Megan Cyrulewski's Blog, page 6

Authors Supporting Authors: Roman Payne

ABOUT "THE WANDERESS"

"She was free in her wildness. She was a wanderess, a drop of free water. She belonged to no man and to no city." -Roman Payne, "The Wanderess"

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A gothic mystery novel and story of passion and romance set against the backdrop of a timeless Mediterranean landscape, The Wanderess tells of the notorious adventurer Saul and his passion for the beautiful Saskia, a mysterious young orphan girl whom he meets and vows to protect as his child.

When Saul's pursuit of pleasure and fortune gets tangled with the quest of this "Wanderess" for her long-lost friend and her own fortune, the two find themselves on a picaresque path that leads them through Spain, France, Italy and beyond; their adventures weaving them deeper and deeper into a web of jealous passion, intrigue, betrayal, and finally, murder.

The Wanderess is a love story, a novel of heroism, friendship and romance, portraying the lives of two unsettled vagabonds led by their own strange desires, mutual obsessions, and one single fortune. 

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Reviews:

"The master of writing quotes is also a master novelist!!! ...I first discovered Roman Payne through his beautiful quote from The Wanderess: "She was fre in her wildness. She was a wanderess, a drop of free water. She belonged to no man an to no city." So I had to buy the book. What a surprise! It is a treasure! Payne is a really brilliant writer, I can't wait to read his other books."


"Roman Payne has written a Byzantine novel reminiscent of "The Grand Budapest Hotel". It spans time, yet seems timeless. His prose is literate and jewel-like- of another, older century, It's great escapism; I won't say more for fear of being a spoiler. Go ahead and 'suspend your disbelief'!"


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Buy Link:  http://www.amazon.com/The-Wanderess-Roman-Payne/dp/098522813X

Guest Post: Data Recovery Tool for iOS Devices

If you own Apple devices and use them for your daily activities, it is very important that you backup your device from time to time. This is one of the better iOS data recovery software you can have which can solve a lot of problems regarding backup activities. There are certain requirement that makes the difference between good data recovery software and a better one. Some of those factors are device support, user interface, file support, effective recovery, options for recovery, synchronization etc. This software almost has everything that an advanced user needs to effectively create backup of their iOS device. 

Some of the factors that makes it a better choice for iOS data recovery software:

Firstly, the software comes with nice support for almost all recent iOS devices such as, iphone 3GS, ipad 1, ipod touch 4, iphone 4, ipad Air, ipad mini, all ipad with retina display, the new ipad, ipad 2, ipod touch 5, iphone 4S, iphone 5, iphone 5C, iphone 5S, iphone 6 and iphone 6S. It can also be used to backup your iTunes or icloud directly.

Secondly, the file support covers almost everything. It has got almost every file support you can imagine including backing up WhatsApp and message attachments and history. You can also use this software to effectively backup your media files and contacts, notes, app data, voicemails etc. Also supports the backup of your safari bookmarks which is a huge plus. 

Thirdly, you can recover all your data that you have backed up on services like iTunes or icloud. If you often backup your iphone, ipad or ipod with these services, this software makes recovery a breeze. Direct recovery options are available which comes very handy in situations.

Others:
The user interface is a very simple one and pleasant to use. The options are all easily accessible and not at all confusing for even the first time users. 
The installation and removal is just like any other software. This software comes in both Windows and mac versions. The windows version supports everything above XP to Windows 8.1. The installer is as simple as it can be.
System requirement of this software is minimal. No huge resources taken while even running it for backup and recovery. But it is better to have this running on a system of at least 1 GB of memory. This makes the software run smoothly while dealing with its backup processes. But as expected, it takes a little time for backup and recovery processes.

Lastly, I would like to mention that the best part of this iOS data recovery software is the flexibility of use. You can also upgrade your iOS by going to "fix OS" option in the software and this is all done without affecting your data. This software also has the most file system and device compatibility options. This has small little things that matters to a lot of people like WhatsApp backups, contacts and notes backups, message backups etc. Also, every new updates are coming out with more features and compatibility factors. In a nutshell, this software is one that you will love having and it does an insanely good job at doing what it is supposed to do, "backup". 

Authors Supporting Authors: Morgan Songer

What is your name?
Morgan Songer (no pen name)

Where are you from? 
Colorado, USA

What genre are you in? 
Horror/dark fantasy/ grimdark

Why are you an Author?  
I have always been a story teller and this way I stay out of trouble. I love showing people a “what if” of life.

