Yee Haw...This Hillbilly is Moving!!!

9:16 AM Elizabeth Seckman 28 Comments

















Angie Cothran asked me to be her neighbor!!!

Now, for most of you, that simply means she wants an interview for her blog: Live to Write...Edit When Necessary.

But I'm pretty sure she wants me to pack my bags and come enjoy the Florida sun and surf with her.

Given the cost of real estate in Florida, this little gem is all I could afford. Whew, the lot in Ang's neighborhood alone about made me cry. But I have a plan to make sunshine state living a breeze.

I'm bringing extension cords to plug in at Angie's. I won't need water because I'm taking the sage advice of my twelve-year-old and considering a dip in the pool a perfectly acceptable alternative to a bath.

I'm so excited!!! Come on over and visit me as my bestest new neighbor and I sit down and have a chat. Read it by clicking HERE!!!!!

Thanks lady...for the interview...the voltage...and the chlorinated garden tub.

:)

photo credit: ldandersen via photopin

28 comments:

We All Know I'm a Cheater...

10:05 AM Elizabeth Seckman 26 Comments


What blog hop haven't I done my own way?

So, when Miss Sheena-kay Graham, or as she is regally known on her blog as Queendsheena, celebrated her 1st anniversary with a blog hop...I tried to be faithful...tried to enter the competition on the up and up...BUT...I couldn't make the stupid linky work.

Yes, yes, I am a techno-moron. That's no secret. But, I am also eager to support a friend and celebrate with her.

Here is the gist of the rules:

1. Be a follower of Queendsheena.

2. Choose a title no more than three words.

3. A quick summary of your idea for book 4.

4. Write 500-1000 words of your idea in story form.

5. The main character has to be a teenager who is about to be sacrificed.


Here's my entry:

Bitsy Strand 


         Born under a blue moon, Bitsy Strand was as out of the ordinary as the celestial night that ushered her into the world. She never cried, never smiled. She was a pleasant, peaceful child, often spending her days alone in her room humming as she cut paper dolls from old catalogs. 

She was a beautiful little girl with a sharp mind and a tender tongue. People were drawn to her quietness. Whenever she was present, there was a feeling of peace. When she started school, she never had a friend, but always had acquaintances. Always eager to be in her presence, children would hurry to her side. Even teachers realized a few moments with the child brought them a calm, even for Mrs. Croft whose daughter was dying of cancer. 

It wasn't until Bitsy was a teen that she realized this phenomenon was a true gift. Her presence brought peace, her touch brought healing. Wanting to rescue a broken world, she visits hospitals where she eases the pain of the suffering...healing, mending, fixing broken minds and bodies. 

It all seems perfect until she realizes, the faster she heals, the quicker she dies. Her life force is being drained, absorbed by the needy. She will have to decide...to save the world, will she sacrifice herself?


Happy Anniversary Ms. Sheena-kay! 









26 comments:

How to Get Away with Cheating...

9:31 AM Elizabeth Seckman 56 Comments

photo credit: Dunechaser via photopin cc
To protect  Dan's identity...
I asked Dan, Dan Lego Man to be a poser.
Dan Landis is a private eye. 
And though he's not real, he has some good, albeit shady advice.

I asked Dan if he would guest post...maybe tell readers how to spot a cheating spouse. 
Instead I got this:



  Dear Liz,

So, you wanted me to give your readers seven ways to spot a cheater. Well screw that. Catching a cheater ruins lives. So, I decided to give you ten ways to not get caught instead. I am a giver. Also, a cuddler.

