Medeia and Bella Looking Pretty

12:00 AM Elizabeth Seckman 63 Comments



That's not Vivien Leigh!*
Super excited today! I am a HUGE fan of Gone with the Wind. I read that book every couple of years. As a matter of fact, it's the only book besides the Bible and Dr. Suess that I have read until the cover is tattered. 

I love Scarlet O'Hara's spunk. That lady is a survivor. And a bit of a bitch. I mean come on, she doesn't even really like her kids (if you've only seen the movie, frankly my dear, you don't know damn...as in all stories- the book is soooo much better!)

I love Melanie Wilke's tender spirit. She is the epitome of all things good, sees the postive in all things...including the husband clutching Scarlet.

Anyhow. I always wanted to write a book along the same vein (not even going to pretend I think I can even walk in Margaret Mitchell's tiny shoes...read her biography, chick was a mini human with small feet). And I wondered, what if there was a character with the heart of Melanie Wilkes and the passion of Scarlet O'Hara? 

The result? 

Tell you in a minute.

First, I want to let you know about, what I am certain will be, a great read. Medeia is one smart lady and she never does anything by halves, so this is a must read:


SNIP, SNIP REVENGE by Medeia Sharif
YA Contemporary, Evernight Teen
Release Date April 25, 2014

Beautiful, confident Tabby Karim has plans for the winter: nab a role in her school’s dramatic production, make the new boy Michael hers, and keep bigoted Heather—with her relentless Ay-rab comments—at bay. When a teacher’s lie and her father’s hastiness rob her of her beautiful hair, her dreams are dashed. The fastest barber in Miami Beach has made her look practically bald. 

 With all her pretty hair gone, Tabby doesn’t believe she fits the feminine role she’s auditioning for. Michael is still interested in her, but he’s playing it cool. Heather has taken to bullying her online, which is easier to do with Tabby’s ugly haircut. Tabby spearheads Operation Revenge, which proves satisfying until all of her problems deepen. After messing up, she sets to make things right.

Author Bio
I’m a Kurdish-American author who was born in New York City, and I presently call Miami my home. I received my master’s degree in psychology from Florida Atlantic University. After becoming a voracious reader in high school and a relentless writer dabbling in many genres in college, I found my niche writing for young people. Today I'm a MG and YA writer published through various presses. In addition to being a writer, I'm a middle school English teacher. My memberships include Mensa, ALAN, and SCBWI.


Find Medeia

Blog   |   Twitter   |   Goodreads   |   Instagram   |   Amazon


Now, about that Gone with the Wind inspired story....

What do you get when you blend Miss Mellie with the high-spirited Scarlet?




 I'm so excited, I'm almost giddy. The story is in edit and coming soon. I've been working on this story for years. Yes, years. But it was a labor of love- proof that the best part of being a writer is the power to make whatever story we want to read come true.  


 

This lovely cover art is courtesy of  Sprinkles on Top Studios. Sarah is a wonderfully sweet lady to work with and so creative! I actually won a free cover while at the Novel Experience...I think it was fate ;)

 *That iconic movie poster features an artist's depiction of Scarlet taken from the descriptions in the book. Vivien Leigh was one of the last people to be cast in the film. That's a little known fact for ya, there Naumie. 

 Join Medeia's giveaway to celebrate the release of her latest novel.
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63 comments:

Writing a Superhero Novel

12:00 AM Elizabeth Seckman 53 Comments

Welcome Nicole! She's got a new book you will want to know about....
Nowadays, superheroes are everywhere: movies, graphic novels, comic books… why not novels too?


All you have to do is create a superhero. Mix and mash a bunch of cool powers, create a costume, come up with a name and you're good to go, right?


Not exactly. You don't want your superhero to be too perfect, to have to many powers, to not have too easy a time taking down the villain. (Yeah, gotta create a villain too.)


And the hero's (and villain's) origin has to be original and believable. There's gotta be high stakes too. A ticking bomb – sometimes literally.


Don't forget the puny humans. The side characters need to have true supporting roles so we care about them as much as the hero.


