Oddities

I'm a little off kilter this week, having visited family, then had other family visiting me. Trying to get back in the groove, so this post will be random stuff I think you might (or might not) like to know.

1. The new kitten, Mink, is feeling just fine thank you. His birthday is May 19th, same day as my eldest son. Kitten likes to tease larger cat. (Not smart, Mink, not smart.) I wake up numerous times to make sure that Mink hasn't been eaten by Casey.

2. Was reading a publications magazine, and it featured a book on writing by an author "soon to be a best seller." ?  Either you are, or you aren't. Can I put "hoping to be a bestseller soon" as a tag line? Would probably make as much sense. Let's all tagline our dreams!

3. I love squirrels. So much I wrote a MG novel about them. He evolves intellectually rather than physiologically. Here is my inspiration/motivation diorama:

Editors who don't snatch up Evolution Revolution: Simple Machines will just have to pay more for it later on. (And yes, I claim ownership of the squirrel that lives in the backyard oak tree.)

4. I don't want to hear about the Michael Jackson family drama. Or Snooki. Or how Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattison smooched in public. Ditto: all famous people (but will make exception for Ian Somerhalder).

5. I'm tired of politics, don't care about the Penn St football team, or to hear any excuse by the family of the Colorado movie theater (allege) killer for his actions.

6. Thank you Mother Nature for the rain, even the copious amounts, but it's too late to save my meditation garden AND ALL THE MONEY I SPENT ON FLOWERS. You want flowers? Send some free my way, revive the crispy/rotten plants I have, OR WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR.

7. Going to Stones Crossing Swim Club for a book signing. I like talking about writing and books to teens, kids, adults- whoever will listen. Whoever shows up gets chocolate and bookmarks. (It's worth going to....) I promise to try and be entertaining.

8. I need a vacation that doesn't involve squabbling, decisions, making other people happy.

9. My edits are going slower than I anticipated.

10. Awesome thunderstorm yesterday! I love watching them. (You can call me crazy- our house has been struck 3 times- each time with just me and a different son. People rush out of my house when thunder is heard...)

So, have a nice week! I promise something substantial next week.

Char

Addition and Subtraction

This is the addition:

This is Mink (unless my sons come up with a better name for the little guy). He's a rescued barn cat. Poor thing had the worst case of ear mites the vet had ever seen, plus a sinus infection, possibly worms, and undernourished. But he's adorable and we love him.

My sidekick is not amused.

Casey has a point; she was here first, she's the princess, this is her castle. But changes- additions to our house, to a project, to our lives--upset the balance. To maintain that balance, there has to be a subtraction elsewhere. Do I give Casey less snuggle time? Give up some writing time? Cut down on sleep? The extra time with Mink has to come from somewhere.

Just like my writing projects. I'm working on my own stuff, but have joint projects. When I get a new idea or want to revise my stuff, do I take time/energy away from joint works, or steal it from housework time, free time, reading time, family time?

Or maybe just work smarter, freeing up some time.

It will have to be a little of both.

Yeah, I'll let you know how that works.

In the meantime, I have to play referee; spending more time on something that's not built into the already tight schedule.

Char

Disclaimer: If i suddenly stop posting posts. haha, its because i did something wrong and I have to wait for one of my children to fix it.
PS: my mom will update this soon, i just might have fixed all her problems for about 3 months, then she will probably find a new way to hurt her poor computer xD PEACE (5th time fixing her accounts with gmail and blogger, ugh)

When, In The Course Of Human Events...

Those are the words beginning one of the most powerful, world-altering documents. Even if you're not American, read them. If you have any sense of the human spirit that yearns to be free, they will move you.

If not, then you'll never understand how we feel about the Fourth of July.

In the words of Patriot Patrick Henry:

Give me liberty, or give me death.

Char

Past and Present

Sometimes we need to look back to see how far we’ve come.

Char

Don't leave, I'm here!

I've been busy! Went to Book Expo America to meet new editors for new book I'm co-authoring with Natalie, attended an NYC Rooftop party with so many other amazing authors and bloggers, and then it was a 3 day NJ Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators conference where Natalie & I  presented, signed and schmoozed. Phew! So I am a little behind. Sorry to disappoint.

Allow me to indulge just this little bit....

This is the prize pack for the Sirenz Back In Fashion giveaway. We're listed on a number of blogs, so read the interviews and guest posts (each are different!) and enter to win. You get a SIGNED book, bookmarks, a large diamond ring paperweight, gold chocolate coins all in a pretty pink bag! And read their reviews; they've all taken the time to read the book and write their thoughts. (They won't all be 4-5 star, but that's okay! We each have our prefs.)

