KOMF Winners & Awards :)

The Knights of Micro-Fiction (KOMF) is steadily growing in ranks! Thanks to everyone who participated! If you missed it this month, go here to add your name to the linky list.

Kathy and I had a really hard time choosing winners! You guys all did such an awesome job! Unfortunately, we could only choose two people. Now to our lucky winners!!

Congratulations Aldrea Alien over at Thardrandian Thoughts!
And congratulations T.Z. Wallace at One Year Until Book Launch!
Great job! You two lovely ladies will be receiving an email from Kathy and I so we can feature you on our blogs for Friday's post.

Once again, thanks to everyone who participated! We hope you had fun :)

Now, moving on!

I've been tagged by W. Chaser for some awards! First is the Sunshine Award!

The rules are, 1) thank the person who gave it to you. 2) write a post about it. 3) Answer the questions below. 4) Pass it on.

Answers to questions:

1. Favorite Color? Blue.
2. Favorite Animal? Wolf.
3. Favorite Number? Five!
4. Favorite (non-alcoholic) drink? Pineapple juice or Coffee or Pink Lemonade. Any of those work :)
5. Facebook or Twitter? Neither. I have an account with both, but they both keep me from getting my work done.
6. My passion? Writing of course!
7. Getting or Giving presents? I want to say giving but I'm not sure how true that would be...
8. Favorite pattern? I couldn't care less.
9. Favorite day of the week? Wednesday.
10. Favorite flower? Lotus.

And then the second award is the Kreativ Blogger Award!

Okay, now I'm supposed to list seven interesting things about myself. Um, is it a bad thing that I can't really think of anything?

I'll think a little harder. Seven interesting things about me...

1. I used to hate novel writing. I'd tried it a few times but couldn't continue after the first 50 pages. I only wrote poetry up until I was 12 or 13.
2. I like European music. Like, modern European music. (Example Artists: Within Temptation, Epica, Nightwish)
3. I've moved 15 times and lived in 7 different states.
4. I hate crying. I never cry in front of people.
5. I have a really strong gag reflex. No really, when I was a baby I used to choke on Cheerios.
6. I am terrified of Lady Bugs!
7. I'm really daring when it comes to skiing and rock climbing and a bunch of other stuff, but I'm afraid of the dark. I will not go into the basement by myself!

So there you have it!! Now I'm just going to pass these on to three people because I have to get to my work.

1. Rena @ Dr. Faerie Godmother
2. McKenzie @ The Ubiquitous Perspective
3. Fairbetty @ Fairbetty's World

Congrats, guys!

Have a great day! And don't forget to stop back on Friday to read an interview with one of the two lucky winners of the KOMF!

--Jess

Catch Fire!!

Today is the Catch Fire Blog Party, celebrating the release of CassaFire by Alex J. Cavanaugh! The goal is to help CassaFire “catch fire” on the best seller charts and achieve the success of the first book, CassaStar. There’s also a special package of prizes being given away at the author’s blog (copies of CassaFire, CassaStar, tote bag, mug, and bookmarks) as well as book giveaways during his two-week blog tour. See Alex’s site for details: http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/

The blog tour runs from February 27th to March 9th- and anyone who comments on his blogposts during that time can win a special package from his publisher: A copy of CassaFire and CassaStar, a large tote bag, and a mug.

The Twitter hashtag for the party is #CatchFire

CassaFire

by Alex J. Cavanaugh

CassaStar was just the beginning…

The Vindicarn War is a distant memory and Byron’s days of piloting Cosbolt fighters are over. He has kept the promise he made to his fallen mentor and friend - to probe space on an exploration vessel. Shuttle work is dull, but it’s a free and solitary existence. The senior officer is content with his life aboard the Rennather.

The detection of alien ruins sends the exploration ship to the distant planet of Tgren. If their scientists can decipher the language, they can unlock the secrets of this device. Is it a key to the Tgren’s civilization or a weapon of unimaginable power? Tensions mount as their new allies are suspicious of the Cassan’s technology and strange mental abilities. 

To complicate matters, the Tgrens are showing signs of mental powers themselves; the strongest of which belongs to a pilot named Athee, a woman whose skills rival Byron’s unique abilities. Forced to train her mind and further develop her flying aptitude, he finds his patience strained. Add a reluctant friendship with a young scientist, and he feels invaded on every level. All Byron wanted was his privacy…

Available today!

