Annette Dashofy's Blog, page 11
November 10, 2017
Henery Press Giveaway
My fabulous publisher, Henery Press is having a giveaway now through November 14. Grand Prize is 32 awesome e-books and a Kindle Fire on which to read them. First Prize is 32 awesome e-books. And there will be FOUR second-place winners of 8 awesome e-books!
One of the 32 books is my Lost Legacy (Zoe Chambers #2) so that you haven't read it yet, you'll have a chance to meet Pete's dad Harry before Uneasy Prey comes out in the spring.
Click HERE to enter!
And good luck!
November 7, 2017
Lost Legacy and the Walk to End Alzheimer's Update
I want to give a HUGE thank you to everyone who donated to the Alzheimer’s Association, either through my page or individually. My team raised $650 this year for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, which is a personal high, one I hope to top next year. Part of that donation came from my pledge to give a portion of my royalties from the sale of Lost Legacy to the Alzheimer’s Association.
For those of you who don’t know why this is my pet charity, I lost my dad to Alzheimer’s over ten years ago and lost my mom to a nasty cousin of Alzheimer’s, Vascular Dementia, almost a year ago.
Speaking of Lost Legacy, in it I created the character of Harry Adams, Pete’s father. He was a labor of love since Harry has Alzheimer’s and I infused him with bits of my own dad. Creating a character with a disease that touches so many was a huge risk. I wanted to be true to the illness, but I also wanted a character that readers would want to spend time with. I guess I succeeded because I’ve been getting requests to bring Harry back. And guess what! He will be returning in the next Zoe Chambers Mystery!
For those of you who don’t know why this is my pet charity, I lost my dad to Alzheimer’s over ten years ago and lost my mom to a nasty cousin of Alzheimer’s, Vascular Dementia, almost a year ago.
Speaking of Lost Legacy, in it I created the character of Harry Adams, Pete’s father. He was a labor of love since Harry has Alzheimer’s and I infused him with bits of my own dad. Creating a character with a disease that touches so many was a huge risk. I wanted to be true to the illness, but I also wanted a character that readers would want to spend time with. I guess I succeeded because I’ve been getting requests to bring Harry back. And guess what! He will be returning in the next Zoe Chambers Mystery!
November 1, 2017
FiNoWriMo
Every November, a large population of writers participate in something called NaNoWriMo AKA National Novel Writing Month. The idea is to write a 50,000-word novel in ONE MONTH.
There are forums and support groups, badges to be won... It's all about accountability. Even if you don't make your goal, you'll probably write more than you would have without all the other participants encouraging you to write write write.
I've never done an "official" NaNo. But I always try to ride the wave of creative energy to bolster my considerably smaller word-count numbers.
This year, I'm doing my own thing again, but this year I'm looking at it differently. My next deadline is early February, which is coming sooner than you think. I still have a little over 100 pages to go on my first draft. So instead of NaNoWriMo, I'm declaring a personal FiNoWriMo. Finish the Novel Writing Month.
Yes, I'm sticking close to my writing cave and pounding out pages with a dogged determination to have a completed first draft by the first of December. Day #1 has been a good one. I know they won't all be. But I'm riding the wave of creative energy. And I'll keep you posted.
There are forums and support groups, badges to be won... It's all about accountability. Even if you don't make your goal, you'll probably write more than you would have without all the other participants encouraging you to write write write.
I've never done an "official" NaNo. But I always try to ride the wave of creative energy to bolster my considerably smaller word-count numbers.
This year, I'm doing my own thing again, but this year I'm looking at it differently. My next deadline is early February, which is coming sooner than you think. I still have a little over 100 pages to go on my first draft. So instead of NaNoWriMo, I'm declaring a personal FiNoWriMo. Finish the Novel Writing Month.
Yes, I'm sticking close to my writing cave and pounding out pages with a dogged determination to have a completed first draft by the first of December. Day #1 has been a good one. I know they won't all be. But I'm riding the wave of creative energy. And I'll keep you posted.
October 25, 2017
Why I Walk
On November 4, I will participate in my third Walk to End Alzheimer's.
It's a small thing. A couple hours out of one morning of my life. But every time I've done it, the tears follow me, just beneath the surface. An ache for what this disease has taken from me, from my family, and my friends. Is there anyone out there who has not been touched in some way by this disease? I don't know of any.
I lost my dad over ten years ago. I lost him much earlier than that to Alzheimer's. He slipped away in dribs and drabs.
