Corinne O'Flynn, Writer

ORACLE Cover Reveal - Can you solve the mystery?

2012-01-23T14:00:00.000-07:00

My author friend J.C. Martin has revealed the cover of her upcoming new book ORACLE. Join me in sending congratulations for her upcoming release. (Congrats to you JC!)

But that's not all!

       There is a mystery afoot!

              Can you figure it out?

                     There is a prize to be had!

Read on to find out more:

As the countdown begins, the body count rises.

With London gearing up to host the Olympics, the city doesn’t need a serial killer stalking the streets. They’ve got one anyway.

Leaving a trail of brutal and bizarre murders, the police are no closer to finding their latest murderer than Detective Inspector Kurt Lancer is in finding a solution for his daughter’s disability.

Thrust into the pressure cooker of a high profile case, the struggling single parent is wound tight as he tries to balance care of his own family with the safety of a growing population of potential next victims.

One of whom could be his own daughter.

Fingers point in every direction as the public relations nightmare grows, and Lancer’s only answer comes in the form of a single oak leaf left at each crime scene.

JOIN THE FUN!

Oracle’s book cover reveal tour has a mystery attached to it, one that the you readers must solve—in return for a $20 Amazon voucher! To find out more, head over to Mystery Tour Headquarters

Happy sleuthing!

#SOPA is NOT the answer

2012-01-18T08:21:00.000-07:00

SOPA/PIPA = NOT THE ANSWER

Go here:

https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/

Go here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

Go here:

http://theoatmeal.com/ (and stay for the animation...)

Go here:

http://distraction99.com/

Go here:
http://bit.ly/Ajj2Hj -------the day LOLCats died...

Post links to other sites that are up in protest today!

Contact your senator! Speak up!

Writers: Try something new

2012-01-17T09:33:00.000-07:00

I'm guest judge today over at Leah Petersen's #5MinuteFiction and wanted to take a moment and invite you to do something new.

As I stare at my Christmas tree and will it to undress itself, I ponder the possibilities of doing something totally different. I imagine draping it artfully with multi-colored bed sheets and pretending it is a nouveau soft-art sculpture and soon to be all the rage. We'll all laugh come next Thanksgiving when, over tea and pumpkin pie, I dismantle said priceless conversation piece to unveil my tree in its pre-lit glory. *instant festive* Can you see it?

Seriously though, I want you to take five minutes today (at 1230pm Eastern) and participate in #5MinuteFiction because it is important to do things differently, change things up, light a new fire.

When I first discovered #5MinuteFiction, I thought it was some exclusive club of writer friends who got together to stretch their collective creativity each Tuesday for fun. I watched in amazement as these writers created some truly awesome work in the span of five minutes with a prompt that was revealed only a second before.

When I found out it was a weekly contest open to all... I was instantly wary. Could I do it? What if my stuff sucks?

Well, let me tell you... some of my stuff sucked. But some of it didn't! And some of it made it to the finals. And some of it won! (see tab on this blog above) And all of it was so exciting and rush-inducing, not to mention the rather fabulous group of writer's I have met as a result.

So, come on down today (and every Tuesday) for five minutes of brain-explosion and see what falls out of your head. I promise you one thing... you'll never be able to claim "writer's block" as an excuse again.

And if this wasn't enough to induce you... carve out a little Time Bacon and come on over because Chuck Wendig said you should. (see #19)

See you there!

Be yourself: Write your own story

2012-01-09T14:23:00.000-07:00

Just before the end of the year, I made good on a promise to myself to take up yoga again after more than a dozen year hiatus. It has been so amazing and transformative. There is something about being in a yoga studio and being so present in that moment - letting go of ALL THE THINGS.

Between the incredible music and the soothing direction of the different instructors, I find myself pondering their thoughtful words while breathing and moving through the different poses.

Since the new year, I've attended a variety of classes and each time the instructor has spoken about something so meaningful to me at that time. Letting go of the old and allowing the new things in. Defining the one thing that is holding you back at this moment and turning it out. Speaking into your mind the intention this year brings with it for you.

Of course, I was able to relate all of this to my writing. My intention for this year: head-down determination to get my work done. Letting go of the thing that holds me back: self-doubt.

This morning during my yoga practice our instructor spoke about being yourself. About letting yourself express your mind in your way. In that way that is uniquely you. This is fabulous life advice, of course. It also rings true to the writer in me.

I wish I could count how often I've picked up a book and found some element from my own stories in there and think, damn - do I need to change my stuff because it's now been done? Then there was that time I found my character was named the same as a character in another book that is now quite popular and I was unable to keep that name in my story because it was so particular.

But leaving yoga today I felt a bit more free and a lot more convicted about letting all of that stuff go and letting my stories be what they want to be. I feel rather light about releasing the fear that my books will never go anywhere because some element or other in my novels has "been done before".

The fact is even if all of us were given the same set of rules and told to go write a story, we would all come back with very different results. Proof of this actually happening can be found in last October's Rule of Three Blogfest where 70 writers got together and wrote 70 very different stories about the same thing. It can be done.

My story (here) is so totally me. Many elements of that story exist and have "been done before" in other written works and yet my story remains uniquely mine. At the time of this contest, all of us were marveling how each of our stories were so very different from each other and yet remained true to the prompts and the rules of the world we were given. I wasn't able to liken that to my novels at the time.

So, today's message: Be yourself. Write your own story. Stop worrying that there are too many stories out with zombies or that there are too many out there that have a prophecy, or that there are too many out there with vampires and werewolves. Just write your book and when the time is right, the market will be ready for it.

*ahh*

ok - back to work!

Namaste :)

Do you use Scrivener?

2012-01-03T09:25:00.000-07:00

http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php

Happy New Year! I hope this new year brings you to a place of peace and contentment, and that you find yourself recommitted to whatever it is that will make your dreams come true. I am not one for resolutions but you can't ignore the opportunity for new beginnings when the new year comes. I plan to be more mindful of my time management in order to achieve more of my goals. I used to be so methodical about managing my time, but it seems resting on my proverbial laurels has ruined my good habits.

Any of you writers out there use Scrivener? If so, I want to hear from you! I downloaded a trial version and it seems quite useful for plotting. I am curious what you think about it overall. If you use it for your writing I wonder, what is your favorite feature?

I've spent some time over the weekend going through the comprehensive and very easy to follow tutorial and one feature that stands out to me is the research folder.

Looking around my office, I see paper. Lots of paper. There is paper stacked on my desk and stacked on the floor, sheets pinned on top of each other on my cork board, and a huge pile of shredding. I find stuff and print stuff and use a lot of it, but much of the paper ends up sitting here useless. I can imagine using Scrivener to keep these digitally (most of the paper is stuff I've printed off the web anyway) so I envision being able to save paper and ink as well as clearing space and clutter in my writerly cave.