Science fiction - space opera/adventure

Print ISBN 978-0-9827139-4-5, $15.95, 6x9 Trade paperback, 240 pages

EBook ISBN 978-0-9827139-6-9, $4.99, available in all formats

CassaFire is the sequel to Cavanaugh’s first book, CassaStar, an Amazon Top Ten Best Seller:

“…calls to mind the youthful focus of Robert Heinlein’s early military sf, as well as the excitement of space opera epitomized by the many Star Wars novels. Fast-paced military action and a youthful protagonist make this a good choice for both young adult and adult fans of space wars.” - Library Journal

You can visit the author’s site at http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/

Book trailer available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa6VINRGtyE.

Barnes and Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cassafire-alex-j-cavanaugh/1034742568

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/CassaFire-Alex-J-Cavanaugh/dp/0982713940/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1329417150&sr=1-1

Amazon Kindle - http://www.amazon.com/CassaFire-ebook/dp/B007A2TSNG/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1329663355&sr=1-1

  

Alright, now go check it out because Alex is awesome!

--Jess

No, I Usually Don't Post Twice In One Day, But...

Today is an exception. Mostly because I've got a ton of stuff going on this week. I'll talk more about that later, though :)

Anyway, I accidentally (well, not quite accidentally) signed up for the Get Fired Up Blogfest hosted by Melissa Sugar. And the deadline for that blogfest is Wednesday. I hadn't quite thought about how busy I already am this week but I really wanted to do this. Well, at least try.

So, that's why I'm posting twice today.

The point of the Get Fired Up Blogfest is to help other awesome writers who don't have as many followers get more followers.

Anyway, for the first part of this blogfest, I'd just like to say that the following people are awesome. So please check out their blogs and follow them!

Fairbetty at Fairbetty's World
       Rena at Dr. Faerie Godmother
          T.Z. Wallace at One Year to Book Launch
                  Alyssa at Life is Good
                       Aldera Alien at Thardrandian Thoughts

These guys are super cool and I think you'd love them! I'll do more with this on Wednesday, but for now just go give them some support! Thanks :)

--Jess

(P.S.) Still trying to win the popular vote for the First Challenge of the Campaign so if you'd like to read my entry you can go HERE. And then go HERE to vote (if you like it. I'm entry #19)

Knights of Micro-Fiction #2

Hello guys! Today is Micro-Fiction day (proclaimed by Kathy and me)!

First of all, I'd really like to thank Rachael Harrie for introducing me to Flash Fiction in her Third Campaign. I started blogging in August of 2011 just before I finished the first draft of The Trials. It feels like a lifetime ago! Anyway, I'd never heard of Flash Fiction before the Campaign. Now, I'm not sure what I'd do without it! Flash Fiction has really helped me develop my stories in short snippets that I can share with you!

It's helped me learn that saying less is really, most of the time, more. I know a lot of people have trouble writing Flash Fic and I'm not saying it's easy. But it's a ton of fun!

I read a lot of entries in the First Challenge of the Fourth Campaign and most of the people who said that it was their first time did an amazing job! Besides, it gives readers a great idea of how and what you write! So, (no pressure) if you want, go ahead and join the fun here or here. Either one is fine!

Anyway, the prompt today is:

Write a Micro-Fiction/Flash Fiction of 250 words or less beginning with these words: "After all this time, there it was..."

I think it's fine to use a little excerpt from your own WiP... that's what I usually do. Except, for me it's usually a part I haven't written yet.

So here I go!

***

Guardians of Paradise (currently unwritten scene from WiP)

After all this time, there it was. In the last place it should be, the one place we thought it wouldn't be. But that didn't change a thing. Because, there it was.

"Is- is that the last one?" I asked.

Cody nodded. "Yeah. That's the last one."

"So," I shifted uncomfortably. "How do we get it?"

He turned to me. "It was never meant to be reached, Eva. Not by normal people, anyway."

The cave dropped into an almost endless pit before us. Only a single pillar in the center stood at our height. But there was no way of reaching it.

"You're not exactly normal, Cody," I remarked.

He shot me an amused look. "You think I can fly?"