The first time I walked, it was in his memory.
Last year, my mom was failing. Technically, not from Alzheimer's, but from a close cousin to the disease, Vascular Dementia. I walked in memory of my dad and to honor my mom.
This year, I walk in memory of both of them. Because I wouldn't wish the disease on my worst enemy. Having it. Being a caregiver to someone who has it. Loving someone who has it. It all is cruel beyond words.
This year, I'm a "team leader." I thought I was going to be a team of one. But a dear friend who knows what it's like to love someone with Alzheimer's is joining me. If you're in the Pittsburgh are on November 4th and want to feel the power of doing something you're otherwise powerless to help, I invite you to join my team. Or make a donation. You can do either or both here.
One other small thing I do is donate a portion of my royalties from the sale of Lost Legacy, which is dedicated to my dad's memory, to the Alzheimer's Association.
I've done since the first copy was sold. I'll do it until the last copy leaves the shelves.
If you want to walk, but can't join mine, find a walk near you. We need to end this disease. Here and now.
It's a small thing. A couple hours out of one morning of my life. But every time I've done it, the tears follow me, just beneath the surface. An ache for what this disease has taken from me, from my family, and my friends. Is there anyone out there who has not been touched in some way by this disease? I don't know of any.
I lost my dad over ten years ago. I lost him much earlier than that to Alzheimer's. He slipped away in dribs and drabs.
The first time I walked, it was in his memory.
Last year, my mom was failing. Technically, not from Alzheimer's, but from a close cousin to the disease, Vascular Dementia. I walked in memory of my dad and to honor my mom.
This year, I walk in memory of both of them. Because I wouldn't wish the disease on my worst enemy. Having it. Being a caregiver to someone who has it. Loving someone who has it. It all is cruel beyond words.
This year, I'm a "team leader." I thought I was going to be a team of one. But a dear friend who knows what it's like to love someone with Alzheimer's is joining me. If you're in the Pittsburgh are on November 4th and want to feel the power of doing something you're otherwise powerless to help, I invite you to join my team. Or make a donation. You can do either or both here.
One other small thing I do is donate a portion of my royalties from the sale of Lost Legacy, which is dedicated to my dad's memory, to the Alzheimer's Association.
I've done since the first copy was sold. I'll do it until the last copy leaves the shelves.
If you want to walk, but can't join mine, find a walk near you. We need to end this disease. Here and now.
September 28, 2017
My Fangirl Moment with Craig Johnson
It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Craig Johnson and his Walt Longmire series. The one the TV show is based on.
Yes, there are books.
That's Craig's new motto for those who are surprised Walt existed before Robert Taylor and Lou Diamond Phillips brought his characters to life.
Hubby and I took a trip to Erie, PA earlier this year to hear Craig give a talk.
Hubby is now a fan too.
I had another encounter with Craig at Writers Police Academy where he was the keynote.
All of this happened BEFORE I learned he was coming to Pittsburgh.
In spite of having attended these two previous events, I couldn't wait for him to return to my city, if for no other reason than I'm a fangirl who couldn't wait to snag his newest book!
As I said, it's no secret what a fan I am, so you can imagine my delight when Natalie of Mystery Lovers Books asked me to introduce Craig!
Squeee!
I could have babbled and gushed for hours, but I knew the capacity crowd wasn't interested in hearing from me. I kept my intro brief--basically "You're all in for a treat!"
And he didn't disappoint.
I haven't started the new book yet. I'm saving it as a treat when I deserve one. Mostly because I know darned well I'll finish it in one (maybe two if I pace myself) days and then I'll have to wait another year.
So to my readers who tell me that same thing, THANK YOU. I know the feeling well. And as honored as I was to introduce Craig Johnson to the Pittsburgh crowd, I'm even more honored by those who enjoy my books even close to how much I enjoy his.
Yes, there are books.
That's Craig's new motto for those who are surprised Walt existed before Robert Taylor and Lou Diamond Phillips brought his characters to life.
Hubby and I took a trip to Erie, PA earlier this year to hear Craig give a talk.
Hubby is now a fan too.
I had another encounter with Craig at Writers Police Academy where he was the keynote.
All of this happened BEFORE I learned he was coming to Pittsburgh.
In spite of having attended these two previous events, I couldn't wait for him to return to my city, if for no other reason than I'm a fangirl who couldn't wait to snag his newest book!
