And the Winners Are.....

First of all, A Big Thank You to all participants in the Midsummer's Eve Giveaway! Wow! What a success!

I wish I could pick everyone as a winner, but can't. Nevertheless, there will be more great news coming your way very soon and I promise, everyone will benefit!

Drum-roll.... Ready.....

And the winners of the ebook of Marked: A Two Halves Novella are (chosen by Rafflecopter):

Claire T.

Brian B.

Natalie L.

Gale A. N.

kindlemom1

Congratulations! I have already emailed you the information. Enjoy! And to everyone again, Thank You for participating!

Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop

This week I am participating in the second annual Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop hosted by the wonderful Kathy at I Am A Reader Not A Writer.

From June 20th to June 26th fill in your information below for a chance to win one of 5 copies of "Marked: A Two Halves Novella" in any format of your choice. 


Xander is a shapeshifter, a watcher, a demon. Stuck in an oblivion between good and evil, he impatiently waits to be marked—with the sphere that will identify him as a servant of the underworld; or with the water mark, serving the keepers of humans, vampires, and warlocks. His twin sister, in love with a man bearing the water mark, wants Xander to follow the path of the good. But Xander is in love with a black witch, minion of the underworld. All he has to do to join her forever . . . is kill. After all, there's something good about being bad.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Then, click on the other participants in the Linky List below to enter their Giveaways as well!

Have Fun, Good Luck and Happy Hopping!

Walking the Tightrope

WORD FOR THIS POST:

Daredevil (n):  1. a recklessly daring  person.

On Friday June 15th, 2012 Nik Wallenda, a tightrope walker from a family of daredevils who walk with no harness at great heights, walked on a tightrope over Niagara Falls. Watch the video to see a clip. Sorry, but no embedding was allowed. Now, for this stunt Nik was required to wear a harness in order for the authorities to allow him to perform the stunt. Nevertheless, this was nothing short of amazing.

http://youtu.be/Ka2vnJWQxyo

I write about Nik today for a reason. Not because he's a daredevil or has accomplished something no one ever has before, but because I see so many authors walking a tightrope everyday. Not the real one, but a metaphorical one of course. Here are the top three ways they do it:

1. Arguing online
As an author, I feel the need to be professional. This blog one of the few places I will let my guard down a little. In life, I'm known to bite my tongue quite a few times, speak before I think and share my opinions openly. Yet, I will not get into arguments on the internet, I will not comment on reviews, good or bad, I will not bash other authors. And I see so many authors do those things without being provoked. Why? I don't get it. It doesn't achieve anything, nor does it get you closer to my goals (if so, then their goals must be waaayyyy different than mine).

2. Opening yourself to the opinion and scrutiny of others
Most of us edit, re-edit, then edit some more before publishing our work or sending an MS to an agent. We all know the feeling in your stomach when your "baby" will be read by others. And even if we think of our work as our first newborn, no one else does (unless they're in the industry). Now, would anyone say anything bad about a baby when he/she is born? No (most likely). But about a book, which readers consider a book? Absolutely. For that, I think authors are as brave as Nik Wallenda.

3. Perseverance
Have you ever told anyone you've written a novel and they said they want to write one too?

"Really? You do? What's it about?" You ask them.
"Well, I don't know, but I really want to write one."

Most people want to write a book. Most think they can. A small percentage of them will actually start, then a smaller percentage will finish, even less will 'let it go' and pursue publishing.
So, for those of you that have done it or are in the midst of writing/editing/publishing, give yourself a nice pat on the back, because you have the same kind of perseverance as Nik Wallenda does.

Now,  for some announcements:

Today and tomorrow Stephen Tremp's Novel Breakthrough is available for a free download from Amazon.

********************** 

Starting this Wednesday, until next Tuesday, I am participating in the Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop hosted by Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer.


I hope you will stop by to enter:)

Cheers!




Have you seen Nik Wallwenda walk the tightrope? What do you think? Have you ever done anything daring?

Euro 2012 Craze

WORD FOR THIS POST:

Soccer (n): a form of football played between two teams of 11 players, in which the ball may be advanced by kicking or by bouncing it off any part of the body but the arms and hands, except in the case of the goalkeepers, who may use their hands to catch, carry, throw, or stop the ball.

 

My home is filled with craze between hockey finals and Euro 2012. The TV screen keeps flashing between a green soccer field and white iced hockey rink. 

 

I am proud the country I was born is one of the hosts of  Euro 2012. I haven't visited since 2000, so it's been a while and it's definitely a different country since then, but I still remember it as home. So much has changed in the past 10-20 years, it's difficult to even begin to describe it. I hope to be able to take my kids in 2013 to see Poland. 

Today, I'd like to share with you some photos of Poland. Hope you enjoy:)

Warsaw: Poland's Capital

Gdansk: Located in Northern Poland on the Baltic Sea

Krakow: Located in South Central Poland, this city boasts historic castles and wonderful legends. Also home to a great University where many US doctor's get their education.

Bielawa: This is the small town I was born in. In this picture I can see my home (far in the back), church and first elementary school. (I went to two different ones).

 

Are you watching soccer? Cheering for any particular team? Have you visited Poland?

First Wednesday of the Month - IWSG

WORD FOR THIS POST:

Age (n): 1. the length of time during which a being or thing has existed; length of life or existence to the time spoken of or referred to: trees of unknown age; His age is 20 years.

A big Thanks to Captain Ninja Alex J. Cavanaugh for hosting each first Wednesday of every month, the Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG), where writers post their doubts, concerns and insecurities without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Others offer assistance and guidance in the comments. This is what I call "the safe zone". (I just made that up)

For a full list of participants click here and hop on over to offer words of encouragement and/or assistance.

This month for me is aging. I'm in my mid thirties (ok, just over the mid) and I do not feel old, in fact, if I dress right and do my hair up, I can pass for early 20's - or people are just being kind. But lately I feel like time is running out a bit too fast. I wish I could have started my writing career earlier. I have so many ideas and stories I want to share, I keep hoping I have enough time to share them.

Am I going through something everyone experiences when life seems good and too short?

Then, my feelings turn into panic and asking myself "what if" questions. I told the hubby where to find my fifty or so passwords for different sites I belong to, should something happen. I told him he has to make sure my current work is finished, and published (even if he has to finish it himself).

I think this has a lot to do with me listening to the news. You just never know when something can happen, and you loose it all. For example yesterday, there was a story on CNN of a bus driver in a freak accident that killed him.

Now I don't apply this to everyday life, just writing and being able to accomplish what I'm striving for. Having enough time to reach my goals, because I want to reach them so, so badly.


Do you feel like time is slipping through your fingers? What are your insecurities this month?

Reading Lists / Cost of Books

WORD FOR THIS POST:

Read (v): 1. to look at carefully so as to understand the meaning of (something written, printed, etc.): to read a book; to read music.

I'm still recuperating from a wonderful wedding this past Saturday so my words are a little blurry today. Please forgive :)  And no, I didn't drink (I can't and don't drink) but had so much fun with the family I didn't want to leave.

Now, onto the post....

I've been writing quite a bit the past couple of months and the time schedule didn't allow me to read too much; actually at all. So it's not surprising that the minute I saw bookshelves in a local Walmart I was drawn like a moth to a bright light.

I couldn't take my eyes off all the titles I've been meaning to buy.  There are some that I collect and needed the last couple of  hardbacks to complete my beautiful collection (Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices). I can't wait to read City of Lost Souls :)

My purchases didn't end there :(  I had to get on the Fifty Shades of  Grey paperback as well. (I held of on the other two in the series because that would be too much for the bank account.

Now, let me tell you. It's been a while since I purchased a book in a bookstore or any other store. I usually buy ebooks. The two hardbacks and a paperback cost me $48 ! That's after a 40% store discount.

Wow! I couldn't believe my eyes. That much for 3 books! To me, that's a lot of money (especially on books) For those of you who own ereading devices, you know that $48 can get you quite far for ebooks, especially if they're by self or indie published (yes, there is a difference).

So far, I've been reading books on my computer, but now, after having spent $48 on physical books, I think it's time to invest in a reading device. That's my Christmas wish list (if you're reading hubby).

The past weekend I read Divergent by Veronica Roth. I'm very mixed about the book. I enjoyed it very much and want to continue into the series, but something about it made me very sad. Yes, I know it's a dystopian / post-apocalyptic novel, but I didn't have that feeling after reading the Hunger Games. I must say that as a writer I no longer read books the same way I used to. I find the back stories quicker and make the connection immediately, and perhaps that has an effect on the quality of my enjoyment of books. Nevertheless, the book is very well written and I really liked the characters (SPOILER ALERT: though wish some had not died.)

Reading a book this past weekend has been enlightening. I think it restored my energy more than I expected and I'm ready to jump into writing again:)

Have you read any interesting books lately?  Have you made a jump to an ereader yet? I already feel like I'm the last one to purchase an ereader:)