"You shielded me from an explosion with your bare hands. I have no idea what you can or can't do," I said.

"Hey, what's that?"

A sliver of light shimmered like a reflection in midair. Cody turned to me then back to the shimmer, a strange sense of realization in his eyes.

He reached down and grabbed a few pebbles of gravel then threw them down into the dark abyss. Only, they fell just a few feet before hitting an invisible barrier.

Cody cautiously reached one foot out into the endless pit. Then the other foot followed. He walked across an invisible bridge. I held my breath but walked across to the golden object.

"What is it?" I asked.

He smiled. "The final key to paradise."

***

Viola!

This is seriously helping out with my WiP. Anyway, hope you liked it! And if you decide to join, the deadline is Tuesday night! Have fun and visit some more people!

--Jess

I Feel Bad For My Antagonist...

PREPOST UPDTATE: Our performance at the Quicken Loans Arena that I talked about in Wednesday's post didn't turn out so well. We all had lots of fun but it wasn't our best run through. And I didn't make the second round of ABNA. Oh well. Better luck next time!

There comes a point in story writing that your characters take on a life of their own. But the more real they become, the more I feel bad about doing bad things to them. I mean, sure, in the end it's all for the better (well, hopefully). Because the whole point of the story is to watch them overcome. I guess they don't always end up 'overcoming' but the possibility of failure is what makes the story interesting. And that's why we have antagonists.

But I feel bad for my antagonist.

I'm pretty sure my beta readers didn't feel bad for him. And my CP hasn't met him yet. I made him pretty easy to hate (I think). But then, I'm the only one who knows his full back-story. And when you really think about it, most bad guys think they're the good guys.

I mean, wouldn't you be angry if all of your efforts to be great were overshadowed by one of the the protagonists? And then if you thought that same protagonist was going to bring the galaxy crumbling down, wouldn't getting rid of them be the right thing?

From our point of view, no. That definitely isn't the right thing. But from his? Probably.

Besides, being the antagonist is hard. No one wants to be hated. Maybe they like causing trouble but they don't want to be hated.

As I said before, there comes a point when your characters take on a life of their own. And I'm pretty sure my antagonist hates me for making him the bad guy.

There ^^ is another antagonist I feel bad for...

What do you guys think? Who's an antagonist you feel bad for? Is it silly to feel bad for the antagonist?

Have a great weekend!

--Jess

P.S.

Knights of Micro-Fiction is on Monday! Be prepared! And, votes for my Campaign Entry are still needed appreciated!

13,000 Words and Counting

Hello everyone and happy Wednesday!

First of all, I really can't wait until February 23 (tomorrow) for two reasons: a) because my synchronized skating team will be performing at the Quicken Loans Ice Arena and b) because that's the day that the ABNA round two entrants will be announced.

I really don't think I made it; I know a lot of people entered. But once that's over, if I haven't made it to the second round I can start looking for other publishers to query. We've had the 2012 edition of the Writers Digest checked out from the library and sitting on my desk since November.

And thanks to Cassie Mae and Angela Cothran's Character blogfest (was it two weeks ago or one?), I got to know some new characters in my head and started a new project!

Yes, it does have something to do with my flash fiction entry in the Campaign (it's right below this post if you want to read it... and votes are still appreciated! I'm entry #19). I'm really excited about it!

I call it... (this is a working title, okay? Not the official name yet): Guardians of Paradise


Sound interesting? I hope so.

Getting to the title of this post, I already have 13,000 words. The thing is, I'm writing it from third person past tense. My first book, The Trials, I wrote from first person POV and present tense so this is a huge change for me. And I find myself using the word 'but' a lot.

So yeah, that's about it for now.

Oh, I almost forgot! What do you guys think of my new blog banner? I know, it's not all that professional or anything but seeing that I made it, I'm pretty happy with it. I don't know. What do you guys think? Does it fit my blog well?

Okay, I'm getting back to writing now!

--Jess

P.S.
Sorry for the rambling-ness of this post... I think I was a little too excited.

The Promise- First Campaigner Challenge (Fourth Campaign)

Hey guys! Today is the day of Rachael Harrie's first Campaigner Challenge of the Fourth Campaign! Here are the guidelines:

"Write a short story/flash fiction story in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, including a poem. Begin the story with the words, “Shadows crept across the wall”. These five words will be included in the word count. 