Writing superhero novels has been so much fun that I might just write another one separate from the trilogy when I'm done.



Have you ever thought about writing a superhero story?



BLURB:



After destroying Skull Krusher, Nicholas Adams thinks Falledge is safe and becomes a security guard at the museum, watching a valuable statue. Unfortunately, the Egyptian statue houses the soul of a scorned witch, biding her time to have her revenge on the descendants of her cheating lover.



Kiya the witch isn't the only new foe in town as the drug that created Skull Krusher has now transformed a scientist into yet another monster, forcing Nicholas to don his Black Hellebore mask again and save Falledge.



Nicholas has no help this time as Kiya gains possession of his love Julianna's body and brings the soul of Justina, Nicholas's high school sweetheart and Julianna's twin, with her. Despite himself, Nicholas is torn between the sisters. If he can't stop the fiends from taking over the world and destroying humankind, he'd never be able to find lasting, true love.



Add it on Goodreads! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21912639-white-hellebore



BIO:



 Nicole Zoltack loves to write in many genres, especially romance, whether fantasy, paranormal, or regency. When she’s not writing about knights, superheroes, or zombies, she loves to spend time with her loving husband and three energetic young boys. She enjoys riding horses (pretending they’re unicorns, of course!) and going to the PA Renaissance Faire, dressed in garb. She’ll also read anything she can get her hands on. Her current favorite TV show is The Walking Dead. To learn more about Nicole and her writing, visit http://NicoleZoltack.blogspot.com.





Misha Gericke and Beth Fred host a monthly blog hop that's meant to support each other and keep ourselves looking forward and staying on track.

The last Friday of each month, tell the hop members how you've done- like a Weight Watchers weigh in. Time to put the cookies down and tell us how well you've done. 

This is my first month, so I'm just going to look ahead and make a few plans for the month of May. 

May?! 

Yes, May. Sigh. 

My personal life will be busy in May. Boy #2, Cole, will graduate from high school. 1) I will have him a party. 2) I will remember to send out his graduation announcements. 3) I do not promise to paint the bathroom and kitchen by said party time. I had planned on that last year, but really, I was lying to myself. 

Boy #1, Caleb, comes home from college at the beginning of May. Yay!! 4) I plan to switch to a summer post schedule of once a week. Last year I tried to manage all things and just brain fried out. Pacing. That's my new goal ;)

5) Bella's Point should be in he midst of edits and I should start planning a bit of a launch. Thinking of doing a blog hop rather than a tour. But without a hard release date, that's tough to plan. Maybe plan on the end of June....

6) Finish the first draft of Defying Reason, my NA attempt. 

7) One more...for a lucky seven! Finish up all my promised beta reads. Slow reading is such a pain! 

Now, let's see if I accomplish my goals next month! This was fun. Join us HERE!

Holy sand man, I almost forgot! Missy Davis, Lindsay Anne Kendal, and myself are having a Facebook party next Saturday May 3 from 3:00-8:00 pm US Eastern time. 

We've invited lots of readers and writers and hope it's an opportunity to mingle with each other and maybe meat some new readers. 

We're looking for authors and bloggers who would like to stop by and say hi and who would like to throw in a give away, an ebook or what not. If you'd like to participate, say so in the comments...and leave an email, unless I already stalk you ;)

Should be fun!

 





53 comments:

Meet My Publisher, Buy Her Book

8:00 AM Elizabeth Seckman 45 Comments

Me and Karen @
The Novel Writing Experience
Years ago, when I was first on the hunt for an agent, an editor...hell, anyone in the publishing world that would give me or my manuscript a second thought...I ran across Karen's profile. 

I hadn't really considered small pub, but as I read an interview with Karen, she said she liked beer and NASCAR.
I was intrigued, so, I sent her my manuscript. She sent me a contract and my dream became reality.
She's patient. She's understanding. She listens. Karen understands writers, because she is a writer herself and she knows how our books become our babies and how we sometimes need a hand to hold or a foot in the bum to keep ourselves working.
She's a special lady and I wanted you all to meet her, so I invited her over for an interview!