As I said, it's no secret what a fan I am, so you can imagine my delight when Natalie of Mystery Lovers Books asked me to introduce Craig!
Squeee!
I could have babbled and gushed for hours, but I knew the capacity crowd wasn't interested in hearing from me. I kept my intro brief--basically "You're all in for a treat!"
And he didn't disappoint.
I haven't started the new book yet. I'm saving it as a treat when I deserve one. Mostly because I know darned well I'll finish it in one (maybe two if I pace myself) days and then I'll have to wait another year.
So to my readers who tell me that same thing, THANK YOU. I know the feeling well. And as honored as I was to introduce Craig Johnson to the Pittsburgh crowd, I'm even more honored by those who enjoy my books even close to how much I enjoy his.
September 21, 2017
Back in Business
As I last reported, my beloved old Dell Monster Machine gasped its last breath. Within two days, the delivery guy brought my new computer, Dell Monster Machine version 2.0, to my door.
That was a week ago. One week, more money than I want to think about, days of file restoration, and a variety of curse words later, I'm back to where I was before the old compute went kaput.
I liked how my old machine was set up. I liked the software I had installed on it. I didn't have to think about how to do stuff on it. I just clicked and tapped and things happened the way I wanted.
My first victory (of sorts) was installing my ancient Office 2003 software. Yay! It installed! Boo... all the updates to make it compatible with newer versions are no longer supported. This means I can still use it on my WIP (work in progress), but I can't open documents from other sources. Okay, I can. I download them onto my laptop, save to Dropbox, and then open them on the new machine. A lot of work. So I installed Microsoft Office 365. Haven't played with it yet, but it's there.
I'm still using 2003 for now.
There were all my other programs: Quicken, Scrivener, Scapple. Had to transfer my antivirus software to the new computer. Install Dropbox. Some required buying new licenses. Some took simply remembering passwords.
We won't discuss passwords. Because I can't remember passwords.
And finally there's Carbonite.
I pay a yearly fee to Carbonite to back up my entire computer for just such an occasion as this. Let me say, I love Carbonite. It took over TWO DAYS to restore all my files.
I'm now going through those recovered files and deleting most of them. I've been working on decluttering my house. I should have been decluttering my old computer before I had to restore all those ancient files to my new one.
Anyhow, it's all good. I have a new computer. Some new (improved?) versions of my software. For the most part I don't have to think about how to do stuff. I have everything where I want it. I can once again just click and tap to make things happen.
And then the washing machine died. But that's a story for another day.
That was a week ago. One week, more money than I want to think about, days of file restoration, and a variety of curse words later, I'm back to where I was before the old compute went kaput.
I liked how my old machine was set up. I liked the software I had installed on it. I didn't have to think about how to do stuff on it. I just clicked and tapped and things happened the way I wanted.
My first victory (of sorts) was installing my ancient Office 2003 software. Yay! It installed! Boo... all the updates to make it compatible with newer versions are no longer supported. This means I can still use it on my WIP (work in progress), but I can't open documents from other sources. Okay, I can. I download them onto my laptop, save to Dropbox, and then open them on the new machine. A lot of work. So I installed Microsoft Office 365. Haven't played with it yet, but it's there.
I'm still using 2003 for now.
There were all my other programs: Quicken, Scrivener, Scapple. Had to transfer my antivirus software to the new computer. Install Dropbox. Some required buying new licenses. Some took simply remembering passwords.
We won't discuss passwords. Because I can't remember passwords.
And finally there's Carbonite.
I pay a yearly fee to Carbonite to back up my entire computer for just such an occasion as this. Let me say, I love Carbonite. It took over TWO DAYS to restore all my files.
I'm now going through those recovered files and deleting most of them. I've been working on decluttering my house. I should have been decluttering my old computer before I had to restore all those ancient files to my new one.
Anyhow, it's all good. I have a new computer. Some new (improved?) versions of my software. For the most part I don't have to think about how to do stuff. I have everything where I want it. I can once again just click and tap to make things happen.
And then the washing machine died. But that's a story for another day.
September 13, 2017
In Requiem of a Computer
Most of us, myself included, have a love/hate relationship with our electronics. Some days we wonder how we survived without our smartphones and our tablets. Other days, we want to throw the blasted beasts out the window.