If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional), do one or more of these:

• end the story with the words: "everything faded." (also included in the word count)

• include the word "orange" in the story

• write in the same genre you normally write

• make your story 200 words exactly!"

So here is my entry of exactly 200 words with the included word 'orange':

***

The Promise (modified from WiP)

Shadows crept across the wall as the red-orange light of day shrank over the horizon. There was a rustling in the trees a few feet away. Alex felt for the gun in his pocket and aimed it in the direction of the sound.


"You really gonna shoot me?" Lara asked.


Alex put the gun down. "You scared me."


"Come on, let's go."


The two of them entered the abandoned building. The night grew darker and the only light was that of the moon shining through the broken windows.


"Alex," she said. "I need you to promise me something."


"Sure."


"Promise that you'll never forget me. This me. The one that's good. That no matter what happens, this girl is still here."


Alex looked at her, not sure if she really meant it. "Lara, I-"


"Promise!"


"Okay. I promise."


Her eyes grew dark. "Thank you."


"You're a good person, Lara."


She shook her head. A tear streamed down her face as she aimed the gun at his chest.


He turned to her and froze. "Lara, what are you doing? Don't do this!"


"I'm sorry, Alex. I loved you."


He reached for his gun. A bang filled his ears and everything faded.

***

Who shot whom? I guess that's up to you to decide ;)

If you really like it, go to Rachael Harrie's site and vote for me! I'm #19
And if you like writing flash fiction, you might want to check THIS out.

Thanks!

--Jess

Dream Launcher Award

Hey guys! Today I've been awarded by Rena, over at Dr. Faerie Godmother with a new award she came up with. It's called....

The idea of this blog award is to thank people who have helped you become the writer you are today. In other words, you give it to people who have helped 'launch your dreams'. So, here are the lucky five people I'm tagging:

1. Angela Brown @ In Pursuit of Publishness
2. T.Z. Wallace @ One Year Until Book Launch
3. Kris Yankee @ Adventures That Score
4. Kathy McKendry @ Imagine Today
5. Fairbetty @ Fairbetty's World

Thanks so much for inspiring me and helping me out! So, please go check out their blogs and follow them!

Have a great weekend!

--Jess

11 Random Questions... Go!!!

Thanks Lady Gwen for tagging me in the Platform Building tag of 11 questions! Here are the questions she gave to me:

1. What is your secret weapon of choice?
Definitely a lightsaber ;)

2. If you could sit down for coffee with any historical figure, who would it be?
Hmm... that's a tough one. There's so many people to choose from!! I guess I'd have to go with the Egyptian queen Nefertiti.

3. Any "famous" figures in your ancestry? Who and what did they do?
Maybe Alexander Hamilton but we aren't sure, lol. He was the Secretary of the Treasury when the U.S. became a country.

4. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Either China or Italy.

5. What was the #1 song the day you were born?
Um, I have no idea.

6. What is your favorite genre to read and why?
Hmm, I think for me it mostly depends on the book. It's hard for me to choose any one genre! But I guess it would have to be dystopian or sci-fi.

7. Who is your favorite literary character and why?
Anakin Skywalker. In the books, not the movies. He's my favorite because he's a very deep character who struggles with the pain of losing his mother and the fear that others he loves will die. In real life this isn't such a good thing but for an author, turning your MC to 'the dark side' to save the ones they love is a pretty brave thing to do. It might destroy your character but it makes them very realistic!

8. Besides reading and writing, what is your favorite pastime or hobby?
Figure skating or playing the violin. Ooh, or Image Editing and Design. I use this free program called GIMP to create/edit pictures and that's always fun :)

9. If you could switch places with one person for 24 hours, who would it be? Why?
I was going to say the President of the U.S. but by the time my 24 hours would be up, I'm afraid the world would be destroyed. So instead, I'd like to be some neurological scientist. I guess I can't name any names (because I don't know any) but it sounds like a cool thing to be.

10. What is the area you live in most famous for?
Probably the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

11. What are the top 5 programs you watch on television?
Um... we don't have cable. We got rid of it four years ago so we'd have more time to read and do other things. But the TV shows we watch through Netflix and Apple TV are:
LOST, GLEE, THE OFFICE, 30 ROCK and last but definitely not least, STAR WARS THE CLONE WARS.