 World Castle and becoming a publisher was a dream you risked your 401k on making happen, any regrets?

No, not at all. I felt driven to start the publishing company and have worked very hard to make it a success. I always say if you don’t chase your dreams you’ll never catch them. I’m a firm believer in that.

What do you see for the future of World Castle?
The company as a whole is doing very well. I see us growing and sticking around for a very long time. Look out world, here we come! LOL

What are you looking for in a WC writer besides gorgeous, amazingly talented writers like myself?

LOL Elizabeth! I’m looking for those talented individuals that can spin a tale and are personable enough to sell themselves to the marketplace. We do what we can to market authors, but they have to be willing to take the extra steps and the initiative to promote themselves as well.

Writer and publisher. How do you find the time and balance?

Unfortunately I don’t. LOL Many times my writing falls by the wayside. I’m so busy doing for others that I have a hard time finding time to write for myself. I’ve recently set a goal for myself to set aside an hour or two a day to focus on me. I’ll let you know how that works out.

Wearing both hats, is that an advantage or disadvantage?

Both. LOL I have the final say, but at times I have to take the flack.

Authors sometimes have a tendency to think of me as the untouchable ogre, for lack of a better term coming to mind. LOL They’re sometimes afraid to talk to me. Although I don’t have time to talk much I’m not unapproachable.

As for my own work, sometimes it is a disadvantage. I feel that someone might not tell me what they really think of my work. In this respect, I’m an author too, and I am not above making mistakes. I’ve had to point this out to my editors before. LOL

Overall, I love what I do and I wouldn’t change a thing.

Now...let's hear a little about the latest book, which I assure you is a hot, hot, sizzling hot read!

Click here to buy!
World Castle Website
Amanda Archer is on the fast track to success. At twenty-five she has just about everything she’s ever wanted. She has complete control of her life…until she meets Marco.
Marco De Lucia is a very influential man. Handsome, rich, and very powerful. Marco has a secret that few know about and live to tell it. He’s a wolf.
From the moment Marco steps into Amanda’s life everything spins out of her control. Marco tells her about fate, destiny and her obligations. She was born to be his...
Marco has waited three hundred years to finally find Amanda and fulfill their destiny. He knows who she is...he just has to convince her of that.
There are others that aren’t too excited that Marco’s found his mate. Others that will stop at nothing to make sure the prophecy isn’t fulfilled...
  

                                                    ***********
I love a good book.
I love a good sale.
Make it a good book on sale? 
Well, just call me a happy girl!


Get Cat and the Dreamer for .99!

Annalisa Crawford's story of troubled teens goes well beyond the typical tale of teen angst. It's a story that takes the reader on a twisted tale that blends reality and imagination as the reader gets to look inside young Julia's mind.

This story reminds me of The Bell Jar. It's smart fiction that will leave an impact on your soul. 

45 comments:

Facebook Shame Follow Up

12:00 AM Elizabeth Seckman 78 Comments

If you're on my Facebook, you've already seen my husband's public humiliation.

His cousin's wife found a picture and shared it with the world.

Then his thoughtful wife shared and reshared.

His children scoffed and admitted total vindication in choosing their own style over good ol' Dad's.

Even though for years my hubs has told our boys that if a guy is man enough, he can carry a pink purse and pull it off.

That no man should ever be a slave to fashion.

Well, that argument has ZERO sway in this house now, because every single one of my boys knows-

They never want a picture like this to ever come back to haunt them:


The Seckman's circa 1987
my sister-in-law Corinne; their cousin Danny,
and that hot guy, with the toddler sized clothes on?
That's my man.

And just so the world knows...twenty-seven years later? 

He's still got it...


Chad Seckman
the anti-fashionista



The clothes of a toddler, that is. 


*This post and pictures were approved by Mr. Seckman, who is man enough to carry a pink purse...if only his wife would let him. 

78 comments:

Threads, Sand, and Da Man

12:00 AM Elizabeth Seckman 60 Comments

Did you check out M. Pax's Blog post this week? Did you see the sand under the microscope?