 DAN LANDIS PRESENTS: 10 WAYS TO NOT GET CAUGHT CHEATING

10) BUY TWO OF EVERYTHING: Guys (and girls, because who doesn’t like getting stuff?) always buy two of everything. If you’re buying your bed buddy a necklace, ring, tiara, or in one memorable case a life sized ALF (Don’t ask) then make sure you get your spouse/partner/person you’re cheating on the same thing. Why? Because it’s going to come up. Trust me, everything is online these days, and when that charge for Tiffany’s comes up, you’d better be ready to show the box. Ladies, guys don’t know what stuff costs, so this way you have Christmas taken care of. Guys….WOMEN KNOW TO THE CENT WHAT EVERYTHING COSTS! Which leads us to…

 9) PAY CASH WHERE POSSIBLE: This is a good philosophy to live by anyway, because Big Brother is watching you, so why not give the marketers one less thing to know about you. Plus, your local shopkeep is getting hit up big time by credit card companies for exorbitant fees (THE BASTARDS!), so why not help them out? And, this way you can control what information pops up on your bank account. Because, your partner is definitely going to check that.

 8) SHOP SMART: Always be bargain conscious, whether it’s no-tell motels, fur coats (faux of course, because fur is MURDER! to clean), and restaurants. This isn’t to mean you should skimp, just shop around. And do your research. Because, nothing kills the mood like bed bugs. And trust me; nothing says “I go bed hopping” like a case of Cimex lectularius. Or Chlamydia. Which brings us to…

7) BE SMART: Yes, having an affair is the perfect time to try out all the crazy coitus gymnastics that you’ve only heard about. That’s great, I’m happy for you, but please be smart. If you’re going to go for The Swirl, limber up first. If you don’t know what The Swirl is, trust me it deserves the capitals. Also, it will win you a gold star. And…use protection. This should be a no brainer, but I’ll say it anyway. The world has quite enough Baby Mama/Baby Daddy drama; you don’t have to add to it. And nothing says “I’m totally cheating” like an STD. Hot monkey sex is temporary, herpes will last a lifetime.

 6) BE HUMBLE: Alright, I realize that you are having the most amazing time of your life. That’s great, I’m happy for you. So is everyone else. No, really, no one could possibly feel hurt, betrayed, jealous, bitter, or just want to totally cut you down to size. Yeah, go ahead and tell your buddy. He won’t rat you out. And you’d better believe that if you’re doing someone in the same social circle as your significant other…you know what, I’m just going to go ahead and give the slow golf clap.

 5) CHOOSE WISELY: This carries over from #6, but I was too busy slowly clapping for you to put it in there. See, here’s the thing: Pick your partner wisely. Just like in the three-legged race, you don’t pair a 5’9 dude with a 6’4 dude….you know what, I forgot what I was saying. And Gary, if you’re reading this, it’s time to move on. Anyway, pick someone wisely. Best case scenario, it’s someone who doesn’t even live in the same state, doesn’t know your real name, and preferably will never EVER accidently bump into your spouse and compare photos of their loved ones. I recommend shut-ins, because they’re always easy to find and Agoraphobics need love too.

 4) DON’T DIP IN THE COMPANY POOL: If you absolutely have to do the nasty with someone in the corporate world, choose your partner’s secretary. Why? Because the secretary always knows your spouse’s schedule, is inherently manipulative, and holds a grudge against your spouse. Why shouldn’t you sleep with your own secretary? See previous. Also, really? You think that’s going to end well? Alternatively, sleep with your significant other’s boss. Or your own boss. Look, if you’re going to be an idiot, you might as well get a promotion out of the deal.

 3) GIVE 110%: The easiest way to get caught cheating is for an unsatisfied horizontal tango partner to drop a dime on you. So, it’s time to step up your game. You need to bring your A-Game to this party, and to always leave ‘em with a smile. And don’t forget to woo. Make sure you keep this person happy. Buy gifts, take him/her to nice places, do little things to show how much you care/want to do horrible things. Just don’t forget #9.

 2) GET ORGANIZED: It’s time to be real about this. If you really, REALLY don’t want to get caught cheating, you are going to have to put effort into this. You need to keep your dates straight, know when and where what happened (you can only cover the tracks you know about) and never EVER leave a paper trail. Erase all texts and emails, because anything electronic has a way of popping up. And, I realize this should go without saying but let’s face it people are idiots: DON’T USE CAMERAS! If you think those photos/videos/audio recordings won’t come back to haunt you, think again. Leave the photos to Sears. On an unrelated note, guys: keep track of a lady’s cycle. You think I’m joking, but I’ve got about fifteen women who have a reason to be pissed off at me on a good day. So, you’d better believe my phone gives me a reminder of when it’s time to play nice. Tap dancing on a minefield, my friend, tap dancing on a minefield. And this brings us to the most important way to not get caught cheating.

