Sara Celi's Blog: A Writing State of Mind, page 9
February 26, 2013
Celi-brating my birthday—with a giveaway for you!
In just a few days, I’ll celebrate another year of life. I won’t mention a number. I stopped counting long ago.
But I still like to “do it up” and celebrate, trust me. After all, March 4th only comes once a year, right?
This year, the “Celi-bration” includes you! I’ve partnered with my friends over at Paranormal Book Club for a birthday giveaway! We’re giving away FIVE e-book copies of my novel The Undesirable. And, anyone can win! Might as well be you, right?
While you’re at it, find out more about The Undesirable here, and be sure and “like” Paranormal Book Club’s Facebook page. They’re a great group of readers and reviewers who always have something fun going on!
The giveaway lasts until March 4th!
Enter to win here: a Rafflecopter giveaway
February 25, 2013
Oscar Best Dressed
As I said in my post on Sunday, one of the best parts of the Oscars is the fashion. If there is ever a time to “bring it” in Hollywood, that night is the night. The red carpet never disasppoints with all gorgeous dresses, beautiful jewelry, perfect tuxedos, and 
amazing hair.
But, as with every party, there are those who shine brightest on a night like this.
So who do I think should top any “Best Dressed” list? Here are my top two choices:
1. Zoe Saldana– Her Alexis Mabille gown stunned me. It was, at first glance, an unconventional choice with some major detailing (like a belt), but I think it was the perfect dress for her. The crisp white accented her beautiful face and toned arms, while the open train created an extra effect. I loved it.
2. Naomi Watts– Can you say metallic? Naomi’s Armani Prive dress had one of the most unusual bodices of the night, and the cut made a statement. The rest of the dress was rather simple, except for the beading. She shined.
I also loved the dresses worn by Jennifer Lawrence, Nicole Kidman, Halle Berry, and Quvenzhane Wallis.
Who did you think was “Best Dressed”?
February 24, 2013
My Oscar Picks
It’s the big night for Holly
wood– the pinnacle of award season.
Tonight is the night we find out who the Academy thinks was the best of the best. But of course, no night is complete without my Oscar picks. Okay, I’m just kidding. Every Oscar night is more than complete if I don’t weigh in on who should win. But this year, since I’m now a blogger, I figured I’d share what I normally only tell friends and coworkers.
Drum roll, please. Here, without further delay, are my choices for the major Academy Awards this year.
Best Supporting Actor: Robert De Niro. I caught Silver Linings Playbook early on, and I loved it. In my mind, he was unforgettable. This performance was De Niro at his best.
Best Supporting Actress: Anne Hathaway. Les Miserables was one of my favorite movies this year, and I don’t know anyone who didn’t think Anne’s haunting performance put this one over the top. She was great. Simply great.
Best Actress: Jennifer Lawrence. Again, I thought Silver Linings Playbook was just such a great film. And her performance stays with me even today.
Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis. His portrayal of Lincoln might be one of the best lead actor performances I have seen in a long time. As I watched this film, I totally forgot he was even acting. He just seemed so real.
Best Director: Steven Spielberg. Again, Lincoln was a film for the ages, and this was Spielberg at his best.
Best Picture: Argo. I know the winner of Best Director often wins for Best Picture as well, but this year I want to divide these awards. Argo is an amazing film that was perfectly cast, beautifully shot, and hauntingly real. It needs recognition, too.
I’m sure not all the movies I choose will win, so I just want to take a moment to say congratulations to all the nominees. The selection this year was very strong– great films, great actors. And for those who win, tonight will be unforgettable.
Now… what’s the other thing I love about tonight? I love the fashion on the red carpet! That might be the best part!
February 23, 2013
Radio Days
I had a chance to help the folks out on 101.9 Twister with their St. Jude radio-thon Friday, and I jumped at it.
Even though I work in broadcasting, doing radio is still a little “foreign” to me. I’ve spent most of my career in TV, and only recorded radio updates as needed. I’ve never done much radio DJ-ing or news radio.
On the Air!
So on Friday afternoon, from noon to 1:30PM, I had a blast.The whole setup was to raise money for St Jude Children’s Research Hospitals–a huge community partner for KFOR/KAUT Freedom43 this year. During the radio-thon hosted by The Twister, we took up most of the time talking about the good work that is done at St. Jude. If you don’t know much about the amazing work doctors and staffers there to do help kids with cancer, you can find out more here.
Working the guest spot on the Twister was also fun for me for a different reason. Before I knew my dad–long before I was born–he worked as a DJ for about seven years in the 1970s. I never knew that part of him, I just heard about it. By the time I met my father, he commanded a different audience–in the pulpit as a Presbyterian minister (interesting career change, right?). Then, the year I turned 10, he died of melanoma. So any connection I can make to get a glimpse of the life he once led is a big deal for me.
