Hello?  Is there anyone out there?  Just nod if you can hear me...

LOL Well, it seems I have disappeared yet again.  Ugh! I have been so busy that I find it hard to manage all my projects again of late.  Looks like I may have to brush up on my time management skills.

Valentine's Day has come and gone, my 27th wedding anniversary celebrated with a quiet dinner at home. We had planned on going out but decided we'd rather just relax and enjoy in the cozy comfort of our home.

Two months have come and gone of the new year, and I really haven't accomplished a whole lot of writing but I have accomplished some really big things.  Mostly on a personal level. Some in other aspects of my career.  My point? 

Well, though sometimes we don't have anything to really flaunt or visibly put out for all to see, like a new book accepted for publication, or a release coming up, a booksigning, etc. it doesn't mean the things that go on behind the scenes aren't just as important.  All the planning, organizing, reorganizing, scheming, stolen minutes to jot down new ideas, maybe toss out bits of a new story.  All these things essentially will fall together into something bigger and productive.  

That's where I've been.  I write a little bit, add something to this work in process and brainstorm on that WIP, jot down some new idea and maybe toss out a few thousand words of a new story.  Whatever disjointed direction I go, I rejoice that my imagination is alive.  My muse determined.  The next story that much closer.

Gotta get back to work.  Be back soon.  Gotta get the Author's Spotlight back on line.  I've got some wonderful authors lined up in the next couple of months and I've got quite a collection of disjointed and partial story ideas lying about.

D~

Slipping into oblivion: How important is visibility?

We're going to leave the ghosts, asylums, and other paranormal entities behind for a bit.  I wanted to talk about something of dire importance to anyone who depends on 'visibility' to survive in this cyber world we live in.  We all know that money, for most of us, is tight and our only venue promo and advertisement is the internet.  So how to keep a consistent presence across the net is a big challenge.  I have inadvertantly tested this and found that slipping into the oblivion is so very easy to do and unfortunately, you sink fast! 

Over the last several months, I've noticed even my most dependable followers have moved on.  It is not a good feeling being alone and unheard, especially for a writer.  My views and comments on this blog have dropped drastically and are non-existent on my website. So what is the problem?

• Updates.  This is something that is a necessessity, and I do religiously keep up with. Fresh conversation and topics draw your readers and show them you are out there. So, I know I'm okay in this department.
• Topic/Content.  Maybe my topics are uninteresting to others?  Could be an issue but I wouldn't know that unless someone said "Hey, you're boring the bejeebers out of us, already!"
• Visibility. Bingo! This one is a biggie.  I have been so tied up with other responsibilities that my overall visibility had dropped excessively.  What does that mean?  Well, for instance, I have not spent the time needed to visit other blogs, give interviews, hold contests, author spotlights have slimmed out, and hold the occasional give-away to drawn interest.  I have attempted to visit my favorite blogs in the last couple of weeks and comment but I suppose because I cannot do this as a daily routine my visitations may be lost in the mire.  I am only able to follow through on this on a weekly basis.
• Loops and Blogs. Another major problem for me is finding the time needed to remain visible on the loops and blogs I belong to.  Whew! this is a major challenge for me. I have attempted to incorporate one morning a week to do this.  But again, it seems futile as I don't really see any gain from this.  Not complaining.  Will keep plugging and keep working at it. Solutions are hard won especially with life biting at your heels.  Everyone has one and all the demands that come with it, so I'm not alone. Were there an easy solution, it would be a perfect world, would it not?
• New Material/Releases. Another huge obstacle.  I have been pulled from my personal works for sometime now.  I haven't been able to write except in limited spurts of time, nor am I the type of writer that can force the muse, so much of those times may produce nothing, nada, blank pages... I will say that I have no less than five/six projects in different stages!  I just need to sit down and get them going. More likely--get them finished!  New releases regularly are the key.  Each new project, its promo, etc. bring potential new readers and bring back your faithful followers.  Without fresh material flooding the saturated market, you are guaranteed a nosedive into oblivion.  Trust me, I know...

Well, that said, I am going to pull out one of those projects I mentioned and get to work. As Nike says: Just do it!

