Thursday, November 29, 2012

Come Visit Me at Adam's!

I'm really not a nomad. I promise. Nevertheless, I'm blogging away from home again. Today, I'm at Adam Gaylord's blog. You've visited there, I hope, because this guy is a great blogger and an excellent writer. His site is called:


He's hosting my post that I titled, "I've Never Had a Story Rejected!" The title is obviously meant to catch your attention, but there's a message buried within its paragraphs that I believe with all my heart. 

I featured Adam on my blog during my "August is Awesome" series.  He came through with a marvelous post.  If you haven't read it, it's right here.  Spend some time at Adam's blog and get to know him if you haven't already.  His prose packs a punch!

Monday, November 26, 2012

Come Visit My Muse and Me at Odessa Black's

Friend and (nearly) neighbor, Odessa Black, invited me over to her blog. She pried from me my secret. I had a bit of lighthearted fun revealing said secret in the post.

Stop by and say "hi" if you've got the notion.  I'd love to see you there!


Sunday, November 25, 2012

Sunday Surfing

Due to a heavy week at work, Thanksgiving and other obligations, the list is a bit shorter today.  Still, there may be something of use to someone.  I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Why Non-Writers Give the Best Critiques

Write On! (Dissecting advice for writers)

The Write lawyer

How Good Writers Make You "Feel"

Clarion Blog (Lots of great articles on the craft of writing.)


Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Things For Which I'm Thankful

I'm thankful for:

Marrying the most wonderful woman alive. No one loves me more, is more supportive or as proud of me as she is.  I firmly believe that God himself fashioned her just for me.

My children. My wife and I wed believing we'd never have children. God gave us two. I love them with every fiber of my being.

My grandchildren. Bundles of energy, life and laughter, these three boys are. Nothing is sweeter in my ears than hearing them yell for Paw Paw!

Living in the greatest country on the planet.  I love my country, warts and all.  I served it as a member of the armed forces.  I vote in every election.  I take my freedom seriously.

My job. Despite the frequently excessive hours and often taxing demands, it pays our bills and I enjoy the work.

My health.  Two bouts with disability and a series of surgeries is enough to remind me that my health could always be worse. I'm mobile, productive and thankful to be so.

And I'm thankful to have met so many wonderful writers and bloggers.  I've found kindred spirits, die-hard supporters, voices of reason and wisdom, and folks who inspire just by being their awesome selves.


For these and so many more things, I'm thankful, not just today, but every day.

To every last one of you, I wish a most Happy Thanksgiving!

Monday, November 19, 2012

Come Visit Me at Livia's!

Just dropping a few lines here to let you know that all the action today is over at Leave it to Livia.


Livia invited me to her place.  (Wonder if she started singing Bad Company afterwards?)  I was on my best behavior though, minded my manners, all the stuff Mom taught when I was a youngster.

I wrote a bit about originality in storytelling.  Check it out, if you like, but plan to hang around a while if you've not visited there before.  And be sure to check out the Interviews and Guests page for some new (or familiar) faces.

Thanks for the invitation, Livia!

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Sunday Surfing

Discussion: Can Anyone Become a Great Writer?

Elements of Voice

Revision Tips From The Writing Community

Secrets Of Language Revealed!

Choosing a Title

Best Captcha Post I've Seen

Mustering the Courage to Turn Down a Publishing Contract

Nathan Bransford: Facebook Pages vs. Profiles for Authors

How Readers Discovered a Debut Novel: A Case Study

While not technically a writer link, you'll allow me a moment of nerdiness, yes?
The Hobbit Trailers


Nothing sucks time like a black hole
I actually had a bit of free time early in the week to tweet and visit blogs.  Then came Thursday morning.  A super-massive black hole (aka "work") passed near my plane of existence.  It did what all super-massive black holes do: it robbed me of all spare time. I groped and grasped, but its immense gravity ripped every second from my clutches.

It rendered me a man out of time.

But now things are looking brighter and I shall not despair.
Thanksgiving approaches and my trousers have room to spare!
On Thursday, that black hole I shall imitate.
And gobble every last thing that lands on my plate!

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

The Nightmare Collection Cover Reveal!

Once again, I've been given the honor and privilege of revealing the cover of an awesome author's book.  The awesome author is none other than Cherie Reich! And her awesome book is The Nightmare Collection!

And it's coming soon!

Cherie is impressive not only for producing quality stories, but for producing them quickly.  She understands and employs the elements of good storytelling.  If you haven't done so already, you owe it to yourself to give them a read!

The Nightmare Collection Cover
About The Nightmare Collection:

A legend is hungry tonight.

A child monster will get its first taste of blood in Nightmare at the Freak Show. Four friend will enter the forest on December night, but only one can survive in Once Upon a December Nightmare. Almost ten years after Cassie's December nightmare, the monster awakens to hunt again in Nightmare Ever After.

Forthcoming late November 2012

Add to Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16089321-the-nightmare-collection

Cover art by Nicemonkey at Dreamstime.com. Cover design by Aubrie Dionne. Bookworm logo for Surrounded by Books Publishing created by Cherie Reich.


Author Bio:
A self-proclaimed bookworm, Cherie Reich is a writer, freelance editor, book blogger, and library assistant living in Virginia. Her short stories have appeared in magazines and anthologies. Her e-books include the horror series Nightmare, a short story collection with authors Aubrie Dionne and Lisa Rusczyk titled The Best of Raven and the Writing Desk, the futuristic space fantasy novelette trilogy Gravity, and The Foxwick Chronicles, a series of fantasy stories. She is a member of Valley Writers and the Virginia Writers Club.
Cherie Reich, Awesome Author
Author Links:
Website: http://cheriereich.webs.com
Blog: http://cheriereich.blogspot.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bookworm0753
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorcheriereich
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4268457.Cherie_Reich