C. Lee McKenzie's Blog, page 79

A to Z Blogging Challenge-U

Sometimes writers need a different perspective. Here's my perspective for today. U is for UpsideDown. Ever need a new way of looking at things? What's your perspective?















Now that all the blood has rushed to my head, I can think much more clearly. Go see what the other A-Z blogger have to say about U. Sliding on the Edge, C. Lee McKenzie, WestSide Books, Spring '09
The Princess of Las Pulgas, WestSide Books, Fall '10
The First Time, Fall '11 (Anthology story: Premeditated Cat)
Alligators Overhead, Outskirts Press, Fall '12

A-Z Blogging Challenge-T

Today's letter T is all about TIME--the most precious and fleeting commodity we humans have. We spend it, we waste it, we lose it, we find it, we set it aside for things we want or love to do. Sometimes we have a good TIME; sometimes we have a bad TIME. I hate it when things TIME out, but I love it when my losing team takes TIME out to plan new strategies.









TIME is also one of the silent communication forces at work between people. If you're ten minutes late to an event, is that okay? Do you have to apologize? Probably not. 




If it's going to be twenty minutes to half an hour don't you feel you have to say something? "The traffic was terrible." "I'm so sorry, but  . . ."




Then let's go for more than thirty minutes or more. Do you call ahead to say something's held you up? Do you arrive with flowers? Is your apology more elaborate?




Of course, the formality of a situation and some personal variation are always factors, but in general this is the North American time etiquette.




I love to talk about time etiquette in our culture. What's really interesting is to discuss how this silent communication works in social situations involving different cultures. But that's for another TIME when I'm not in the A to Z Challenge mode.




For now, Tempus Fugit, so go say hi to the A-Z bloggers who have something to say about the letter T. Sliding on the Edge, C. Lee McKenzie, WestSide Books, Spring '09
The Princess of Las Pulgas, WestSide Books, Fall '10
The First Time, Fall '11 (Anthology story: Premeditated Cat)
Alligators Overhead, Outskirts Press, Fall '12

A- Z Blogging Challenge-S

Today's post is all about S. First here are some SWEETS for all the A-Zers. Gotta keep up your strength. Take as much as you need. Or do you prefer other nibbles? What?















 Now that you have the energy, can you SAY something about these cover choices for me?  It's a Middle Grade adventure fantasy story, and I'm doing my mini SURVEY to try and decide which one of these renderings I'd go for. Not sure if I want either one. What's your opinion? Appreciate your help.









Here's to all the A to Z peeps who are staying the course! Sliding on the Edge, C. Lee McKenzie, WestSide Books, Spring '09
The Princess of Las Pulgas, WestSide Books, Fall '10
The First Time, Fall '11 (Anthology story: Premeditated Cat)
Alligators Overhead, Outskirts Press, Fall '12

A- Z Blogging Challenge-R

R is for Rin Tin Tin on today's A-Z Blog Challenge. Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend  is out and retelling the story about puppy that a WWI Doughboy rescued from a French battlefield and brought stateside.







*Rin Tin Tin at one time made more money than many human  Hollywood stars. 

*He had the lead in 26 films and was on more kibble boxes than major league baseball players were on cereal boxes. 

*While Lassie is well known, Rin Tin Tin was a real dog.





I found his story amazing, so he had to be the topic of my R day here. Have you read his story?



Better go see what some of the other A-Zers are saying about R.Sliding on the Edge, C. Lee McKenzie, WestSide Books, Spring '09
The Princess of Las Pulgas, WestSide Books, Fall '10
The First Time, Fall '11 (Anthology story: Premeditated Cat)
Alligators Overhead, Outskirts Press, Fall '12

A to Z Blogging Challenge--Q

Q

as in 

QUITTING




Anybody thinking about QUITTING?




WRITING STORIES

BLOGGING FROM A TO Z

TWEETING

FACEBOOKING

GOODREADING

ETC.

ETC.

ETC.









Here's my answer: QUITTING

What's yours?     Sliding on the Edge, C. Lee McKenzie, WestSide Books, Spring '09
The Princess of Las Pulgas, WestSide Books, Fall '10
The First Time, Fall '11 (Anthology story: Premeditated Cat)
Alligators Overhead, Outskirts Press, Fall '12

A-Z Blogging Challenge-P

 P is for POPPIES. YES!




