Contests

Contest News

This is a Sticky Note. Scroll Down for newer entries, please. If you know of any other contests in the blogosphere, let me know and I will add them.

Marianne is having her weekly book giveaway and she's now opening it for international readers as well. If you live in the US, you can choose a book from her library. If you live out of the US, you get a free download of one of her short stories from Wild Rose Press. So hurry over and leave a comment.

Lynn Viehl is sponsoring a "name that ship" contest: The commenter who has the winning name will receive a personal thank-you from me in the acknowledgments for Drednoc, my original artwork for the ship you've named (created and signed by me), a complete signed set of all seven StarDoc novels in print, and the very first copy of the final print edition of Drednoc that I get when it's published next year (also signed.) Check it out. Just don't pick a name better than the one I picked ;-)!

Susan and Janice are having another killer contest! Go, sign up, and tell the world about the nifty digital picture frame they are giving away. What a super cool idea... especially for people like me. Bob gave me a new camera for Christmas and it's nearly attached to my side, we use it so much! The frame would be a great way to display all the pictures I take. The deadline for this contest is Wednesday, April 25, at 12:30 pm Eastern.

Rush over to Laughing Mommy's blog and register to win a copy of Ocean Star. All you have to do is leave her a comment and she'll have a drawing on April 23.

With Mother's Day coming up, here's a chance to win jewelry valued at $250 for your mom from Designing Diva. You can find out all the details here. This is a chance to brush up on your writing skills for a chance to share with the world how "your mom rocks." Deadline: May 4.

Mothering Heights (I love that name) is offering a writing contest as well. The theme is Are You the Mother You Thought You Would Be?. Check out the prizes and rules here. I'm getting my pen out, because these prizes are AWESOME! Deadline for this contest is also May 4.

Don't forget about the Mother's Day Goodies Giveaway, sponsored by The ParTea Planner. Deadline is April 30.

Mundane Monday

A new weekly Monday meme: Mundane Monday, Mundane Monday is a new website meant to bring bloggers together. The idea is to cheer bloggers up on Mondays, and help them get over the Monday blues. Every week, there'll be a new question, game, or idea posted.

Today's topic is: 10 Interesting Things About Me

Well, I don't know how interesting these will be, but here we go.

1. One of my favorite vacations was a working vacation. One of my best friends, also a writer, and I went to Ireland, along with a non-writing friend, to research a book we were working on together. When I stepped foot on the Emerald Isle, I felt like I had come home. To this day, whenever I play the CD we bought on that trip, I'm transported back there.

2. When I was in college, I was in the Miss Andrew Pageant and was a finalist.

3. I lived in Morocco as a small child-- my father was in the navy and was stationed there. As a matter of fact, my younger sister was born there. Unfortunately, I was too young and have no real memories of it.

4. I do, however, have a lasting phobia because of my time there. I had been given a puppy and it bit me, right next to the eye. Because the puppy was too young to have had its shots and because it came from off-base, the doctors didn't want to take any chances, so I had to go through the rabies series of shots. To this day, it's difficult for me to see a needle.

5. Things are better, however. I force myself to give blood to try and overcome the phobia. Now, at least, when I have to get a shot, I don't kick and scream any more like I did when I was a kid.

6. On that same vein, one time at school they were giving everyone a TB test. My mother checked my arm every day for a week... to make sure there wasn't a reaction. A month or so later, Mama was talking to the school nurse and found out they'd never given me the test because I was so hysterical.

7. I lived in Brazil for three years. However, my Portuguese is very limited because: a. I taught in an English school and was required to speak English at all times b. I wrote in English all the time (I was working on my first book and had several poems published in Sol Magazine (you can see some of my poems by clicking on the links in the publications section of my sidebar), and c. we spoke English all the time in the house as a family. I could manage simple things, but have forgotten a lot of what I knew.

8. I have just been contacted by a Brazilian friend, however, who found my blog. I hope to improve my Portuguese by emailing her. Wish me luck!

9. I have joined Weight Watchers Online in an attempt to lose some of the weight I've put on. I started just after Easter and have lost about five pounds so far. I still have a long way to go, though. I just wish it was as easy to take off as it obviously was to put on!

