Saturday, December 03, 2011

An Expected Rejection

I submitted my little short short to One Forty Fiction the Saturday before the week of Halloween. Actually, I may have sent it twice. My first attempt to send it ended with our power going out (It was raining). Sent it again when the power came back on...a few hours later. Since it was a themed week and my story wasn't chosen to be published, I was expecting this. Happy Saturday!

Dear Andrea:


Thank you for giving us the opportunity to read your work. Unfortunately this particular story, "No More Cute," was not the right fit for One Forty Fiction.

Thank you for trying us. And we welcome any submissions you might make in the future.
-
Editor @ OneFortyFiction.com

Sunday, October 30, 2011

One Day Left

I can't believe Nano is one day away. October seemed to speed by pretty fast on his Harley. Somebody should give that guy a ticket and tell him to slow down next year.

After four years, I'm kind of burned out on Nano. I think I'll skip this year's fun. But I don't have a problem sitting on the sidelines with my foam finger, cheering everyone else to the finish line.

GO WRITERS!!! Woot! Woot!

Friday, September 30, 2011

Should I Nano?

October is fast approaching. Some writers are starting, if they haven't already, to develop ideas and strategies for this year's National Novel Writing Month extravaganza. However, I have yet to determine whether or not I want to participate in this year's activity.

Of course, I made the same proclamation last year and ended up participating anyways. Will November be a repeat? In some regards, I'm an overachiever and will take on the challenge any day of the week especially since I know its an obtainable goal. This leaves me with the option of raising the bar. Push myself a little harder in to that horizon...

Or, I can spend the month watching True Blood and eating pie (gaining weight I certainly don't need). Maybe throw in a little Supernatural for good measure. I guess in 31 days (and counting) I'll surprise myself.

Monday, September 19, 2011

How Long Has It Been?

I can't believe it's been several months since the last time I posted here. I'm totally slacking this year.

I doubt anyone was really holding their breaths over the results of the contest. As I predicted, I didn't win. I wanted feedback and feedback is what I got. Despite only a handful of entries, I didn't really receive a lot of comments on my novella. I'm not really reading in to that. The judge pointed out sections I already knew needed work (didn't have time to do extensive edits at the time). Overall, it was what I expected it to be.

I bow my head in shame for the lack of actual writing and submitting this year. I've been catching up on book reviews for Ghost Stories as of late. However, I have been doing a little market research. Hopefully, I'll get some submissions in before the year ends.

My birthday was Saturday. I received my gifts a week early in the form of a new DVD player (my old one was on its last legs), DVDS (including Season 3 of True Blood and a collection of other horror movies. Yay!) and a new flat iron to replace my old one. So, I wasn't really expecting much on the day of my birth other than birthday wishes from family friends and maybe a cake. The surprise came in the form of "Happy Birthday" balloons. I can't remember the last time I received "Happy Birthday" balloons. It was quite unexpected.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Happy National Camera Day

It's amazing what people dedicate an entire day to: doughnuts, eclairs, fairies, doodles, etc.

So, it's been almost a month and an announcement hasn't been made concerning the AW contest yet. I'm not in the mood to put any added pressure on the judges. However, the wait seems to have gotten to a few participants. They've dusted off their torches and pitchforks and started a riot. All in good fun, of course.

In the meantime, it's National Camera Day. Enjoy the photo!

Wednesday, June 08, 2011

Short and Sweet Rejection

Dear Andrea Allison,

Thank you for sending us "Sealed With Anguish". We appreciate the chance to read it. Unfortunately, the piece is not for us.

Thanks again. Best of luck with this.

Sincerely,
Jessy Marie Roberts
Pill Hill Press

Sigh.......sigh........sigh.....sigh........

Okay, on to the next. I wrote my first novella and submitted it to a contest. Despite there being three prize packs up for grabs and only nine entries, I doubt mine will be one of the lucky winners. I did this more for learning experience and feedback.

Happy Wednesday.

Monday, May 02, 2011

Bad Blog Friend

A few things need to be highlighted first:

About 300 people were killed by tornadoes over several states - May they rest in peace

Prince William and Kate Middleton Got Married - Best wishes on a long and happy marriage

Osama bin Laden was killed by Navy SEALs during a raid on his compound - Yay, finally! Much appreciation goes out to the men and women serving in the United States military

Now on to why I'm a bad a blog friend. I haven't been posting here very often as of late. I won't list any excuses for it. It is what it is. I also haven't been doing much blog reading much less commenting either. So, I offer you dear friends two things:

1. I promise to get back in to blog reading shape and visit your online homes on a regular basis. And,


Ah, come on. How can you say no cute little kittens? :o)

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

March Round-Up

I fully recognize I haven't posted anything here in over a month. Not going to bore you with a long list of excuses. It is what it is.

I haven't jumped back in to the submission process just yet, but haven't been sitting on my thumbs counting zombies either. Pulled out several short stories from the dusty shelf pile. Began the first round of edits on them (or at least some of them). I've read through and made notes on four of them. Twenty or so more to go.

The Horror Hounds from the horror section of Absolute Write are holding a novella contest. There's a lot of cool prizes including a publishing contract with Black Label Books. What I like about this contest is the contract isn't set in stone. They seem to be very flexible. You don't have to accept the contract if you don't want to. Plus, if you don't even win, you still get feedback. I haven't been published in almost two years. I can use the feedback. The bonus is its a theme I'm quite familiar with. Spent the last seven years researching storylines like this.

