Lucky Seven Strikes Again!

The Lucky Seven Meme has landed on my doorstep once again, thanks to Nick Wilford of  Scattergun Scribblings.  Nick is a fantastic writer and his blog is worth a visit.  He writes with so much honesty and humor about the craft of writing and sometimes even treats his readers to wonderful bits of fiction.

Here’s how the Lucky Seven works:

1. Go to page 77 of your current MS
2. Go to line 7
3. Copy down the next 7 lines as they’re written– no cheating!
4. Tag 7 other writers
5. Let them know!

For this round of the Lucky Seven, I’m delving into my manuscript for my first novel.  I’ve never posted an excerpt of any kind, so I hope you enjoy the sneak peek!

He expected the day to be full of tedious in-office tasks broken up by a field trip to various stores to hunt down DVDs.  It was Tuesday – new release day – and Tessa was sure to have a list filled with titles that would take an entire afternoon to find.  Quinn wasn’t on the agenda, but Noah found himself wishing otherwise.  Sure those green eyes stabbed deep and the old man’s words packed a wallop, but Noah was ready for another round.  Quinn had secrets he wanted to know, even if it meant taking another blow to the bullseye.    

 Justine was working three different lines on the phone, while two people stood waiting at her desk.  She snapped her fingers and held up a sticky note when she saw him.  

- – -

The last time I played Lucky Seven, I played by the rules and tagged seven people.  However, we all know I sometimes like to break the rules on awards and tag games.  Yup, I’m still a rebel.  Instead of tagging, I’ll leave it open to anyone who wants to participate.  I highly recommend giving it a shot, as it’s a great way to get over that initial fear of making your work public.  Every writer has that manuscript or piece they guard carefully because they worry about how it will be perceived.  Let the Lucky Seven remind you to be be bold and be brave.

If you choose to take on the Lucky Seven Meme, please leave a link in the comments, so we can all check out your contribution!

Stay inspired!

- – -

c.b. 2012

Feeling the Love

My good friend at  Random Acts of Writing [+ art] was kind enough to nominate me for the Reader Appreciation Award.  Her blog is a delight and I highly recommend stopping by to see her lovely photos, artwork, and writing.

Thank you for such a beautiful award!

In order to accept this award I need to do the following:

1. List something you’ve been up to lately.
2. Nominate 6 other blogs

That seems simple enough!

My plate is always pretty full, so listing something I’ve been up to lately is a little tricky!  I’ll narrow it down to three items:

• Every day is about finding a way to work on my 2012 Goals.  I haven’t taken a day off since January 1st and I don’t intend on doing so until each goal is met.
• The school year is almost over with only a week remaining.  I’m busy preparing my students for final exams and cleaning my classroom.
• I’m reading like a lunatic lately. My poor Kindle is probably wondering when its going to get a break, while my bookshelves are wondering why three or four books at a time are missing.

Six blog who deserve this award:

Settle and Chase – A beautiful blog of photography and art.  I am always moved by the images captured and created by this amazing artist.

75 Kaleidoscopes – I am in awe of the poetry posted on this blog.  Beautiful lines are posted every day and the inspiration never seems to stop!

Yellow House Cafe – Every post is an incredible piece of writing that digs deep into the subconscious.  Highly inventive, original, and innovative, this blog challenges traditional perceptions of literature.

The View Outside – Easily one of my favorite blogs to read.  Full of humor, inspiration, and witty writing, each day on this site is an adventure for the muse.

Three Daily Delights – Every day, three items of joy are posted as a way to celebrate the simple things that make us smile.  A quick read never felt so good!

J. Keller Ford – I met this author during the Fourth Writers’ Platform Building Campaign and she continues to be an amazing source of inspiration.  She recently had a short story selected for publication and I am so excited for her to see her name in print.  Follow her journey!

- – -

c.b. 2012

Great Links for Writers

While perusing the blogosphere the last few days, I’ve stumbled upon some great links for writers that I just have to share!