10. We don't have the normal pets. My hubby and I work long hours and travel when we can, so we don't think it's fair to have a dog or cat that require a lot of attention and care. So our menagerie includes a parakeet (we are planning on getting her a friend...our daughter got her for us and she gets lonely, even though we leave the TV on for her), a turtle I rescued from our pool last year (he's getting big... and I need to buy him a bigger tank before he decides to climb out and wander the house), an aquarium frog (I had set up an aquarium and the frog was the only thing that survived... Ashley had named him Lord Voldemort...coincidence??), and a Siamese fighting fish.

Well, I managed to come up with ten things... how interesting they are, you'll have to be the judge. They are random anyway. Have a great Monday.

Mundane Monday

Friday's Feast

Friday's FeastBetter late than never

Appetizer
What is your favorite kind of bread? Homemade... fresh out of the oven and dripping with butter... mmmmmm

Soup
When was the last time you bought a new pillow? We bought new pillows a few months ago... I guess it's actually been nearly a year ago. We bought them for our place down at the shore and we've had it almost a year now. Boy, the time has gone by fast.

Salad
Approximately how many hours per week do you spend surfing the ‘net? Not as many as I would like! I usually spent about a hour a night reading blogs and visiting my writing groups. I try to spend any other time I have on the computer writing.

Main Course
What’s the highest you remember your temperature being?My temperature got up to 104 when I had the flu a couple of years ago.

Dessert
Fill in the blanks: When I ____________, I _____________.
When I write, I live.

For Heather

EDITED TO ADD: Chris of Notes From the Trenches is hosting a give-away for anyone who has donated to Heather. Just hop over to her site and leave a comment that you did. The outpouring of love for Heather and her family has been awesome. Thanks to everyone!

The blogosphere is a community. On my favorites, there are many people I come into contact with throughout the community. Many are writing friends-- people who understand the struggles of trying to get published. Some are authors who are already published-- mentors I can look to for inspiration. There are bloggers who support each other as we struggle to eat healthier and lose weight. I've made friends in the blogosphere who I can rejoice with when their children win honors or when they find out they are expecting a new little one. And, there are times in the blogosphere when we reach out to comfort someone who has lost a loved one or who has lost their way. It's been said that happiness shared is happiness doubled, and sorrow shared is sorrow halved. And... now we have the chance to reach out to a blogging friend in need.

I first met Heather during The Ultimate Blog Party and was taken by her wonderful spirit, her love for her family, and her love of life. You might have seen pictures of her daughter, Emma Grace on blogs around the blogosphere. Well, now Heather and her family are going through another crisis. Heather has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. BooMama is sponsoring a love offering for Heather and her family. Read about it here.

Have a blessed Wednesday and remember to tell your family you love them.
*****


Welcome to Three Word Wednesday.

Each week, I will post three (or more) random words. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to write something using all of those words. It can be a few lines, a story, a poem, anything. This is a writing exercise. It doesn't have to be perfect. The idea is to let your mind wander and write what it will. I'll also attempt to write something using the same three words.

Leave a comment if you participate.

This week's words are:
Pitch
Exit
Low

Fiona stood at the wire fence watching her goddaughter pitch. The ball shot straight and true right over home plate. The batter stood still, a baffled look on her face as the last strike of the game was called by the umpire. The crowd cheered as the Sellarsville Spartans won the championship. Fiona smiled as Lacey's teammates crowded around her, exchanging hugs.

Turning her back on the celebration, Fiona walked to the exit gate and to her car. Her heart wasn't in joining, though. Her spirits were as low as they'd been in a long time. She couldn't get Gary out of her thoughts. She knew things were over between them, so why was he still in her mind? Why couldn’t she just move on, put what they had had behind her and get on with her life?

You just met him at a very vulnerable time, she tried convincing herself as she put her car in drive and left the parking lot. Your parents had just died. You'd just broken your engagement with a man you thought you had loved. Miss Matilda had been killed. You were just waiting for someone like Gary to come in.

No matter how much she tried to believe that, it didn't work. What she and Gary had was different. Special. She had never connected with another man the way she had with Gary. No matter what Claudia said was going on, no matter what things looked like, she was going to fight for what she and Gary had. Unless and until he told her for himself that he didn't love her any more.