I also have a white board that I stopped using because I have nowhere to hang it when it is out. Not to mention the frustration when one of my children takes some spark of their own creativity to my work or a dog walks by and wipes it clean with a swish of a tail. #truestory

I want to hear from anyone who is or has been using Scrivener to find out if you utilize this research folder--or any other feature, for that matter--in a meaningful way that makes this worth switching over to. I wonder if it is convenient enough to let me break the old MS Word and Paper habit and move into storing everything electronically. Speaking of storage, it seems to save everything immediately as you go, so no more lost work - bonus!

I'll give it a try and let you know what I think. They say it takes 21 days to create a habit so I'll make a note on my calendar and revisit this later in the month.

Scrivener Image from: http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php

Thanks!

Quiet table in the back, please.

2011-12-19T11:02:00.000-07:00

I've got a guest blog today over at my friend Stuart Nager's. He's got a series going on about Creativity to which I have added my voice. Lots of neat posts there from so many perspectives on creativity. I'd love to hear from you over there.

The holidays have arrived and the kids are home from school until Jan 2. We've got the Holiday TV Special schedule printed out by the couch. We've read the Polar Express and 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. Wonder what book the kids will choose tonight?

Gone are the schedules and the calendar full of stuff. I've decided to heed the call of the holiday break and take a little working vacation myself.

I've promised myself that I'll get through this last round of edits on my novel by January 1. Back when I made this proclamation it was November and time seemed so abundant! Now I see the need to step away from the procrastination-inducing distractions that lurk behind my word document and hunker down.

I'm going to grab my netbook and step out of my cave for to the change scenery.

I'm going to sit in the big chair by the fire with the dogs.

I'm going to catch up on my giant dusty reading pile.

and watch Pride and Prejudice mini-series.

There will be banana bread.

and Peach Amazing.

and tea.

I'll be back. :)

I leave you with this:

10 Pieces of Advice from Science Fiction and Fantasy Movies That Can Transform Your Life

3 Tips for Beating Procrastination

2011-12-13T10:15:00.001-07:00

I wrote before about Completion Anxiety and how that fear-disguised-as-delay can so easily turn into procrastination. I remain convinced that there are degrees of procrastination which can be identified by their core reason. When you can get to the bottom of WHY you're putting something off, you can start working on steps to getting it done.

That said, sometimes it feels like there is nothing you can do to force yourself to get to work. I know. I am a Master Procrastinator. And sometimes I must resort to actual tactics and trick myself into getting things done. I've organized closets in order to not write. I mean, why work when you can curl up by the fire with your thick wooly socks and your faithful dogs by your side and read a book, or better yet: nap, right?

Alas, even I must get my stuff done and so the self-trickery begins. You may be wondering how it is possible to trick oneself. This is not exactly magic, here. You can be both the Great and Powerful Oz behind the curtain and sweet Dorothy Gale on the other side. But it is simpler than that, thank the stars, because who needs to add more work to the lack of work, all in order to get to work? Not I.

So, what can you do when the Procrastination Machine has you tied down to the gears of time and your poor project is a few cogs ahead of you about to be squashed as your deadline approaches?

3 Ways to Beat Procrastination

1. Reward Yourself - I used to scoff at my fellow writers who would buy themselves a cupcake or other delectable treat and place it on display knowing they would not be able to devour all the tasty goodness until they reached whatever goal they had set for themselves. That is silly, I’d say to myself. Who could fall for that? As an aside: Don’t ever say these things out loud to your friends because then you will have to eat your words when they share their completed project and you’re still making excuses.

For today... I have this in my possible future: delish!

A cuppa and some of my homemade Peach Amazing (my kids named it that). I can’t have it until I get this chapter completed. Just one tiny chapter and all the above is mine! I’m already getting motivated! Can you feel it?

2. Schedule Your Time – A doctor friend of mine once told me his secret to getting it all done: He and his wife schedule almost every moment of every day, even if the time slot says: free time. This way he can tell people "Sorry, I'm booked." and mean it when he has things he needs to do. I've tried this and it is a powerful tool. It automatically sets your boundaries for you and forces you to stay on track.

Granted, I can't possibly schedule every waking moment unless I use tags like: after-school-snack-mayhem-15 minutes, fight-about-homework-20 minutes, get-all-kids-to-bed-*not*: 1 hour. You get the idea. So give this one a try in a way that works for you. You might be surprised.

3. Gather Momentum With To-Do Lists – Lists are wonderful motivators. I’m a fan. When you make a list of the things you need to do and then cross them off, it gives you a sense of satisfaction you can’t get anywhere else. Give yourself credit for everything you’ve gotten done and suddenly you start to see that you are getting something finished (this feels good, and you will want more of it). But the trick is to put your project on that list... and then no skipping over it to do something else!

So, stop fighting it and just own the fact that you’re trapped in the lair of the Procrastination Monster. Tell yourself that you are bigger than your project and you refuse to lose. Break your project into smaller chunks if the big ones are holding you back.

What do you do to stay ahead of Procrastination?

Sick, Writing, Klout, and... Breaking Dawn

2011-12-07T09:25:00.001-07:00

So, one good thing about getting a horrible cold is that you get to cancel all your plans and stay home, and write. That, and peppermint foot balm rubbed all over your feet and then wrapped in socks all warmy warmy... slept like a log, I did.

I've been thinking today about how I work better under pressure, and the saying that goes: If you want something done, ask a busy person to help you. The more I have to do, the more productive I am. This is not to say I get more done because there is more to do. But rather when I have a lot to do, I am able to stay on it and can do more of it. The opposite is also totally true because when I have nothing going on I tend to get really lazy.

Not so with deadlines. If I have a deadline (self-imposed or otherwise) I will usually don my Master Procrastinator hat. For the most part, I can meet a deadline. But the mere fact that one exists causes me all kinds of angst. I don't find them to be counterproductive necessarily, but they don't inspire me. I have a deadline for this Friday to get work submitted and it is indeed going to be met. But I have to tell myself that it is my doing, me and assglue are going to get this done. Not some stinking deadline. It is not the deadline controlling me. It will NOT dictate to me! Control issues, much?

Yesterday, I deleted my Klout account. I remember being surprised to learn that I actually HAD a Klout profile, since I never actually opted-in to it. For a while I would add it to my list of sites to check daily, give +K to friends, and try to get my number up. But I couldn't figure out why. WHY? I still don't know. For me, the end came when it decided I was an expert on karate, and sea. Seriously? I think not. So, goodbye silly and strange tool to measure my effectiveness and influence in the social circles where I travel. I give myself a +K in separation.

Have any of you seen Breaking Dawn? It's ok to admit it. I won't tell anyone. Like so many others out there, I loved these books. Not for their beautiful prose or even for the amazing role model in the strong female lead character... The whole thing is ridiculous and yet the author has done something here. I totally wish I was 18 again, and my name was Bella Swan! #truestory.

Anyway, my sister and I finally went to see this the other night and all I could think about during the entire movie was: Who the hell chose all this terrible music? In the tender scenes we had cheesy drippy piano, and in the honeymoon I'm-just-a-nervous-virgin-scene we have the teenybopper getting pumped music, and then we're back to cue cheese. Let's not even talk about the sex-scene-that-never-was or the fact that every single scene was made to be twice as long as it needed to be in order to break this into two movies. It was distracted by these things while viewing. I was so disappointed.

