Lily Black's Blog, page 2

Happy Birthday, Storm of Attraction!

In a month of love and sometimes heartache, I will always get to celebrate the anniversary of having my very first book published. A book about a guy strong enough to know when he was wrong, about a girl wise enough to realize what she really wants, and about a couple willing to put their own lives on the line in order to save the other–even though the whole town knows they hate each other.

I poured so much love into writing this book, and that love has come back to me one-hundred-fold over...

Are You a Groundhog Fan?

Despite my total meh towards winter I love Groundhog Day, both the movie and the fact that the festival exists! My world is a better place because we turn to a rodent for our long-term weather predictions.

Of course, if I were to be stuck in a time warp of the same day, repeated, I’d spend my time reading and writing! I love the idea of learning all the cool things Bill Murray does in the movie, too. Ice sculpting in particular!

On the flip side…I am NOT a fan of cold and ice, so maybe I’d...

My idea for author Olympics, and a .99 SALE!

I think there should be a TV show where authors compete to save their book! Maybe feel around in slimy mud to find it. Or climb like a spider through an obstacle course to where it’s dangling in space!

I know one thing I’d be willing to do–walk on thin ice, on a barely frozen lake! I did just that, in pursuit of this pic.

In my defense, this is a pretty exciting time for Storm of Attraction! My publisher was able to arrange for a bookbub ad–kind of the holy grail of author-dom–and as a resul...

How to do adulting Thanksgiving decor like a boss

My early memories of Thanksgiving include truckloads of cousins and feeling picked on that the grownups got the best food. Later that transitioned to small-time petty pie thievery, once I and my cousins were old enough to sneak in and out of the kitchens. My favorite pie to steal was chocolate mousse!

 

My other favorites were lemon meringue, and apple. Interesting that pumpkin didn’t make my list back then, but is enough of a favorite now that my family will be dishing up our fourth pumpkin...

Have You Hugged a Ninja Lately?

Do you remember my mentioning some hard-working dudes I know–the Book Ninjas? Well, I’m dedicating this post to them because the book ninjas’ Blush-O-Meter catalog now has over 2000 books in it! That’s a LOT of books!

As congrats, I’d like to give them a new pair of heels.

Don’t believe that’s what a ninja would want? Ask this guy!

Yep, somewhere along the way as the ninjas explored the quirks of our English language, they got a bit hung up on certain phrases…and the objects of those phrases...

Where do you find your light?

Some days do not live up to the glamorous author life I signed up for. As I type, my area is under tornado watch, and a small tree just fell on the back fence. I also just came through a power outage, which meant tossing a ton of useful fridge stuff.

But you know what? Days like this also include writing by candlelight.

In our study I keep a gorgeous wooden trunk carved with elephants, and it’s brim-full of candles. When the power goes out, the days are gray, or life throws too much karma-bu...

Canoeing on the Neuse, and a Talent for Misprediction

Standing in a swiftly moving river with water up to my waist, one hand gripping the fallen tree that capsized us and the other clinging to my canoe to keep it from being swept downstream, I learned something important about myself. I’m always wrong about the things I dread.

Let me back up a bit from that capsized moment, so y’all won’t think I’m crazy.

Falling in love with fall all over again!

Which is your favorite season? I see beauty in them all. Christmas sparkles with warmth and light, and late winter has an austere elegance. Spring is so fresh, with friendly flower faces. Summer brings family trips and beach adventures. But fall…fall sweeps me away, with bright orange pumpkins, crisp blue skies, and glorious autumn leaves!

I will try over the next few months to sprinkle in posts that do NOT have a single pumpkin in them. I will try.

Happy News! Announcing seven (7!) flash fiction workshops!

I am so thrilled to announce that I’ll be pairing with Wake County Libraries to teach a series of flash fiction workshops! All seven classes will be taught in November–so perfect for anyone who wants some NaNoWriMo inspiration–with one at each of the county’s regional libraries.

Here’s a little graphic with the dates, times and locations, so if you’re in the area you can come and say hi. I will be available to chat, afterward, and will have books for sale to sign!

Being given the opportunity...

Do you love the very thing that burns you?

I am a pyro–no doubt about it. As a kid I surreptitiously experimented with bonfires to see what would or wouldn’t burn, and lost my eyebrows as a result! Now one of my few favorite things about winter is the chance to keep a fire going, and I use candles in all of my decorating. Life is more interesting with a flame close by, wouldn’t you agree?

Of course, I did learn something from the many small burns and blisters of my youth. I’ll also never forget the awful smell of my own singed hair,...