So there we go! Okay, now here are some Campaigners I'm tagging:

1. Melanie Stanford @ Daydreamer to Writer
2. Alexandra Shostak
3. Andrew @ Lost Realms
4. The Golden Eagle @ The Eagle's Aerial Perspective
5. Alyssa McKendry @ Life is Good
6. Megan @ Paws, Fangs & Smiles
7. Stephanie Allen @ My Personal Fairytale
8. Sarah F. @ Inklined
9. Jay Noel @ Writer on Fire
10. Kate @ The Scribbling SeaSerpent
11. Marcy @ Creation and Compassion

Now here are my 11 questions:

1. What's your favorite song?
2. How old were you when you started writing?
3. What's your favorite movie/book?
4. If you could be any animal in the world, what would you be? Why?
5. If you were the main character of a book, what genre would it be?
6. What is the coolest thing you've ever done?
7. If you could be a character from any book, who would you be? Why?
8. What genre do you write in?
9. What's your favorite thing to do, other than write?
10. If you could meet one historical figure, who would it be?
11. Is there anything else we should know about you?

Feel free to leave a link to your answers in the comments! Have fun :)

--Jess

Origins Blogfest

Today is the day of the Origins Blogfest, hosted by DL Hammons, Alex J. Cavanaugh and Matthew MacNish. So, where did my writing journey begin?

In May of 2001, we moved to Philadelphia PA. I was only four years old and my sister was only two. We'd never lived in a city before so it was quite a change for us. The biggest change was that we had to walk everywhere. We walked to the museums a couple miles away from our apartment every single day!

I remember complaining all the time about how my legs hurt from walking. In the summertime when it was burning hot outside, I wanted to collapse on the concrete and ask my mom to carry me.
So to pass the time, my dad came up with a system to forget about how much our feet were hurting and how unbelievably hot it was. We told stories.

It started out with just mom and dad. They told us stories about two girls, "Hallie and Felina", and the adventures they had together. Pretty soon, my sister and I caught on. We continued the stories of "Hallie and Felina". I don't really remember what the stories were about but ever since then I've been telling stories.

Of course, there were huge pieces of inspiration like watching Star Wars and reading certain books that helped me along. But what really made me start was those stories about Hallie and Felina.

So, yeah, that's how I started writing!

How did you guys start writing? What made you want to become a writer?


--Jess

P.S.

I have no idea where my parents came up with the names Hallie and Felina. Maybe they asked me and my sister to make it up but I have no idea lol :)

Emotion Flash Fiction--> Character Blogfest Day 3

Today is the third and final day of Cassie and Angie's I'm Hearing Voices Character Blogfest. Thanks so much, guys this has been so much fun!

Anyway, the prompt today is:

Emotion Flash Fiction:


Emotion is the engine of a story. Pick an emotion and in a flash fiction piece of 250 words MAKE us feel it! We want to connect with your character. This will be a challenge in 250 words.


I always love writing Flash Fiction pieces! (If you guys do to, please check THIS out.) Anyway, I thought I'd choose an emotion less powerful than hate, fear or love. (Random Fact: Fear and hate are located in the most primitive part of the brain (making them two of the most powerful emotions).) So the emotion I chose is........ Doubt! This scene will make more sense if you read my first and second entries for the Character Blogfest.

You guys tell me if I did a good job.

***

Cody stared blankly at the computer screen and fumbled with the flash-drive in his hand. He had a choice.


The thought had occurred to him before but he'd never come close to acting on it.


"Forget it," he said aloud. He turned away from his laptop. His dad said the less he knew the better. That he'd be safer.


But what if his dad had lied? He didn't want to think about it but it could be true. His dad could have abandoned him. What if the flash-drive had nothing on it and this was a way to get Cody away from him?


Oh, how he hoped that wasn't true. But then, he kind of hoped his dad hadn't been captured and he wasn't being chased for information, either.


When it came down to it, he wasn't sure which was better. In the end, maybe it was better if he never knew. He turned back to the computer.


But Eva was right. If there was anything on the flash-drive at all, it would give them answers. And wouldn't that be worth it? Who'd know that he'd ever looked at it?


