Award and Updates

Thanks to Linda for the Liebster award! This award is given to a blogger with less than 200 followers who then passes it on to five of their followers with less than 200 followers.  According to Babelfish, Liebster means Dearest.

I feel like being a rule breaker today, so I am sending you to a few blogs I follow I think you will enjoy (if you haven't found them already!)
 Aubrey at Flutey Words, Nicole at Where Fantasy and Love Take Flight,  Elizabeth at Silver's Reviews, Carol at Artzicarol Ramblings, and Ann at Inkpots n' Quills.

Monday brought the end of the hockey season for us.  Dear son had a great time and progressed so much this season. He's already looking forward to next season. In the mean time, he is going to play lacrosse this spring (if any of you can explain how the game works or send me a link to a good explanation, I'd really appreciate it!)

Now for a writing update (thanks Susan for the reminder!) I have two complete chapters written and am working on a third for DKK. My characters decided they didn't like the road map I created and refused to cooperate until I listened to them. (I hate to say it, but they were right. My first four chapters, really needed to be 2). I am a little lost at the moment, but am looking forward to some brainstorming with Trisha to toss some ideas around and see what sticks. After adjusting my chapters I ran into a plot hole-- when I was writing my outline, my thoughts made sense. Now that I've made some changes, and thought about the outline, I find I need to flesh out some motivations to be sure what I am intending is believable.

How's everything going for you?I'd love to hear about it!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Awards and Music

Last week, while I was away for work, I received the Versatile Blogger Award from Michelle Pickett and Crystal Collier.  I listed seven things about me here, and am passing it on to any of you who have not received it before.  Take your award and display it proudly.

After listing my songs for the Soundtrack of Your Life post, I had some people asking me who these groups were as they had never heard of them.  So, I thought I'd share with you some of the artists I listen to most often.

Nightwish- This Finnish band has an incredibly talented composer.  My favorite album has an instrumental version I use often when writing.

Christian Kane- An up and comer in the Country Music world, he is also seen weekly on TNT's Leverage.

Steve Carlson- In addition to playing guitar with Christian Kane, Steve has his own band.  I would describe him as a modern day James Taylor.


Trans-Siberian Orchestra-  Formerly the group Savatage, this band takes classical music and mixes them with rock.  Their Christmas show is a must see for my family every year, and Beethoven's Last Night is a springtime favorite.  Two years ago they released Night Castle, and there is talk of new works coming soon.

Within Temptation-  This is a great Dutch group.  Currently Dear Hubby and I are really enjoying their new album- The Unforgiving.

Delain -This group was formed by a former member of Within Temptation, and is also Dutch.  (What can I say-- the overseas groups are really calling to me!)

I am always in the hunt for new music, and my tastes run from Gregorian Chant to Hard Rock/Heavy Metal.  Who are you listening to???

Award and Guest Post

Thanks to Kate Couresy of Weaving Colors for the lovely Liebster Award. This award is given to a blogger with less than 200 followers who then passes it on to five of their followers with less than 200 followers.  According to Babelfish, Liebster means Dearest.  So, here are some of my dearest bloggers with under 200 followers:

Michelle Pickett at Michelle Pickett, Author

Graeme Smith at Graeme's Blog

Fiona Claire at The Ageless Druid

Kathryn Sheridan Kupanoff at Everything Boho

For the fifth, I would like you to name a blogger in the comments section you believe deserves this award.

Now, for the Guest post.  My son has been writing on and off over the last year, and he has asked me to share the following poem with all of you.  Enjoy!

Award

Last week, the fabulous Regina of Unsettled gave me this lovely award.

It came with the following rules:

List 7 things about yourself, and pass it on to 15 bloggers.  (I will confess with the limited time I have now that I am working full time, I get to as many blogs as I can, but I don't think I get to fifteen!)

I am not sure which will be easier, the listing or the passing!

So, here goes.