 1) DON’T CHEAT: If you’re dissatisfied with your relationship, chances are your spouse/partner/significant other is too. Shocking, I know. So, here’s a suggestion: Talk to them. Open up a dialogue, take them out to dinner, and maybe try listening for a few minutes. If that doesn’t work go see a Therapist, take a class, join a swinger’s group. I don’t care. Look, trust me; I really am not here to judge. I was once in a fourteensome. On a possibly unrelated note, I’m no longer allowed to serve on juries. Ever. Alright, I got work to do. If you want to know what I’m up to, go harass my mouthpiece Jay. He loves hearing from the unwashed masses. Me, I got bills to pay. Peace. DL

 Jay Mims is often mistaken for being someone who cares.

 Jay writes the continuing antics of Dan Landis and company, including “The Five Santas” and “Cult of Koo Kway”, both available online and in-stores. When not writing potboiler fiction he tinkers with electronics, takes long walks in the countryside, and watches way too much television. He also lives next door to three Shetland ponies who only like him because he brings carrots. Jay can be stalked on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jay-Mims/159855220771076 On Twitter @JayMimsey and on Goodreads at http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5179719.Jay_Mims He also has a blog at http://themimsey.blogspot.com/ Jay Mims will be writing his fourth book "Racing the Storm" for NaNoWriMo, so sit back and watch as he woefully underestimates the task of writing at http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/jaymims


56 comments:

Letting Go...

9:22 AM Elizabeth Seckman 45 Comments

Kyra's "Letting Go" Blog Hop
What have you let go? Said farewell, adios, later 'gater to?

We've all had to say good-byes that break our hearts. I could depress the crap out you with tearful farewells of my past...but it's Monday, and honestly, I don't need that on this chilly, gray day.

No, I'm going to tell you about a farewell that brought me nothing but peace.

Long ago, in a galaxy not far away, I gave up giving a damn.

Teen angst and youthful insecurity? Hasta la vista.

Nail biting worry that people won't like me or will judge me by the wrong measure? Screw it.

You want to judge me without knowing me...that's your fail, not mine.

I'm me.

I'm what God made me, nothing more, nothing less.

On my best day, I am a flawed bit of goofy human...and so are you...and I love you for that.

Now. Go be you and have an awesome day. :)


*And check out Kyra's new story "If I Let You Go". I can always count on Kyra for a good story. And it's free on Amazon Prime right now! Get it HERE!

45 comments:

Please Don't Drool on the Picture...

9:16 AM Elizabeth Seckman 30 Comments

photo credit: kmgsquidoo via photopin cc
Jensen Ackles (Dean) &Jared Padalecki (Sam)




Spend the whole day simply enjoying the eye candy... I won't judge.

But if you're heart needs a break (or you're a guy), feel free to read on...it's my interview with the YA Partners in Paranormal, Angela Brown and Gwen Gardner. They are doing a blog tour and they were nice enough to stop and visit us!!




I am a HUGE fan of "Supernatural"...and it's not just the visual treat that is the brothers Sam and Dean. It's the total package: cool soundtrack, wicked story lines, humor, suspense, multi-layered, feel like you know them characters...this show rocks.

So, I had to ask Angie and Gwen...according to their research...

How do the "Supernatural" plots stack up?


