Real Life Secondary Characters

Rachel  Schieffelbein  is about to be published! Her story will be in the soon-to-be-released Secondary Characters May 28th.

To celebrate, she hosting the Secondary Characters Blog Hop!!

Winners will receive critiques by the talented host and her co-hosts!

Co- Hosted by:
Theresa Paolo, Kelley Lynn, Jessica Salyer, Jenny Morris, and Suzy Retzlaff

Bonus winners of free books chosen by Kelley Lynn and Cassie Mae


Okay, so I'm supposed to pick some of my favorite secondary characters from books or movies.

Sounds easy enough- 

BUT-

I'm brain fried. In the midst of trying to wrap up the final touches on the third book in the Coulter Men Series, I'm sitting here staring at a blank scene thinking, duh...oh, no was that a little drool?

Gross, I know. It's the last leg blues. 

BUT- there's always another BUT-

I have this:

My "little" boy, Cole, is seeking a dream. He loves football. Has since he started playing when he was eight. He trains five days a week, twelve months a year. As his senior year approaches, he doesn't want to call it quits. He'd like to continue to play after high school. 

Soooo...he has been putting together his DVD for college recruiters. 

Now, what does this have to do with secondary characters?

When our kids are born, we are center stage. We make the decisions, the plans, the rules. Home is the hub of their universe. As they grow, their world's get bigger, the dreams become their own.

That leaves us parents to cheer from the sidelines. To watch and take the pictures. To offer the words of wisdom and direction the main characters use to stay on course as they move toward their happily ever after. 

We are the secondary characters. 

And every good writer knows, without those good, supportive secondary characters all you have is a flat tale that doesn't quite go the way you want it to go.

So, three cheers to the real life support cast!

*Since it's already public domain (which makes me nervous...what if a perv tries to kidnap my baby?!) and people assure me this is the way it's done- I'm going to share-

Here's my, um baby's video. It's rather long, but skip all the football stuff (and the addresses and phone numbers...geesh) and fast forward to the end for the weight training and tell me...can you believe I carried that boy on my hip? 

As my astute cyber-twin, Mark Koopmans, pointed out...these guys aren't really my kids...they are now my security detail.

Here's Cole! He's #75. His little brother, Carter, is his spotter and is player #32 on the field.

The Best of Time Spent/ The Worst of Time Spent

Read more about the hop HERE!

Hosted by Alex Cavanaugh, Stephen Tremp, Livia Peterson, and Al Diaz.

Bloggers are united on this day to give our vote for best movie remake and worst movie remake.

And the hardy among us will will add the best and worst song remake.

Drum Roll Puhlease....

Worst Remake: 

The Pink Panther. There is only one Inspector Clouseau, and he was played by Peter Sellers. As much as I love Steve Martin, he should have stuck with being The Jerk...or King Tut.

Now that was funny. Anyone remember that Saturday Night Live classic?

Or be a wild and crazy guy.

Those roles were funny.

Pink Panther was not.

Let's remember the funnier Steve...

Best Remake: 

The Longest Yard. Granted, I am an Adam Sandler junkie (all but Punch Drunk and Spanglish). And I loved Cheeseburger Eddie..."He broked-ed my nose." A much better soundtrack too. I mean come on, Nelly is awesome! 

Worst Song Remake:

Sheryl Crowe's Sweet Child O' Mine.

I mean come on...don't try to compete with Axl Rose...even when he's drunk! 

Let's let the guys of Guns N' Roses be the last word  note on that.

The Best Song Remake: 

Run DMC & Aerosmith's Walk this Way.

 Blending genres, boosting Rap (though some might say that's a bad thing...but hey, I have four teenage boys...Rap is alive and well and doesn't make my ears bleed), and relaunching Aerosmith after drugs almost tore the bad apart- this song is a win at all levels! 

Pop Travel!!

Welcome to my border buddy (she's Ohioan- I'm West Virginian...we're only separated by a river and a few, um, hundred miles) and writer extraordinaire (she's also the talented creator of my blog header!)- 

She's Tara Tyler and she's here to reveal a dream come true!!

Coming soon!
From Curiosity Quills

Private Investigator J. L. Cooper always knew pop travel laser teleportation was too good to be true. Finding video proof of a disintegrating traveler is the stomach turning “I told you so.”

Not bothering to upload the video to the nosy, government monitored Qnet, Cooper digs around, bringing the death of his client and threats to his political little brother, who is in jeopardy of turning to dust anyway for disregarding Cooper’s warnings not to pop. Cooper has to do everything himself.

If he survives his first pop, Cooper won’t let anything distract him from getting the job done. Not the android security guards, the constant surveillance, or even Southern Comfort in a purple dress, Geri Harper. Nothing Coop can’t handle.

Congratulations Tara!!

I'm ready to go tour lady ;)

Tara Tyler Talks 

@TaraTylerTalks

TaraTylerAuthor on FB

Happy Mother's Day!