I've lost track of how many computers I've owned over the years. Laptops and desktops. My first was a Gateway running Windows ME. I didn't know about computer bugs, so every time it blue-screened, I assumed I'd done something wrong. It ran slower and slower. I added memory. It still blue-screened and booted up like a slug. By the time I'd decided to move on to something else, I was thrilled to see the thing go.
Each new computer arrived bright and shiny. And FAST. And each computer, laptop and desktop, eventually became bogged down by all the programs I installed until they limped and crashed.
Almost six years ago, I got fed up. I decided I was going to splurge on a computer with more memory and a bigger hard drive than I would ever need. My computer expert cousin helped me with all the details about processors and other foreign objects. The result was the Dell I dubbed Monster Machine.
For almost six years, my beloved Monster Machine never missed a beat. It never slowed down--at least not noticeably--and it never hiccuped or blue-screened.
Until last week. When I was out of the room, it shut itself down. I came back and it was off. Puzzled, I thought our power had gone out and my battery backup had failed. Must be. Certainly, it couldn't have been my computer's fault. I managed to reboot and it purred like a kitten. All was well.
In hindsight, over the last week, there were...problems. I blamed the old mouse. Replaced it with a new one and all was well again. But something wasn't quite right. My monster machine was sick and I was in denial.
Until yesterday. Again, I returned from being out of the room to find an error message. When I clicked on it, the computer froze. I coaxed it to reboot. Talked sweetly to it.
Got it running and started working when the tower started going click-click click-click click-click. Like my antique mantle clock when it's out of balance. I tinkered and cajoled a while longer, but the sense of dread grew until I could no longer talk it into rebooting.
I called my cousin, the computer doctor, and told him the symptoms. And he pronounced my monster machine as DOA.
I went through the stages of grief...quickly. I have books to write and business to take care of. I reached "acceptance" by early evening. That's when I found Monster Machine 2017. The same brand, same model but with all the updated processors and such. More memory and a bigger hard drive than I'll ever need. And Windows 10, which I'm less than thrilled about.
It's supposed to arrive tomorrow. In the meantime, I have my Mini Monster laptop to keep me company.
Rest in Peace Dell XPS Monster Machine 1.
I've lost track of how many computers I've owned over the years. Laptops and desktops. My first was a Gateway running Windows ME. I didn't know about computer bugs, so every time it blue-screened, I assumed I'd done something wrong. It ran slower and slower. I added memory. It still blue-screened and booted up like a slug. By the time I'd decided to move on to something else, I was thrilled to see the thing go.
Each new computer arrived bright and shiny. And FAST. And each computer, laptop and desktop, eventually became bogged down by all the programs I installed until they limped and crashed.
Almost six years ago, I got fed up. I decided I was going to splurge on a computer with more memory and a bigger hard drive than I would ever need. My computer expert cousin helped me with all the details about processors and other foreign objects. The result was the Dell I dubbed Monster Machine.
For almost six years, my beloved Monster Machine never missed a beat. It never slowed down--at least not noticeably--and it never hiccuped or blue-screened.
Until last week. When I was out of the room, it shut itself down. I came back and it was off. Puzzled, I thought our power had gone out and my battery backup had failed. Must be. Certainly, it couldn't have been my computer's fault. I managed to reboot and it purred like a kitten. All was well.
In hindsight, over the last week, there were...problems. I blamed the old mouse. Replaced it with a new one and all was well again. But something wasn't quite right. My monster machine was sick and I was in denial.
Until yesterday. Again, I returned from being out of the room to find an error message. When I clicked on it, the computer froze. I coaxed it to reboot. Talked sweetly to it.
Got it running and started working when the tower started going click-click click-click click-click. Like my antique mantle clock when it's out of balance. I tinkered and cajoled a while longer, but the sense of dread grew until I could no longer talk it into rebooting.
I called my cousin, the computer doctor, and told him the symptoms. And he pronounced my monster machine as DOA.
I went through the stages of grief...quickly. I have books to write and business to take care of. I reached "acceptance" by early evening. That's when I found Monster Machine 2017. The same brand, same model but with all the updated processors and such. More memory and a bigger hard drive than I'll ever need. And Windows 10, which I'm less than thrilled about.
It's supposed to arrive tomorrow. In the meantime, I have my Mini Monster laptop to keep me company.
Rest in Peace Dell XPS Monster Machine 1.
September 7, 2017
Writers Police Academy 2017
Better late than never, here is my photo journal from last month's Writer's Police Academy.