D~

As I Tweeted, Facebooked, and MySpaced this evening, I sat down and watched "Paranormal Activity" alone in the dark, in my house, with my Sheltie, Bea.  Can I add anymore commas to that sentence? LOL

I thought I would have been more frightened, and I will admit to thinking that this flick was about ghosts but when I realized it was a 'demon' who haunted this poor girl, I felt a bit more uncomfortable. Demons make me nervous.

With that said, the movie was interesting, and I thought unique in the way it was done. I don't know if many of you remember "The Blair Witch Project" but that was the same type of thing. I like the questionable nature of wondering about its authenticity. But I will be honest, I'm not going to wonder overly about this one as I will admit it wasn't as terrifying as I imagined it might have been, but the ending totally freaked me out. I honestly didn't expect it. I don't want to go into too much detail here as many who read this may not have seen the flick as yet and don't want to give it away. Nor do I really want to concentrate too heavily on this one for the obvious reasons. 

By the way, anyone interested who has Comcast On Demand, they do have "The Blair Witch Project" which I am going to take advantage of and watch again. Jaclyn! I know you wanted to watch it.  Also they are running "Paranormal Activity" as well.

Well, once again my Byberry Asylum discussion has been pre-empted. Do you think it may be an omen?  Perhaps to leave well enough alone?

Sleep well...

D~

Wolf Moon...

Tonight is the "Wolf Moon" which, of course, interests me! Wolf and moon in one conversation:)  Definitely up my alley.

Apparently, this is the brightest and fullest moon of the year and a bonus is that Mars is visible as well.  I went out earlier and viewed the phenomenon and if it is still clear skies for you take a step out the door and check this beautiful moon out.  Just to the left and toward the bottom of the moon you will see a reddish star twinkling. That would be Mars.

I attempted to get a picture but hey, all that I had was my Blackberry:)  Check it out. I've posted it top right.

Borrowed resource info:

(Jan. 29) – Tonight's full moon will be the biggest and brightest full moon of the year. It offers anyone with clear skies an opportunity to identify easy-to-see features on the moon.

This being the first full moon of 2010, it is also known as the wolf moon, a moniker dating back to Native American culture and the notion that hungry wolves howled at the full moon on cold winter nights. Each month brings another full moon name.

Tonight's full moon is the first of the year.

But why will this moon be bigger than others? Here's how the moon works:

The moon is, on average, 238,855 miles from Earth. The moon's orbit around Earth – which causes it to go through all its phases once every 29.5 days – is not a perfect circle, but rather an ellipse. One side of the orbit is 31,070 miles closer than the other.

So in each orbit, the moon reaches this closest point to us, called perigee. Once or twice a year, perigee coincides with a full moon, as it will tonight, making the moon bigger and brighter than any other full moons during the year.

Tonight it will be about 14 percent wider and 30 percent brighter than lesser full moons of the year, according to Spaceweather.com.


Author: Robert Roy Britt
For more information and to read the complete article:
Wolf Moon, Article Aol Resource

This article claims there is no correlation between people and animal moods and the full moon.  What do you think?  We've been told that the moon affects the chemical balance in the brain and makes the unbalanced person or animal even more unbalanced or shall we say the crazies come out?  Though Robert states this is myth.  However, the tides are affected.

Hmmm...

More interesting information:
Space.com

Tomorrow I'm back on Byberry history and ghostly apparitions.  Bet you can't wait:)

D~

Let's talk ghosts...

after spending the evening working on my new paranormal erotic novella I decided to surf the channel listings to see what was on.  Bored and looking for anything to watch, I stumbled upon that ghost hunter show on The Travel Channel.  So... I thought why not? I'd never watched it before though I did see some of the spoofs done in regards to the show, namely a South Park episode.

I settled in and watched. I found it for the most part overly dramatic and the playbacks of the experiences not so strong in the proof department but the fourth episode caught my attention.  Why? Because it was familiar or at least in the same vicinity of a place I used to venture to as a teenager when we were brave and daring in the night, LOL

Jaclyn, you will relate to this as we talked about this and have this place in common.  Remember Byberry(sp)?  Well, last night one of the episodes was seeking out paranormal activity at a place called

Pennhurst State Asylum or Institutution located in Spring Town, Pennsylvania. I believe I've gotten that correctly.  Anyway, this is a huge condemned complex where people would drop off mentally challenged and difficult children.  At one time there were over ten thousand inhabitants.  Definitely a dark and desperate place. It was condemned and closed in the early sixties, I believe. The most interesting thing about the episode were the people that Zak interviewed about the place.  Catch the episode if you can.  It definitely gave me a few goose bumps.

