Trick Or Treat
Happy Halloween
...
Chilly weather today. Seems it always rains here on October 31st and absolutely drenches or freezes our little trick or treaters, but I remember one particular Halloween when I was in 8th grade. Three friends and I thought we'd give the tradition one more go. The sun was shining as we set out at five o'clock, the weather was like spring...warm, breezy, comfortable. Two dogs chased us, and the cute math teacher was washing his car as we approached. Then he turned the water hose on us and soaked us. Every Halloween since has been all wet.
Weird holiday for me, nonetheless. Smoked my 1st...whatever it was...behind the building at a church social when I was 14 with an older boy I had a crush on--he later gave his all in Viet Nam. My son was conceived on Halloween when I was 23. (His girlfriend's birthday is today, too.) And I spent many years after that taking him and his friends trick-or-treating. But the weirdest Halloween was during my college years. The girls in the only all-girls dorm on campus decided to play strip poker...and the last item of clothing to go was your panties. You could keep them on for one more hand, but you had to run down each of the three floors, two wings, in just your drawers to stay in the game. There were no lights in the halls after 10 pm, and this was around midnight, so this seemed a safe bet. It wasn't.
My birthday is one week after Halloween, and we were all known for pranking the birthday girl, only these bitches sacked me early. They set me up to lose that night then had it planned so that all of the lights went on at a specific time, phoned the boys from the boys' dorms and had them sneak out to watch the show. (Did I mention all glass walls on the stairwells, and no elevators?) My screaming as I raced from third floor to first probably woke up every dorm mother and cop on campus.
I played Texas Hold 'Em for hours last night...won about $3000 in play money. What I wouldn't have given to have known then what I know now and to have those heifers at my mercy.
What are your favorite Halloween memories?
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The Write Snark
Well...I read it, does that count??? I tried to write horror once. It was pathetic--even I laughed. Only thing scary was the attempt.
It's The Write Snark.
www.cafepress.com/thewritesnarkA friend of mine--another writer, of course--has a mixed penchant for cartooning, snarkism, and humor. Since I am currently trying to decide which coffee mug to order (it takes a huge frickin' tee-shirt to cover these boobs, so I'm goin' with the coffee mug), I thought I'd share my choices as I narrow the selection:
I wrote last week that I wished I had a talent for cartooning, and wham - Rinda sends me her designs to peruse. Oh, well, if I can't do it, I'm glad someone else can. Every writer needs a great coffee mug or tee shirt that expresses how she feels in the moment. My problem is that I'm a writer, a tad schitzo...my moods swing.
If any of the rest of you are artists, first let me say that I despise you, second that I bow to your greatness, and third...where can I get hooked up?
Decisions, decisions.
This is her way of getting back at me for using her name in an erotic romance novel coming out in a few days with Liquid Silver Books.
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Let's Get It Over With
If there was anything I could do better, I'd choose ilustrating or poeting. (Is there such a word? Told ya I need help.) Why is it that the wordsmiths who have the best gift of gab and grasp of giggle are the ones with the fewest words? Cartoonists and poets.
But noooo - I have to choose becoming a novelist. Someone whose soulful sole purpose is taking 200 to 400 or more pages in order to "illustrate" one or two lies. Er...lines.
Not only that, we also have to write the synopsis then shorten what we say further to mention what we're hawking in a cover letter. A friend's recent struggle with her synopsis prompted me to make a few comments (and yours are welcome as well) on writing what to many writers is the worst part of pitching a book. Why are synopses dreaded?
Her first effort (and this is a seasoned writer) was judged boring by one friend. For one thing, what should have been one or two pages had turned into five. Knowing this girl's writing talents, I asked her what the thrust of her story was, what she wanted me to know about this book. I asked her to boil down the thrust of her story in one line then to expand it to two, then three. Then I asked her to write one paragraph on each of her protagonists based upon that first sentence to explain what would get them to their goals, with one last paragraph illustrating how the characters arrived at their HEA.