Check out more sand photos HERE

Seriously gorgeous right?

It reminded me of something my Sunday school teacher once told me about life.


From the back? 
This needlepoint is a mess.
We can't yet see how the different threads 
make a pattern that will be 
this:


                                                           Beautiful. Perfection.

Life can be like that. Ugly. Messy. Difficult.

Stick with it and you will see...there is beauty in the disarray. 

This is a lesson I have carried with me through some tough times. 

Now, thanks to Mary, I have the sand to think of too.

Billions of grains. We trample it underfoot without a second thought. 

Who would have guessed something so common was made of such marvelous bits? 

Reminder: take the time to see the big picture...and the small. 

Life is about perspective. Don't forget to switch it up every now and then. 

                                  Can't forget this: 

Last week I got a HUGE box of chocolate in the mail. (Who'd have known poking fun at our favorite bald guy will reap such rewards?!) 

My husband, always the wary type, asked, "Who sent that?"

I said, "My cyber bro and buddy, Mark."

He asked, "What does this Mark look like?"

So, I showed him this:


Good sport and all around good guy
Mark Koopmans
My hubs asked, "Was that outfit a joke?"

"Certainly not," I said. "He likes to express his creativity in words and fashion."

"In that case, he can send chocolate." *

*For the record, the ONLY part of the above story that is true is the fact that Mark sent a HUGE box of chocolates. Way too much, in fact. He is far too generous. But! He did elevate my status among my men, hubs included...I mean if this whole blogging thing means food arrives via US Postal...then to the blog she should go! 

                                                      & there is this: 



 Carrie Butler tagged me in this little meme. 

 Thanks Carrie!
What am I working on? Working on a few stories. I like to work on several at one time. Suits my scattered brain's natural tendencies. 

 How does my work differ from others of its category/genre? Just like those grains of sand- my words are a reflection of me, but one of many....

 Why do I write what I do? I believe in true love. I think a bad marriage/relationship is a soul killer. Find the right person for you and it's life synergism. 

 How does your writing process work? I imagine it, then I describe it. Sort of like a movie that plays out in my head and I just need to get in on paper.

 My turn to pass the torch! The three writers I tag to tell us about their writing process next week are:  Tonja Drecker of Kidbits. She has a new home, some cows, and is back at her blog!
                    Mary Pax of M. Pax- the wise lady with the sandy vision.
                    Bryan and Brandon wouldn't we all like to know...just how many beers does it take to get to the center of a weekly post? 
                    
photo credit: BevKnits via photopin cc photo credit: BevKnits via photopin cc

60 comments:

Come to Annalisa's!

9:57 AM Elizabeth Seckman 0 Comments


I'm not here today, so no need to worry about commenting...

Just clickety click HERE and visit me at Annalisa's!


photo credit: Nuwandalice via photopin cc

Guests and Covers

9:00 AM Elizabeth Seckman 40 Comments

So happy to be a stop on the blog tour for Jenny Morris and Kelley Lynn's new release!


Elizabeth, thank you for being a part of our blog tour. It means a lot to us!!

I'm just glad you had time to stop by!! 
I know you gals are busy, so let's get to the questions. 

1. Tell us a little about you...where you went to school/ where did you grow up...you know...give us the dirt!
The dirt on me is I’ve little a little bit of everywhere. Born in South Dakota and moved to Arkansas when I was 8. Half of my family still lives there so I get to go have sweet tea and hear the lovely southern twang whenever I can. I went to college in Alaska (I didn’t actually move there to go to school, but for other reasons.) Then I moved to Arizona where I met my husband and he brought me back to his home state, Oregon. It’s funny because whenever I take all those quizzes on Facebook I get Portland or Oregon as the place I was meant to live. So I guess it took me a while to find where I belong, but I did.

2. How does your background influence your writing? 
I think being able to experience people from many different parts of the country has helped in understanding and creating characters. Where you’re from can really influence you a lot. My large family has also impacted my writing a lot. Road to Somewhere is about sisters and I have 3 biological and 3 that either married one of my brothers or I married into. And they really helped me create Charlie and how she interacts with Lucy. It’s funny because I’m the baby sister and Kelley’s the older sister. We picked the character that is the opposite of what we are, but I feel like it helped me understand my older sisters more.