My mom, Corky.
Believe it or not... she doesn't drink.

This Christmas, a friend of mine shared what I believe is a common, seldom discussed, often hidden fear:

Am I a total mom fail because my halls are not decked with boughs of holly and not a single sugar plum...or cookie...dances in a head...or a cookie jar?

Now, can I be honest?

I'm not at all crafty. Staying between the lines when I color is my highest level of artistic success.

I'll also confess my hatred of cooking. I do it, but only so no one starves to death. 

And decorating? My theory is less bric-a-brac = less dusting. 

When it comes to perfection, I am so far from the zone, it'd take light years for my sometimes bubble-headed self to float there. 

But, I don't worry.

I was raised by a mom who put her own spin on Betty Homemaker.

My mom might not always be there with a plate of cookies, but her kids can never escape her advice...her care...or her love. 

My mom is also the kind of mom who never squashed a dream. 

When I was eleven, I got grounded, hard to tell what for...probably my big mouth. I hated to be grounded. I was always a girl on the go. So, I wrote my mom a card with the following promise: "Please, beautiful Mommy please- unground me. If you unground me now, when I am a famous writer, I will buy you a mansion."

My mom bought me a type writer and subscription to "Writer's Digest". 

She still has the card. She keeps it safe, just waiting to cash it in. Every now and then, she gets a little antsy and does her own "career development". 

This summer she called me and asked, "What's a RITA?"

I said, "It's an award, sort of like the Pulitzer Prize of romance."

Mom said, "Well, that's how Norah Roberts got her start. You should win that."

I said (with much sarcasm), "Sure. I'll get right on that."

Nonplussed, Mom says, "Good, let me know if you need me to call someone and nominate you."

That's my mom.

And I want to say thanks. 

Thanks for always believing in me more than I believe in myself. 

And for teaching a child that whimsy can be as crucial as logic. 

Covers to Cover!

Today I'd like to welcome a couple of fellow World Castle writers. 

First up...Kathi Barton is on tour with her long line of best selling romances. 

This lady knows how to spin a tale... and she isn't afraid to add some heat! 

To say Kathi is a prolific writer is an understatement...this lady has title after title to her name- most written while she was still working as a security guard. 

Welp, she has hung up her badge and night stick to write full time, so now she has more time for visits, so I asked her over to explain- 

What is your writing process?

I’ve often been asked about my writing process. 

It’s not.

 A process I mean.  

I just sit down and let my muse have his way.  

He takes me on all sorts of rides and adventures and we have a great time together.  But he can be picky at times too.  

But process?  Not so much.

Writing is sort of like breathing.  I realize I’m doing it just not really anything that I think about.  Once I sort of plug into a story I can have entire conversations with someone, answer texts and also think about other things without having a single clue as to what I’m putting on the page. 

A few years ago I sat down to read. I don’t get to do that often, but that day I had time and decided to let my inner voice have a rest.  I read for hours and at the end of my shift (before quitting to write full time, I was a security guard) I still had a few pages to go. Frantic I wouldn’t be able to find where I was in the story, I tried to figure out who had written this story I was enjoying so much. Maybe I could find other books by the author!  Imagine my embarrassment and amazement when I figured out it was one of mine.

Also I never do an outline, take notes and the something really odd (mostly because it’s been pointed out to me on several occasions), I rarely write a series in the correct order.   I have written the first book, last two then maybe the third and then the second one.  And I keep the story line straight.  Or at least my muse does.  I have an amazing muse.

We also like it quiet. No radio and certainly no television.  He likes it quiet when he works and I don’t mind it myself.  I have my big glass of iced water maybe a couple packs of Smarties and we’re off.  Oh, and I have to set an alarm to stop for lunch.  When we get into a story we get lost there.

I love to write.  It relaxes me, makes me escape for a few hours a day and right now it’s paying the bills. And I’m having the time of my life.

So, do I have a process?  I suppose I do- if you want to call hodge podge writing a process. 

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Kathi Barton, author of the bestselling series Force of Nature, lives in Nashport, Ohio with her husband Paul. In addition to writing full time Kathi likes to spend time with her eight grandkids, three children and three children-in-laws. She writes to relax and have fun.  

Her muse, a cross between Jimmy Stewart and Hugh Jackman brings them to life for her readers in a way that has them coming back time and again for more. Her favorite genre is paranormal romance with a great deal of spice. You can visit Kathi on line and drop her an email if you’d like. She loves hearing from her fans. aaronskiss@gmail.com.

 

Also from World Castle, Lindsay Anne Kendal has some new cover love I'd like to share.

 From her upcoming YA Urban Fantasy:

In this final installment of the Bloodlines trilogy, Keira and her friends face their toughest battles yet. Not only with the ones they believe have set out to destroy them, but also with themselves and each other.  

Lindsay lives in Droylsden, Manchester with her parents and younger sister, Cheryl. Writing gave her life meaning and was nothing short of a dream come true.   