As someone who really responds to music in general, and music in films in particular, this is one soundtrack that should not be released. Holy smokes... the first movie had Muse and Iron and Wine and Paramour and Collective Soul! And this one has... nothing worth remembering unless you want some cheese with your iTunes. Blech.

With that, I am off to work on my revision. Friday will be here in no time!

What say you?

Monday Memo - 5 Things for the Week

2011-12-05T10:54:00.001-07:00

Hello there! It's been so crazy busy at casa O'Flynn I had to go on a petite hiatus from the blog last week. But today is a brand new Monday and I have a full week of good stuff ahead! Let's see what's brewing (aside from the germs in my throat that want me to keel over and die of coughing).

Revisions - This week I will delve into the second quarter of my novel for the final edits. It has been such a journey getting here, but I know now that my book has found its groove and we've been chugging along nicely. I have a deadline of Friday to get this sent off to my critique partners, and so I am going to hunker down and do this thing!

Contest Winner! - My blog friend JC Martin had her fabulous 21-Again Birthday Party at her blog, it had fun stuff and giveaways that lasted for days, people! Well, guess who won prize package #3? MEEEEE! You need to hurry over there and check out TODAY's POST too... she has some news! Check it out:

An e-book copy of A to Z Stories of Life and Death by D. Biswas
An e-book copy of String Bridge by Jessica Bell
An e-book copy of The Rage of a New Ancestor, edited by Declan O'Sullivan
An e-book copy of The Matrix and the Alice Books by Voicu Mihnea Simandan

Oh yes... Miss Corinne is pleased!

Madness - How is it December already? I was under the delusion until very recently that having my kids so close together was only difficult while they were small. I stand corrected. Carting four active chitlins off to various activities is madness. And what is it with everything being scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday nights? Seriously.

Etiquette - Dear people of the world. The holiday season is upon us and so I find it is time. Let me re-familiarize you with a lovely little acronym: R.S.V.P. It comes to us from the French expression "répondez s'il vous plaît", meaning "please respond". If RSVP is written on an invitation it means the invited guest must tell the host whether or not they plan to attend the party. It does not mean to respond only if you're coming, and it does not mean respond only if you're not coming (the expression "regrets only" is reserved for that instance). It means the host needs a definite head count for the planned event, and needs it by the date specified on the invitation. Thanks to about.com for that tidbit.

I share this after last week's adventure with my son's birthday party. 26 invitations were sent out to my son's classmates with a note to RSVP by a date with my email and phone number. Nobody replied. I sent an email (two in fact) to the class asking if they got the invite. Three replied. Then two more. So, 5/26 people got the call that the party was canceled due to my son's illness. I don't know if the other 21 people carted their kids over to the venue or not. Not sure I care. Is that wrong? RSVP and let me know.

RSVP - It's the right thing to do.

Reading - ASHFALL - Holy cats... I was over at Mike Mullin's website and partook of the free chapters of his book that are posted there for a teaser. You must go. now. read. I promise you will click over to purchase the book... When I bought it, Amazon had the price slashed, too! I'll be back to tell you what I thought of it. Loving it so far.

Living in Colorado, I heard and ~~was~~ remain freaked out about the supermassive caldera volcano under Yosemite... what if it blew? Curtains, people.

https://sites.google.com/site/mikemullinauthor/home

Are you just a writer?

2011-11-25T13:39:00.001-07:00

I don't know any writers who are *just* writers. And by that I mean they are full-time writers with nothing else on their plates. Not to be construed as me saying that being a writer isn't among the most fabulous and honorable things in the world to be.

Frederick Lee Brooke, my blog friend and author of DOING MAX VINYL (currently queued up and being enjoyed on my Kindle) recently blogged about the multi-tasking writer and gave some worthwhile tips on successfully juggling a writing life. Good stuff, go check it out.

Multi-tasking is something I think most people, writer-or-no must struggle with on a daily basis. Whether you're talking about managing many things in your head or physically carrying out several jobs at once, we're all one slip away from the abyss. (Not that I'd mind being in The Abyss, not just any old one, but this one, what with my little crush on Ed Harris and all...

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096754/

Being a writer and trying to multi-task your work isn't easily done. I know for a fact that I can think about my writing while cooking dinner, doing dishes, changing a diaper, talking on the phone, and carry a nursing baby all at once, but that is not something I could easily add actual writing to.

*shivers as that flashback falls away into 2006.*

Writing, for me, requires a bit of mood setting. I have to block out some other things in order to get into that mental place. I need to close the door and pretend it is locked. I have to switch on Pandora (currently on "Explosions in the Sky" channel) and start letting myself fall into that writing place in my brain. I have to pull my manuscript up on the screen, scroll back a few pages and read it aloud, sometimes in a mighty British accent. Only then can I tap into the stream of my muse and let her tickle my mind.

Granted, there is a timer counting down to the moment my eldest cherub must turn off the video games, and another timer will chime when I have to go stir the savory goodness that is simmering in my crock pot, and yet another timer will go off later this evening when I have to pause my writing and begin working on preparations for my non-profit event happening next weekend. And this is an especially free day due to Mr. Corinne being home to manage the spawn's every need in the interim. Thank you Mr. C!

So, I am juggling some things, in my head, but nothing is keeping me at this moment from the act of writing.

I found this fabulous book called THE NIGHTTIME NOVELIST by Joseph Bates in which he talks about many things relating to finishing your novel in your spare time. On craft, if is full of fab. I recommend getting the actual book form of this one, because it is 1) gorgeous, and 2) write-notes-in the-margin-worthy. In the introduction, Bates lists a few famous authors who wrote in their off time. Among them, Agatha Christie, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Mark Twain, Charles Dickens... to name a few.

Hearing things like this only inspires me to get it done. Taking the time is a choice. So is making excuses. So, I leave you on this quiet Black Friday here in Colorado, switch off the interwebs and get to work. I am sending my husband telepathic wishes that he'll feel inspired to get all the Christmas stuff out of the storage closet. **~~*:* (I never could figure out how people create those magical swirly and whimsical little lines from the keyboard...)

Check out this list from Publisher's Weekly about famous authors who didn't *just* write.

Peace love and magic!

A Thursday Haiku - Thanks!

2011-11-24T10:55:00.001-07:00

best holiday times

family: born and chosen

gather laugh rest love

Whether you're celebrating Thanksgiving or not, I hope you are able to spend time with the people in your life that matter.

Fun Goodies from the Interwebs

2011-11-23T09:52:00.001-07:00

Thanksgiving break has arrived; that magical time when the family is home and my time is no longer my own. While I steal precious moments for writing, I'll leave you with some fun and interesting stuff. Continuing with the theme of the week, I thought I'd share some random things found while surfing for which I am thankful. Enjoy!

Hovercat: I can't remember the last time an image brought me to tears... hilarious.

George Takei's Facebook, where I found the rare and elusive hovercat. Check out his "Wall Photos" album. Not just the images, but his comments as well. I haven't laughed this hard in ages.