3. Is this your first book? If not, what others; if so, what else do you have in the works?
This isn’t the first book I’ve written just the first one to sell.  My first book in its original form has been banished to the recesses of my hard drive. But I did take a ghost of the idea and write a different story, which I hope to sell. I have several other books in various stages of writing or editing. Some of them collabs with other authors. They’re all YA contemps.

4. You're writing a collaboration with Kelley Lynn. How does that work? Do you swap chapters or do a relay... one writer goes until beat and then passes the torch to the next writer.
With Road to Somewhere we swapped chapters (which is actually how I’ve done all my collabs). We decided who would start first, Charlie, and then I wrote a chapter. I then sent it to Kelley and she read it, put her thoughts in the notes, and then wrote Lucy’s chapter. It is extremely fun to do, and one of the best writing experiences I’ve ever had. There is some plotting and character building you have to do beforehand, but once you get going usually it just kind of flows.

5. Is Kelley, your co-writer, as sweet as she seems or is she a closet case bossy pants?
Well… I’m just kidding. Kelley’s actually so sweet sometimes I can’t take it.  (Only in the mornings when I’m trying to sleep). I was very excited when I finally got to meet Kelley in person. I talk to her almost every day via text, Facebook, or email but there is something about seeing someone face to face. She’s sweet, funny, and I just wanted to stuff her in my luggage and take her home with me.

Thank you SO much for doing this.

My pleasure ladies! Best of luck :)

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Kelley Lynn was born and raised a Midwestern girl. She’s not afraid to sweat and fills her free time with softball, soccer and volleyball. (Though you probably don’t want her on your volleyball team.) She occasionally makes guest appearances as a female vocalist for area bands. Music plays a large role in her writing process as well as the characters and plot lines within her stories.

Jenny S. Morris is a YA author who loves all things geek, may have a Kdrama addiction, and prefers the rainy NW to any place she's ever lived. Road to Somewhere is her debut novel.

And now for some new cover love!!

Armageddon is coming…
Hannah is a Devada, a special breed created to kill Satan’s chosen four ~ his Kings of hell.
Hannah is on the hunt for the demons responsible for the death of her parents.  Their gruesome bodies still haunt her dreams.  Will these nightmares ever end?  Will she get to know peace once more?
When Raum was sent to Oklahoma to help a young girl transform into a Devada he knew there was something different about her.  She wasn’t like any other Devada he’d known.  When secrets are revealed he is surprised at how special Hannah really is.










   Goodreads





Other Books By Alexandrea Weis




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40 comments:

The Insecure Gardener

12:00 AM Elizabeth Seckman 88 Comments


Alex Cavanaugh's IWSG

Special thanks to our host, the ninja captain- Alex Cavanaugh. Not trying to be a sycophant or make Alex blush, but I've tried walking that mile in his shoes and all I got were blistered fingers. So, thanks!

And thanks to this month's co-hosts:  Hart Johnson, Chemist Ken, Candilynn Fite, Terri Rochenski, Clare Dugmore, and Lilica Blake!




Now on to the post!

 Years ago, when I was still working from my social work cubical, one of the ladies in my office asked me if I knew how to plant tulips. She'd bought some from Wal Mart, but didn't know how to plant them. 

 Honestly, neither did I.

 So, I called my grandmother. 


She got a pretty good laugh at us young folk not knowing which side of the bulb had the roots and which side had the shoot. 

 I told her it wasn't our fault- the package they came in didn't have any directions.

 "A package?" My grandma asked.

 "Yeah, she bought them from Wal Mart."

 Then she chuckled. "Why I have never bought a tulip bulb in my life. You just go get starts from another gardener." Then came the admonishment that I better not be buying bulbs...just come on over to Grandma's and she'd hook me up.

 And she did. 