Funny thing is I kept thinking about my Byberry adventures and as the guys panned one of the rooms in the place, I couldn't believe my eyes! Low and behold,  I caught what appeared to be the word "Byberry" spray painted on one of the walls and I saw it more than once so I know I wasn't imagining it!

Below is a slideshow of the episode. Enjoy:)  Hey, Jacke!  Let me know what you think.  All I could think about was our old haunt.

http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Ghost_Adventures/Photos/Slideshow_Pennhurst_State#


Just for balance, I'd seen this prior to ever watching an episode of Ghost Adventures.  Check this out:

http://video.yahoo.com/watch/6178554


Now formulate your own opinion, LOL

Adendum:

I was curious to see if  I was spelling the name of Byberry correctly and felt compelled to do some research on the place.  I will continue the actual facts on this asylum in my next post but interestingly found much information on the place we stared upon in the wee hours of the night without exiting our car.  Eerie doesn't begin to describe the misery of this place.  It has since been demolished in 2006 yet still haunts my mind.

Some photos and additional links:

http://www.oboylephoto.com/byberry/

Some additional photos.

Sunday has gone to the dogs!  I've had a great canine weekend spent with Bea(Sheltie), Scooby(Right, Charpei mix) and Frisco(left rear, golden).  Bea in front is mine, Scooby and Frisco belong to my neighbor who is hanging out in Denver for the week.  We decided to have a puppy sleepover though I am caring for two cats as well who have remained at home:)

Great practice on deciding whether or not to adopt a brother to keep Bea company.   They have all been the perfect angels. No problems here.  Great way to relax since it's too freakin' cold to go outside.  I never thought I would be saying that.  Where do I live again?  Coincidentally, the temp this morning in Denver was one degree colder than we were in South Florida which was 32 to our 33.  Again, where am I?

Anyway, one more peek at my furry kids. They will be going home on Wednesday though I wouldn't care if they never left.  It's been a wonderful experience. 

Author Spotlight, Jason Barrett will not make it today but no worries!  He will be here in February. The 18th to be specific.  Please stop back and check him out.  His new release, Dead or a Lie, will also be available in February at the Wild Rose Press, and you don't want to miss that.

Still cold and will be for the next week to ten days here in tropical paradise, so don't make any hasty plans to escape your winter Hell in the North and come to Florida just yet.  Whoa! We're just not equipped for this long term, but this too shall pass:)

Have a wonderful week everyone.

D~

Good Morning!

Well, the holidays have come and gone once again.  Things are scaling down and it's time to put all the decorations away. Ugh! I hate this because once I take all the festive decor down the house looks so cold and bare.  I'll be tackling that this weekend:(  Ah well...

As you may know, I live in tropical paradise.  Sunny Southern Florida to be exact. And I will tell you that yesterday evening Spokane, Washington and us had something in common which is not a good thing. We were both 48 degrees at 7PM!  Amazing! We woke up to 35 this AM!  Steam actually is misting from my mouth.

If you know anything about South Florida, this is NOT normal.  The year we moved here from Southern New Jersey there was a citrus freeze so the temps were in the thirties when we got here-incidentally that was in the mid eighties.  Apparently, that lasted about a week but according to the experts this is a record cold snap for us and though you may call us the biggest wimps, LOL it is cucking fold to us *grin* This is forecast to go for a couple of weeks.  The crops will be in serious trouble if it does.  We have not surpassed a daily temp of 60 something all week and it is forecast to remain about the same at least for the next week.

I will tell you that I actually don't mind. I'm a New Jersey girl at heart and it is a nice change from the norms of 75-80 degrees year round. But clearly we are not used to this long-term:)

Stay warm and have a wonderful day...

D~

Author Spotlight: Denyse Bridger, Paranormal Author

Geez, it seems another week has flown by and we're here again.  New Year's Eve with Denyse will be a blast.  She is an amazing author.  If you haven't already read Blood Wine and Pale Roses you really need to. It is an awesome book and extremely sensual.  Don't miss it!