What inspires you? 
Seeing the world for what it is, and wanting to show others my side of the dingy coin. People who want to try, people who know it takes happy to make happy.


Where and what times during the day do you work best? 
 I work randomly, if something hits me and I get a brain blast I go!

Who is your target audience? 
Dark fantasy/horror fans of all sexes ages 18 to 45

How do you want your readers to feel as they read your book? 
I want them to feel like they know the end but it can’t be true. I want a feeling of knowledge of this world and you can’t get enough because they end too soon.

What is one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors? 
Don’t give up. For real, always be willing to learn, always try. Don’t give up. Be one of the few who tries until you make it because you will.

Share one thing about yourself that you would like readers to know. 
A goal in my life is to free dive with great white sharks. If anyone can make that happen, let me know! ;)

Links:
https://dirgeseries.wordpress.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Morgan-Songer/e/B00QPSISBO/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1418255297&sr=8-1
 

Blog Tour: "A Spacious Life" by Narissa Doumani

Narissa will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour, and a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn host.
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Guest Blog:


5 Five Reasons to Practise Mindfulness

 

Something many people don’t realise is that my mindfulness practice goes hand in hand with my meditation practice. In my experience, one strengthens the other and they share a common goal—namely learning to better understand the nature of my own mind and the world around me.

 

Mindfulness practice within the context of my daily life is simply being present with whatever I’m doing in the moment. For example, when washing the dishes, I’m gently focusing my attention on the act of washing the dishes. If I’m in a conversation, I’m tuned in and really listening to the other person.

 

It’s a practice because none of us can do this perfectly. Our minds keep flitting off to things in the past and the anticipated future, and it’s easy to miss what’s happening in the present moment altogether.

 

When I catch my mind wandering, I simply bring it back to the present. It doesn’t matter how many times that keeps happening. And I often use awareness of my breath as an anchor point to keep coming back to. It’s really that simple, but the effects it’s had on my experience of life have been profound. Here’s how, in five reasons to start a mindfulness practice…

 

1. Stress Less

This one’s a no brainer. I think we can all agree modern life can be ridiculously stressful at times. But even when I have a list of things to do and deadlines to meet as long as my arm, I keep bringing my focus back to the present moment and the task at hand. I’ve become much better at doing the best I can with what I can control in the present moment, and not getting wrapped up in what I can’t control. I used to be a chronic over-thinker and always tended to take on other people’s stress too, but this simple practice has transformed my experience of life.

 

2. Support Your Physical Health

I believe many factors contribute to our physical health and there is no one magic bullet against illness or injury. But my mindfulness practice does strongly support my physical wellbeing. In fact, it was at a time in my life when I my health was failing (and, not coincidentally, I was feeling incredibly stressed) that I began learning about mindfulness. Things turned around for me in a powerful way and it inspired me to continue practising mindfulness, and eventually meditation too.

 

3. Experience Emotional Wellbeing

Experiencing emotions is part and parcel of being human. But boy can it can be challenging! Feelings such as grief, anxiety, and anger can feel overwhelming, especially when life throws formidable challenges our way. My mindfulness practice has allowed me to better understand my emotions for what they are—temporary experiences that I don’t have to cower from or blindly act upon—and the result is that over time even strongly challenging situations don’t send me into an emotional tailspin like they used to. This means my natural state these days is one of much more contentment.

 

4. Connect to Others

When you’re more content, better focused on the present moment and less wrapped up in your own thoughts and emotions, you’re also able to connect with the people in your life in a more grounded, loving and supportive way. People feel heard and appreciated when they’re in conversation with you, challenging personalities don’t rattle you as much, and when things aren’t going so well you’re more likely to be a stable, supportive presence in the lives of your loved ones.

 
5. The Sky’s the Limit

For me, mindfulness is a powerful tool on a greater path of learning and personal evolution. It’s not something I use with the goal of becoming a more relaxed/more productive/more positive version of my current self; it’s a way of seeing the unfolding present moment with ever-clearer eyes. My journey with mindfulness is far from over; I’ve had just a taste of the clarity and happiness it can uncover, and that’s all the encouragement I need to keep practising. I wish you all the best with your practice too. May it bring you unfathomable joy, peace and love!
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BLURB:

‘Meditation and mindfulness are tools for working with the mind, but where they have led me is to a blossoming of the heart…’

What does a spiritual seeker look like? Could you pick one in a lineup? If you said yes, chances are you weren’t imagining this meditating model. Born in Sydney, Australia, Narissa Doumani grew up well loved, well educated, and (reasonably) well dressed, but for years grappled with what she admits is ‘the ultimate first world problem’: how to be truly, deeply happy in any lasting way. In this intimate memoir, she explores the creative process, traverses the heights of romantic love and the despair of self-doubt, and comes face to face with her own fragile mortality. But it’s in a cave in a Thai forest, where she meets the Buddhist yogi who will become her spiritual guide, that she learns to unravel the messy states of mind and heart that had kept her from living a spacious life—and thereby begins to uncover the happiness, meaning, and connection for which she always yearned.

