time but I don't know where I'd get it. It's 8:30 p.m. and I've just sat down at the computer.
Now it's 8:35 p.m. and I've just returned from upstairs searching for the origins of a huge crash noise. I was a little freaked after searching every room and finding nothing. My husband discovered a shampoo bottle fell off a shelf in the family bathroom. We must have a ghost because no one was in that room moving around.
So, I'm going to cut this short because I'm writing the guide.When I'm having a crisis of confidence I wonder if I'm wasting my time. I guess I'll know in a few months.
I hope that folks will take a chance on my stories and enjoy them.
That brings me to my assignment today. I don't talk much about work. That's another reason why I don't feel like writing because I do it every day for work.
Anyway, I covered a couple of Criminal Injuries Compensation Board hearings.
The first one was a guy who got stabbed. The second one was profound. It was a woman who had worked at a bank for 35 years. She - TWICE - was the teller on duty when the bank was robbed. The first robbery was violent with men in masks with guns.
The second one was a man with a knife.
The woman is now a mess. I almost cried during the hearing. She suffers from post traumatic stress syndrome, depression, anxiety and is really struggling to live a normal life. She hasn't been able to go back to being a teller because she's afraid of dealing with the public. Who can blame her?
I have covered several bank robberies in my career and I always wondered what happens to the tellers. Well, now I know.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Revisions bogging me down
I am making major revisions to my book. After re-reading the book several times, I couldn't get over the fact that one of the male lead characters was so unappealing I had to get rid of him.
So, I've spent some time thinking about what kind of guy I want him to be and have started the revisions. I'll be re posting a new first two chapters soon.
This is one of the things I so dislike about writing. It can be such a slog and so much work.
I do a lot of whining in this space. So I shall finish on a positive note.
With the changes I'm going to make, I think it will drastically improve the book and the romance element.
See you soon.
So, I've spent some time thinking about what kind of guy I want him to be and have started the revisions. I'll be re posting a new first two chapters soon.
This is one of the things I so dislike about writing. It can be such a slog and so much work.
I do a lot of whining in this space. So I shall finish on a positive note.
With the changes I'm going to make, I think it will drastically improve the book and the romance element.
See you soon.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Survival guide coming out in February for new parents
Because I secretly have ADD (not) I am putting out a survival guide for new parents in February.
I'm doing this before I forget all the wonderful tips I learned or were passed on to me before I had my now 3 1/2 year old.
I'll be publishing it as an e-book on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. I'm thinking of pricing it at $1.49. It will only be about 50-pages full of useful information.
This is not a booklet repeating all the information already out there. It's interesting that you can read a ton of books before you have your baby and yet still know nothing!!!
I mean, did you know there were sleeper swaddling sacks with Velcro arms that are super easy substitutes for doing that incredibly complicated wrap to keep your kid swaddled? Did you know that Mylicon is one of the only essential must have you need beside diapers and wipes?
If you learned anything, you'll want to check out the booklet. I also have a section on all the useless crap they sell you at big box baby stores that you don't need.
In these hard times, the only thing you have to buy brand new is a bucket car seat and that's only if you can't borrow one.
For more check out the tab and online book stores in February.
I'm doing this before I forget all the wonderful tips I learned or were passed on to me before I had my now 3 1/2 year old.
I'll be publishing it as an e-book on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. I'm thinking of pricing it at $1.49. It will only be about 50-pages full of useful information.
This is not a booklet repeating all the information already out there. It's interesting that you can read a ton of books before you have your baby and yet still know nothing!!!
I mean, did you know there were sleeper swaddling sacks with Velcro arms that are super easy substitutes for doing that incredibly complicated wrap to keep your kid swaddled? Did you know that Mylicon is one of the only essential must have you need beside diapers and wipes?
If you learned anything, you'll want to check out the booklet. I also have a section on all the useless crap they sell you at big box baby stores that you don't need.
In these hard times, the only thing you have to buy brand new is a bucket car seat and that's only if you can't borrow one.
For more check out the tab and online book stores in February.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)