Monday Memories

Monday Memories: Did I ever tell you about MY CHICKEN ENCOUNTER? When I lived in Brazil, I ran into things I'd never encountered before. Most of them were great: inexpensive meat, many different kinds of fruits, seafood galore. Well, one day I went to the store and bought a chicken. I took it home, turned on the filtered water to fill up my cooking pot, pulled the giblets out of the inside, and plopped them in the cooking pot. I began washing the chicken and getting off the tiny pinfeathers. I could tell the pot was about filled with water, so I turned off the water and picked up the pot to move it to the stove. There... floating in the water and looking at me... was a chicken head! Yes, my friends, not only do you get giblets when you buy a whole chicken in Brazil.. you get the feet and head as well. I have to admit it. I screamed. I tossed the pot. Everything went on the floor and everyone came running to see what had happened. And... me? I only bought chicken already cut up after that.

Click here for the Monday Memories codeClick here for Shelli's blog




View More Monday Memories Participants

You paid attention during 100% of high school!

85-100% You must be an autodidact, because American high schools don't get scores that high! Good show, old chap!

Do you deserve your high school diploma?
Create a Quiz

Feast 139

Woo-Hoo! Exciting week, this. First a book in the mail and now I'm the winner of Marianne's last contest. She has another one starting today so rush over and leave a comment here. The contest will run until next Thursday, April 19, at 7 PM EST. Good luck. Don't you just love contests?

***

It's time for Friday's Feast again. If you decide to play along, leave a comment at the site above and let me know too. It's a fun way to get to know a little bit about each other here in the blogosphere. It's interesting to see the similarities and differences.


Appetizer
When you were a child, which crayon color was your favorite? Any of the blue shades. Cornflower and turquoise were my favorites among the blues. And, blue is still my "favorite" color... even though I wear mostly blacks and reds.

Soup
On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being highest), how likely would you be to change jobs if it required you to move? If the money was way better, and it was a job I would enjoy,... you bet! Well... it depends on where. I don't do cold.

Salad
Take all the numbers in your birthday and your phone number and add them up, one by one. What’s the total? Numbers or numerals? Does nobody remember that distiction from school? "numbers"- the total is 6582. "numerals"- the total is 75.

Main Course
Have you ever “re-gifted” anything? If so, what was it and who did you pass it on to? I've received books and movies before that I already had copies of, and I've gifted those to other friends.

Dessert
Name something you need from the store. I just did my monthly shopping this week. Let me see...nope, I don't need anything. Trust me... that's not normal! Usually there's SOMETHING I've forgotten!

New Contests/ RIP

Late breaking news. Kurt Vonnegut had died. Such sad news. I really enjoyed his work.

A new blogging friend, Risa, is hosting her first annual Mother's Day ParTea Goodies Giveaway. You don't have to be a mother in enter, but you do have to appreciate tea stuff. Go and sign up.

***

Paperback Writer is running a Bookwish Giveaway/Readers Poll on her site. You have to leave a comment at this post before midnight EST, tonight. So... hurry up.

***

This isn't a contest, but it's fun. I swiped this from Kailani of "An Island Life."

*Go to Google
*Click on Maps
*Click on Get Directions
*Type in from New York, New York to Paris, France
*Check out line #23

Go on... you know you want to!

***

And now it's time to go.

I Love Surprises!

And, Jill really surprised me. Bob and I were just coming in from work this evening when our UPS driver pulled in the driveway behind us. I walked up to his truck, wondering what he was there for, 'cause I hadn't ordered anything. Much to my delight and surprise, he pulled out a package from Barnes and Noble. Jill bought me a book for BAFAB Week-- Catching Genius, by Kristy Kiernan, one of the Debs from The Debuntante Ball. Jill, thanks so much for being so thoughtful. You are a great friend.

I think I may curl up and read my new book. How does take-out sound for supper???? ;-)

Contest Time and 3WW

Marianne enjoyed BAFAB Week so much, she's decided to continue contesting. So, she has a new weekly contest she's running... a chance to win a book from her library (and, folks, she has some really neat books!). To enter this week, just go to this post and leave a comment. Yep, it has to be this particular post. While you are there, though, check out her other posts.



Direct from Bone, here are the rules and this week's words:

Each week, I will post three (or more) random words. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to write something using all of those words. It can be a few lines, a story, a poem, anything. I'll also attempt to write something using the same three words.

Leave a comment if you participate.