1. Will salt stop a demon? Before I go ruining my hardwood floors with salt rings, is that even effective?

 Debate is ongoing about this.  Salt - preferably Kosher or sea salt - is believed to be a deterrent to evil spirits, hence the superstition to toss salt over your shoulder if you've done something that may earn you bad luck.  Salt is also used in the making of holy water and is sometimes referred to as the tears of angels.  So don't go ruining your hardwood floors.  Sprinkle some Kosher salt along the outside of your home's threshold.  Another important aspect is belief.  Minus the belief, you just got some salty stuff on the ground that will keep the slugs from coming in.
Also, salt worked pretty well in Hocus Pocus. Just grab a container of Morton’s, open the pour spout, and you’re good to go.

2. Sam and Dean make their own holy water. Is that right? Can any Tom, Dick, Dean, or Sammy bless water?

 This too, is up for debate.  Holy water is supposed to be water blessed by a priest and a prayer invoked over it to sanctify the water as holy water.  However, Supernaturalisn't the only show that did something like this.  The movie Constantine also stretched the holy water angle by having Shia Lebouf's character drop a sanctified cross into the water system of a building so that when the sprinklers went off, all the demons were burned by the "now holy water sprinklers".
Gwen’s daughter was Wiccan for a few years in high school and she made her own holy water. As far as she knows, it kept the demons away - but that’s up for debate, too...

 3. Cass, the angel, aside from being a cutie pie, he's also one of the only good (and by good I mean, likes humans) angels on the show. What's up with that? Are angels really man haters?

Let’s keep in mind that angels were awesome warriors during the war between heaven and hell, which doesn’t exactly make them God-Like. I don't want to say that angels are man haters, but consider that they were made by God with all these ridiculous powers and abilities, then this lowly human being is created and trumps the angels when it comes to status.  Some of the angels just didn't take that too well...like Lucifer lol!

4. And speaking of Bible peeps...the Four Horsemen...definitely some scary dudes...but in the supernatural order of things...are they good, bad, or neutral? And is there any reason Death is so obsessed with food on the show?

The Four Horsemen - in the general scheme of things, are actually neutral.  Their actions aren't exactly looked upon as all that great, but when your name is Death, Famine, Pestilence and War, you're basically stuck with a bad rap.  And hey, you can't fault Death for loving junk food.  I mean, hey, I think his love of pizza saved Chicago - indirectly - but it helped lol!!!

5. The show says demons are former human souls that after being tortured in hell, become demons...any way for a human soul to become an angel?

 I suppose since angels were created by God, that God would be the one to morph a human soul to an angelic one if that was God's choosing.  However, most of what I've seen is angels using humans as vessels because their angelic awesomeness is often too overwhelming and fatal for mere humans to bear. You do know there are angels among us, right?
***

Purchase 
Gwen Gardner’s Givin’ Up The Ghost at Amazon US and Amazon UK.

And there are two giveaways! Visit 
Partners in ParanormYA for the Big Swag Giveaway and for the Week Two Giveaway



















30 comments:

Hops, Tags, and More!

10:42 AM Elizabeth Seckman 71 Comments



Love this hop! Leave it to the creative minds of Alex Cavanaugh and Ciara Knight to come up with such a marvelous idea.

Just like those wonderful sleeper films that don't get the attention of the blockbusters, many books are waiting on to be read lists and deserve some love.

I've read several books this year...and here are my favorites...in a nice mannerly alphabetic list. :)


Amazon Link


Jesse Andersen's book has the coolest cover of the year. I think it's totally awesome. And the story was a great read too. Jesse took a tough issue (teen pregnancy and abortion) and emerged with a wonderful, thoughtful story.








Amazon Link 









I just started reading this book, and even though I am only a third of the way in, I have to add it to the list. Medeia Sharif has that "voice" we hear so much about. Add in her touch of humor and I am excited to keep reading.






Amazon Link


Being a huge fan of Sylvia Plath's "The Bell Jar", I fell in love with this book. Annalisa Crawford doesn't just let the reader peak into the head of a troubled teen, she sucks you in. I read this novella in a day and will definitely visit this story again.



Amazon Link




Jay Mims created a charming soft shoe detective who drops one liners like a millionaire drops dimes. This book was fun from beginning to end.


Amazon Link



I love a good romance...and Kyra Lennon delivers. I love her style, love her humor, love her characters...even the rotten, but redeemable Radleigh.