Heart-grabbing art. My friend Susan shared this with me and I have not been able to let go of it. I wonder what the artist intended. I believe it is open to interpretation, but for me, this is about the line between the living and the dead. Just beautiful. Love the music too. Thought of you-by The Weepies.

Bookshelf Porn. *swoon*

And what Thanksgiving celebration would be complete without:

The Cranberries!

Have a fabulous day.

Thoughts on Being Thankful

2011-11-22T09:01:00.001-07:00

Today I've got a guest blog over at Damyanti's Daily (w)rite. Head over there and check it out, I'd love to hear from you over there today, too!

Last night, my son (10) and I were at a meeting and the speaker closed with some thoughts on being thankful. He said that he wanted all of the kids to go home and spend a little time acknowledging all that they have and all that they need that is provided to them. To look around at all of the things that are done for them. He said he wanted everyone to just think about those things for a while, and then, once you've taken stock of those things, give thanks. Because being thankful starts with being aware.

What a powerful message for all of us.

Thanksgiving Day in the US is this Thursday, and everywhere you turn there are messages about being thankful. That is, if you can see them behind all the sales promotions and Black Friday advertisements (don't get me started on that).

When asked "What are you thankful for?" We all have something to claim. Even on our darkest day, there is something to be grateful for. I mean, even if today is your worst. day. ever., - if you're reading this you must be sitting at a computer or using a smart phone or tablet. That is, by itself, already more than many people in the world can claim. How much time do we spend actively thinking about why we are thankful for the things in our lives? I know I don't do it enough.

If you're celebrating Thanksgiving with your family, or going it alone for the holiday break, or if this week is just like any other week in November... take a minute and look around you. I dare you to say you have nothing to be thankful for.

So... what are you thankful for?

Today I'm thankful for my family's health, graphic design software (isn't my graphic cute!?), my fabulous hubby, and the amazing gift to be able to work from home.

I'd love to hear from you...

The Golden Sky Tribute for My Daughter

2011-11-17T01:06:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, Elisa Hirsch will be celebrating the release of her new book THE GOLDEN SKY by hosting a blogfest and media extravaganza. Congratulations Elisa! For more about her book, a huge giveaway ($ and ipad!), some reviews, and a trailer, visit her blog here.

This blogfest is not really like other book-release blog parties I've been a part of because Elisa's book is a memoir about the death of her son, Zeke.

I know that many will have read that last line and clicked away, because let's face it, the death of a child is unpleasant stuff. But for those of you who are still with me--thanks for sticking around--I know child loss makes people really uncomfortable.

Elisa asked us to celebrate her book release by writing a tribute to someone we have lost. With that on my mind, I'd like to introduce you to my oldest daughter, Rowan. She doesn't get a lot of attention here on my writing blog, but I don't think she minds. She has her own website doing loads of really good stuff here.

Rowan Johanna O'Flynn 12/17 - 18/1999

Rowan Johanna was born on December 17, 1999 and although she spent a little less than 24 hours with us, she changed our lives forever. After almost twelve years, I still think about her every day.

It is so hard to explain to the uninitiated the difficulties bereaved parents face after losing a child. While so much about grief is universal and truly shared by everyone who has felt deep loss, the loss of my child remains the most isolating thing I have ever experienced.

It is almost like waking up in the morning to learn that everyone is suddenly speaking a different language. You feel like you might have some tiny idea what they're saying, but... you really just. can't. grab. on. right. now.

Hello and Goodbye

When I think about a tribute to my daughter, I could start listing all the things in my life that I am grateful for. My perspective on the things for which I am grateful was deeply impacted by losing our daughter. There is so much beauty and goodness that can come after loss. That doesn't make the death acceptable; nothing can ever do that. But what a waste it would be to ignore the gifts.

Rowan's tile at RTF's memorial plaza in Colorado.

When I look back on my life and the years since our daughter died, I can't imagine it any other way. Rowan's short life has had such an impact on me, my family, our friends, and so many people who never even met her.

Some of my dearest friends came to me through loss. I've learned about giving back, about accepting support, about the different ways love can look. I've learned about the power of connecting. I've learned to let go of the small stuff (mostly!). While I am not even close to perfect, I know I'm a better person for having known my daughter. Her lessons resonate the loudest even though she never made a sound.

Thank you Rowan, for honoring us with your presence and for the gift of being your mom.

***

If someone you know is dealing with the loss of a child, please reach out to them. Let them cry big fat messy tears in front of you. Say their child's name. Tell them you are sorry and you don't know what to say. Tell them about Rowan Tree Foundation (a org which was named for our daughter) or MISS Foundation, tell them about The Compassionate Friends. Tell them about stories written by bereaved moms and dads like THE GOLDEN SKY. Google "child loss support" for them and find local support. Because there is power in connecting with others and realizing that you are not alone. Healing is made a little bit easier when you can share your story.

Rule of Three Blogfest - WINNER!

2011-11-15T09:10:00.000-07:00

Whenever I use this chicken image I am reminded of the movie Waking Ned Divine, where Ned's friends go to great lengths to find out who won the lottery in their tiny Irish village. At one point they host a ginormous chicken dinner for the entire village, and spend the meal time chatting folks up to see if they are hiding something. Hilarious! A great flick, if you have not seen it - add it to your queue!

Back to the business at hand...

Oh my gosh you guys... I'm so excited to share that my short story was voted First Prize Winner in the Rule of Three blogfest! The results were posted yesterday, but I was busy having surgery and was out of commission all day so the festivities had to wait until this morning. I am fine, glad to be home, and super excited to share this fabulous news. I don't know if there is a higher honor for a writer than being chosen by readers. I am *so happy* my story entertained you, and I look forward to developing it further.

I'd like to thank all of you who voted for my story. I don't know who you are, or even how many of you there were, but I'm sending a giant rocking-back-and-forth-hug to each of you. Thank you, truly.

There were so many really great stories in the blogfest to choose from and mine is now just so proud of itself! Four installments of 600 words was really difficult work with, much harder than I thought it would be. I won a cash prize of a $50 Amazon gift card, (WOOT!) which I cannot wait to spend. (insert maniacal laughter here).

I had a lot of fun participating in this blogfest, and have to say that my favorite part was connecting with the other writers through our blogs and twitter. The online writing community is full of amazing people, it is cool to be able to meet and connect. Something about this blogfest, perhaps that it lasted a month - made it feel so friendly and familiar. By the end of the month, I'd found so many new writers out there whose work and blogs I will continue to follow. Good stuff.

A BIG SHOUT OUT to Misha and Frederick Lee Brooke for placing in the top three, and a high five to all the long-list and short-list finalists. Congratulations all around. To see the lists go here (short list) and here (long list). All of the entrants deserve kudos for making it to the end of this month-long blogfest. The link to all the entries is here. (not sure if that linky will stay online forever so go there now!).

Of course, very special thanks to the blogfest creators and hosts: Damyanti Biswas at Amlokiblogs, Stuart Nager at Tale Spinning, Lisa Vooght at Flash Fiction, and JC Martin at Fighter Writer for creating this awesome contest and to all of the awesome authors who gave prizes and books!