1. tell me what you're gonna tell me; 2. illustrate it (you're a wordsmith, a word artist, remember); then conclude it with a satisfactory and brief ah-ha.
What are methods, techniques, outlines that the rest of you use when writing synopses? Am I the only one who actually likes writing these things? - lol
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The Belfry Author Day
Have I mentioned my marvelous critique group lately?
October 11, 2005, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST (NY)
We will open the doors at approximately 5:30 am Tuesday, 10/11/05.***JOIN
OUR YAHOO GROUP ON OCTOBER 11****THANKS
6 am = sweet romance & confessions
7 am = women’s fiction & Christmas stories
8 am = time travel, mystery, & intrigue
9 am = erotic romance
10 am = romantic suspense and thriller
11 am = mainstream and suspense
12 pm = suspense and mainstream
1 pm = hen lit and chick lit mysteries
2 pm = romance, mystery & mayhem
3 pm = erotic romance
4 pm = Aussie flavor
5 pm = tender yet spicy romance
6 pm = contemporary romance
7 pm – 8 pm – Let’s chat
Throughout the day there will be teaser excerpts, drop ins from our authors, contests and giveaways. Come join us for a day of fun, reading and hilarity from the Bats in the Belfry.
The all-day chat will be moderated, but you can join via the web - no pre-approval. Some of us have news, such as great new books coming out and new book covers:
There will be excerpts from a wide collection of genres and authors, plenty to inspire you as a writer or enthrall you as a reader. Lots to see & do.
The Bats have their own blog, if you'd like to catch up on how-to articles for writers or just see what a writer's life is like from time to time.
Many of you already know what it's like as a writer - come and commiserate with us - lol.
No matter what you do today, I wish you a gabby muse, a comfortable writing spot, few interuptions, and enough creativitiy to fuel whatever project you're on.
See you after the Author Day...
~ Lyn
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Bragging Rights
I'll level with you - I pretty much got my ass kicked this morning, and for a reason. As a writer, the part of the biz that I hate to do is self-promotion. I haven't had my reviews posted anywhere on my blog or on the website that I still don't know how to run. Then I did some thinking. Several reviewers did me the courtesy of taking the time to read my books. They gave up precious time that they could have spent on someone else's material, and they gave me a boost. The
least I can do is post their words:
RC and April are wonderful characters with complex personalities. It is fascinating to watch the interaction between them as they unravel the truth behind their current situation. Their relationship progresses at a realistic pace. The sex scenes are so hot and steamy that I would not have been surprised to see steam rise from the pages. I needed a cold shower after reading them. The book has prominent BDSM elements that are sure to please readers who enjoy the BDSM genre. The cruise ship setting is nicely described and befitting to the storyline. The plotline kept my eyes riveted to the pages until the very last word was read. Ms. Cash has penned a tale of love, lust, and BDSM that many are sure to enjoy. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stories of dominance and submission. Kinky Kruising: Mistress Mine is most definitely a keeper!~~Susan White - Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books & Reviewer for Coffee Time RomancePraise for the writing of Lyn Cash, Kinky Kruising: Mistress Mine The sensual elements of the story show the explosive heat that occurs between two strong people who have an immediate attraction and all that's needed to feed the attraction is time. I will be reading this book again and again and again. I recommend it to everyone.
~~ Ellen, The Romance Story
Mistress Mine is an entertaining premise with a lighter BDSM flair. Its a welcomed first effort by Ms. Cash.