This has to be one of the coolest hotels I've ever been in. While I didn't get to see much of Green Bay, the hotel and its decor definitely gave me a feel of the area.
First, we got to practice some hands-on police techniques.
The drone demonstration was fascinating. I had no idea what these things could really do. Or in some cases, what they can't do.
Did I mention how awesome the hotel was?
There are always a few surprises when you get off the bus at the training facility.
RESEARCH!
Defense and arrest tactics. Somewhere out there is a photo of me getting handcuffed, but I don't have it.
Have I mentioned how cool the hotel was?
And did I mention the surprises awaiting when you get off the bus in the morning?
The problem with getting fully immersed in the hands-on training at Writer's Police Academy is you forget to take photos. Trust me, it was awesome...even though I'm pretty sure the bad guy killed me during the shoot-don't-shoot scenario.
Saturday evening's banquet was fun.
I mean, seriously, where else can you have dinner while watching an episode of Longmire on the big screen...a very gory episode of Longmire...and no one turned green or complained?
Keynote Craig Johnson (one of my absolute FAVORITE authors.)
And this hotel? I can't begin to tell you how much I loved it. Even the draperies were cool!
How many hotel have these in the lobby?
Will I be back? You bet! And not because of the hotel. Writer's Police Academy gives crime fiction writers the kind of opportunities you can find NOWHERE else. You don't just learn about techniques. You DO them.
You just don't have time to take pictures of doing them!
This has to be one of the coolest hotels I've ever been in. While I didn't get to see much of Green Bay, the hotel and its decor definitely gave me a feel of the area.
First, we got to practice some hands-on police techniques.
The drone demonstration was fascinating. I had no idea what these things could really do. Or in some cases, what they can't do.
Did I mention how awesome the hotel was?
There are always a few surprises when you get off the bus at the training facility.
RESEARCH!
Defense and arrest tactics. Somewhere out there is a photo of me getting handcuffed, but I don't have it.
Have I mentioned how cool the hotel was?
And did I mention the surprises awaiting when you get off the bus in the morning?
The problem with getting fully immersed in the hands-on training at Writer's Police Academy is you forget to take photos. Trust me, it was awesome...even though I'm pretty sure the bad guy killed me during the shoot-don't-shoot scenario. Saturday evening's banquet was fun.
I mean, seriously, where else can you have dinner while watching an episode of Longmire on the big screen...a very gory episode of Longmire...and no one turned green or complained?
Keynote Craig Johnson (one of my absolute FAVORITE authors.)
And this hotel? I can't begin to tell you how much I loved it. Even the draperies were cool!
How many hotel have these in the lobby?
Will I be back? You bet! And not because of the hotel. Writer's Police Academy gives crime fiction writers the kind of opportunities you can find NOWHERE else. You don't just learn about techniques. You DO them. You just don't have time to take pictures of doing them!
August 30, 2017
Deadlines, Book Jail, and Catching Up
The entire month of August got away from me! First, there was Writers Police Academy. Then I had an August 29 deadline for revisions to
Uneasy Prey
. So I have excuses.
I turned in my manuscript on time and now I'm catching up.
I should have a blog post ready by the weekend about my experiences at WPA, complete with photos. So check back!
I turned in my manuscript on time and now I'm catching up.
I should have a blog post ready by the weekend about my experiences at WPA, complete with photos. So check back!
August 3, 2017
Writers Police Academy--Looking Back
Three years ago, I attended my first and only (so far) Writers Police Academy. At the time, the conference was held in North Carolina. Four of us from my Pittsburgh Chapter of Sisters in Crime piled into my Subaru Forester for one of the wildest road trips I've ever taken!
What happens in the Subaru STAYS in the Subaru. Just ask Martha Reed, Susan Thibadeau, and Mary Sutton. You won't get a real answer, but I bet you'll get a big reminiscent smile.
Writers Police Academy is a crime fiction writer's Mecca...a weekend of high intensity workshops and hands-on training sessions led by experts in law enforcement, EMS, and fire, among other emergency responders.
The weekend is like meth to this research addict. I learned a LOT, much of which went into my books.
Next week, I'm going back. WPA is now held in Wisconsin, so there will be no road trip. I'll be flying solo to Green Bay where I look forward to participating in the Shoot-Don't-Shoot Scenario Training, the EMS Simulator, and the Defense & Arrest Tactics class...among lots of others. My head will be ready to explode by the time it's done.
But at least there will be EMS on site to put me back together.