This week's words are:
Lost
Waves
Lined

And, now, my contribution:

Fiona stared at the old house-- its shutters hanging crooked, paint peeling, grass and weeds grown up around the porch, bright yellow tape circling the property —and tears streamed down her face as she remembered waves from the front porch as she rode her bicycle down the now-broken sidewalk. The lined face of Miss Matilda as she served fragrant tea from her special porcelain cups, trusting the 12-year-old girl would not break them.

Why, oh why hadn't she taken the time to stop in last night when she drove into town? At least just to say hello. And, now, it was too late. She had lost the chance. The chance to thank her for introducing her to a wonderful, almost disappeared tradition. The chance to talk to her about possibly utilizing the house as a base of business. But, most importantly, the chance to tell her how much her friendship had meant over the years.

How could anyone have killed Miss Matilda… and in such a way? An image of the dear old woman, battered and beaten, flashed through Fiona's mind. Was it happening even as I sat outside? If I hadn't been in such a hurry to get to Linda Sue's, maybe I could have prevented it. A cold knot of guilt formed in her chest.

A hand grabbed her arm, jerking her out of her reverie.

"What are you doing here?"

She turned to see a uniformed man standing beside her and hurriedly wiped the tears from her cheeks.

"Clive?"

"Fiona? What on earth are you doing here?"

Fiona looked down at the badge pinned on his shirt. "Mama wrote me that you'd been elected sheriff. Congratulations."

"What are you doing here? This is a crime scene."

She turned to look back at the house. "I know. I heard the news on the radio this morning. I… I just felt like I needed to be here."

He sighed took off his hat, and wiped his brow. "Listen, I know you and Miss Matilda used to be close, but we don't want a lot of people traipsing around over here. The GBI will be here shortly and everything needs to be left as it was."

In horror, she asked, "Everything?"

Clive looked at her, shame and defiance mixed in his eyes. "Yes, Fiona. Everything. It's the law."

Finally, A Game We Don't Have to Feel Guilty About

I've discovered a new game... and you can play it without feeling guilty because it's educational and will help you with your math skills. Now, aren't I a nice friend?


Add Games To Your MySpace | Free Internet Games


Let me know what your high score is :-) I'll be posting mine later... when I get tired of playing the game... lol

WE HAVE A WINNAH!

Congratulations to Traveling Chica for winning my BAFAB Week contest. As soon as I hear from her, I'll order her book of choice (up to a $20 value) and have it sent to her.

This was fun, so stayed tuned for more contests coming up.

Easter Reflections

Photo courtesy of Fotosearch

Easter Reflections
by
Helen Steiner Rice

With OUR EYES we see
The beauty of Easter
as the earth awakens once more...

With OUR EARS we hear
The birds sing sweetly
to tell us Spring again is here...

With OUR HANDS we pick
the golden daffodils
and the fragrant hyacinths...

But only with OUR HEARTS
can we feel the MIRACLE of GOD'S LOVE
which redeems all men...

And only with OUR SOUL
can we make our 'pilgrimage to God'
and inherit His Easter Gift of ETERNAL LIFE.

Happy Easter everyone.

Last Chance to Enter AND a new contest

As if BAFABW wasn't enough, there are still more books to be given away in the blogosphere. One of the most intriguing contests I've heard of comes from Encyclopedia Kevinannica. His contest runs all the way to Christmas Eve, 2007, but… are you sitting down?... he's giving away a library of new books. To enter, all you have to do is go here, read what it's all about and, if you want to enter, follow the directions. It won't be over in a hurry, though, so put on your patient slippers and be prepared to wait.

Tomorrow morning, afternoon, evening… some time tomorrow, one lucky person will be the recipient of a book of their choice ($20 limit). I can hardly wait. I do so enjoy contests!

There have been several winners already on other contests. Congratulations to all of you. Don't forget… there's still time to sign up for mine. Just leave a comment.

BAFABW is here again!

This is a sticky note. This post will remain on top until Saturday, April 7. Please scroll down for newer posts.



I am so excited. This is one of my favorite times of the year (and I get to be excited about it four times!). Yes... tomorrow begins "Buy a Friend a Book Week". To me, reading definitely is FUNdamental and I'm dedicated to spread the FUN all week long. And, something else that is FUN for me is a contest. So...