 She's been gone three years, but as the weather starts to warm and the sun shines longer each day...the flowers my grandmother gave me are coming to life. 

 My garden is far more than just plants I bought from the garden center. It's a living memory.

 Now. What does that have to do with writing insecurity?

 My grandmother loved her garden and she worked in it for hours on end. I don't recall her ever planning to quit because a pest invaded or the weeds were too thick. Nor do I remember a time when she felt guilt over the hours she spent toiling in the dirt. 

 Nope. None of that. She was a wise woman who knew the value of loving what she did. 

 She also knew there was more than one way to grow a flower, that a person didn't need the backing of the big box store. A bulb given can net the same, if not better, results. 

 So, for the love words, why can't writers tend to our literary gardens without the guilt, the pressure, and the need to be number one? 

 If it brings you joy, why quit?

  Somehow, writers have adopted this collective ideology that the only people who have a "right" to be in the field are the ones who have reached some constantly shifting goal...write a book, get published, get readers, get big numbers, cash big checks....

 It's good to have goals, but you must also love the process and appreciate your small blooms. 

 Even if it's just a legacy, a little piece of heart you leave the ones you love, isn't that an accomplishment? Why do writers feel the need to reach some pinnacle for writing to be a valid endeavor?

 Ya know, I'm pretty certain no one ever said, "I have to be the White House gardener or I may as well quit."
Need some tips on adding some more stick-it-to-it-ness? Check out the Insecure Writer's Support Group Website! It's packed full of excellent tips and, well, support!

 Mukumbura via photopin

88 comments:

The Worst Dater, The Best Investment, and a Cover Reveal!

12:51 AM Elizabeth Seckman 43 Comments

Want more flops? Click HERE!

Flopping! 
To celebrate Krista McLaughlin's new release, Breathless, she is hosting a blog hop! It's easy enough...tell the world of a romantic flop.

Romance flops was a specialty of mine. Honestly? You don't know happy I am to be married and not have to date.

Believe it or not- I am awkward.

New situations morph me into this clumsy, stuttering mess. This excruciating discomfort was even worse when there was the pressure of a possible relationship. 

 Oh, Lordy! I hate to admit this, but...

I was once a compulsive date ender. I apologize to every guy I ever went out with and used any one of these lame excuses to ditch a date:

1. I just remembered, my parents lowered my curfew to um...however long it takes to drive home.
2. I just remembered, I have to get up really early and leave town, for like a month.
3. Oh look! It's my bestie! She'll give me a ride home now. It will save you the bother....thoughtful, I know.
4. Sure, I'd love for you to call me again, but I'm permanently grounded from the phone.
5. I didn't ditch you. You were talking and I suddenly got a headache/food poisoning/malaria.

I am shamed to even admit this. I wasn't even smooth enough to be clever!

Thank God my husband is a patient man. A very, very patient man.

Investing


I imagined Koopmans opening the box with the hideous little she-version of his alter-ego, Siggy (if you're confused, catch up HERE), and his little guys being scarred for life when they asked, "Poppa, what's in the box?"
And the answer was the bug-eyed creature created with my hot glue gun.


Sooo...I added a few pups...and got these in return:


Kodey (2) is by the table, Tobey (6) has the blue stripe and Corey (4) is standing on the couch :)

Grocery store puppies- 1.50
Little Koopmans's smiles- priceless
That's a great investment!

Covering!!!



 Sometimes a single choice alters the course of a person's life forever...

        Coming May 12, 2014 from Truelove Press- a Western historical romance!


 Native Texan Melissa Maygrove is a wife, mother, nurse, freelance editor, and romance writer. When she's not busy caring for her tiny nursery patients or shuttling teenagers back and forth to after-school activities, she's hunched over her laptop, complicating the lives of her imaginary friends and playing matchmaker. Melissa loves books with unpretentious characters and unforgettable romance, and she strives to create those same kinds of stories for her readers.

Website
Blog
Twitter @MelissaMaygrove
Facebook 
Google+
Goodreads author page



Congratulations Melissa!!! And best of luck to all you hearty A-Z'ers!!

43 comments:

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