Cody had a choice. Now he had to make one.


He popped the flash-drive into the computer before he could stop himself. A single file opened. He froze. The first two words were in Latin but he knew what they meant.


He blinked away his sleepiness, wondering if he'd read it wrong. He hadn't. His jaw dropped.


"Oh my god."


***

So there you go!

Hopefully that was enough of a cliffhanger to end the blogfest with. Can't wait to read what everyone else wrote!

--Jess

Character Blogfest Day 2

Today is the second day of Cassie Mae and Angela Cothran's I'm Hearing Voices Character Blogfest. The prompt is:

Dialogue Introduction:

Have two characters introduce each other using only dialogue- no back story, no internalization, just dialogue between the two. Max. 250 words.

Hmm. This is going to be tough. But here I go!

***

"Dad, it's 11:30. That's a lot later than usual."


"I thought you'd be in bed by now, Cody."


"Well, I'm not. I was starting to get worried."


"Everything's fine."


"You're never this late."


"I said, 'everything's fine'."


"Can't you please just tell me what's going on? There's obviously something wrong."


"Cody, I... There's been some trouble with my job."


"Like what?"


"I found something I shouldn't have. Some information."


"You're leaving me in suspense."


"I can't tell you what that information is but if it gets into the wrong hands, terrible things could happen."


"What could possibly happen?"


"I don't know."


...

"So, what are you going to do?"


"I have to keep the information safe. And if I'm not around, you have to."


"What do you mean, 'if you're not around'? You're not going anywhere. Right?"


"Cody, this information is valuable. If only I could tell you-"


"Then tell me."


"No. You'd think I'm crazy."


"I already do."


"Just knowing could get you hurt. As long as you're oblivious, they can't hurt you."


"Dad, you're scaring me. I thought you were a researcher or something."


"I am."


"Who's 'they'? You said 'they' can't hurt me. Are they looking for the information?"


"Cody, listen to me. This is really important."


"What?"


"If I'm ever not back by midnight-"


"Don't talk like that."


"Cody. If I'm ever not back by midnight, I need you to destroy the computers, take this flash-drive, and run."


"You're crazy."


"Understood?"


"Understood."


***

So there you have it! Hope you enjoy!

--Jess

P.S.

For the Campaigners visiting my blog today, HELLO & NICE TO MEET YOU!!

Fourth Campaign- Rachael Harrie

Hey guys, just a heads up, Rachael Harrie is having another Campaign. For more info, click HERE.
My I'm Hearing Voices Character Blogfest post is just below this one.
Thanks!

--Jess
P.S. This is my 100th post :)

Character Blogfest Day 1

Today is the first day of the I'm Hearing Voices Character Blogfest hosted by Cassie Mae (at Reading, Writing, and Lovin' It) and Angela Cothran (at Live to Write... Edit when Necessary). I'm sorry that I'm posting so late in the day. We drove all the way to Indianapolis today (it was a 5 hour drive). Anyway! The first prompt is:

Characters on the couch:
Have one of your characters answer the following questions:

1. What is your biggest vulnerability? Do others know this or is it a secret?
2. What do people believe about you that is false?
3. What would your best friend say is your fatal flaw? Why?
4. What would the same best friend say is your redeeming quality? Why?
5. What do you want the most? What will you do to get it?

Anyway, I'd like to introduce you to a brand new character in a story I came up with over the weekend. So, please welcome... Cody Jackson!

ME: So nice to have you here, Cody! Now, let's get started with this interview!


CODY: Um... okay.

ME: What's your biggest vulnerability? Do others know this or is it a secret?


CODY: Um, why should I tell you?


ME: Because I'm the writer and I can't write a good story unless I know things about you. I'm like your conscience. You can tell me anything.


CODY: Okay, fine. My biggest vulnerability is my curiosity. My dad who disappeared two years ago told me to protect information that I'm not even allowed to look at. I haven't done it yet because I respect my dad. But seeing that some dudes are coming after me for it, it must be pretty important. And of course it's a secret. I'm not going to tell the world that I'm hiding secret information.
Wait a second. How many people are going to be reading this post?


ME: Don't worry about it, Cody. My followers can keep a secret. So, what do people believe about you that is false?