Amazon Link



This was a sweet read with a nice twist at the end. Jolene Perry is a master of the teen love tale, but so far, this one is my favorite.










Linda Sands wove a masterful, mutli-generational tale with characters so out of the ordinary they felt like people I knew. Linda is a smart, talented writer and her stories show it.







*Yes, I violated the rules by not picking one book. Sue me...I've got a few pennies left. :)



Now for some bloggie awards!

Thanks to Rachel Shieffelbein




Thanks to Tammy Theriault











And since this is already a long post, I've combined the questions choosing this and that from each list to make a list of lucky 7.

1. Favorite Movie? "Gone with the Wind"
2. Chocolate or vanilla? chocolate~ dark chocolate, milk chocolate, mixed, poured, or added in...love it in any form
3. Favorite Holiday? Christmas!! Love it...even when it starts in October.
4. When do I crave sweets the most? morning, noon, and sometimes even at night
5. Favorite Author? John Steinbeck
6. Favorite Pet? I love animals. I have dogs, frogs, hamsters, and a cat. Animals are awesome, even if they are a lot of work. But since I'm NOT running for political office...I will answer the question with a direct response: of all the wonderful critters in the world...dogs are tops. 
7. Favorite subject in school and why? History. I'd rather visit a museum over Disney World any day. 





71 comments:

It's About the Apples and the Trees...

10:16 AM Elizabeth Seckman 32 Comments


                        photo credit: LexnGer via photopin cc



The week end always brings revelations...

Our town is hosting a natural gas boom. The place is crawling with out of state workers...mostly men from oil states like South Dakota, New Orleans, and TEXAS.

Well, last weekend WVU beat the Texas Longhorns in football.

Then this weekend, Texas Tech beat WVU.

At the end of the game, boy #2 says,"This sucks. Especially after last weekend."

I have to ask, "Why after last weekend?"

Boy #2 says, "After WVU won, my friends and I drove around town and yelled loser to all the Longhorn fans."

Mu husband asks, "How many Longhorn fans are in West Virginia?"

Boy #2, "Almost every truck with a Texas license plate."

Being a good mom, I toss in a scolding, "COLE! That's not nice!"

Boy #2, "But it was funny."

More concerned, I add, "Are you an idiot? Some, hell, most, of those guys are huge. You're lucky they didn't whip your, um, derriere."

Boy #2 assures, "We're not stupid...we only yelled at skinny white guys."

Unable to resist, I have to know. "Why only white guys?"

Boy #2, "Didn't want anyone to think it was racial thing, when it was just a Longhorns suck thing. But now that Tech beat us, now we'll here about it."

I turn to their dad, the father figure, assuming he'll set the youth straight. "Are you hearing this?"

My husband nods and says to his son, "Don't worry. No one's a Tech fan."

Hello, my name's Elizabeth...I live in a house with four boys...and they all act like their father.

**Adding a footnote...just so people don't think I'm raising delinquents...Cole is a good boy, who does bad things sometimes. But he's honest and he self-reports his behavior...then he gets nagged at so he doesn't become a criminal and stays his sweet, football playing, 4.0, hopes to go to med school self. 


Oh, and on the writing front...I put "Past Due" in the Kindle Direct Program. So, if you have a Kindle and are a prime member, you can download book one in the Coulter Men serie now...before the second book, "Healing Summer", comes out! Tis almost the season!

Get "Past Due" Here

32 comments:

Odds and Ends...

10:23 AM Elizabeth Seckman 55 Comments

I played Trivial Pursuit over the weekend...my team lost, NOT, because we didn't have intellect and a booty kicking ability to answer question after question...

We lost because I was a freaking LOSER at rolling the doggone dice and circled the middle forever until the other team gobbled up all their pieces of pie wedges and went right to the winner's circle in one roll, got a Harry freaking Potter question and won.

There's a writing/ life lesson in that, but it's depressing, so let's just move on...