One of my favorite bloggers, The Literary Mom, continues to offer up posts with useful information about the writing industry. In particular, she wrote a great piece that explores the pros and cons of hitting the “Publish” button on a blog post. There are consequences to consider on both sides of the spectrum.  Read her thoughts here: Fiction Writers: Why Hitting The Publish Button on a Post Isn’t Always a Good Thing.  While visiting, check out her recent interview with YA author Melanie Card. Both questions and answers are thoughtful and very enlightening.  Read it here.

As I continue to explore ways to build my platform, Darla McDavid, featured a great new place to extend my online presence with her very informative post on a site called About.me.  It takes self-promotion and networking to a new level as it works a bit differently from facebook and twitter.  Social networking can be a bit overwhelming and About.me seems like a nice alternative or simple addition to our already very busy online lives!  Check out her post: Build Your Writer’s Platform with About.me.

The site I’ve been perusing the most over the last week is World Literary Cafe.  I first came across it while playing on Twitter and it has turned out to be a phenomenal source of networking connections.  I’ve barely scratched the surface of all it has to offer, but it essentially brings authors, bloggers, and readers together.  There are pay it forward programs, beta reader match-ups, read/review groups and forums, promotion workshops, features on upcoming books from new writers, and loads of news and events in the writing community.  This network is amazing!

- – -

It seems I can’t even make it a week on my adjusted blog schedule.  Here we are on an “off” day and I can’t stay silent!  Hope you all enjoy the links!

- – -

c.b. 2012

Spreading Some Sunshine

One of these days someone is going to have to explain to me why I’ve been blessed with such wonderful readers. Seriously, you all blow me away with your kindness and encouragement.  While I’m still giddy from last week’s Versatile Blog Award and breaking all those rules, now I’m even giddier with another kind nomination from mywithershins.  To receive The Sunshine Award from such a talented and delightful blogger is really quite an honor.  Thank you for posting such beautiful words and inspiration every day.

Spread Some Sunshine!

I broke a few rules last week and I’m ready to break a few more seeing as I accepted the Sunshine Award a few weeks ago.  Once again, I’d like to give the spotlight to a few very deserving blogs, but it also seems like a good idea to spread some sunshine to every reader on every blog.  So how about trying something a little different?

If you’re feeing a little rebellious, take the spirit of the Sunshine Award to heart and post sunshine related quotes, images, and pieces of writing as a means of accepting the award.  Being the little rebel I am, I’m accepting my Sunshine Award under these guidelines!

My sunshine related quote comes right out of the first pages of my quote journal as Helen Keller’s words are among my favorite.

Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows.

- Helen Keller

With Vincent Van Gogh still very much on my mind, his brilliant painting of the sun seems a perfect partner for Keller’s words of wisdom.

Olive Trees with Yellow Sky and Sun by Vincent Van Gogh

- – -

May the light of the sun find you today and always.

- c.b.w.

- – -

Each of these bloggers lights up my day with fantastic posts and insights and I’m so excited to nominate them for The Sunshine Blog Award.  To claim it, you may go the traditional route of following the rules or try the alternative activity of posting a sunshine related quote or piece of writing on your blog. When passing the award to 10 more people, you may again go with tradition or be a rebel.  For the traditional rules and requirements, see Now You’re All Just Spoiling Me.

Wings of Wonder - Your paintings and fearless creativity make your blog an incredibly inspiring place to be.  Thank you for always having such a positive outlook and for using bright colors!

Rough Water John – My favorite pirate poet, you are either writing the most beautiful poetry imaginable or making me laugh with your brilliant sense of humor.  Thank you for always being so creative and unique.

The View Outside – Hee hee! I get to tag you back with an award.  I hope you’ll take the sunshine challenge and write something beautiful, (just as you always do).

Peach Farm Studios – What would I do without Wry the typewriter?  Or all the beautiful images and nuggets of inspiration? Peach Farm feeds my muse like no other!

Doodlemum - I wait each day for your wonderful sketches of kids doing kid things, dogs, cats, and so many wonderful other daily life scenes.  Thank you for making me laugh and giving the little things in life a moment in center stage.