Plus, it was all a great way to kick off a weekend. The folks at 101.9 are awesome. I’d love to come back anytime!
February 22, 2013
Reflections on “Stuff the Bus”
One of the best things about my “day” job is the chance I have to be involved in the community.
As anchor on Freedom43TV‘s 9PM News, I get to form partnerships with community organizations in Oklahoma that can really impact lives. One of my favorite partnerships is the one Freedom43 has with the Oklahoma Trans
it Association and Operation Homefront Oklahoma for “Stuff the Bus”. Every fall, OTA takes the bus out of service for a day, parks it at the KFOR/KAUT Freedom43 studios, and waits for the community to respond with donations for families that receive help from OHFOK. Operation Homefront OK is devoted to helping enlisted military families across the state. Items collected include diapers, school supplies, clothing, money, gift cards, canned goods and electronics.
Over the last two years, “Stuff the Bus” has collected more than $20,000 
in donations for those families.
As a military spouse myself, this is a cause that is very important to me. Very important.
This week, OTA honored Freedom43 with the Harold Stansberry Award, a community award that recognizes partnerships with OTA in the community. Our station management attended a banquet, and I got to attend as well to receive the award. It was also my pleasure to tell the folks at OTA that will be renewing the partnership for this fall. I know I echo the rest of these organizations when I say I hope that 2013 will be an awesome, unforgettable year for “Stuff The Bu
s.” There a few causes better, in my mind, than this one.
February 14, 2013
Happy Valentine's Day
It's been a great day so far, and 2013 is off to an awesome start for me. Already, this has been an amazing and unforgettable year. I still can't believe the ride I am on this year.
So...
To celebrate and share the love, THE UNDESIRABLE is FREE today on Amazon!
That's right, FREE!
If you haven't had a chance to download the book on Kindle yet, here is your big opportunity.
Just to make sure you don't miss it, here is the link:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Undesirable...
I hope you enjoy the read!
January 29, 2013
My FIRST Big Giveaway!
One of the most encouraging ones has been with Bella over at Paranormal Book Club.
Now... they are a partner for my first big giveaway for THE UNDESIRABLE!
TEN e-books are up for grabs, and they're FREE!
Check it out here: http://paranormal-bookclub.com/giveaway/
Someone has to win. Might as well be you, right?
Good luck!
The Undesirable
January 28, 2013
Release Day is here!
Here is the link: http://www.amazon.com/The-Undesirable...
And if you don't have a Kindle, that's okay! There are FREE Kindle Apps for all kinds of devices!
Check those out here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html...
Seriously though, I am so excited about today. It represents a longtime goal for me, and it's been such a fun journey so far. Writing a novel really is a challenge, one that I've wanted to complete for years. Now, I'm off and running. There are other works on the way, including a sequel to THE UNDESIRABLE, and a New Adult coming of age romance story.
It's like the words are flowing out of my head and through my fingers these days. I can't stop writing, and I don't want to stop!
But for now, happy reading! The Undesirable
January 22, 2013
Tease It Tuesday for 1/22/2013
Six days until THE UNDESIRABLE is available on Amazon!
--
“Tell me what else you know,” I demanded, but kept my voice hushed. He bit his lower lip before he shrugged.
“Nothing, really,” he admitted. “They’ve got their own set of rules direct from Maxwell Cooper himself. This is not a simple thing. It might not make sense now, but it will. It’s that, well, some Undesirables live right here, right now, and work for the enemy. They should be rooted out and destroyed.” Fostino sighed as if I should accept his explanation once again.
“Why did you tell me about the danger at The Count?” I wondered, at last able to verbalize one of my thoughts from our conversation. “Why me?” I threw up my tear stained hands. “And why in the hell did you kiss me?”
His hand caught my arm.
“Hey, I’m sorry I did that. I just got carried away.” He paused and I wondered what was on his mind. “I didn’t think I would see you last night,” he admitted. “I didn’t know what I should do once I did.” Fostino swallowed and rubbed his Roman nose. The gesture magnified the spray of freckles on the bridge of his nose. He studied me in the silence.
January 15, 2013
The Latest Tease It Tuesday!
Today is a book trailer reveal for The Undesirable.
I've been working hard on getting this just right for the last few weeks.
I hope you enjoy!
Here is the link to it on Youtube:
http://youtu.be/3FeGSAaNOYI
You can also check it out here on my page.
I also must give a shout out to Holly at Iloveindiebooks. She was a partner for this big reveal. I can't say enough good things about her. She's so supportive of new authors, and that's important. If you have never checked out her blog before, you really should. She has a lot of great information out about new authors and awesome books!
Here is a link to her blog: http://iloveindiebooks.blogspot.com/
Have a great day, everyone!The Undesirable