So please show some love to the bloggers for their incredible generosity for being part of our blog tour and enter to win! Here's the list (I couldn't put all the links in. Sorry! But Google them.) Some may be later than date shown and some may not appear at all- LIFE happens, but there are plenty of other stops. Happy traveling!

Sirenz Back In Fashion Blog Tour

Date            Blog                                                                                

6/1              Bea’s Book Nook-Bridget 

                    review

6/2              Live to Read-Lindsay 

                    review- Sirenz

6/3              Live To Read-Lindsay 

                    review- SBIF

6/5              Reading Lark-Andrea 

                    giveaway/guest post 

6/6              The Book Faery-Kristi 

                    review/giveaway

6/7              Me, My Shelf & I-Amber

                    interview/giveaway/guest post 

6/7              Word Spelunker-Aeicha 

                    giveaway/guest post 

6/8              Letters Inside Out-Amanda 

                    giveaway/guest post 

6/8              Truly Bookish-Lilly 

                    interview/reviews/giveaway

6/9              Bookhounds-Mary 

                    reviews/giveaway

6/9              What’s Your Story?-Ashley 

                    review/giveaway

6/9              Operation Awesome-Amparo 

                    reviews/guest post 

6/11            Buried In Books-Heather 

                    review

6/12            Buried In Books-Heather 

                    interview/giveaway

6/13            Bookworm Lisa-Lisa 

                    spotlight/giveaway

6/14            YA Novel Reader-Rachel 

                    review/guest post   

6/15            Mel’s Book Blog-Melissa 

                    reviews/giveaway

6/15            Paranormal Reads-Sabrina 

                    review/giveaway

6/16            Fragments of Life/Precious Shusky 

                    review/interview  

6/17            A Beautiful Madness-Emilie 

                    review/giveaway

6/18            Icey Books-Hafsah 

                    giveaway/guest post 

6/18            Oasis For YA-Jessica

                    review/giveaway

                                     

6/19            Book Chic Club-James 

                    review/interview

6/19            Livre de amor-Grace 

                    reviews

6/20            Quill Café-Keri 

                    review/guest post 

6/20            In The Hammock-Carrie 

                    reviews/giveaway

6/21            Electrifying Reviews-Alex 

                    review

6/21            Page Turners Blog-Michele 

                    review

6/22            Book Brats-Megan 

                    review/interview

6/23            Book Passion For Life-Jessica 

                    review/giveaway/guest post 

6/25            Well Read Wife-Mandy 

                    review/guest post 

6/25            Amaterasu Reads-Kai 

                    review

6/26            Beneath the Cover Reviews-Melissa 

                    reviews/interviews/giveaway

6/26            YA Love-Sarah 

                    review

6/28            Paranormal Book Club-Bella 

                    interview/review/guest post 

6/29            I’m a Reader, Not a Writer-Kathy 

                    interview/giveaway

6/30            Sassy Book Lovers-Stacey 

                    feature

7/1              Starry Sky Books-Chelsey 

                    reviews

7/1              Jean Book Nerd-Jean 

                    review/interview

7/2              One Page Reviews-KM- Katie 

                    review

7/3              Ever After Ester-Brenna 

                    review/guest post 

7/4              Katelyn’s Tales of Books and Bands-Katelyn 

                    review/giveaway/guest post 

7/5              Moonlight Book Reviews-Erika 

                    reviews

7/5              Short and Sweet Reviews-Mandi 

                    review

                  

7/7              Aine’s Realm-Andrea

                    review

7/7              Badass Bookie-Lisa 

                    review/giveaway

7/9              A Backwards Story-Bonnie 

                    review/guest post 

7/10            All Things Books-Tanya 

                    interview/giveaway /review

7/11            Cupcake and a Latte-Wendy 

                    review/giveaway

                  

7/11            Vamp Chix-Michele 

                    giveaway/guest post 

7/12            A Book Lover’s Review-Trini 

                    giveaway/review

7/12            Better Read Than Dead-Kristin 

                    review/giveaway

7/13            Boyish Booklover-Cody 

                    reviews/giveaway

7/                IB Book Blogging-Bailey 

                   review

7/                YA Book Nerd-Jennifer 

                    interview

Our World Tour

It's beginning! The Sirenz Tour!

Obviously the pink is for Shar, the black for Meg. Two books, two realms, two characters, two tasks. No reservations needed! (And signed copies are available at our local B&N who will ship, or catch us on our tour dates!)

Char