Last BAFABW, I chose a book for one of my closest IRL friend (hi, Lianne!). This quarter, I wish I could send a book to all my blogging friends, but I'm not a rich, famous author (yet). So, I'll do the next best thing. I'm going to buy one lucky commenter his/her book of choice from Amazon ($20 maximum, please). Feel free to comment every day. The contest will run from Sunday, April 1, through Saturday, April 7. Sometime on the morning of the 8th, I'll put the number of comments into random.org and somebody will be the lucky winner of a book of their choice.

Karen and Marianne are, also, both having contests this week. Make sure to visit them and comment. Tell them I sent you (it probably won't help in the contest, but it will be fun). And... if you know of anyone else contesting this week, let me know and I will add them as well.

EDITED TO ADD: Check out these sites for more contests.
Susan Helene Gottfried
Amanda
The Egret's Nest
Verbatim
booklogged
Framed and Booked
Literary Feline


Don't forget to check back for my newer posts and leave your comments. Also, if you are feeling terribly generous my Amazon wish list is posted in my sidebar ;-)

Friday Fun and Games

In case y'all don't have anything to do today, I want to present a new game for your enjoyment and entertainment.

Direct from the publisher:

Snood is a fun puzzle game that tests your intellect rather than your reflexes. Your goal is to free all the trapped Snoods by launching other Snoods at them. If you connect three or more Snoods, they will transport away. If that leaves any Snoods not connected to the top of the playfield, they will fall to safety. Don't take too long, though. Every Snood you launch increases the Danger Level. When the gauge fills up, the Snoods will shift downward. If the Snoods reach you, the game is over.Registered users can even design custom difficulty settings and puzzles. Each difficulty level maintains its own high-score list and statistics.Special note for parents: Snood is a good game for children. The game is nonviolent and nonconfrontational, and children can play at their own pace. It develops several basic skills, including matching, calculation of angles, simple strategic assessment, and problem solving. It does not require reading, and the controls are very simple. The Child difficulty level is easy enough for young children to enjoy (ages two to three). Conversely, Snood is fun for older players as well.Requires DirectX.

Readers of Bonnie Wren will notice the similarity to Bubble Shooter. I prefer Snood, mainly because you have access to all levels without having to buy the registered version. Definitely not because it's easier! Also, I like the fact that Snood keeps your top score from time to time you play. I know at one point they are going to be a little more insistent that I register, but for now... I'll save my money to buy my BAFABW winner his/her book (see how cleverly I worked that in there?).

And, here is the new Friday's Feast. Play along and leave a note. It's fun.

Appetizer
When you travel, which mode of transportation do you prefer? If I could afford it, I would fly everywhere I went. However, I LOVE my roadtrips with Bob. We always manage to have fun whenever we go anywhere. I grew up with a grandfather who ONLY stopped for gas. You had to make sure your bodily functions were in sync with his gas needs. Bob is like me. We prefer to lollygag on our journeys. There ARE times when we are on somewhat of a schedule or we are in a hurry to get somewhere, so we go (mostly) the direct route or with few stops, but we like trying new ways to get places. If we see an interesting road, we'll see where it takes us. We've discovered so many things we wouldn't have found if we'd stayed on the beaten path.

Soup
Have you ever met a blogging friend in person? Not yet, but I have met other online friends before the days of the blogosphere. It was fun, and I'm looking forward to meeting a lot of my blogging friends.

Salad
When was the last time you were really, really tired? A week or so ago, I had a night I didn't sleep at all. The next night, I was really, really tired! Especially since we'd had a hard day at work that day.

Main Course
If you could have dinner with any one fictional character from a book or movie, who would it be? Oh, heavens. Let me see. For a voracious reader, that's a tough question. I think it would be Jo March, from Little Women. Or... no, no... Anne from Anne of Green Gables. Or... no,no... wait... Rhett from Gone with the Wind. Or....

Dessert
Fill in the blank: One day, I hope to see _______________. all my children grown, healthy, happy, and successful in all their dreams.

Show Don't Tell

Allie had a challenge on her blog today... and we all know how I like writing challenges! She's discussing "showing vs. telling"... if you're a writer (or even if you aren't) you should read it. Great discussion. Anyway, she gave two sentences and asked us to "show" the actions instead of just "telling." The original sentences are in bold and my "showing" follow. I would be interested in your thoughts.