She is inspired by music, listening transports her from her room to a land full of inspiration where stories run like videos in her mind just waiting to be put to paper.  

She describes herself as dark...a lover of the spooky, supernatural, or  mysterious. And she may be all that, but the lady also knows how to write!

Lindsay

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Hodge Podge

Think Happy!

Right before the A-Z Challenge, bloggers were debating the effectiveness and necessity of blogs. They say blogs may not be the hip pro platform they once were.

Which makes me say- thank you Lord!!

Now, this blog is mine again. It's not the spot of a pro trying to sell books (though I will...you want one?); it's mine, all mine and I'll do whatever I want. 

Today? I'm going to brag, nark, and brag some more.

Brag #1: I'm a good mom. 

If the proof really is in the pudding...I deserve a freaking crown. I'm the queen. MY kids are amazing. Spent yesterday helping my eldest son get an apartment ready for his second year of college. 

His first year? Totally rocked it. 4.0's both semesters, maintained his scholarships, and spent his leisure time in the gym (or so he told his mom...but with grades like that, she's inclined to believe him!) 

And the youngest? Funny story- he has to do a blog for school. He posted from home and didn't sign out of HIS blogger account, so when I hopped on to do my reading and commenting...I was posting as Mr. Seckman.

In the meantime, while he was showing off his blog at school...he had three comments! He was sooooo excited and amazed. I know he felt like king for the day, or at least that class period. 

He asked me to pass on a special thanks to Carrie Butler, Tammy T (I've decided I'm not going to keep trying to spell Theriault), and C Lee Mckenzie. You gals made his day...and made his teacher quickly set all the kids' blogs to private!

*Blog Note: All my boys, whether the topic of the day's post or not, are handsome and amazing. Seriously swoon worthy. 

 Now, I must nark. I'm way behind in my edits. I keep thinking, this third book is ready to go...and then anxiety hits and I go back to rewriting...or I don't go back for days. Bad Elizabeth. Not the way to get a book on a shelf!

Now, Brag #2:

This beautiful cover contains a marvelous story written by my friend, Cassie Mae. She gives me chest bumps and brings the awesomesauce to every encounter. She is the best supporter (no, not calling her a jock strap) and friend a writer could ever have. She truly is one of the best chicks evah!!

 

 Buy it HERE!

Add it HERE!

Love her (or just like her) HERE!

Now, I'm going to go write a bit and then do a radio interview. Wish me luck that my potty mouth or brain farts don't get the best of me!! 

photo credit: kidicarus222 via photopin cc

Welcome Author, Mary Ting!

Big bloggie welcome to Ms. Mary Ting!

I have to say...I have not yet read these books. I don't start a series until I have access to them all (so NEVER tell me what's happening in the current season of  Supernatural!)
So, now they are available and I am ready to do a Crossroads marathon!!

And why wouldn't I be excited?

These books have hundreds of five star ratings without Mary lifting a finger. She just writes good books  and lets them sell themselves. (Mary is probably reading this and thinking, Elizabeth is crazy...I market my booty off! So, let's just say...she makes it look easy.)

When I heard Mary had the final book, "Beyond", ready to meet the world, I invited her here. I know these books deal with the after-life and that a personal experience prompted her to write them, so I wanted to know...what exactly is the story behind the Crossroads Saga?

Here's Mary!!!

~Once she leaves here...you can still find her:

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I started Crossroads from a dream I had in high school. 
It was one dream I never forgot. 
It happened the same day my friend from church passed away. She had the same first and last name as me and we even looked alike…especially from behind, mostly because we were the same height and had the same color and length of hair. 
In my dream, I was walking on a dirt road. I knew it was a dream, and yet it felt so real. There was a light that I could clearly see ahead of me, but there was no sun.
 Suddenly, a lady appeared, but I could only see the back of her. As I struggled to catch up to her, I followed her path…into the tall green grass. 
Once I stepped inside, I saw a vast of white, fluffy clouds and I immediately knew I was someone special…sacred. 
The lady turned, but I could not see her face. I heard her voice, but the light surrounding her was too bright. 
She told me that it was not my turn and that I needed to go back. 
Then she disappeared, as if she was giving me a choice.
 Standing there, I thought about my options. 
I knew that if I had stayed, I would be leaving my life on Earth. 
Since I wasn’t ready to go, I went back. 
I landed with a jerk on my mattress that startled me to awaken.
Then I got the phone call from my friend, Patty. She was the one who informed me that my friend passed away at 2 A.M. 
She was the prom queen and her date was the prom king. A drunk driver hit their car and she flew out the window because she didn’t have a seat belt on. (There were no laws regarding seat belts back then.)
 I didn’t know what to make of my dream then, but I knew for sure it wasn’t just a dream.


Wow.
That's powerful stuff, right?
How about you guys? Any of you have any experiences like that? 
Share it! 

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