I can't think of the letter P without thinking about POPPIES. A California native flower and it's state flower as well. Here's what California used to look like before shopping malls.















Anyone from a state with a state flower that starts with P? Better yet, what is your state flower? Is it still treasured? Beautiful?





Be sure to HOP around and say hi to others who are in on this wildly wonderful A-Z Blogging Challenge.




Sliding on the Edge, C. Lee McKenzie, WestSide Books, Spring '09
The Princess of Las Pulgas, WestSide Books, Fall '10
The First Time, Fall '11 (Anthology story: Premeditated Cat)
Alligators Overhead, Outskirts Press, Fall '12

A to Z Blogging Challenge-O

O is for OPENING. The other day I OPENED my computer and guess what? No data. Nope. Not one single file, just lots of empty folders. After reviving I did what any semi-literate computer user would do. I pounded my fists on the desk and stomped around the room. Then I called the HelpDesk. While I'm still at the "What in the #@!!$% happened" stage of my computer meltdown, I'm now semi-calm and taking weak tea.



I'm not alone in being a bit at a loss when technology plays tricks, so that's comforting. It's also comforting to know that I still have a sense of humor. Join me in a good laugh, please. It takes a few minutes, but you'll leave refreshed. I keep viewing this to take my mind off my own situation. Do you have any computer horror stories to share? Send 'em over.












Sliding on the Edge, C. Lee McKenzie, WestSide Books, Spring '09
The Princess of Las Pulgas, WestSide Books, Fall '10
The First Time, Fall '11 (Anthology story: Premeditated Cat)
Alligators Overhead, Outskirts Press, Fall '12

A-Z Blogging Challenge--N

N is for New Books to Check Out on today's A-Z Blog Challenge





Here are some books recently out or due to come out in the near future that look darned interesting. 







Life on Hold Beverly Stowe McClure March release.

A paper found; a secret revealed; a girl's life changed forever.





Younger Days Mike Hays March release.




























Destined (YA Fantasy) Jessie Harrel January release. When Psyche destroys the one relationship she can't live without, she must journey alone through ancient Greece and face the wrath of the gods if she wants to reclaim an immortal love.





Now off to say hi to the other A-Zers! 

Sliding on the Edge, C. Lee McKenzie, WestSide Books, Spring '09
The Princess of Las Pulgas, WestSide Books, Fall '10
The First Time, Fall '11 (Anthology story: Premeditated Cat)
Alligators Overhead, Outskirts Press, Fall '12

A to Z Blogging Challenge-M

Yesterday's answer: 19.8 billion possible sentences! We're you close?



 On to M, which is for Moods today on 

A-Z Blogging Challenge.





Pick whatever fits today.  I've already staked out #3.









 







Check out the Moods on the other A-Z Blogger's sites.




Sliding on the Edge, C. Lee McKenzie, WestSide Books, Spring '09
The Princess of Las Pulgas, WestSide Books, Fall '10
The First Time, Fall '11 (Anthology story: Premeditated Cat)
Alligators Overhead, Outskirts Press, Fall '12

A to Z Blogging Challenge-K

K is for Kindness on today's A-Z Blog Challenge





I seldom run into writers who are unkind. Maybe it's because most of the writers I know or interact with online write for kids or young adult. But even those who write thrillers never say/write rude things to me or about me. Maybe I've been lucky. 





I've had two rather blah reviews, but I can't call that unkind. That's just a difference of preference, and in both cases, the reviewer gave an opinion, not an unkind indictment of me or my work. 







What I love about kindness is the contagion that is inherent in it. When someone says something kind or shows some kindness, that small exchange works a special magic. I'm much more likely to smile at the next person or give a compliment or let a driver ease ahead of me in slow traffic.







What about you? Have you had any "rough" encounters with other writers or reviewers? How do you react to those "kind" exchanges? Any pay it forward moments?





Now I have to go visit a few of the hard-working A-Z Bloggers. Please stop in and be KIND enough to leave a comment.



Sliding on the Edge, C. Lee McKenzie, WestSide Books, Spring '09
The Princess of Las Pulgas, WestSide Books, Fall '10
The First Time, Fall '11 (Anthology story: Premeditated Cat)
Alligators Overhead, Outskirts Press, Fall '12