1. Sherry was sick and tired of her boss’s advances, and she told him as much one night after work.

Sherry's stomach clenched as she saw Mr. Randolph come through the door of the office. The last few months, he'd taken every opportunity to brush up against her, or touch her, or compliment her clothes. It wasn't she minded compliments. For heaven's sake, everyone likes to hear they are attractive. It was just he seemed so… smarmy.

"Sherry," he said, stopping by her desk and laying a smooth, manicured hand on her arm, "If it wouldn't be too much of an imposition, I'd like you to stay a few minutes late today. Harrison is calling from Tokyo and I need someone to take down his report."

Sherry opened her mouth to tell him she already had plans, but he was already moving away, taking her acquiesance as a given. With a deep sigh, she picked up her phone to tell her mother she was going to be late.

The phone rang about fifteen minutes after everyone else had left and Sherry took Harrison's report. After typing it and making triple copies, Sherry straightened up her desk, grabbed her pocketbook, and went to Mr. Randolph's office. Hopefully he would be out of his office and she could just put the copies on his desk and leave.
She breathed a sigh of relief when she noticed his door open. She turned around after putting the papers on his desk.

She left the office and literally ran into Mr. Randolph. He grabbed her by the arms to steady her.

"Are you okay?"

"Uh… yes, I'm sorry, Mr. Randolph. I should have paid more attention to where I was going."

Sherry cringed as his hands rubbed up and down her bare arms.

"Don't mention it. Why don't you join me for a drink before you leave." He licked his lips and leaned in towards her, close enough she could tell he'd just used mouthwash. She pulled back and turned her head.

"I… I don't think so. I need to be going."

"Come on, just one little drink."

Sherry took a deep breath and pulled away from his grasp.

"No. And… please don't touch me again. I don't like it."

"I'm just trying to be friendly." His voice was cold and stiff.

"I appreciate it, but I don't like to be touched. And," God, please don't let her voice quiver now, "if you touch me again I'm going to report you to Human Resources." Without another word, she swept past him and into the elevator.

II. Kendra and Bill took the path that led away from the house. They agreed that although it might be dangerous, they needed to investigate the child’s disappearance without the police following them.

Bill stuck his head out the kitchen door and saw the policeman talking to Kendra. Thankfully, his back was to Bill. He caught Kendra's eye and motioned with his head. Then he slipped back into the kitchen to wait.

He heard the front door close.

Kendra came through the kitchen door.

"What are you doing here?" she hissed. "What if they have someone watching the back of the house?"

"You have to help me," he said, running his fingers through his hair. "You know I didn't have anything to do with that little girl disappearing. We have to find out who did."

Kendra glanced at the kitchen windows, then pulled the shades down.

"How can I help you? Who knows who's out there?"

"If we go, just the two of us, before the police know I'm here, we can find out what happened to her. We can prove I didn't have anything to do with it."

Kendra shook her head. "I know I'm going to regret this, but there's a small path behind the garden shed. We used to sneak to the pond that way when we were kids. We can probably get out that way without anyone seeing us. You just better not get us killed, or I'll never forgive you."

3WW #30

Bone invites us all to participate in 3 Word Wednesday. Here are the rules, stolen verbatim from his site:

Welcome to Three Word Wednesday.

Each week, I will post three (or more) random words. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to write something using all of those words. It can be a few lines, a story, a poem, anything. This is a writing exercise. It doesn't have to be perfect. The idea is to let your mind wander and write what it will. I'll also attempt to write something using the same three words.

Leave a comment if you participate.

The words this week: miles, voice, holding

Enjoy and, please, play along.



Fiona struggled against the rope holding her hands together. Her throat burned from screaming for help. Wherever she was, it was obvious nobody could hear her. She could be miles away from anything and anybody.

She cast her mind over the night before, searching for clues as to why someone would be holding her here. She'd walked out of the library just before closing, searching for her keys in her cavernous pocketbook. She remembered thinking she had to take the time to clean it out before something got lost in there. A man grabbed her arms and held something that smelled sickly sweet over her nose and mouth. The next thing she knew, she woke up in the darkness, tied to a chair.