1 Story A Week – I am always amazed by the depth and quality of the stories you post each week.  Your characters and plot lines are so original and always reach someplace deep.  Thank you for pasting amazing fiction.

A Trail of Breadcrumbs – I have loved your blog since my first visit.  Your travels, photos, and unparalleled creativity always inspired me, but what I enjoy most is your spirited personality.  Your zest for life comes through in all your posts.  Thank you for giving joy such a strong voice.

The Gratitude Garden – Your posts on gratitude highlight the very best life has to offer.  Each list inspires me to make one of my own each day.  Thank you for shedding light on the beauty of being grateful for what we have.

Crow River Writer – I recently started following your blog and it is such a joy to read.  Your sense of humor gets me laughing and your kindness is knows no bounds.  Thank you for writing with so much enthusiasm and reminding me why I love YA fiction so much.

Melissa Maygrove - Your blog always gets me thinking with engaging topics of discussion.  Its easy to to see your passion for writing and determination to make your dreams come true.  I find that very inspiring and motivating – Thank you for giving a such a strong voice to aspiring authors.

- – -

- – -

c.b. 2012

Just Call Me A Rebel

I never ceased to be amazed and surprised when a fellow blogger nominates me for an award or tags me for a blogging game.  How lovely it is to feel so much a part of the blogging community.  A few more bloggers have sent that warm and fuzzy feeling my way and I can’t thank them enough!

First up, two of my favorite bloggers have nominated me for The Versatile Blogger Award.  I’ve received this one a few times over, so instead of playing by the rules, I’m going to break them. Oooo, I’m such a rebel.  I figure I can do this because I’ve already been good little blogger, (see A Nice Surprise for the real rules and my list of seven interesting things).

Instead of listing seven more interesting things about myself, I’m going to shine the spotlight on those who  put me on their nomination list.  They deserve it for writing fantastic blogs that I look forward to reading every day.

The View Outside – This blog is one where I literally wait for a new post.  Vikki writes amazing posts about her journey as a writer.  There’s everything from prompts, flash fiction, and experiments in inspiration.  All of which are written with an infectious sense of optimism that always inspire me to keep writing – no matter what!

12 Novels in 12 Months - This is one of the first blogs I ever followed!  I was instantly struck by the honesty of each post as Sandra tracked her progress on a monumental project.  As her blog title implies, she is on a journey of writing a novel a month for 12 months.  To make the challenge even greater, each month is a different genre!  Oh my!  I’ve admired her courage in admitting defeats when they occur and I celebrate with her when there are successes.

The one rule I will follow is passing along The Versatile Blogger to seven more blogs:

Journey Back to Words - I thank you for showcasing amazing photography, artwork and words.  You are a true artist.

Kitty Hietala - Your blog is a delight.  I love how much you love to read and write.

Crowing Crone Joss – I’ve followed you for a long time and you are always surprising me.  You deserve the Versatile Blogger for so many reasons, but especially for your quest of venturing outside of your comfort zone.

The Dreamweaver’s Cottage – Your amazing talent and heartfelt honesty have made me a devoted reader.  Keep writing and keep believing!

Yellow House Cafe – Your words and images are so powerful, they linger long after reading.  You inspire me to be a better writer.

Lake Superior Spirit - Your wit, humor, and love of nature takes me back to my favorite memories of the Northwoods.  Thank you for keeping that world so close by even though I’m so far away.

Campfire Shadows – One of the best Western writers and bread bakers there ever was!

All the rules are posted in the link above for “A Nice Surprise.”  Thanks to all of you for being such bright spots in the blogosphere.

Last, but certainly not least, I was tagged for the Lucky Seven Meme by Jennifer Fischetto. Even though I was tagged with this game a couple of weeks ago, my thanks goes to Jennifer for thinking of me.  Give her a click and check out her blog!

As for nominating seven more bloggers for the Lucky Seven, I’ve only heard back from two of the seven I tagged in the last round!  If you’d like to play along, please visit my post, Lucky Seven, for the rules.  I highly recommend it as a way to break the fear cycle when it comes to first drafts and sharing your work. If you choose to participate, please post a link!

- – -

c.b. 2012