1) I like music in genres ranging from Gregorian Chant to Heavy Metal

2) I love to listen to movie soundtracks when I write (in fact, The Prince of Persia soundtrack is playing on my Zune as I type!)

3) I drink coffee in the morning to wake up and at night to go to sleep.

4) I can't play racing games (or watch others play them) on the PS3 as I get motion sick.


5) I re-read my favorite books multiple times during the year.


6) I use Dungeons and Dragons character structure to create my characters for stories (Lawful good, neutral good, lawful evil, chaotic evil, etc.)


7) I love shoes.  I don't have as many as Imelda Marcos was rumored to have, but that's more because of money and space, not lack of desire.


Now, for the blogs I am awarding to (in random order-- as you can see, I am short the 15-- sorry! But, I try to get to the blogs of those who follow me as often as possible):


1) Demitria Lunetta
2) Nicole Ducleroir
3) Lindsay Currie
4) Trisha Leaver
5) T.C. McKee
6) Shelley Sly
7) DSTracy
8) PK Hrezo
9) Rayna Iyer


Be sure to grab your Stylish Blogger award and pass it on!

Don't forget!!!! Your recipe name suggestion must be posted no later than 9PM tonight!  Winner receives a book/e-book of their choice (price restrictions apply). some writing supplies, and choice of Cheater Fudge or Peanut Butter Cookies (with or without chocolate chips)  Recipe you are naming can be found here!

Awards and stuff!

A huge thank you to T.C McKee for the From You to Me Award.

Isn't is great?  I am honored to receive this from her.  She has a great blog- you should check it out if you haven't already!

So, now 7 things about me:

1) I love my husband and son who make my life very interesting
2) I am addicted to reading-- will zip through a book in a few hours
3) I love to go camping with family and friends
4) I've never been further west than Wisconsin
5) I've only been out of the US when I went to Canada and to Jamaica (honeymoon)
6) I love playing Rock Band/Guitar Hero
7) Winter (with snow) is my favorite season

Now I will pass this off to some of my favorite bloggers:

EJ Wesley - Love his weekly Trailer Talk posts.

Trisha Leaver- A great critique partner who has wonderful writing advice on her blog.


M.L. Mansfield- Very encouraging posts for all writers.

Regina Linton- Regina has been posting snippets of her WIP for the last few weeks.  She has captured
                      the Domestic Violence wheel perfectly.

Be sure to collect your awards.  Have a great day!

Tomorrow's recipe will be what to do with all those leftovers from Thanksgiving Dinner!

Awards

Tuesday I logged onto my computer when I got home from work, read through my e-mails and Google Reader to find PK Hrezo left me an award on her blog.  The Verstaile Blogger Award.

Isn't this a cool looking award???

A recipient is to tell 5 things about themselves and then pass it on to 5 other bloggers.  So, here goes:

1) My husband and I met on a blind date.  We've been married 15 years and have one son, age nine.

2) My youngest brother is nine years older than I am.  (The other two are eleven and thirteen years older than I)

3) I taught music at a private school for five years.

4) I graduated college in three and a half years.

5) I love many kinds of music- from Gregorian Chant to Hard Rock.

Now, for my five bloggers:

Lisa Shearin- Lisa is the author of the Raine Benares series (great books, if you haven't read them) and has a wonderful blog.  Her blog is what reignited my passion for writing.

Kathryn Sheridan Kupanoff- Kathryn has a great blog.  I always come away learning something from what she writes.

T.C. McKee- TC is a new blogger I am following.  Her posts always make me think about things in a new light.

Elana Johnson- I started following Elana after a recommendation from either PK or Kathryn (can't remember who!).  Her blog is full of information, wit, humor, and sarcasm.  This is where I learned about the live chat on WriteOn.Com, and the never resolved question of bacon or chocolate :)

Margaret Fieland- Margaret is always introducing me to authors I have not heard of with her wonderful interview posts.  Thanks, Margaret!

So, to all of you above, congratulations on your award, and be sure to pass it on!