A Spacious Life is a heart-warming, honest, and at times surprisingly humorous look into the quest for meaning beyond materialism—and its relevance as an essential condition for well-being and fulfilment within modern-day life.

 

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Excerpt 
(From Chapter 13: Through Confusion Came Clarity)

The voice soon faded out and left me alone with the music and the waves. Everything fell away—the Fighter’s pain, my mother’s grief, the heaviness of my perpetual discontent. What remained was space, my inner spaciousness, and I welcomed it like the old friend it was.

The thirty minutes flew by, and when the sitar was laid down, the last waves lapped against the shore, and the man congratulated me on making it through the session, I opened my eyes. I stretched out my legs and quietly observed the present moment as it appeared around me. Everything looked the same, only better. The pot plant on the side table was greener than I’d ever seen. A shaft of sunlight streamed in through the window and illuminated a portion of the rug. I’d never before appreciated its rich texture and intricate weave. Dust particles drifting through the shaft of light appeared now as life’s confetti. The whole present moment was a celebration; it always had been; all I needed was fresh eyes to see it.

I decided to continue with the program of meditations for three months and see what effect they had on my life. The guided sessions ranged from thirty minutes to an hour, which is quite a commitment for a meditation newbie—I’ve heard some Buddhist masters encourage beginners to start with as little as five minutes a day and build from there—but on the foundation of my mindfulness practice it didn’t feel like too much.

It was easy to incorporate the meditations in my daily schedule once I’d decided they were important. Sitting practice quickly became the most precious time in my day. Not every sit was as easy as the first. Some days I wrestled with the thoughts tumbling through my brain. I did my best not to let them carry me away, and sometimes I succeeded; other times I was well-ensconced in a juicy daydream before I caught myself and refocused my attention on my breath.

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Narissa Doumani is the student of a reclusive Thai yogi, and a dedicated practitioner of mindfulness, meditation, and the Buddhist path. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Melbourne, Narissa spent nearly a decade working as a model and presenter in the world of commercial advertising, using the circumstances of her everyday life to cultivate clarity and peace of mind. Born into a Thai-Lebanese-Australia family, she is a strong advocate for diversity, tolerance, and finding one's own authentic path. Her debut memoir, A Spacious Life, invites us all to do just that, and to live with meaning beyond the material.

 

Links
Author Website: http://narissadoumani.com
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/NarissaDoumaniOfficial
YouTube: http://youtube.com/c/NarissaDoumani
Kirkus Review: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/narissa-doumani/a-spacious-life/


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Has Disney Gone Too Far?

Let me first start this post by stating that I love Disney.  I've been to Disney World twice and can't wait to take my daughter one day soon.  With that said, I am extremely disappointed and a little angry at Disney right now and now I wonder if Disney gone too far?

It started last Friday.  Madelyne and I LOVE the Tinkerbell movies. We've watched The Pirate Fairy a zillion times and will probably watch it a zillion more.  The music, the friendships, the happy endings, leave Madelyne and I singing and quoting lines from the movies.  So when the newest Tinkerbell movie came out (pre-ordered since January) we couldn't wait to watch it.  Unfortunately after watching it, Madelyne doesn't ever want to see it again - and I don't blame her.

From the very beginning, Gruff (the Neverbeast) was a little scary.  He has huge green eyes, the body of a cat, and a reptile tail.  But like Fawn the fairy, Madelyne loves all creatures and has been cuddling with her Gruff stuffed animal since we got it back in January.

SPOILER ALERT!  

Basically this is how the movie goes:  Gruff awakes after 982 years of hibernation, Fawn loves him and doesn't think he's so bad, Gruff is supposed to destroy Pixie Hollow, he grows horns and batwings, he roars, there's a huge thunder and lightening storm, the fairies all think they are going to die, Fawn actually DOES die until Gruff brings her back to life, and just when all the fairies fall in love with Gruff, he goes back into hibernation for another 982 years, which means that the fairies will never see him again.