CODY: That's a pretty big question. Everything people know about me, or think they know about me is false. I don't stick around in one place longer than a week. I don't usually go by my own name. I'm telling you, everything people know about me isn't true.


ME: Wow. Okay. So, what would your best friend say is your fatal flaw? Why?


CODY: I don't have time to make friends. But if I did, they'd say my fatal flaw is that I have trouble letting go. And because of that, I keep everyone at a distance. After my mom died when I was ten, I've tried to keep to myself so I don't get hurt again.


ME: I'm so sorry, Cody. What would your one redeeming quality be? And why?


CODY: I can survive on my own. And for me, that's saying a lot. My dad never said much about why people were coming after the information but if I don't keep it safe, terrible things could happen.


ME: What do you want the most? And what will you do to get it?


CODY: *hesitates* I want my father back. And I'll do whatever it takes to get him back.


ME: You'd do anything?


CODY: *nods*


ME: Cody, thank you so much for joining us today! I know you're kind of on the run so I'll let you go. Good luck finding your dad. Hope to see you soon!


Thanks for stopping by, today! To read other people's entries, go HERE.

--Jess

KOMF Winner Interview

Happy Friday, everybody!

Today I'm interviewing one of the winners of the bloghop Knights of MicroFiction, co-hosted by Kathy and me! (It's a monthly thing, so if you want to join, details are HERE). Julie, over at  Rosewood Pencil Box  will be interviewed on Kathy's blog.

Anyway, I'd like to congratulate.........

Fairbetty, over at Fairbetty's World for winning the interview on my blog!
Alrighty, here we go!

*curtain opens*

Good morning fairbetty! It's so nice to have you here! Looks like a nice big audience today. You think you can handle it? Okay, good. Me too. My first question is: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?


I started making up stories at a young age and began my first novel in high school (I mostly finished it last year... finally... it's horrible so don't expect to read it anytime soon :) )

Aww, I'm sure it's not bad! That's just your inner editor talking ;) What's your current WiP?


My current WiP is called (for now) Lilith's Sea . It's a YA fantasy based on folklore from the Orkney Islands of Northern Scotland.

That's really cool! Sounds like a book I'd read! What are your goals for this year?


I hope to complete the re-write of Lilith's Sea and maybe, hopefully, show it to some people. I move slowly, though, so we'll see.

That's great! If you ever need someone to show it to, I'm right here! Anyway, how long have you been blogging and how has it improved your writing?


I have been blogging since 2008... although the past year and a half most consistently. I would say that the act of blogging has not improved my writing so much as the amazing network of writers that I have come in contact with blogging have. Seriously. You are all amazing and encouraging and helpful! Thanks!

We think you're awesome, too :) Is there anything else we should know about you?


I am currently obsessed with the Orkney Islands. I visited them last year (see posts in my blog from April photos) because I wanted to set my novel there.

Lucky! I'd love to go there someday! Unfortunately, that's all the time we have today! Thank you so much for joining us today and I hope you have a great weekend!


*applause & curtain closes*

--Jess

Insecure Writer's Support Group

Lately, I've found that I'm insecure about a lot of things.

First of all, I signed up for the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest, which I'm probably not ready for. Actually, I'm very sure I'm not ready for it. I don't feel like my book is good enough yet. And with all the helpful advice my beta readers gave me, I've still got a long way to go.

Of course, I signed up anyway. Mostly because I know the worst that can happen is that they just won't pick me to go on to the next round. And that's a thousand times better than a bunch of other 'worst things' I can come up with.

Another thing I'm insecure about is the new monthly bloghop, The Knights of MicroFiction, that my mom and I are co-hosting. It's really just a fun way to get to know people and get your creativity flowing through writing short pieces of fiction. But like Alex J. Cavanaugh said in his post today: what if you threw a party and no one attended?

I know it sounds silly but it's a real insecurity that I think most of us have. Because if you make something up, and no one shows, what does that say about you?

To my surprise, a few people (three, to be exact :) ) did participate, and I'd like to thank them so much for supporting us in our first bloghop. I'd also like to thank all of my followers for joining my site! I FINALLY HIT 200!! So, I must be doing something right! You guys rock! And just as a reminder, if you'd like to participate next month in our Knights of MicroFiction, here's the Linky List you can sign up on!

--Jess