So without further delay let me introduce her as here she comes now.

Hello, Denyse and welcome to my blog!  I can't wait to get started:)  So here goes...


What inspired you to write your first book?

I don’t know that anything inspired me that first time, I just can’t remember a time when I didn’t write. The first completed project as an adult came in 1984, inspired by my favourite television series at the time. It led me to the world of fan-fiction, and the discovery that what I loved most was to write.


How many books have you written?
OMG, far too many to remember, honestly. I think if we include all my published works, amateur and professional, we’re in the range of about 400+ by now...

Wow! that's quite an extensive catalogue!  How do you decide on their topic?
Sometimes it’s an image, other times a song. I never really know what will trigger the idea. I’ve even literally “dreamed” novels and stories into being.

What works best to keep you focused and on track?
Usually the story keeps me focused, and if I lose the focus, I either look at the images that have created the story, or listen to the music my brain associates with it. I cannot live without music, so it’s always there as a soundtrack to life and creativity.

Oh I do know what you mean there.  I had a Linkin Park CD in my truck for over a year as I wrote my crime romance novel.  I don't know what about it inspired me but it just seemed to keep the characters alive in my head.  I practically lived within the story! 


Do you write to make money or for the love of writing?
Definitely the love of writing...

When was the first moment you felt comfortable saying, “I am a writer?”
From the moment I started writing with an honest desire to entertain people. It wasn’t the first sale or the first publication, but the first completed project that I was willing to give to friends and share... that’s when I was a writer.

What type of stories do you like to write and why?
I like to mix genres all the time... there is always an element of romance in anything I write, but I add lots of other styles, too... fantasy, paranormal, mystery, historical, suspense. Pretty much everything except sci-fi, really, and hard-core horror.

What type of stories do you like to read and why?
Romance and fantasy, mostly. Some mystery, but usually stuff in historical settings, like the Anne Perry Monk Mysteries, or Sherlock Holmes, I really love the Victorian era.

Victorian Gothic stories! Yes, I grew up on them. I always had a novel in my hand about ghosts and old mansions:) I don't even remember the author names now. I think one of my favorites was Victoria Holt.

Who would you say modeled your career? Who would readers compare your work to?
I’ve been compared to P.D. James, Terry Brooks, and a number of Harlequin romance authors, ALL huge compliments in my opinion!

When do you write (daytime, nighttime, on your lunch hour, before the kids get up, after everyone is asleep? In large chunks of time or stolen snippets?)
I can write anytime, anywhere.... I’ve been known to write half the night when the inspiration hits, other times it’s hit and miss all day long. No children or husband to distract me, just real-life!

Are you someone who can write on demand? Or do you have to stew and coax an idea before you sit down and write? Or maybe you write when the muse knocks you upside your head, like me?
I used to need to “feel” the mood, now, I can write on demand. Whether the demand comes from me or someone else, I can sit down on the spot and work an idea, then go for it....

Where do you write?
My home office mostly, but I always have a notebook and pen with me, so if I’m going for coffee, sitting in a hospital or doctor’s waiting room, I can just flip open the book and write....

Where did you get the inspiration for (your current book)?
A friend in Italy, he’s the hero of my current project. His job and his personality are perfect for a romance, so he’s it!

So your hero is a real person, eh? Well, ladies, looks like this one is attainable, perhaps? Might have to fight the heroine for him, LOL

Do you put pieces of yourself or your life in your stories?
Usually there is ONE trait of mine in a hero, or a heroine, even if it is something as innocuous as a hair colour, or an eye colour. Other times it’s a piece of temperament, or a fear in me, or someone close to me, but there is always one trait that I use to anchor the character and make them “real” to me as a person.

How long did it take you to get your first project sold? And was the project your first actual completed manuscript?
First pro contract came when I entered the Amber Heat competition for Amber Quill Press. I wasn’t going to do it, then the night before the deadline, the story just dropped on me and demanded to be told. I wrote it in one day, polished it, then made the deadline under the wire... A few weeks later I had an email informing me that I’d won my first contract. Haven’t looked back since then!