Michael Hicks, In Her Name: Empire LINK
Marcus Clearspring, Walkabout Gnomes LINK
Alex J Cavanaugh, Cassa Star LINK
S.L. Pierce, The Hate, The Devil’s Game, Secrets LINK
Faith Mortimer, Echoes Of Life and Love LINK
Talli Roland, Watching Willow Watts LINK

Honorable mentions:

Damyanti Biswas, A To Z Stories Of Life and Death LINK
J.C. Martin and Michelle Davidson Argyle, Stories For Sendai LINK
Stuart Nager, Dawn Of Indie Romance LINK

This blogfest was such a success, our hosts are already getting set for ROUND 2! So, click here for details at the blog, make sure you sign up and follow. Hopefully I'll see you in Renaissance!

A Thursday Haiku - On (not) Writing

2011-11-10T08:41:00.000-07:00

Hello friends! There's only two days left to vote for the winner of the #REN3 Rule of Three Blogfest! In case you haven't heard, my story took me by surprise by getting tapped as a finalist among five other really awesome goodies. They're short, they're fun, and they all take place in the same little town called Renaissance: Population 333. If you haven't already, please take a gander and vote for your favorite. (Also, sign up to be in next year's contest!)

I used to be so awed by the idea of people back in the very olden times who hand wrote their tomes. Imagine hand writing with ink and quill, on parchment, and then re-writing the next copy. All for posterity.

Well... behold this illustration from the annals of history: dude is chained to a desk!

procrastination:

chainless writers' daily bane  

the interwebs calls

Monday Memo - 5 Things for the Week

2011-11-07T14:00:00.000-07:00

#REN3 - My short story for the Rule of Three Blogfest, which I wrote over four weeks in October has made it to the final "short list" for voting. I can't tell you how humbled I am that my little story made it this far, and invite you to hop on over to the new website created for this blogfest to read all 6 of the stories and vote for your favorite. If you're a writer and might want to get involved in the next one, make sure you sign up to follow that blog. Tell 'em Corinne sent ya!

#NaNoWriMo is off to a great start, although I am already behind. This week things should (hopefully) slow down for me. After a crazy weekend with people visiting and lots of entertaining, I hope to catch up. The whole NaNo thing really amazes me. Like the writing sprints that some friends and I sometimes do, when you turn off the self-editor that makes me stop and really think over each sentence - progress really happens. Right now my problem is that I am writing a new novel while revising another, and so while trying to NaNo, the other calls. #goodproblems

Library Books on Kindle - I am befuddled by the process of getting library books onto my Kindle. My kids have been reading like the wind, and I'd love to be able to cue up the next book for them on the spot. Anyone know how this works? I'd love a tutorial, lol.

http://www.christmastreemarket.com/

Team Tinsel? Holidays are coming and I am so totally not ready. I have a bin of Fall decor that we never even unpacked this year. Seriously, where does time go? I think I might just skip all of that and get the Winter/Christmas goodies going! I have discovered there are two camps of people in the world, those of you who (like me) would play holiday music year-round and move to Christmas Island if she could, and those of you who think it should be a crime to play holiday music for weeks before the day. So... Team Tinsel or Team Grinch? I must know.

Gratitude - What are you grateful for? I'd love to see the world take a moment each day to share just one thing that you're grateful for, because even when things have gone completely awry, there is always something to be grateful for. Gratitude helps us maintain our perspective and keep us from letting the drama run away with us. So... what are you grateful for? Today I am grateful for my family, and the good health of the people I love.

I hope you enjoy your week. Until next time, enjoy this new slice of goodness:

REN3 Blogfest - "Long List" Finalist!

2011-11-04T09:32:00.001-06:00

Happy Friday people! Good Stuff: I woke to learn that my short story, which was written as part of the Rule of Three Blogfest in October, was "long listed" among 11 finalists (out of 69 entries!). Having read all of them (hats off to the judges, that was a lot of work) I must say how humbled I am to be chosen as a finalist. There were some fabulous stories entered.

The long list will be whittled down to 6 on a short list next week, and then open to voting to choose a winner. For those of you who missed this back in October, The Rule of Three Blogfest had a lot of different requirements and all the stories took place in a fictional town called Renaissance: Population 333. Everyone has a secret!

I have consolidated the stories here for you to read... enjoy!

Part 1 - Godwin's Tale

A strange noise through the woods caught Godwin’s ear. He could move silently through the forest, but he stilled himself to listen. It was rare to encounter anyone on his pre-dawn patrols of the Upper Culdees. Poachers and outlaws usually stayed well south of the forest’s Villein road. He nocked his arrow all the same.

“Dearest Lord, help me.” The woman’s voice was hoarse and tempered by her crying. Godwin wasn’t sure if this was another trap laid by poachers to rid the forest of its woodsman, so he approached slowly, his arrow at the ready.

The ground ahead sloped downward toward a stream. Godwin crept up to the rise and peered down. A woman sat against a redwood, her skirts pulled up around her waist, her bare legs and womanly parts exposed. All stealth forgotten, Godwin dropped his bow. It clattered against a tree.

The woman turned and locked eyes with Godwin. Her face was flushed and rosy with exertion, her dark hair had fallen from the coil on her head and her cheeks were lined with tears. Godwin had never seen anything more beautiful in all his days.

"By God, you must help me,” the woman cried. “My babe, it’s to be born.”

Godwin wiped his palms on his cloak. “Can you bear to be carried? We’ve a midwife in town--.” Godwin made sure to keep his eyes on the woman’s own. Hers were warm and brown and betrayed her fear.

“No! No midwife, please.” The woman pressed herself into the firmness of the tree and groaned. Godwin steeled himself against his frantic heart and knelt in front of the woman. He was unsure how to help but familiar enough with what needed to be done.

The boy child arrived as the sun broke over the horizon. With the babe at her breast, Godwin bundled the woman in his cloak and carried her through the woods to his small house on the eastern edge of town. Godwin lay the woman in his bed near the fire.

As she fell asleep she spoke softly. Godwin received her words with a chill.

“They’re coming to kill the child.”

***

Later that morning, Godwin watched his brother the blacksmith prepare the fire in the forge. “She didn’t say anything more.”

“You can’t keep them hidden in your woods-shack forever. Someone’s bound to notice a babe’s wailing in the night.” Godwin knew he was right.

They were interrupted by thundering hooves that sounded through the town.

Godwin walked to the shop door and watched a dozen men on warhorses crowding the square. They wore the livery of the Northern King.

“People of Renaissance!” a horseman bellowed, “I am King Ansel."

Gasps were heard through the gathering crowd as the people began to bow uncertainly. This was their King, although his rule had never taken hold in the far reaches of Renaissance.

The King continued, "My sister, the Princess Cassandra, has died in her childbed. Her son, my nephew, the prince and heir, a wee babe has been kidnapped by his midwife. We’ve tracked the outlaw through Heriot’s Pass and into your woods. We require a guide.”

All eyes turned to Godwin, the only woodsman in the Upper Culdees. The King’s words startled Godwin, but not because he was being called upon to help.