Suddenly she remembered the box she'd found. Could all this possibly have anything to do with that? But… nobody knew she had found it. Nobody but Gary, that is. A chill covered her body. No. She didn't… wouldn't believe that Gary had anything to do with this. He might be a sleaze when it comes to women, but he wouldn't do anything to harm her.

But, a quiet voice argued in her mind, he hasn't actually hurt you. Sure, you're confined and scared and you don't know where you are, but you aren't injured. Maybe he just wants to scare you.

"I don't believe it," she defiantly said, her voice raspy.

Again, she rocked in her chair, pulling at her bonds. She cast her gaze around frantically, looking for anything she could use to free herself. The room was empty except for the chair she was on and a table in the corner, holding a pitcher and a small glass. If she could just manage to get the chair across the cement floor, maybe she could break the glass and cut the rope holding her arms together.

Rocking back and forth and scooting with her legs, she moved the chair to within five feet of the table. She paused in her struggles and heard a key turn in the lock of the door.

Random Writing Stuff

Edit Red is conducting a flash fiction contest this month. It is a themed contest and, best of all, there's no entry fee. Here are the guidelines for the contest.

And, here is a warning for all writers.



Now I need to go work on my contest submission and Fiona's Dream. I'll be sure and post a sign outside my door warning my friends to stay away while I'm writing. :-)

We Have a Winner--- and a Loser

The winner of the high score April Fools' Day quiz is Tori Lennox. Congratulations, Tori. I'll email you a list of books from my library so you can choose which one you like.

The loser... well, it's come to my attention that Barbara Bauer is on the move again. Now she's suing EVERYBODY... well, a lot of people anyway. Here is the actual detail page of the suit. The defendants are:

ANN C. CRISPIN DF
CHRISTINA WALDEN DF
DAVID L. KUZMINSKI DF
JAMES D. MACDONALD DF
JENNA GLATZER DF
KENT BREWSTER DF
LESIA VALENTINE DF
MACALLIST E. STONE DF
MISS SNARK LITERARY AGENT DF
PATRICK NIELSEN-HAYDEN DF
SCIENCE FICTN/FW OF AM INC DF
SHWETA NARAYAN DF
STEPHAN SPENCER DF
TERESA NIELSEN-HAYDEN DF
THOMAS S. TULLY DF
VICTORIA C. STRAUSS DF
WIKIMEDIA FOUNDATION DF

And, unfortunately, Writer Beware is gone. We will miss them and can only hope that something steps up to take their place. We writers need someone out there to help us help ourselves. Thank goodness we still have Editors & Preditors. Uh, Dave, we DO still have E&P, right???

EDITED TO ADD: Okay, now my face is red. Mark me "gotten" (I always said there was a visible-to-anyone-but-me sign on my forehead that said, "Gullible," and now everyone has proof). Ann and Victoria were playing an April Fools' Joke and I admit it freely (I might as well since it's here in public for all to see... sheesh!), I fell for it. The lawsuit, however, is no joke. You can check it out yourself by going to the public record. This is the home page for the state of New Jersey court system. This is the link for the "Discovery End Date Search Page." The venue is "Monmouth," the case name is Bauer etal vs Glazter etal. And, may I just say, I'm glad April 1 only comes once a year? I don't like everyone KNOWING how blonde I am!!!

Happy April Fools' Day

And, the joke's on me. I normally do pretty good at trivia quizzes (a whole lot of useless information running around in this blonde brain of mine), but I didn't do so hot on this quiz. My score was 125, and even with that I am in 21st place. Take the quiz and let me know what YOUR score is. The person who comments with the highest score will win a free book from my library. No cheating... don't Google the answers.

Some ways to celebrate April Fools' Day, historically, have been to send people on "fool's errands," such as sending a child to the store to buy "elbow grease," or sending a new employee to the stock room for a "shelf stretcher."

And, for your viewing enjoyment, I present some April Fools' videos:





After taking the test and leaving your score, visit this site for some more interesting facts and theories about April Fools' Day.

Also, remember that any comments to this post will also enter you into the drawing for BAFABW.

EDITED TO ADD

This isn't April Fools' stuff, but it's fun anyway. Check out my new look:

Also, Anna David's debut novel, Party Girl is due out June 2007. Check out this video:



And, Anna's interview on CNN Headline News/Showbiz Tonight.


Remember, Party Girl can be preordered now.