Sounds lovely, doesn't it?  As we were watching the movie, Madelyne, who very rarely cries even when she gets a shot at the Doctor's office, cried.  A lot.  First, she was terrified of the storm because it was scary.  Then she cried when she thought Fawn died because Fawn is her favorite fairy.  THEN she cried after the movie was over because she was never going to see Gruff again.  At that moment, she threw her stuffed Gruff out of the bed and has refused to sleep with him since then.  

My question to Disney is why?  Why did they have to make this latest Tinkerbell movie scary and sad while the others have been funny and happy?  Tinkerbell and Neverland are supposed to be happy.  Madelyne and I are supposed to feel happy after a Tinkerbell movie but as far as we're concerned, that movie is going in the garbage.  

Also, which I found curious, is that Disney completely changed Fawn's look.  In the previous four movies, she's had a long braid, no make-up and wears a shirt and pants.  Let' put it this way - in the group of girl fairies, she would probably be the butch lesbian.  Nothing wrong with that.  She's tough and hardcore and could definitely kick my ass in a fight.  But in the new movie, suddenly she is wearing a tiny skirt, knee-high boots and a ton of make-up.  Why did Disney suddenly change Fawn's image from a down-to-earth fairy to a sexpot fairy?  Are they targeting kids or adults who have a fairy fetish?

What happened to a fun cartoon movie with a happy ending?  A lot of movies have endings that leaves the audience bursting out in uncontrollable sobbing.  (Titanic anyone?  Damn it Rose, there was room on the freaking raft!)  But you could always count on Disney for a pick-me-up movie that leaves the audience smiling and happy.  

Hopefully, the latest Tinkerbell movie is a fluke and won't happen again.  Disney, please bring back happy fairies and leave out the scary parts.  Let's pretend that this movie never happened.  At least, that's what we're going to do.  In the meantime, for tonight's movie and sleepover night, we're watching The Pirate Fairy for the zillionth and one time because it's funny, happy, and definitely NOT scary.  

Authors Supporting Authors: Laura Thomas

What is your name? 
Laura Thomas
www.laurathomasauthor.com

Where are you from?  
I am originally from the UK, but I have lived in Canada for the past 20 years.

What genre are you in?
I have books published in Christian teen fiction and marriage/ relationship non-fiction, and magazine short stories for children of all ages. All my books are published by Dancing With Bear Publishing.

 Please list your books and the year of publication.

Tears to Dancing (2012)

Tears of a Princess (2013)

Pearls for the Bride (2014)

Why are you an Author? 
Being an author is wonderfully unpredictable, a roller coaster of highs and lows, and a lot of monotonous, sheer hard work. But that moment you see your name on a shiny book cover containing words you actually wrote— it’s absolutely priceless. All writing is a joy to me. I love writing for little children, curious middle graders, searching teens, and for adults like myself journeying through life. I love that I can share my faith in written form, to weave it into novels or mold it into good morals in a young child’s short story, or encourage readers in my blog. I was a late bloomer into the world of writing, but I wouldn’t swap it for anything else. I remember the joy I found in reading a book when I was a child, and to be on the giving side of that is quite literally a dream come true.

What inspires you?
As a Christian writer, God definitely inspires me— His Word, the way He has worked in my own life and through others. He gives me a message worth writing about, and there is always so much more to tap into. I also have to say my own children have inspired me so much through the years—when I read with them as little ones, I longed to be able to write my very own stories. Parenting is the very best journey, and I glean so much from watching and walking alongside my own children. Also, my husband has been a huge inspiration, and my biggest cheerleader and supporter, enabling me to actually live my dream!

 
Where and what times during the day do you work best?  
I definitely work best during the day, as my brain tends to turn to mush past 8pm. I love to write in my study at home, and a nice, quiet house with just my English bulldog gently snoring next to me is preferable! In saying that, I’ll write anytime and anywhere under a deadline…

Who is your target audience?
My target audience is as varied as the genres I write— primarily teen girls for my published novels, newlyweds or bride-to-be for my marriage book, and children for my short stories.

How do you want your readers to feel as they read your book? 
I want to engage, challenge, and entertain anyone who reads my books. Most of my writing is faith-based with a Christian message, making it personal and thought provoking, which hopefully causes the reader to believe their time with my book was well spent. Ultimately, I would love them to feel as if the book they are enjoying has been written especially for them.

What is one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?
Gosh, it’s always hard to narrow it down to one piece of advice, but I think I would say to avoid putting yourself in a box. I went into writing desperately wanting to be a picture book author, writing purely for little readers. Largely as a result of taking my writing courses, I tried out writing for all ages, and ended up getting my teen novel published. I now write for every age, and have a blast doing it! Spread the net, without losing who you are as a writer, and you may just be in for a surprise!

