…and happy Monday.

I know, you don’t really think Monday is happy and neither do I, but there is no harm in wishing you all a happy Monday. I just wanted to let everyone know that March’s book list will be up in a few days, so make sure to keep checking back!

I really must have outdone myself in January because my March list is going to be similar in length to my February list. No longer than 6 books, but I will have the list up for you to peruse. I am also going to change the format of my book lists, I will now just post the title, author and a short synopsis. I don’t want my opinion to dissuade anyone, so I am choosing to remain unbiased. If you would like my opinion on a book, you may ask me and I would be happy to share.

That being said, let’s get the creative juices flowing, shall we? If you could describe yourself in one paragraph, how would you do it. You’ve got about 100 words to work with, make each one of them count! Post your descriptive paragraphs as a comment on this thread if you would like to share with the class.

Here is mine (a bit longer than I would like, but you get the idea… yours can be more creative or less creative…do whatever you want to!):

I wear my long bangs off to the side of my face over one eye which is big, golden and outlined in black as is the other eye. I have a Hawaiian nose and Hawaiian thighs, think of this what you will. I have a full bottom lip and no hips and I’m told that my feet are very cute. My wardrobe consists predominately of black clothing, though I try to buy colorful things and always wind up with just black.  I do, however,  own one orange t-shirt, which I hold in high regard based on the belief that all orange things should be worshipped. I have three tattoos of mythological origin, which I designed myself. I wear jelly bracelets on each wrist and I have a little bar lining the inside of my bottom row of teeth–a remnant or memento, if you will, of the days when super sexy braces adorned my teeth. I read constantly and have on more that one occasion suffered from eye strain due to an over exposure to reading. I philosophize, theorize and rest my eyes more than the average bear. I love food, but who doesn’t, aside from carrot eating skinny people with arms like salad tongs!

During my research, I noticed that novella’s are almost impossible to sell. Though, there are many “novels” that are suspiciously short… like “The Hours,” which leads me to believe that selling the novella isn’t as hard as it seems. You just need to market it correctly.

As you all know, my story was not selected for inclusion in the Sexy Shifter anthology, but I have been looking for other venues in which to promote my writing. It seems that the smaller romance publishing houses DO encourage novella’s. So, if you’re not into writing longer novels and you enjoy writing within the romance genre, you should check out smaller publishing houses.

Just do a google search on romance publishing houses and novellas, you should come up with quite a few hits. I’ve recently been sending out query letters and who knows, maybe I’ll get a bite! Though, I’m almost certain that these publishers are looking for something a bit more smutty than what I have to offer. Either way, it’s good to try and I thought I would share that information with everone out there.

So, hope is not lost for any of us! The novella is very much alive! :)

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Me

Do you like my fancy dress? I wore it to the Pi Kappa Delta banquet, which was held at Sam’s Town Casino in Shreveport, LA. Hooray!

That being said, I’m going to keep this post brief… I am still a bit stuck on supporting college forensics and not letting the program die. So, if you haven’t read my previous post, do so! It is important…. at least to me.

As for today’s post, I propose an interesting “writing prompt.” I put “writing prompt” in quotations because this assignment is very loosely based on the prompt idea and not necessarily an actual prompt.

Many people write as a way to release their feelings/frustrations. It can often be a very satisfying cathartic experience. So, if anyone needs to get something off their chest or has a secret to tell, today is the time to do it. I propose that anyone who has something fighting to get out writes a one sentence creative cathartic statement… and to make sure you don’t get blamed for your expression, I want everyone to post anonymously. No one will know who you are… not even I! So, there is no harm in revealing your secrets. I do stipulate that it is lyrical or creatively expressed. So, have at it.

That is all for now.

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Me

Hey Guys,

 I hope none of you are heartbroken over my temporary absence. I want to let all of you droppers know that I am in the process of hitting you back, so don’t fret, I will get to you. I’ve also just finished approving my ads…so you should all be squared away.