World Castle Publishing, my favorite publisher ;)...is sponsoring give-aways!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

And there's also the ExpressYourself Meme...and this week is:

The movies that make the hair stand up on the back of your neck?

I can answer that in one word: Disney

Disney has no respect for Happy Endings and has lost me more sleep than all the "Friday the 13th"s wrapped together in one bloody, decapitated bundle.

Don't believe me? Below...the proof...my first childhood trauma:

Think Disney will pay for my therapy?


photo credit: juco via photopin cc

55 comments:

IWSG: Swimming or Sinking?

10:22 AM Elizabeth Seckman 48 Comments

               < photo credit: HikingArtist.com via photopin cc />


It's another Insecure Writer's Support Group!!

Insecure Writer List
Started by the Ninja Master, Alex J. Cavanaugh, to support writers around the world. Posts appear the first Wednesday of every month in an attempt to save your sanity. You can check out other pieces by simply clicking HERE.

Now...here's my thoughts on this October ISWSG day...

Back in the day, I had a real job. The kind where a secretary took my calls when I said I was busy, and wrote messages on little pink slips of paper (yes, it was a loooonnnngggg time ago!), and I would return them at my leisure.

If I was at work...I had absolutely no guilt in not answering that phone. Not a single second thought in saying, "Busy. I'll have to do that later."

But, as a writer...some days, I'm like those fish in the bowl with no better daily plan than swimming in circles. I expect results, but all I get is frustration.

Let's be honest...I know what I need to do. I know what separates the published from the unpublished, the sellers from the non-sellers...and it's not always talent (cause fishy buddies, there's lots of that in the literary tank!)...what differs is the dedication, the determination of some to GET. THE. JOB. DONE.

I think we all know it. How many of us wonder when the Ninja Master sleeps? Yes, he may have a clone, but I'm betting he has a plan. And a job. A job he takes seriously.

So, why is it so few of us do the same? Why aren't we setting working hours? Why don't we have the kahoonas (by which I mean gonads) big enough to start saying NO to some things so we can get our work done?

How many writers quit after trying for years, but maybe only spent months actually working?

I've seen it more than once...talented people who went belly up in the bowl because they just got tired of swimming in circles.

Don't swim in circles.

You want to succeed at this? It's a job...maybe even your second...or third job. So, to squeeze what you're going to have to do into a busy life, you're going to have to *gasp* start saying no to some things. And you're going to have to look at all things writer-ish as "work" and stop feeling guilty...you have a job to get done.

Here's just a few things that you should be doing GUILT FREE and why:

The study of the craft? educational
Blogging...facebooking...tweeting? platform building
Reading? also educational
Conferences, seminars, webinars, etc? business trips
Staring at a computer screen, some days only spitting out 100 words? it's reality & what you live for

Distraction is a drug...Just say no!





48 comments:

Express Yourself!!

11:36 AM Elizabeth Seckman 23 Comments

Rules and Sign Ups
Dani at Entertaining Interests is hosting a meme.

Here's the schedule:

Oct. 1-5- pick a name in your current wip; what was your process of acquiring it?
Oct. 8-12 List five movies/books that cause the hair to stand on the back of your neck.
Oct. 15-19- What language would you like to speak and why?
Oct. 22-15- List five favorite monsters throughout history?

Seems easy enough...I like easy...so I'm in!

COMING SOON!!!
A name in a wip...

In "Healing Summer"...I needed a name for Mollie's mom.

I was sitting at a football game with a friend and booster mom...I don't recall the exact situation, but we were both trying to shirk responsibility...we were asked, and both of us were trying to dodge...Oh, I don't know...let's say cookie baking or something...anyhow Vickie caved first.  Then I agreed, because come on...I'm a sucker to peer pressure!

So, then I told Vickie, "You're too damn nice. And to punish you, I'm naming Mollie's mom, Vickie. Don't worry she's not a hooker, but don't push me, that can be changed."

Okay, so no one is ever going to ask me to write a 'how-to-write-a-classic-manual', but I suppose I'll survive!

23 comments:

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