Why do you write?
Because I can’t stop the voices in my head demanding to be heard! I think it’s a gift in some ways, and it allows a form of expression that can take you anywhere and allow you freedoms that nothing else can.

What type of music do you favor? Do you use music as a motivational source when writing?
Music is with me every minute of the day, and I am either singing (badly) or listening to whatever suits the mood of what I’m writing. If I am answering mail, or doing something like this interview, I have things like howling wolves in the background, or storms, stuff like that. My favourite music is anything romantic and inspiring, and for me that is usually the music of Italy, or singers like my friend Riccardo Foresi. I also love jazzy-blues sounds, so it’s really a very eclectic array of sounds...

Denyse will be giving away a copy of her newest release to one lucky commenter. So don't be shy ask her questions and jot your comments down.  She will draw the winner tomorrow. I will announce the winner here on this blog! 

Have a Happy, Healthy and Prosporous New Year!  Wishing you all the best and thank you so much for dropping by:)

More about Denyse:

Canadian born and bred, and a lifelong dreamer, I began writing at an early age and can’t recall a time when I wasn’t creating in some artistic form. My life has had several on-going love affairs that shape much of what I write, the American West, Victorian England, cowboys, a passion for pirates, Greek Gods, and Ancient Egypt. The other endless love affair in my life is Italia and all its magic, beauty, and dazzling culture. That passion spills into all aspects of my life.
My first major fantasy novel is AS FATE DECREES. (Available in bookstores everywhere, and on Amazon’s international sites.) The novel relies heavily on Greek Mythology, and is set in Ancient Greece and modern Athens. If you enjoy a tale of Gods, Destiny, and the battles of an Eternal Champion, this is the book for you! Not surprisingly, there’s a touch of romance throughout, of course! A visit to my website will show the diversity of what is currently available, and the mixing of genres and styles that will be employed in many up-coming projects as well.
To stay current with all these projects, or to just say hello, please feel free to email me anytime, there’s a contact link on the mail menu. I promise I will do my best to answer everyone, though it may take a day or two, so please be patient! Or, feel free to sign up for my newsletter, which is called Romance and Fantasy.
Website: http://www.denysebridger.com/

Blog: http://fantasy-pages.blogspot.com/

Sensual Treats Magazine: http://www.sensualtreats.webs.com/

HEARTS ON FIRE BOOKS will be publishing my short fantasy/erotic romance ROYAL CONSORT. That stunning guy on the cover, he's real... someone I love and adore - my Italian Prince, Vincenzo. This book was written for him. So, please check it out on Sunday when it goes live at Hearts On Fire.... In the meantime, let me tell you a little bit about the book, and tease your interest (I hope) with an excerpt:

ROYAL CONSORT
Publisher: Hearts On Fire Books
Release: November 15th, 2009
Cover Model: Vincenzo Chiofalo
Photographer: Mariagrazia Germanà
Cover Artist: Dara England

Blurb:

On the fantasy world of Foress, the daughter of the world’s last remaining god is challenged to locate one of the ancient swords that were forged as the Triad of Power among the once-powerful gods. Sherindal is a skilled warrior, but a woman with many conflicts in her heart. She has spent her life in the service of her father, the god M’Har, yet it is not she who will wield the most powerful of the swords. Diviner is to be her brother’s destiny, even though she is certain the legacy should be hers. Sherindal carries another of the three ancient weapons, Huntor. The final part of the triad is to be held by the hands of men, and her lover, the Prince of Ember City, is the guardian of Predator.

Royal Consort buy Link:
http://www.heartsonfirebooks.com/downloads.aspx?categoryid=8


BOOK COVERS (Slideshow): http://www.slide.com/r/bqRfkYr10D8gfyi__LvEBUA2jZbc5RLT?previous_view=lt_embedded_url


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Author Spotlight: Susan Macatee, American Civil War Romance Author

Hello and Merry Christmas to all! Please welcome this week's guest, Susan Macatee. Hello, Susan! Hope you've managed to get all your Christmas preparation done, LOL  Are we ever done?

What inspired you to write your first book?
Reading great books written by others. When I was a kid, I loved books so much, I imagined what it would feel like to actually write and have my name on the cover of a book and have people read stories about characters I’d created. As I grew older, although I never thought of being an author as a real career option, that vision of writing novels never completely left me. It was through reading and my love of novels that made me want to write a book of my own.