Godwin knew the King was lying. And he wanted to know why.

Part 2 - King Ansel's Tale

After three days of hunting in vain for his runaway sister, King Ansel reluctantly followed the advice of Sir Willem, his only remaining advisor, who urged the King to seek help in the tiny outpost of Renaissance.

He couldn't tell the people that it was their Princess who had escaped. Even though they'd never know her by sight, it wouldn't do to admit her identity. That would require more explanations than he was willing to give. No, the story of the midwife and the kidnapping was the only way. His pride demanded it.

He'd been surprised when the old witch had come to him last winter with the prophecy.

“The child is quick in your sister’s womb,” the crone’s voice was small, childlike. “She will bear the kingdom a son. A king. Beware your majesty! For this child shall strike you down and take your throne before he comes of age.”

Foretelling the death of the King was treason enough. Predicting his sister would bear a bastard heir who would strike the death blow crossed the line into treachery. The King smiled as he wondered if the old crone's ability warned her she’d pay the ultimate price for her gift. Her head would remain on its pike at the Kingsbridge until well after the thaw.

They left the castle the night the witch told him his dark future. He sent Sir Bonacre, his most trusted advisor, to remove Cassandra from her chambers. She was bound hand and foot into the royal coach. The King would be away visiting the far reaches of his realm, ostensibly to connect with the leaders of these rural communities. The other plan—to await the birth and then dispose of the child’s body in the vast Schiavona Desert—was known only to himself and Bonacre.

It was Bonacre who suggested the old route through Heriot’s Pass. The King should have known then that Bonacre could no longer be trusted. Of all the routes through the mountains, Heriot’s Pass was the least secure. Which also made it easy to flee. He wondered how long his sister had been taking Bonacre to her bed. He'd been blind.

After several skins of wine, Bonacre continued to serve the King and his men until they were so far into their cups they slept well into midmorning. When they woke the next day, groggy and head-sore, they found Bonacre dead in the woods, having fallen on his own sword. Princess Cassandra was long gone.

***

The woodsman, a quiet, brooding fellow named Godwin, was willing enough. But damn if that man wasn't the worst tracker in the realm. If the King didn't know better he'd swear they'd been traveling in circles through the Culdees Forest.

The King insisted they return to where Heriot's Pass spilled into the Upper Culdees and begin tracking from there. For all his stealth, it seemed the master woodsman was good for tracking pheasant and nothing more.

“It’s been a fortnight, Your Highness,” the woodsman said. “Are you sure the midwife traveled as far as the forest? There are many routes along Heriot's Pass.”

“Aye, I tracked her myself. A wet nurse in the Heriot village claimed to have fed the child on the first night.”

The King saw a shadow pass across the woodsman’s face.

“You doubt your King.” It wasn't a question.

“No sir, it’s just that there has been no sign.”

“Carry on, woodsman. There are always signs. Our search will cease, and you’ll be released from your duty, when your job is done. We must find the child.”

Part 3 - Cassandra's Tale

Four weeks passed when the woodsman returned to his shack on the eastern edge of town. Cassandra had grown so used to solitude. She marveled at how easy it had been to adjust to a commoner’s life.

“Come in,” she whispered.

“My apologies, your highness.” Godwin stood near the table holding his hat.

“Please, call me Cassandra.” She looked at the man to whom she owed everything. He was clean shaven, his hair combed to one side. He looked like a child about to give confession. She dropped to the floor, kneeling before Godwin. She kissed both his hands.

Cassandra had been careful to remain indoors during the daylight. She only left the shack at night, and then only to use the outhouse. Fear of being discovered by her tyrant brother was fear enough. Eleanor Blacksmith visited daily with food, water and clean linens for the child. She also brought gossip from the town.

Cassandra looked forward to Eleanor’s visits. They talked together and both remarked at how peaceful the child was. His cries were easily tended. Each day, Cassandra thanked God for sparing them, for the kindness of strangers, and for keeping the people of Renaissance in the dark.

“You’ve spoken to your brother?” Cassandra asked. “About his plan for me, for us, for the three of us, I mean,” she stammered.

“Aye, I've just left him. Eleanor sends regards,” he smiled. Godwin shuffled from one foot to the other, looking at his boots. “It’s a wise plan. After a month on this hunt with his Highness, it might be your only hope. He is set on finding the child. His party has taken a new guide to the north. He’ll be back, he swore it.”

Cassandra laughed. “Swore it, did he?” She lifted the sleeping babe from his basket. Her pride swelled as she shared her son with Godwin. She couldn’t ignore the feeling of deep fellowship connecting her now to this gentle man. She wondered if Geoffrey’s plan would be the end of them both. Godwin put his large finger in the babe’s hand, letting the child grab hold with tiny fingers.

“Geoffrey will receive the letter tomorrow,” he said. “No one in Renaissance knows that we don’t have a brother living south of the Culdees so news of his death will be received without question. I’ll leave the following morning to tend to my dead brother’s business and return in a week’s time with his bereaved young wife and new babe.” The way Godwin spoke to her, Cassandra wondered if he was having second thoughts. Everything depended upon the will of this man and his family. She felt vulnerable.

“Are you sure you’re prepared to keep me as your wife?” She asked. I know it is custom in these parts for a man to take on his brother’s burden, but can you live knowing it is all a lie?” Cassandra tried to keep her voice steady. She knew the people of Renaissance would never know her on sight, and without all the jewels and fancy garments of the royal house, she could pass as a peasant with ease.

Godwin cleared his throat and looked into Cassandra’s eyes. “I’ve never married. Not for lack of want, but because no woman stirred me deeply enough to capture all of my heart. And then I beheld you in the forest. For the first time, I am alive.”

A different fear gripped Cassandra’s heart. He was so earnest. She wondered if perhaps she was the one to worry about. Could she hold up under this ruse? She tried to smile.

Part 4 - The Prophecy Unfolds

Three months passed, and with each moon so did King Ansel return as promised to the tiny outpost. Against the urging of his advisor, Sir Willem, the King refused to let go of the witch’s prophecy. He made good on his vow to continue scouring the lands until he found his sister and her bastard prince. They couldn’t hide forever.

Godwin stopped on the edge of the woods and let the meager sun warm him. Winter had a tight grip on the land now and he and Cassandra found comfort in the knowledge that travel was all but impossible over the mountain passes between Renaissance and the Northern Kingdom. Mother Nature had granted them a small reprieve from King Ansel’s visits, at least until Spring.

Cassandra had settled in to her new life quite happily, and was growing warm to the idea of a life with Godwin. Now that she was accepted in the town as Cassandra Woods, and Godwin’s exuberance had been tempered by time and his professed desire only to make her happy, she realized that he was indeed a man she could love, in time.

Cassandra had returned from the market where she and her son, Roland, had spent the afternoon shopping for fresh winter vegetables and some of Eleanor Blacksmith’s preserves. She watched as Roland crawled near the table after a wooden top Godwin had whittled for him.