~~ Ann Lee, Just Erotic Romance Reviews
When picking up this book my first thought was “wow, two of my favorite subjects- cowboys and BDSM together in one book, how perfect. Mistress Mine more than lives up to my expectations, I loved the interactions between the characters during RC’s ‘vacation’ and the emotional attachment I could feel for them both. However, Lyn Cash did something I hadn’t expected, she made the characters more than just a Dominatrix and her temporary submissive, she brings them to life as real people with real problems and feelings. While I admit, I loved the sexiness of all the antics that went on during the cruise and time on the island, I adored getting to know RC and April through their vulnerabilities that come through in the pages. Mistress Mine has that perfect blend of love, laughter, and sadness that keeps you engrossed in the pages and leaves you with a sense of awe and light-heartedness.
~~ Chrissy, Euro-Reviews
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From the bottom of my terrified, grateful heart, I thank the reviewers whose words meant so much. And I thank the woman who kicked my butt and reminded me that it's up to me to take charge of my own promotion. Thanks, Carla.
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Being Prepared
There are some things we can do to "get by", and then there are things that must be done unless we want to kiss all our hard work (and our southern hemispheres) goodbye.
Certain members of my family practically live by platitudes. For instance..."if it's not on your butt, hang it up". Another that came to mind when I saw this photo was this little gem:
It's not doing something that matters - it's doing what counts.How many times have you submitted a manuscript only to realize that you failed to include the cover letter, or you didn't write REQUESTED across the submission if an editor or agent specifically asked for the parcel?
How about when you didn't use spell check, and all of your Turks were Turds because your middle fingers got confused?
We can have a fresh start any time of the year. I figure if I wake up, that's a plus for the day, and anything afterwards is gravy. Beats the alternative...not waking up. Then, too, there's something invigorating about autumn weather that is exciting as spring for me. For some reason, cooler weather is always my most productive writing time. While others are bemoaning the end of their summer flowers, the high cost of heating (who doesn't hate that one?), and the the lack of opportunity to get out of the house...I recharge the emotional batteries and think of my favorite words...abundance and gratitude. There are stories to tell and time to tell them if I buckle down. To every thing there is a season...and I love the productive times.
Hope you are all having a great season writing, that this fall you harvest the fruits of your spring and summer labors, and that you gear up for yet another year.
~ Sunny Lynhttp://authorlyncash.blogspot.com/http://thebelfrycollective.com/
Mistress Mine & The Big O ~ ON SALE NOW!http://www.loose-id.com/
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4 Comments:
I'm laughing too hard to think of any. Go get 'em. Mooooooooo! LMAO!!
My favorite Halloween memories? Running through the neighborhood terrorizing the adults. Karma has a way of coming back to bite you. Now the kids do it to me. LOL!
Tanya
The candy. I was obsessed with largesse.
My sibs and I would spread it out on the floor and play our own version of Texas Hold 'Em - bartering for the stuff we wanted from each other's bags.
Back when I trick-or-treated, no one worried about the problems like today. We'd get a pillowcase full of candy, popcorn balls, candied apples, pennies from the little old lady down the street, and if it was particularly cold, several of the neighbors and our Scout leader would offer a cup of hot cider or hot chocolate to the kids they knew knocking on their doors.
Memories from a bygone era...
We're getting carloads of kids here - its thundering and raining so they're coming in spurts in cars.
Several of the churches down the street are having parties, so I think what we're getting is the preparty kids!
You can hate me if you want, but I'm tagging you, Lyn! :)
Three screen names that you've had:
Three things you like about yourself:
Three things you don't like about yourself:
Three parts of your heritage:
Three things that scare you:
Three of your everyday essentials:
Three things you are wearing right now:
Three of your favorite songs:
Three things you want in a relationship:
Two truths and a lie:
Three things you can't live without:
Three places you want to go on vacation:
Three things you just can't do:
Three kids names:
Three things you want to do before you die:
Three celeb crushes:
Three of your favorite musicians:
Three physical things about the opposite sex that appeals to you:
Three of your favorite hobbies:
Three things you really want to do badly right now:
Three careers you're considering/you've considered:
Three ways that you are stereotypically a boy:
Three ways that you are stereotypically a girl:
Three people that I would like to see post this meme:
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