L.M. Preston's Blog, page 40

THE REAL LIFE FROG TO MY PRINCE

I just wanted to repost this 'true love' story of mine.

My best friend in High School lived in another town. She was pretty, perky, and best of all knew a lot of boys. One of her favorite things to do was to match make. Unfortunately for me, I was a glutton for punishment and went on 3 disaster dates due to her practicing being the new matchmaker.com.

She called and was like, "I've got the perfect one for you. I really do. I know what you like now. Took some practice, but trust me. I got this."

I generally told her off for her last 3 mishaps. The pock faced kid that picked his nose. The octopus that couldn't keep his hands to himself and the 'no show' that called to tell me that his girlfriend found out about me - Say what?!

But this one, she promised was perfect.

Well this time, I took it slow. I talked to the guy for about 2 months before I met him. Now we were supposed to mail each other pictures, but it never happened. Then eventually, we both decided to be surprised since we figured the major issues were cleared up. Like telling and confirming the basics of what we looked like. I didn't count on tidbits from my match-maker friend. I asked him for references! Yep, I spoke to his buddies, and family members (like younger siblings who were too young to be jaded.)

THE MEETING

Well, at the time I lived in the city. He lived in the suburbs in a nice neighborhood. But what I liked about him was he had street smarts from growing up in Grand Rapids / and Saginaw, MI. Even so, he was very intelligent and could speak 'street' and suburb like me. See, even though I lived in the city, I went to Catholic School where 'proper' English was only allowed. If you slipped into slang – you got slapped, literally!

So, he caught the Metro train, then the bus to my neighborhood. I took my 'aunt' along, who was more like a cousin. We were both the same age and she had explicate directions to scope out the bus and to take my ditch him with our made up excuse if the guy was a dud.

Now, the moment of truth – I laid eyes on him and was like, "WOWSA!" I literally had to gulp my heart back in my chest.

He looked at me and smiled (I believe he was thinking the same thing – but I was wrong.)

I stood there and grinned like a fool, then tripped forward as my cousin elbowed me. Oh…forgot she was still there. I whispered to her, "Beat it!" and she promptly left.

Then I looked back at him and he was frowning…yep, frowning. The first thing he said to me was, "Ummm, you don't look like what I thought. Are you sure you're 15? I mean…you are really small. How tall are you?"

Okay, yeah, I'm only about 5ft to his 6ft 2inches, but I was funsized!

THE UGLY TRUTH

Well, truth was, he was not cut out for long distance romance. I found out through a reliable source (his best friend who was 'crushing on me') that he was running around with another girl – heck a few other girls. So I confronted him and he fessed up the truth. Gotta say I was impressed with his honesty - as blunt as it was. However, he did warn me by saying, "Do you really want to know? Cause I'm not gonna lie." Now what person in their right mind will say, "Oh lie to me..." So I told him I could respect a dude that spoke the truth, but a liar, I'd never respect - so spill it. All he simply said was, "Yes, I've been seeing other people. You live too far away." And of course, I dumped him.



THE FAIRY Tale ENDING


We decided to remain friends. And after 8 years of true friendship, we dated for about 3 months and have been married for 18years. So I lucked out and married my frog – who turned prince – after having 8 years to grow up.LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

THAT's YAMORE Blogfest

We love blogfests. And we love good YA romance. So we're back, combining the two again in our second annual That's YAmore Blogfest.

Starting the Saturday before Valentine's Day (that's February 11th), we invite you to post 250 romantic, swoon-worthy words from your YA WIP. Then check out the entries from some of the other participants. (Just be sure you have a fan and/or a cold glass of water on hand.) We know your Valentine will appreciate you getting yourself in a romantic state of mind...

And, as an added bonus, this year we will select one lucky participant to win a swoon-worthy YA read, shipped direct from the Book Depository (meaning the contest is open internationally, so long as TBD ships to your country).

To sign up, follow these easy-peasy directions:

1. Enter your blog name in the Mr. Linky below
2. Get your post ready now and set the posting date to 12:01 AM on Feb. 11th (that way you won't forget)
3. Please don't post any erotica or pornography - this is YA!!
4. Make sure your post stays up all 4 days and is easy to find.