How many books have you written?
Not that many, actually. I started out writing short stories, so as of today, I’ve written four complete novels and just completed the first draft of a fifth. I have another completed first draft put aside, awaiting revision. The first novel I wrote was never published.

What works best to keep you focused and on track?

Schedules. LOL. I list all my writing goals. I have yearly goals, monthly goals, weekly goals and even daily goals. I also belong to an online challenge group where I record my daily progress in a database. This keeps me from frittering away my time, when I know I have to account for what I’ve done each day, whether it be words written, pages edited or hours spent plotting or researching a story.

Do you write to make money or for the love or writing?
Although I’d love to make money from my writing, I’d have to say that’s not the reason I’m doing it. If it was, I would’ve quit long ago. I just love putting words to paper, creating characters that live and breathe in both my and my readers’ heads. And mostly, I want readers to be uplifted by my stories, so if only for a short time, they can get away from problems and escape into a fictional world with a happily ever after.

What type of stories to you like to write and why?
My favorite genres are historical and paranormal. And a mixture of both genres is ideal. I love the Victorian period, American Civil War and also have a thing for vampires, the idea of reincarnation, soul mates, time travel and pure adventure. But the main ingredient is the love story. I want my characters to fall head over heels in love and, no matter what the obstacle, end up with that happily ever after ending.

When do you write (daytime, nighttime, on your lunch hour, before the kids get up, after everyone is asleep? In large chunks of time or stolen snippets?
Early afternoon is my most creative time, so on weekdays, I spend early afternoon hours on new projects, like first drafts and plotting out stories. I also like to squeeze some late morning time on weekends to write too. Since I don’t have an outside job and no longer have kids underfoot, I divide my days between household tasks and writing projects. So, late morning and afternoon is reserved for edits, book promo, proofreading, checking email and other writing related stuff.

Do you write every day? Or when the muse strikes?
Generally, I write at the same time every day. Knowing that I’m supposed to write at that hour, makes it that much easier to dive right into the project at hand and make the most use of that time. Otherwise, I might fiddle around all day and not accomplish anything.

Why do you write?
I write to be happy and sane. Enough said. LOL.

Do you have an upcoming release? You do! Oh please tell us all about it.
While I don’t have any upcoming releases, 2009 has been my year of releases. I’ve had five in all. Besides a Christmas novella in an anthology, my latest stand-alone release is a vampire novella, Sweet Redemption out last month in e-book format from The Wild Rose Press. This story is set during the American Civil War, my favorite historical period. My hero is a Union infantry captain and an ex-Catholic priest. The heroine is the widow of a Confederate soldier. She’s left alone on a farm just after her father’s death, trying to keep from starving when the hero shows up on her doorstep. The villain is a centuries old vampire, who stalks them both.


Blurb: On a cold December night, Union infantry captain, Jonathan Hackett, is pinned down on the Fredericksburg battlefield trying to escape Confederate fire. But a creature of the night, more dangerous than any enemy soldier, stalks him. Jon must fight for his life as well as his soul.
Maddie Emery has lost everything dear to her. Her husband and parents have passed on and her brothers are off fighting in the Confederate Army. She’s alone, trying single-handedly to hold onto her family’s farm, when a Yankee soldier collapses across her stoop.
Maddie and Jon soon form a bond of love and tender desire. But when Jon begins to exhibit signs of becoming the creature he fears most, is their love enough to fight off the evil of a centuries old vampire bent on destroying them?

Where can we find your upcoming release? When will it be available?

Sweet Redemption is available now at:
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/sweet-redemption-p-3750.html?zenid=744a80ff8a416037d43a4dd470786511

If you would like to read a review please visit the Long and Short Reviews at the below link:
http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.com/2009/11/sweet-redemption-by-susan-macatee.html

More about Susan:
Susan Macatee writes American Civil War romance, often with a paranormal twist. Along with her husband, she's been a Civil War reenactor for a number of years. Her other loves are sci-fi, watching major league baseball, camping and baking.

Susan loves to hear from readers. You can find her at her website:
http://www.susanmacatee.com/
and her blog:
http://www.susanmacatee.blogspot.com/.