So far, I have about 2100 words written but I can totally get it done by the beginning of May. Just gotta find two sticks and get the fire under my butt to blazing. More details on the 2011 Horror Hounds Contest: http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206314.

I'm outta here! Happy Tuesday folks!

BTW - like the new look???

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Mail Call

Look what I got in the mail today. Of course, I ordered this before I found out the decision had been made to shut down Necrotic Tissue (You can read the details here). Loved the content, graphics and layout this magazine produced and was hoping to break in to it. Unfortunately that won't happen now. Just a darn shame.

Can we please have a moment of silence?

Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Myspace Divorce

So, my relationship with Myspace was fair....at first. Last year, we commenced in a long separation due to a lot of change on its behalf. The funky new look. The logo change. A reconnection was attempted last month, but I knew it was over. *tear*

With divorce comes a lot of sadness and the tedious chore of dividing property. It has all been decided. I will take the hundred or so messages, blog posts, pictures, and well....my page (or rather dump it entirely). All of it will take weeks because Myspace insists on slowing the process. It can keep the rest.

My focus has been switched to the other side until Facebook stops being cool too. Then, I'll pray Twitter sticks to doing what it does best although it's new look is starting to give me doubts.

If I don't return by March, you'll know something went totally wrong with this transition and it'll be totally Myspace's fault no matter what it says. :o)

Friday, February 04, 2011

BBRRAAAIIINNNSSS!!!


I could certainly use this book for translation purposes. The other zombies would get a hardy laugh at my expense if I don't get the pronunciations just right especially on a day like today. Although the snow may provide us with some safety. If we can't get through, surely they can't either. Anyways...

It's Tweet Like a Zombie Day!!! You know how quirky those zombies are about their twitter. Happy 71st birthday George Romero!

RAHHHhh...RAHHHhh....BBRAAAINNSS!!!

Tuesday, February 01, 2011

Blizzard 2011

A few photos of our little blizzard today. There first two were taken this morning, same angle. I took the last two this afternoon after the snow tapered off.


Our front yard




Poor little windmill is buried by mother nature and digging out our front walk.


Our little pond in the front yard. Poor little goldfish are probably frozen solid.

I have a couple of video clips too, but the quality is rather poor. We received about 12 to 14 inches of snow with a 20% chance of more on Sunday. A lot of people had power outages. Thankfully, we weren't one of them. Fun times...

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Giveaway *CLOSED*

UPDATE - The contest is closed and winners have been notified.

I'm ashamed to say I have neglected my little giveaway for almost two months now. I can blame the holidays, writing or whatever else for poor management but at the end of the day, it sits idly with very few entries. So, please allow me to reorganize.

The same prizes are up for grabs. Two winners will be randomly chosen using Random.org. One will receive a brand new copy of The Walking Dead Vol 1: Days Gone Bye. This is the first six issues of the comic book version of the hit AMC show. The second winner will receive a used copy of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Anyone who is a fan of Jane Austen and zombies will love this book.

The previous rules were slightly vast. So, allow me to make it simple. Leave a comment with your answer to the trivia question, name and email and you're entered. If you've entered already according to the old rules, you need not have to provide another entry again. Yours has been counted. One entry per person. U.S. residents only. The deadline remains January 31st.

Trivia question: In "Days Gone Bye", why was Rick Grimes in the hospital?

Friday, January 21, 2011

I Blame the Snow

I guess this is the part where I hold my head down in shame. While I have stayed on track with my reading, can't say the same about everything else.

I tell ya it's all the snow's fault. It's all white and shiny, mocking me with its coldness. Who wants to write with all that drama in their face? It's just plain rude.

If that wasn't bad enough, my computer was totally PMSing yesterday. I think she's jealous I've been paying more attention to her more portable counterpart. I'm like "Seriously? Get over it." There's just so much of the silence treatment I'm willing to take.

If you haven't noticed by now, this is me saying I've got a brand new stack of "I'm Totally Innocent" cards and have already cashed one in.

Sunday, January 09, 2011

Welcoming the New Year

It seems my first post of the year is way overdue. I read somewhere that if you don't have your Christmas tree down by Jan. 6th it's bad luck. It's January 9th and the tree is still standing tall, looking pretty. At this point, we're milking the bad luck for all it's worth.

I have been thinking about what I want to accomplish this year. 2010 was better than 2009, submission wise. Granted, it was more like one story being sent out to various markets, but I put myself out there. Totally important. All rejections. No acceptances. Not exactly uplifting but the slate is clean.

New goals equals momentary burst of "WooHoo" followed by a realization of how much work new goals bring with them. Here's what I'm hoping to accomplish in 2011:

1. Write more. Excluding Nano, I didn't write much. My Nano novel sits unfinished on my laptop and I have a folder full of ideas. No shortage on project potential.

2. Read. Did quite a bit of reading last year but have since fallen behind on reviews. Must. Catch. Up.

3. Edit more. Naturally, writing's best friend editing is part of the love/hate package. After several years of Nano, I still have a pile of short stories still waiting for a little attention.

4. Interact. Sure I have shared a few giggles with other writers but not so much shop talk. Last couple of years felt like I was always being left out of the loop. Not fun.

The rest is left up to my mood swings and necessities. Or perhaps a flying unicorn will swoop in and give me infinite knowledge of the universe.

Good luck to the masses for a great year!