HERE's THE LINK TO JOIN IN click here

Here's my excerpt from my short story, Big Crush by LM Preston

We came up to the bottom step of my house. My nose wiggled as I tried to stop my glasses from falling off. But it didn't help, they slid right off and bounced several times. I watched Randy's head bend to pick them up. His brown eyes collided with my green ones. And he made a shocked noise.

"Wow. I didn't know you had green eyes." He snatched up my glasses and stared at me a second.

My heart wouldn't stop thumping in my chest as I stared back at his brown eyes. Lost in them. I was frozen. The peppermint gum he gave me flattened out between my teeth.

In slow motion I watched him smile at me, and place my glasses back on my face. His fingers touched my nose, then my cheek then my ears when he adjusted them snuggly in place. I swallowed.

"Tiny! It's time to go." My grandma opened the screen door breaking the moment.

But Randy just smiled at me and said, "See you tomorrow. I hope."

At last I caught my breath. "Where are we going?"

"La Madeline's to meet your mom for dinner. Come on in and get washed up."

In a daze I slowly walked up each step. Kimmee was the best friend of all. She gave me Randy all to myself. Even if I had to eat worms mixed with dirt to have him. He was so worth it.


Here's the link to the other YAMORE BlogfestLM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

This Means War - Movie Review

I was so excited that the meetup group I joined 'Movies and More' got pre-screening tickets to this movie you would have thought I won the lotto.



SCREEN RANT:

The basic premise for This Means War – ie. two CIA agents find out they're dating the same woman – sounds like a variation on Mr. and Mrs. Smith… albeit, somehow even more (intentionally) ridiculous. So it's perhaps appropriate that Smith co-scriber Simon Kingberg had a hand in scripting this new action-comedy, which was helmed by McG (the Charlie's Angels movies).

Now we have an official trailer for This Means War, which focuses primarily on selling the film's stylized action sequences – though, it still manages to cram in some laughs here and there.



This Means War stars Chris Pine (a.k.a. young Captain Kirk in the Star Trek reboot) and Tom Hardy – soon to be known as Bane in The Dark Knight Rises – as "the world's deadliest CIA operatives" and BFFs. However, the two agents eventually start utilizing their technical skills and advanced spy gadgetry to defeat one another in the battle for the heart of a woman named Lauren (Reese Witherspoon) who is dating the pair simultaneously.

MY REVIEW:

This had comedy, romance, action, and it was just plain cute. Great 'Date Movie'! I took my husband and we went with over 38 members of our meetup movie crew. Male and females watched the movie, laughed with the movie, and gushed with the movie. It was just enough action with bad guys to keep the guys interested. Also great chemistry with all 3 characters. Not to mention eye candy for the ladies and female humor that made both men and women laugh out loud. My guy gave this a 4 'fist pump' and I gave it a 4.5 'dreamy sigh'.LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

The Bennie's to Blogging

When I first considered blogging I did it because I read that it's a great way to build a platform. That every writer must have a blog. That blogging is fun.

Well, let me tell you, some of the advice was true, but some of it didn't even touch the surface of what blogging has become to me.

BLOGGING FOR FUN

Blogging is actually fun for me. I enjoy coming up with my post and post regularly with my passions. Reading books with my daughter who post her reviews on my blog. Also my love of movies is something I love to post about. It's enjoyable for me to have an audience to chat about some of my hobbies. In addition, it's given myself and my kids a place to put our interest. My son has posted his video game reviews and all of my kids have been a guest and posted their book reviews since I personally feel that if I give a review on a MG or YA novel that it should be from the audience it's intended for.

BLOGGING FOR BUSINESS

Now that I've gotten into blogging I realize that it is a great and powerful tool for some businesses. If done correctly blogging can capture and hold customers when the content is ripe and plentiful. Not to mention as a writer I could actually get a paid gig blogging for businesses. Sort of like writing for a publication – it just happens that the publication is a blog instead of a newspaper. Also, blogs can co-exist as another form for a company to share it's 'marketing copy' it's way of getting the masses excited about something it offers.