Share one thing about yourself that you would like readers to know.
It’s never too late to begin writing… I didn’t even start until I was in my mid-thirties. The idea of being an author was a flash-in-the-pan fantasy I had as a bookworm-y child, and something I didn’t give serious thought to for many, many years. One day, out of the blue, my husband encouraged me to follow my buried dream, and even though I was home-schooling my three children at the time, I took a couple of writing courses with the Children’s Institute of Literature, and began sending short stories and articles to magazines. Many stories and several books later, it is an absolute joy to be able to call myself “A published Christian author with a heart for inspiring and encouraging readers of all ages.”

 

 

 

Authors Supporting Authors: Tegan Habeb

What is your name?  
Tegan Habeb
 
Where are you from? 
California, United States
 
What genre are you in?
Inspirational
 
Please list your books and the year of publication.
Shattered Glass, 2014
 
Why are you an Author?  
I want to help others that are struggling to overcome their challenges by writing inspirational stories to help readers see they can overcome and make the right choices. My first book, “Shattered Glass,” is about how to overcome school bullying and childhood abuse by using my life story as an inspiration. I was an abuse victim and was bullied by other students in school and overcame it. I wrote my life story to share with others how they can overcome it as well using the techniques I used.
 
What inspires you?
God inspires me to write. He blessed me with a writing gift. It is only because of God’s gift that I am able to keep doing this every day.
 
 
Where and what times during the day do you work best?  
I like to work best in the afternoon in my bedroom.
 
 Who is your target audience?
Junior High, High school and young adults
 
How do you want your readers to feel as they read your book?  
I want them to feel hope and inspired. 
 
 
What is one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?
Never give up on your dreams to write. Even if you get rejected over and over again by a bunch of publishing houses, still keep trying to get published. Use self-publishing companies or Independent companies if traditional publishing houses keep rejecting you. Remember rejection does not mean failure. The only true failure is when you stop trying.
 
 
Share one thing about yourself that you would like readers to know.
I am able to write inspirational literature to help victims overcome abuse, because I was an abuse victim myself. I was there. I know how it feels.
 
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Book Excerpt
 
It was Valentine’s Day, 1997 and Taylor was in the sixth grade. Her school was having a celebration where the students could send a valentines gram to each other. It consisted of a rose and a note. The students would spend five dollars to have a rose and a note delivered to the homeroom of the student they wanted to give the gram to. It could have been a friend, boyfriend/girlfriend, or any other loved one the student had. Taylor was in her homeroom when she got her gram. Taylor got a Valentine’s Day gram from Arnold Bates. She thought it was a joke at first. She thought he was being deceptive. He had been giving her the silent treatment until she received the rose with an attached note saying “Taylor, I like you please meet me at the PE field by the tennis courts at lunch”. 

Taylor was shocked. She was thinking to herself: Is he joking? He does all these abusive things to me and says he likes me? Taylor knew that immature boys will sometimes tease a girl he likes because he is too immature to tell her he likes her. Or in his case, give her the silent treatment. Ignoring someone is just as bad as abusing them. It is a different kind of abuse. She doubted that Arnold could like her, considering he convinced her she was a worthless mistake.As a result her hardened heart converted her to think anyone was crazy if they thought they liked her. Yet there was still a glimmer of hope. She was kind of excited actually at the thought of being liked by a boy, it’s never happened to her before. She was antsy all day long, waiting for lunch to come, so she could meet with Arnold. Taylor was so excited while she waited to meet Arnold. First period went by. Then second. By third period she was super anxious. Finally the lunch bell rang. Taylor was excited all day long about meeting with Arnold. She walked over to the tennis courts, she was overwhelmed with excitement. By the time she got there she saw Arnold waiting for her. I can’t believe it. Taylor thought, He’s really serious? Suddenly, the unexpected happened. Arnold started to laugh so hard. He was laughing like a crazy person. He laughed so hard, if he were sitting in a chair, he would have fallen over backwards. 

He yelled at Taylor, while still laughing: “You fell for my joke. Pretty funny, huh? You think I actually like you? You think anybody likes you? Just look at you, you are nothing. Garbage is worth more than you. No guy will ever love you. If any guy does like you he’s either playing you or there is something wrong with him mentally, because no guy in his right mind will ever want you. Why don’t you just kill yourself now and get it over with. You are just wasting your time living in a world where you are unwanted and unloved. Just do it now and spare yourself the misery later. This would be best for all of us.” 