Feet stomping at the door made her curse herself for lingering too long gossiping in town instead of tending to their meal. She felt it was a small kindness to have a hot dish ready for Godwin when he arrived home from his patrol.

“You’re home early,” she said as she opened the door. Her smile froze on her face as the icy air blew over the threshold. Two strangers in hooded cloaks stood in the doorway.

“Cassandra?” The smaller man removed his hood. Sir Willem. That meant the hulking man behind him could only be—

“Step aside man, your King is beside himself and wishes to sit down,” King Ansel spoke in a menacing whisper. He sat down heavily near the fire. “I knew Godwin was a better tracker than he led us to believe. Last month I met some men of the Assart. They spoke of Godwin’s performance at the games each year and I said, 'no... not my man, he couldn’t track a dead goose.' But it got me thinking. Willem didn’t think it was possible. But who, if not a woodsman, would you have ever met in the forest?” King Ansel’s smile was cold. Cassandra picked up Roland.

Willem gasped. “Cassandra, the child—”

“Willem, hush,” Cassandra began to weep.

King Ansel looked at Willem and back at Cassandra and beheld the babe, whose eyes were the exact brown shade of Sir Willem’s. “Willem, all this time I’ve blamed poor Bonacre. Did you drop him on his own sword then? You sly devil.”

The King drew his sword, it seemed enormous in the tiny house. “I’ll cut you down and await Godwin, shall I?”

Roland started to cry. Cassandra gripped him tighter. The child threw his wooden top across the room. It hit the King’s ample belly and rolled onto the floor. King Ansel stepped forward, raising his sword for a mighty blow. He stepped on the child’s toy and found himself reeling, arms thrown sideways, sword forgotten. He fell backward onto the hearth. Godwin’s iron fire poker—a gift from his brother—protruded through the front of King Ansel’s neck.

Willem broke the silence, “The King is dead. Tell no one.”

A Thursday Haiku - Friends

2011-11-03T14:35:00.000-06:00

I bit the bullet and signed up for #NaNoWriMo and am at 7250 word count on my novel. For those of you who do not know, this is National Novel Writing Month, and if you stick to the plan you will have a 50k rough draft by the end of November. We shall see how I do, this is my first time. If you're in on the fun, buddy up with me! my ID is corinneoflynn.

In the mean time, I am popping in to say hello and let you know that I'll be entertaining a bunch of friends this weekend (heading to the airport to pick up right now!) Well, not *right now* but in a few... but all of this to say I shall be scarce on the interwebs this weekend.

So, I give you some cuteness and some haiku:

a friend doesn't mind

if your fur is disheveled

they just like you near

*hugs all yous guys*

The scariest Halloween Story. Ever.

2011-10-31T11:40:00.000-06:00

Today started much like any other school day, with the 4 cherubs emerging from their sleeping caves, grouchy, unkempt, and hungry for breakfast.

Exhibit A: The Cherubs Ages 10, 5, 9, 7

L-R: Cherubs #1, #4, #2, #3

Pay special attention to Girl Cherub above. She looks so sweet, innocent even.

Husband spent the wee hours of the night with Boy Cherub #3 enduring The Most Vomitous Night Ever. So we knew this morning there would be one less munchkin being sent off to the Elementary School. In the scheme of morning preparations, this makes things a tad simpler as the daily sock crisis would be shortened by two feet.

Boy Cherub #1 was having a rough morning. Instead of donning his Evil Emperor costume for the Halloween festivities as school, he should have dressed as Oscar from back in the day.

Enter Girl Cherub #2. Girlfriend here takes after her momma. She does not like to be late. For anything. Ever. She is very responsible and knows how to get things done. She rose early, dressed in her vampire-queen/ghost costume and met me at the breakfast table with her snack packed, water bottle topped off, and school bag ready.

Boy Cherub #4 is sweet and kind, gallant, and on the ball. He sits at the table next to Girl Cherub #2 and has himself ready to go.

Fast Forward and we are all in the car, Cherubs #1, #2, and #4 are buckled in and ready to go. Boy Cherub #3 is watching cartoons on the couch extending The Most Vomitous Night into The Day. I pull the car out of the garage and park in the driveway. I need to run back in the house for my jacket. I go into the house, grab my jacket and get back in the car. Elapsed time: 30 seconds. I turn around and look at the spawn.

Girl Cherub is missing.

"Where is your sister?" I ask, annoyed that she is not where she is supposed to be and the school bell will be ringing shortly.

"She went back in side," says Boy #4. "I saw her go."

I run back inside and shout "Girl Cherub! It's time to leave!"

No answer.

I call into the basement. "Girl! We are going to be late!" No answer.

My heart starts pounding right about now.

I call out into the backyard. "Girl Cheeeeerrrrrruuuubb!" No answer.

I'm sweating. Girl Cherub is not usually one to go off like this. My mind begins a flip flop between anger that she is making us all late, and worry because I really can't find her.

I go back outside and call for her down the street. No answer. Boy Cherub #4 swears he saw her go in the front door. That door is locked, so that isn't possible. Boy Cherub #1 admits he didn't actually SEE her going back into the house. Here is where the panic began.

Husband starts frantically racing up and down through the house yelling and looking for Girl Cherub who at this point must have hit her head and be unable to call out to us.

I run to my office and grab the phone. I am about to call the police. I am beside myself. Disbelief washing over me that my daughter has actually been abducted. One of my greatest fears is being realized. This can't be happening.

I am holding the phone about to dial 911. I look down and see the school directory sitting on my desk from the earlier call to excuse Vomitous Cherub #3 from school today.

I get an idea.

I dial the number.

After a short conversation with a man who must have thought I was one of those parents, he gets back on the phone and saves the day.

Turns out Girl Cherub was sitting in the car and absolutely furious over the fact that Boy Cherub #1 made us late today. And he KNEW that today was her classroom Halloween Party and he was Making us Late ON PURPOSE! So, while sitting in the car, Girl Cherub spied the school bus rolling past our house. Not one to be late for anything. Ever. Girl Cherub grabbed her stuff, hopped out of the car, and flagged the bus down as it passed by the house. She got aboard and disappeared without a trace.

Of course, this is only a tad humerous because it ended well, but it is a cautionary tale. I arrived, wide eyes and flustered to Girl Cherub's classroom and interrupted her Halloween Party to have a talk with her in the hallway. She and I were a bumbling sobbing hugging squeezing mess as I explained how seriously scary things became at home when she made that choice to walk away and take the bus. She had no idea that we would be worried.

A lesson was learned all around, and even Boy Cherubs #1 and #4 were freaked out for a while. But Girl Cherub will never go anywhere without telling her parents again. I'm sure I can use this when she is a bit older.

It's ok to drink wine at 10am, right? It's evening somewhere.

The Prophecy Unfolds (#REN3 Blogfest Finale)

2011-10-26T06:00:00.014-06:00

Welcome back for the final installment of my Rule of Three Blogfest journey. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to read and comment. It is quite a challenge to wrap things up in only 600 words. But here it goes, and I hope you enjoy the finale! Details of blogfest, links to others, and special thanks are below.

The prompts used:

The misfortune is resolved/accepted.
Relationships mend/ are torn asunder.
The final event becomes another secret for generations to come.

Word Count: 598

Part 1: Godwin's Tale can be found here.
Part 2: King Ansel's Tale can be found here.

Part 3: Cassandra's Tale can be found here.

Part 4: The Prophecy Unfolds:

http://wallpaper-s.org/11_~_Winter_Forest.htm

“You’re home early,” she said as she opened the door. Her smile froze on her face as the icy air blew over the threshold. Two strangers in hooded cloaks stood in the doorway.

“Cassandra?” The smaller man removed his hood. Sir Willem. That meant the hulking man behind him could only be—

Willem gasped. “Cassandra, the child—”

“Willem, hush,” Cassandra began to weep.

The King drew his sword, it seemed enormous in the tiny house. “I’ll cut you down and await Godwin, shall I?”

************************************************************************

BLOGFEST DETAILS - - - LINKS FOR OTHER STORIES 

#REN3 is a blogfest and contest being hosted by:

Stuart Nager @ Tale Spinning

J.C. Martin @ Fighter Writer

Lisa Vooght @ Flash Fiction

Damyanti @ Amloki

Thank you to our generous hosts and for all of the authors
who have offered copies of their books to the winners:

Michael Hicks, In Her Name: Empire LINK
Marcus Clearspring, Walkabout Gnomes LINK
Alex J Cavanaugh, Cassa Star LINK
S.L. Pierce, The Hate, The Devil’s Game, Secrets LINK
Faith Mortimer, Echoes Of Life and Love LINK
Talli Roland, Watching Willow Watts LINK

Honorable mentions:

Damyanti Biswas, A To Z Stories Of Life and Death LINK
J.C. Martin and Michelle Davidson Argyle, Stories For Sendai LINK
Stuart Nager, Dawn Of Indie Romance LINK

BLOGFEST DETAILS - - - LINKS FOR OTHER STORIES 

A Thursday Haiku - Fall Break

2011-10-20T11:43:00.000-06:00

pajama day rules 

kids play, read, perfect lazy

wishing it would last

Princess Cassandra’s Tale (#REN3 Blogfest Pt. 3)

2011-10-19T06:00:00.007-06:00

Welcome back to WEEK 3 of the Rule of Three Blogfest where we are dropped into the town of Renaissance, population 333. Everyone has a secret! Details of the blogfest and the rules can be found below. For now, I give you my third installment: Princess Cassandra's Tale. Next week, the climactic ending. Enjoy!

Part 1: Godwin's Tale can be found here.
Part 2: King Ansel's Tale can be found here.

Part 3: Princess Cassandra's Tale:

http://www.myhdwallpapers.net/all-alone-in-the-woods/1091/

Betrayal is in the air
Relationships unravel or strengthen

************************************************************************

BLOGFEST DETAILS - - - LINKS FOR OTHER STORIES 

#REN3 is a blogfest and contest being hosted by:

Stuart Nager @ Tale Spinning

J.C. Martin @ Fighter Writer

Lisa Vooght @ Flash Fiction

Damyanti @ Amloki

Thank you to our generous hosts and for all of the authors
who have offered copies of their books to the winners:

Michael Hicks, In Her Name: Empire LINK
Marcus Clearspring, Walkabout Gnomes LINK
Alex J Cavanaugh, Cassa Star LINK
S.L. Pierce, The Hate, The Devil’s Game, Secrets LINK
Faith Mortimer, Echoes Of Life and Love LINK
Talli Roland, Watching Willow Watts LINK

Honorable mentions:

Damyanti Biswas, A To Z Stories Of Life and Death LINK
J.C. Martin and Michelle Davidson Argyle, Stories For Sendai LINK
Stuart Nager, Dawn Of Indie Romance LINK

BLOGFEST DETAILS - - - LINKS FOR OTHER STORIES 

While I wasn't writing...

2011-10-18T15:48:00.000-06:00

Fall Break is here and the smalls are home from school this week. The weather has turned cooler and we're all snuggling in to our warm beds and sleeping in. I love the fall! Mums! Pumpkins! Spooky decor! Does anyone else out there feel like the year has just flown by? I know that as we get older time does some strange things, but I swear, it was January only yesterday.

I've already lost the daytime writing battle while everyone is home, so I thought I'd share the things that have been happening over here these days.

Behold: Smolder in a jar! My friend and I made a batch of Peach Habanero Jam yesterday and the whole time we were commenting on how pretty the color is. Don't you agree? This is best served over cream cheese or something of that nature, with crackers. This way you don't burn your face off. And it seems everyone will need one jar to themselves (if our after-canning tasting party was any indication) So yummy!

Speaking of Smolder... I spied my man Mr. Darcy front and center at the Costco this morning and snatched him right up! I was horried for learn that several of my friends have never seen Pride and Prejudice. Can you imagine? I promised to rectify the situation and bring our friendships back on an even keel with a screening at my house, and then wondered where I might find the DVD with my favorite, Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. Ask and you shall receive... 13 DVDs! over 29 HOURS of movies! Pride and Prejudice, Victoria & Albert, Emma, Jane Eyre, Catherine the Great, The Mayor of Casterbridge, The Magnificent Ambersons, Tess of the D'Urbervilles, Vanity Fair, The Great Gatsby. Hooray!

*swoon*

And then...

Mums! Pumpkins! The kids picked out their pumpkins for the carving to come. For now, they are enjoying the stoop and their own personal spook show happening on my front door:

Boo! All of those little things you see here are ghosts. Many of whom are named after my kids' friends. ;) We were trying to recall the names of the Pac Man ghosts while enjoying the kids' decor. Blinky, Pinky, Inky? Anyone? I refuse to google it.

And finally, I give you the view from my desk. I love these maple trees. We have three of them and they just get more and more beautiful. *le sigh*

A Thursday Haiku - On Friends

2011-10-13T10:05:00.000-06:00

http://www.wallpapers-free.org

a person is rich

who counts just one as their own

good friends give good ear

Corinne O'Flynn, Writer

ORACLE Cover Reveal - Can you solve the mystery?

#SOPA is NOT the answer

Writers: Try something new

Be yourself: Write your own story

Do you use Scrivener?

Quiet table in the back, please.

3 Tips for Beating Procrastination

Sick, Writing, Klout, and... Breaking Dawn

Monday Memo - 5 Things for the Week

Are you *just* a writer?

A Thursday Haiku - Thanks!

Fun Goodies from the Interwebs

Thoughts on Being Thankful

The Golden Sky Tribute for My Daughter

Rule of Three Blogfest - WINNER!

A Thursday Haiku - On (not) Writing

Monday Memo - 5 Things for the Week

REN3 Blogfest - "Long List" Finalist!

A Thursday Haiku - Friends

The scariest Halloween Story. Ever.

The Prophecy Unfolds (#REN3 Blogfest Finale)

A Thursday Haiku - Fall Break

Princess Cassandra’s Tale (#REN3 Blogfest Pt. 3)

While I wasn't writing...

A Thursday Haiku - On Friends

Are you just a writer?