BLOGGING FOR BUILDING A PLATFORM AS A WRITER

In this I think 'meh' maybe it works, but maybe not. I mean I have to admit I'm not quite a numbers hog and use my blog specifically to get over a million would be purchasers for my book. Maybe I should but I don't. I enjoy blogging way to much. But I don't quite know if I can honestly say I personally know an author that built a platform, got an agent, sold tons of books just because they blogged.

Now what blogging does do for an author is keep them writing, give them content to tweet about, content to re-cycle into articles, guest blog spots, facebook share, sale to other areas, showcase work, and meet other authors, bloggers, people who just dig them and what they write about.

WHY DO YOU BLOG? AND IF YOU DON'T WANT TO WHAT WILL YOU LOSE?

I've followed lots of blogs that after awhile just die off. Or that are so sporatic I clean them out of my cue. However, when it's not fun anymore, don't do it. Life's too short to do the things you hate – unless you have to put food on your table.LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

Chronicle - Movie Review

FANDANGO BLURB:
Andrew (Dane DeHaan) is a socially awkward, introverted teen whose main form of escape and expression is a video camera. But things begin to change when Andrew, his cousin Matt (Alex Russell) and popular classmate Steve (Michael B. Jordan) discover a mysterious substance that leaves them with incredible powers. As their abilities become more powerful, the teens' lives spin out of control when their darker sides begin to emerge. Andrew's camera captures the unfolding events.

MY REVIEW:

WOW! This one TOTALLY surprised me. I'm a super hero fan. Okay - fanatic (a little) but this movie blew my mind. Mainly because the way it was filmed made you feel like you were actually with the characters during this. I mean, I felt like part of the gang. Not to mention they became real and likeable to me. Also, it seemed realistic the way the boys characters developed, changed and made mistakes. Also the interaction between the boys seemed natural and reminded me of how my son is with his friends. The way it unfolds into a climatic end just - Wow! So you know what I'm giving this don't you? I FREAKIN' give it 5 shots out of 5. Ye-ah baby!LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

C'mon My Friend's Having a FB Release Party!

Yeah Baby! You won't be bored this Friday night! No way. You've got to come on over to the COMPULSION RELEASE PARTY!

COMPULSION by Kymberlee Burks-Miller - buy her book here!



Welcome to the Compulsion Release Party line up!!! I am going to introduce you to everyone involved in making this event THE online PARTY of the year!! To the left, is the very same picture of Compulsion that is being for the party and if you click it, it will take you to the event~~So now on to the amazing people that are participating! This is a central location for ALL of their links. LOADS OF FREE STUFF will be up for grabs, and everyone gets a chance to win! BUT, at this party no one leaves empty-handed!! Door prizes for all that attend! **REMEMBER, it all kicks off Friday, February, 3rd at 12pm central/1pm eastern standard time and goes non-stop for 36 hours!!!
Away we go:

Here's the link for the star-studded guest list. Oh and there will be PRIZES!

And while you're there, go on, follow her blog. Share the love!
http://kymberlee-burks-miller.blogspo... Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

A TOUCH OF LOVE IN YA

Most Young Adult novels have a sprinkle of a crush, love and attraction. With a majority female audience it's perceived that love and attraction is a strong part of youth. And lets face it – it is.

WHY PUT SOME IN

Because it appeals to both male and female readers as long as it doesn't consume the type of book when writing a Young Adult book that isn't specifically a romance. I get many beta readers for my books, both male and female requested a bit of a love interest. It adds another dimension to the plot.

A SPRINKLE without SEX is good too

I personally don't believe sex is necessary in a Young Adult book to such graphic detail unless it moves the plot. Adding a love interest, sex, physical aspect can turn off young readers. Writers should focus on the story they are trying to tell and not on how they describe sex in a scene for shock value. Readers can pick it up and may be turned off.

HIGH Emotion can LEAD to ATTRACTION

When writing a Young Adult book with a sprinkle of romance, there is no need to throw it in the readers face. Let it develop, do it with style, and make sure that your readers fall in love – as the characters are falling in love.