Taylor ran away feeling horrible. Other characteristics bullies have that Arnold was exhibiting were showing little concern for the feelings of others. Bullies have a false feeling of a sense of superiority, (thinking they are better than anybody,) and bullies do not have respect for authority or rules. Arnold hated following the school’s rules, he wanted to do what he wanted.

At this point for sure, Taylor was convinced she was unloved. That she was unlovable. She became even angrier inside. Now her hardened heart was hard as glass. She wanted out. Her solution was to stay strong, and never commit suicide, because then she would let them win.  She wanted to stay thankful for what she did have, Hailey, Adalae, and her favorite class, English. She may not have had very many friends, but she had her intelligence. She felt numb the rest of the day. When it was time to take the bus home, she took the rose home with her because it was pretty and she did not like to waste pretty things. Her grandmother saw the flower when she came home and immediately asked her if a guy gave her that flower as a Valentine gift. 

She was too humiliated to tell her grandma what really happened, so she just lied and said “Yes. A guy who likes me gave me the rose.” 

Her grandma just smiled, took the rose, and put it in water for her. Taylor kept it in her room until it died. The best advice, is to stay thankful for what you have and know suicide is never an answer. Remember, you don’t want to let them win. Abused victims may think that suicide is the only way out, but it’s not, it is only going to let the bully win. The only way out is to think of the positive things that you have, and if you have absolutely nothing else, you have God.

Authors Supporting Authors: K.J. Pierce

What is your name?  
 I generally go by Keiti, but with an older brother and some good-natured and inventive friends I’ve been called just about everything under the sun. :-) I write under both K.J. Pierce and Ceit E. McIntyre.

 Where are you from?  
 As an Army Brat, I’m not exactly from anywhere. I was born in Germany and have lived both there and various spots throughout the United States. Right now I live on the Florida Space Coast.

 

What genre are you in?
Nonfiction, Creative Nonfiction, scripts (both film and play), and fiction (currently chick lit/romance, but I have ideas waiting in the wings in other genres)

 

Please list your books and the year of publication.

Weeping Ash (short story – K.J. Pierce) – 2011

Fractured: essays on love, friendship, and the nightmares in between (K.J. Pierce) – 2011

We Are Family: Family Dynamics in Poppy Z. Brite’s Lost Souls (Article – K.J. Pierce) – 2014

Eat, Drink, and be Merry for Tomorrow you may Die: Bakhtin’s Carnival in Poppy Z. Brite’s Exquisite Corpse – (K.J. Pierce) – 2013

Using Images to Create Basic Storylines (K.J. Pierce) – 2014

From Poe to Know (Formerly Yours Truly, Cardwell B. – K.J. Pierce – 2014) – the eBook is being released by Secret Cravings Publishing under their Sweet Cravings

From Poe to Know (Formerly Yours Truly, Cardwell B. – K.J. Pierce – 2014) – eBook being re-released by Secret Cravings Publishing on February 17, 2015 under pen name Ceit E. McIntyre

Three unreleased scripts (K.J. Pierce) – whether I’ll actually do anything with them is still up in the air.

Bethany and the Belfry Bat – a children’s play.

Anatomy of an Excuse – a seven-page, short film script based on a piece of flash fiction I wrote.

Yours Truly – an adaptation of From Poe to Know that’s in the first draft stage.

 

Do you have any weird/strange habits when you work?
I have plenty of quirks, but nothing related to writing yet. I'm working on developing some. Mostly trying to contortion writing time into my schedule.

 

Do you prefer writing or typing?
I prefer typing when my brain is barreling full force so I can easily keep up. Writing by hand works best when I’m stuck

 

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received about life, writing, or anything?

I have two favorites:

1 – Don’t think. Just write. (I tend to be hypercritical, especially on the first draft.)

2 – Don’t compare yourself to other authors.

 

If you could pick one place to write for the rest of your life, where would it be? 
A little stone cottage somewhere in Scotland.

Does your family/friends read your books?  If so, what do they think?
It depends. My mom, for instance, read From Poe to Know when it was still Yours Truly, Cardwell B. and congratulated me on a job well done. My dad, on the other hand, didn’t make it past the dedication (it’s dedicated to him) and was so surprised he couldn’t get past telling me, “I wasn’t expecting that.” Chick Lit isn’t his genre of choice, so I’ve never expected him to actually read it.

Various other family members and friends have read it and they tend to think I’m witty and funny and super creative. But they’re my family and friends—they’re supposed to tell me I’m brilliant!

 

Share one thing that would surprise people!
Anyone who knows me wouldn’t be surprised by anything I say or do. Those who don’t know me might be surprised by just about everything. I’ve lived an extraordinary life that doesn’t seem anything but normal to me. Is that surprising?

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Blurb:  

Izzie Greene’s professional life is to die for—a catering gig on Poe, the top-rated television show in the United States, a best friend to share it with, and the chance to get up close and personal with her celebrity crush, Poe’s star, Scotsman Cardwell Bennett. Her dream job turns nightmare, however, when her melodramatic ex-boyfriend unexpectedly arrives on set and hooks up with Poe’s hateful leading actress. To make matters worse, her personal life descends beyond nightmare to absolute hell when she runs afoul of an unethical paparazzo. Izzie’s thrust into the world of constant scrutiny, speculation, and half-truths, fueled by her rumored affair with Cardwell—an affair that shifts from fantasy to reality the more the media hounds her. 

Through it all, accident-prone Izzie must fight to keep her privacy, secrets, and sanity intact. If she can withstand the onslaught, then she might just survive the season.
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Excerpt:

I had just stooped to pull the last tray of scones from the oven when someone leaned over and whispered in my ear.

“Smells lovely.”

Startled, I jerked my head back and felt it connect with something. Together we crashed to the floor in a tangle of bodies. As I lifted my cheek from the very warm chest I’d landed on, a hand reached up and smoothed the hair away from my face.

“Are you okay?” Cardwell asked.

Momentarily struck stupid, I nodded, held my breath, and slid off his body. It wasn’t until I sat leaning against the counter that I exhaled, trying to slow my racing heart. Cardwell stood and held his hand out to me. I grasped it, and he pulled me to my feet. Once upright, I gasped.

“Shit! Your nose is bleeding!” Nothing better than head-butting the leading man first thing in the morning. I grabbed the closest towel and pressed it under his nose. “Sit down.” I steered him to the stool Delly had vacated. He automatically leaned his head back. “No, don’t tilt your head. Vincent will kill me if you choke on your own blood.”

Cardwell looked amused, staring at me over the towel.

“Keep that in place and pinch just below the bridge of your nose. Don’t move.”

I grabbed a second towel, bolted to the ice maker, and created a makeshift ice pack. His eyes followed my every move as I rushed back to him.

“Let me take a look, but keep your nose pinched.” I gingerly removed the blood-stained towel. His nose was red and swollen. “Does it feel like it’s broken?”

“Don’t know. I’ve never had a broken nose.” He gently pressed with his fingers and winced. “It hurts, but I think not.”

“Great. Let go.”

I breathed a sigh of relief when he released his hold. There wasn’t even a trickle of blood, and his nose didn’t appear any more crooked than it usually did.

“The bleeding’s stopped already.” I handed him the ice pack. “If the swelling doesn’t go down, though, Vincent’s going to freak.”

“Get the scones.” The ice pack muffled his voice.

“What?”

“Get the scones. They’ll burn.”

I pulled the tray out and set it on the far end of the counter to cool before grabbing another towel and wetting it in the sink. Wringing it damp, I marched back to Cardwell.

“You look like something out of a horror movie.” He set the icepack on the counter and sat patiently while I wiped away the blood. “That’s better. Keep the ice pack on.” I tossed the bloody towel into the sink. “Probably not the best idea, but do you want a cup of coffee?”

“Yes, please. Cream and sugar.”

I’d just set the cup of coffee and a plate with a warm scone aside for Cardwell when Delly walked in. She looked from me to him and laughed.

“Busy morning already.” Delly squinted at Cardwell. “Are you okay?”

“Aye. Just a slight mishap. Izzie’s taking good care of me.”

“I’m sure she is.” Delly met me at the sink where I stood rinsing out the bloody towel. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Porn first thing in the morning?” My horror was overwhelming and must have been noticeable because her grin faded immediately. “What happened?”

“I’ll tell you later.” I choked back a nervous giggle when Jimmy’s voice echoed through the kitchen.

“Did someone say porn?”

Cardwell’s head jerked toward us, his confusion evident.

“Inside joke,” I mouthed, my face burning.

“God, Jimmy, have some decorum. We’ve got company.” Delly nodded toward Cardwell.

Jimmy took in the scene, his eyes missing nothing, and grabbed a large, white cooler. “Mornin’, Cardwell.” He handed off the cooler to a couple of his minions and propelled them out the door.

Delly grabbed the last two portable food carriers and traipsed after them.

I carried the coffee and scone down to Cardwell. His eyes lit up when I set them down beside him. “Peace offering.”

Cardwell set the jury-rigged ice pack on the counter. “It’s not your fault.” He sipped at the coffee. “I’m sorry I startled you.”

“I’m sorry I cracked your nose. It looks like the swelling’s going down.”

“There are worse things in life.” He picked up the scone and held it to his nose, inhaling deeply. “At least I can still smell it.”

I felt only marginally better. “Do you want anything with it? Butter? Jam?”

Cardwell shook his head and took an appreciative bite. “These are so good. They don’t need anything.”

Maybe Delly had the right idea about food porn.

“At least there’s one man on the planet who appreciates them.”

He stared at me in disbelief. “A man would be a bloody fool not to love these.”

“It’s funny you should say that.”

Before Cardwell could ask why, Delly strode in with Jimmy on her heels. “Time to go, kiddies.”

“I’ve still got to pack the scones.”

Jimmy scooted behind me. “Don’t sweat it. I’ll get them.”

Delly rolled her eyes and latched on to Jimmy’s arm. “We’re heading out. Bring Cardwell in your car?”

Before I could object, she steered a protesting Jimmy out the door.

“See you in a bit,” she called over her shoulder. “And don’t forget to soak those towels.”

“I’m going to kill that freak,” I muttered as I packed up the scones. I glanced up to find Cardwell watching me intently, his expression indecipherable.

It's Time For a Change

It's almost the beginning of my favorite season: Spring.  When the flowers bloom, the snow finally melts and we can put away our bulky winter coats.  It's also time for change.

You've probably noticed that my website has been completely reformatted.  Whereas before, my website was geared more toward books, now it is mostly a business website - my business website!


I am officially a licensed LLC in the State of Michigan:  Megan Cyrulewski Mediation.  I have a federal tax ID, new business cards, my home office and now an office for clients.  I am so excited to begin this new endeavor.  My own business has been a long time coming and although I know it takes a while to build a business, I'm in it for the long haul! 

I am still devoted to my writing and will continue to post on my blog but things are changing there too.  Most of my blog will consist of my Authors Supporting Authors interview series and a stop for blog tours.  I will still add a personal post here and there but a lot of people have told me that my satirical side is my best writing, so hopefully, I can make you laugh.  

I promise to keep writing because once you start, you can't stop!  I'm hoping to have my first crime fiction novel released sometime next year.  I just have to figure out a way to balance a new business, my writing and of course, my first priority, my precocious little 4-year-old daughter, Madelyne.  

So, thanks for sticking with me!  I hope that you keep reading my blog and meet some new authors through my Authors Supporting Authors series or laugh about the latest shenanigans of my family.  We're always good for a laugh!

Meg 

Authors Supporting Authors: Tracy Lawson

What is your name?  
Tracy Lawson

Where are you from?   
I grew up in Ohio and lived there most of my life, but now I live in Dallas, Texas.

What genre are you in? 
Young Adult dystopian and also nonfiction history!

Please list your books and the year of publication. Counteract (Book One of The Resistance Series) (2014), Resist (Book Two of The Resistance Series) (coming June 2015) Fips, Bots, Doggeries, and More (2012).

Why are you an Author? 
I love to share stories.  

What inspires you? 
I love the fact that my words can have an effect on others. When I wrote my history book, I was able to share a story from a journal that had been in my family for 165 years. I was surprised and pleased just how many people enjoyed reading about what it was like to live and travel in America in 1838. With my novel, I was able to watch three of my beta readers as they read part of the book. The way they devoured the story and their reactions—gasping when something unexpected happened, muttering to themselves, and barely breathing as they scanned the pages—made me want to get my stories in front of as many readers as possible!

Where and what times during the day do you work best?  
I love to write with pen and paper on my front porch in Dallas, even when it’s really hot in the summer. But I also write well late at night. That’s usually when I go over what I’ve written on paper; the scenes that were more stream-of-consciousness on paper seem to take form as I type them into the computer. 

Who is your target audience? 
My target audience for my dystopian series is anyone who likes books like The Giver, Divergent, and The Hunger Games. I targeted the series for readers aged 13 and up, but lots of adults enjoyed Counteract.

How do you want your readers to feel as they read your book?  
I want them to be entertained, and I want them to think about the situations the characters face. Often, young people see things happen around them that don’t seem to affect them. But those events could have a profound effect on their futures.

What is one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors? 
Don’t give up. Keep writing.

Share one thing about yourself that you would like readers to know. 
I’m a pretty awesome tap dancer!