 That being said, I’m not sure how much I explained about my absence. I am a member of Pi Kappa Delta which, if you don’t know, is the National Honorary Forensics Fraternity. As an undergraduate, I was an active participant in my school’s forensics program. When most people think about forensics, they probably think CSI. That, however, is a common misconception. There are, in fact, two different types of forensics. I was a member of the latter category–the competitive speakers.

If you would like more information about forensics in general, check this website out.

The National Forensic Association is a 30-year old association devoted to both education and competitive excellence in intercollegiate speech and debate.

I’ve been away as an alumni member of the fraternity. I enjoy taking time out of my regular schedule to accompany the current team of my Alma mater to their national tournament… as a judge or “acting” coach/chaperone.  This year was no different. While I am not here to talk about the tournament / banquet itself, I am here to talk a bit about forensics, why it is important and why we should save underfunded forensics programs.

TOP 6 BENIFITS OF PARTICIPATION IN FORENSICS SPEAKING
—as rationalized by Jessica Gleason—

*These are in no particular order.

1. Forensics is a confidence boosting activity. When students take out their own material (public address) or (interp) they feel a certain sense of accomplishment.  Something you’ve written or put together is being shared with college students all over the country. That is exciting. If the speaker does well, gets good scores and wins merit-based awards, their confidence goes through the roof.
2. Not all students win, though those who aren’t in the top brackets work even harder to polish their speeches an/or interp pieces. This strong work and determination is something most employers will look for while interviewing candidates… and forensics kids all have a great work ethic.
3. Students often write their own interp stories and students ALWAYS write their own speeches. This talent alone will get you through life. Speech writing and execution are almost more important than air. The structure of speeches can essentially be transformed into essays as well…. and who wouldn’t like to know how to write a kickin’ essay?
4. Reading skills are improved through competition, memorization skills are enhanced as well. Most students start out reading from a script or leaning on note cards for assistance, but they still need to provide the audience and judges with a cohesive performance. If your reading skills are sub-par… forensics will help whip you into shape, right quick! After taking your piece out a few times, the memorization just sort of happens and most speakers don’t even need their notes and scripts. :)
5. Forensics programs/competitions teach you to take and shell out constructive criticism. While some judges can be pretty harsh, they are all working to make sure you are performing tot he best of your abilities. Judges leave comments and scores on ballot boxes… these comments, if heeded, will help speakers advance in their separate categories. Teams also spend time listening to one another and critiquing peer performances to help enhance performances before going out onto the live circuit.
6. Social skills, camaraderie and teamwork are all prevalent in forensics groups. Team members work cooperatively to aid one another in performing to the best of their abilities, through this exchange of ideas… long-lasting friendships are formed. Working well with others is also a valuable asset in the workplace.

In fact, all of these benefits are useful in the workplace and these programs are not worth giving up. They are important learning tools that should be nurtured back to health.

So, do something good for future generations, support forensics speaking, don’t let it die.
If anyone is interested in donating money to my old forensics team, they can be reached at: forensics@uww.edu.

Thank you and goodnight. Just for fun, enjoy the vocal stylings of Elvis.

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Me

Hey Guys!

 First off, I want to give a shout out to all of you who attempted the writing prompt! Hooray for vampire haiku… keep them coming! Maybe we can put together some sort of anthology? Thanks guys!

As most of you know, I’ll be out of town for a little while and I won’t be able to update until I return (I think?)….so, this post will have to last everyone until I get back! Try to savor it…. take it in slowly…. make it last for a few days. I will be sure to leave you with entertainment…lots of entertainment.

In personal news, Samhain Publishing passed on my story, but I’m not too bummed out! I did write it in 5 days. Now I have time to go over it and re-work some things before submitting it somewhere else. :) Staying positive! I don’t have any other writing-related news.

I would like everyone to keep their paranormal haiku coming, though, let’s open it up to anything paranormal. So, if you’re itching to get out a paranormal haiku… post it as a comment at the end of this thread. I expect to see MANY haiku poems upon my return…SO DO IT!!!

Here are some excellent videos to keep you entertained while I am gone:

Q&A With Kim Harrison

A book review on Personal Demons by Stacia Kane

Demon’s Kiss - Maggie Shayne

The Sisters Grimm

Enjoy your taste of paranormal authors and novels in my absence! I will see you all when I return from Shreveport, LA (Also the home of Fangtasia from the Sookie Stackhouse novels)

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Me

…Also, for all you droppers out there. I’ve been sick, so the dropping was on hiatus, but don’t worry… I hit everyone back today! I’ll be gone from the 17th-23rd-ish and may not be able to do any dropping, but I will get to everyone when I return!

I haven’t abandoned you.

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Me

Hey Friends!

 I hope you like my meez, it’s a pretty stunning likeness if I do say so myself. Though I think I’m a little more built up top…. but they apparently don’t make well endowed meez. Such is life… at least I am still the queen of pig tails.

Anyway, on to the business of writing. I still haven’t heard back from Samhain publishing with a verdict on my novella, but I was promised an answer by the end of the month. I hope it will be good news, though I don’t expect publication. It was, however, a valiant effort. Still no word on the date of the Nefarious Ballerina release either, but I will be sure to keep everyone posted. The new issue looks amazing!

On to other things, I am dissapointed with the lack of participation! Come on guys, I didn’t even get ONE single Vampire Haiku! So, I’ll give you all a second shot. Write me one or many haikus about vampires… being vampires, hunting vampires…. anything goes. Get to it! I am expecting to be inundated with vampire haikus! For real!

Just post them as a comment at the end of this thread.

 And for your viewing pleasure….

                 Our guest writer of the day is…..

                                 MICK FOLEY (seriously…)

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Me

Hey Guys,

I know things have been pretty quiet around here, I am still sickly. It’s hard for me to want to get out of bed, let alone sit and blog! Hopefully I get better in the next few days so I can write witty blogs for you before I leave to go judge PiKappaDelta Nationals.

I was perusing youtube… as I tend to do. I came across a very interesting little video. It’s for an indie film… that I would be very interested in seeing upon it’s release. I thought you guys might enjoy watching it. So, here is the video on Twin Poets.

On a similar note…. why do you write?

Hey Everyone,

Sorry for not posting these past few days, I am sickly! I spent the night hanging out in the bathroom (always a fun time) and then I spent most of the day in bed! Which, while it’s nice to spend the entire day in bed, it’s even nicer to not be sick while you’re doing it. My fiance should be happy that I love him because his car was frozen shut this am and I went to get him even though I was retching into a paper bag–that’s love baby! (Sorry for the overshare)

Anyway, my main reason for posting wasn’t to complain, though I did get that out of the way first. I was writing to let you know that the new issue of NEFARIOUS BALLERINA will soon be live on the website! I have 2 pages in this issue. So, check out my poetry and the poetry of others. The magazine focuses on the intelligently erotic, so if that isn’t your thing, you’ve been warned. Don’t worry though, it isn’t lude pornography, more passionate kisses.

So, enjoy your visit! I will let you know when the new issue goes live, I just thought I would give everyone the heads up since I just found out that the issue will be up soon. Huzzah for editors publishing my work!

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Me

 Hello!

 For those of you that don’t already know, I am in love with Karaoke. It’s seriously my favorite thing to do. It makes me feel better no matter how bad the day has gone! I’m sure you all have favorite activities to help you relax and have some fun… for me karaoke is it!

I’ve been a member of a site called singsnap.com for a few years now… basically there is karaoke everywhere, anytime you want! You record from your computer and other members can view your recordings and leave comments. You can also view theirs and leave love. Beyond that, you can enter contests and win prizes. It’s super fun! If you enjoy karaoke, give it a try!

You may be asking yourselves, what does this have to do with writing? The answer is…nothing. Though it does help me unwind when I have a wicked case of writer’s block!

Here are a few of my recent recordings, ha they’re silly.

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Me