DON'T Count ON LOVE TO SAVE YOUR NOVEL

If you are not writing a Young Adult Romance, and you are putting in your sprinkle of love, don't expect that to make your novel appeal to the young adult crowd. These readers want it all. They crave adventure, drama, mystery, love, and great pacing. So when you mix up your recipe to deliver a masterpiece for your willing and eager YA audience, make sure you don't sell them short on depth and a great plot.

DO YOU THINK LUV IN YA IS OVERKILL?LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

Exiled by Rashelle Workman

NYIA! Our Teen Book Reviewer is in the house. *Sniffle* and she's started her own blog. They grow up so fast, but she's agreed to still post her reviews here as a guest.

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Amazon Blurb:
EXILED: Worlds divided them. Chance brought them together, Only love will save them.

BUY HERE - Click


NYIA's Review:

I really loved this book so I thought I'd tell some people about it's amazingness. The author did a great job of making a simple science fiction novel. I liked that the book didn't have a bunch of complicated language or super long explanations about nothing. The book was filled with adventure, secrets, and romance, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. The concepts introduced in the book weren't hard to understand or keep up with. I liked that the author wrote the book in various two points of view, but focused mainly on Venus. I would recommend the book to girls who want romance with more action in it. I suspect that the book is the first in a series because it ended with a lot of unanswered questions. I give the book a 4 out of 5 only because I was mad about love triangle going on. Hope you decide to read it; it's really a good book.LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

Teens Can Plan For Success

This week at my kid's high school they are selecting their schedule of courses. Not to mention, I watched Waiting For Superman, a movie about the school system and how inaffective it is for supporting the majority of students in their journey to personal successful learning.

I fight the battle of motivating my kids to be challenged, to figure out ways around boundaries and to stay positively motivated to do their heart's desire.

But it's been hard. I've had to teach them to fight for their education as well.

IF YOU ARE SERVED APPLES but you want ORANGES

My 9th grader is an acceptional student. She always scores high on test and with me fighting for her she was placed in the Gifted and Talented courses. But she wants more.

AP courses were offered to her this year, but I think outside of the box in everything and I wanted her to forego AP courses and just go direct to Community College to take some of her classes - and I found out from taking my daughter to the counselor at the community college that she could take classes at the community college that could go towards her High School diploma while giving her credit for her degree!

So we asked her High School Counselor to approve my daughter's registration. The woman told me "I don't know why you would want to waste your money on that when she can just take AP classes"

DON't LET 'NO' stop YOU! FIND A WORK AROUND

I couldn't believe the woman was discouraging me in supporting my daughter with MY MONEY. Had I not known that it was possible to send a student in this direction (I had done the exact same thing for my son - and had to fight even harder to do so) then I would have just agreed with the woman.

BUT I will take a "No" and create my own "Yes"

TEENS HAVE POWER

One thing I told my daughter when we left was, "You can do or be anything, and that is a lesson that the road won't always be easy. You always need to look for your detors."

HOW HAVE YOU as a young person TURNED a 'NO' into a 'YES' by not giving up?LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

Explorer X-Beta is now on KDP and Amazon!

I'm excited to announce that my second book in the my middle grade science fiction adventure novel, is available for FREE in ebook kindle format on KINDLE DIRECT and only $0.99 on amazon until release day of the Paperback version April 1st.

The paperback release date is April 1st and will be kicked off with a twitter party TWITTER PARTY is April 3rd, 2012 and BLOG TOUR the week of April 8th-17th.

LM Preston Tour and Stops:

Farpoint Convention (Baltimore, MD) 2/17-19th
Public Library Conference (PA) - 3/12th
Twitter Launch Party (Promo Explorer X-Beta) - 4/3th
Explorer X-Beta Blog tour - 4/8-17th
Book Expo America (NY) - 6/6-7th
Otakon (Baltimore, MD) 7/27-29th
Shore-Leave (Baltimore, MD) 8/3-5th
Baltimore Book Festival - 9/28-30th
Capclave (Baltimore, MD) - 10/12-14th

Weekly on Twitter:
#MBPA twitter chat on Thursdays at 9pm hosting as board member of Mid Atlantic Book Publishers Association www.midatlanticbookpublishers.com
#Yalitchat twitter chat on Wednesday as Moderator and support of Yalitchat.ning.comLM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS