Shiloh Walker's Blog, page 132

#2tt4 My Fridge…(my life on it)

Shannon Stacey had this cool idea about naming two things she's thankful for…every day until Thanksgiving.  We've been doing it on twitter.

Last night, I was walking by our new fridge-we had to buy a new one.  The old one was almost twelve years old, leaking water through through the door…just not good.  So we went ahead and checked out the pre-Thanksgiving sales.  It was delivered yesterday.

Yes, I like the new fridge, but that's not what I'm thankful…I'm thankful for what's on it.

You can see my life on my fridge…

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This is my guy's grandfather. He never knew him. I'm pretty sure this was taken in the village in Alaska where his mother was born…and that's her.

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When I miscarried a few years ago, the hospital where I stayed, I was on the women's floor. They didn't want to risk anybody coming in and asking 'How is the new mom…' So they use butterflies…a gentle way to let the staff know that the family in that room had lost their baby. I appreciated that kindness…and I kept my butterflies. A reminder of my little girl.

And Alaska. A magnet from our trip a few years ago.

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This was a mother's day card a few years ago.

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Why a pizza magnet? This guy was a friend…a casual friend. Who died too young. But he always had a smile on his face and he'd let my kids help him cook the pizzas. He'd send them home with Italian ice, even when I told him not to spoil them. He died last year. He was just a few years older than us. I miss going into his place, seeing him smile, listening to him spoil my kids.

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Alaska…again.

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Grant's Farm in St Louis, where we've taken the kids. The National Zoo. A few years ago, my oldest went with me when I went to Nationals in DC. We went to the museums, and the Zoo. Amazing.

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More family trips…Red River Gorge, Gatlinburg, Busch Gardens…

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This is one of my favorites.  Some of you might know my oldest (Bratlet) is an animal lover…I've mentioned it a few times.  When the show … 'The Little Zoo That Could' first came out, she was enthralled.  Watched every episode.  The guy and I thought it would be fun to take her and we started scouting places in Gulf Shores.  That was our family vacation the year Baby Bratlet was one.  But we didn't tell Bratlet (the oldest) where we going, or why.

We waited until we pulled up in front of the zoo and parked…she looked at the sign, but didn't quite get it.    So we asked her what her favorite show was.  Then it clicked… the guy has video of her hurtling over the seats in the van to tackle-hug me.

My life on the fridge…

#2ttf My Fridge…(my life on it)

Shannon Stacey had this cool idea about naming two things she's thankful for…every day until Thanksgiving.  We've been doing it on twitter.

Last night, I was walking by our new fridge-we had to buy a new one.  The old one was almost twelve years old, leaking water through through the door…just not good.  So we went ahead and checked out the pre-Thanksgiving sales.  It was delivered yesterday.

Yes, I like the new fridge, but that's not what I'm thankful…I'm thankful for what's on it.

You can see my life on my fridge…

[image error]

This is my guy's grandfather. He never knew him. I'm pretty sure this was taken in the village in Alaska where his mother was born…and that's her.

[image error]

When I miscarried a few years ago, the hospital where I stayed, I was on the women's floor. They didn't want to risk anybody coming in and asking 'How is the new mom…' So they use butterflies…a gentle way to let the staff know that the family in that room had lost their baby. I appreciated that kindness…and I kept my butterflies. A reminder of my little girl.

And Alaska. A magnet from our trip a few years ago.

[image error]

This was a mother's day card a few years ago.

[image error]

Why a pizza magnet? This guy was a friend…a casual friend. Who died too young. But he always had a smile on his face and he'd let my kids help him cook the pizzas. He'd send them home with Italian ice, even when I told him not to spoil them. He died last year. He was just a few years older than us. I miss going into his place, seeing him smile, listening to him spoil my kids.

[image error]

Alaska…again.

[image error]

Grant's Farm in St Louis, where we've taken the kids. The National Zoo. A few years ago, my oldest went with me when I went to Nationals in DC. We went to the museums, and the Zoo. Amazing.

[image error]

More family trips…Red River Gorge, Gatlinburg, Busch Gardens…

[image error]

This is one of my favorites.  Some of you might know my oldest (Bratlet) is an animal lover…I've mentioned it a few times.  When the show … 'The Little Zoo That Could' first came out, she was enthralled.  Watched every episode.  The guy and I thought it would be fun to take her and we started scouting places in Gulf Shores.  That was our family vacation the year Baby Bratlet was one.  But we didn't tell Bratlet (the oldest) where we going, or why.

We waited until we pulled up in front of the zoo and parked…she looked at the sign, but didn't quite get it.    So we asked her what her favorite show was.  Then it clicked… the guy has video of her hurtling over the seats in the van to tackle-hug me.

My life on the fridge…

Writer Wednesdays.. Lauren Fraser

Another WW post! Lauren Fraser…

What's the one thing that remains unchanged during your writing process, from one book to another? (ie: Intensive plotting? Music?)

A: I'm assuming you mean besides those frustrating moments when I read back what I've written and think sweet mother of god that doesn't sound at all like it's supposed to.LOL

When I write I'm a bit of a weird plotter. Before I sit down to write I have the basics of the plot figured out I know how things are going to begin and end and a basic outline of how I'm going to get there, but usually my characters take me on a bit of a circuitous route. *grin* The main plotting type activity that I always do is characterization. I spend a lot of time figuring out my characters, who they are, what makes them tick and what kinds of things would really send them for a loop. I think it's all those countless hours in the psychology classroom during university that makes me a bit neurotic when it comes to who my characters are. If I don't feel like I really understand them I have a heck of a time writing them so I always make sure I really have a clear picture before I sit down.

What's the one piece of advice you'd give a new writer?

A: Find a great critique group or partner. Unfortunately as wonderful as family is they usually aren't willing bite the bullet and tell you what needs to be fixed or what's missing from your writing. A great critique partner can be worth their weight in gold. I'd much rather hear from my critique partners what's not working then my editor when she rejects a book.

What's the one piece of advice you wish was wiped from the minds of writers everywhere?

A: That you can't use "to be" verbs when you are writing because it's passive and you can't use passive voice ever. There are times when "to be" verbs are needed and they just work. Plus it would read really odd if you changed your sentence structure so that you never used them.

What's the one book you think everybody, writer or not, should read?

A: Oh gosh that's a hard one, I have so many books that I love. But since I know not everyone likes to read romance or suspense or genres that I might be drawn to I'll pick one of my favorite books of all times that should appeal to everyone as well. So that being said I've got to go with The Giving Tree. I love this book and read it ALOT with my kids when they were really small.

More soldiers& Marines needing Christmas cards & letters…

Okay, a few more names…

Just a reminder…

Before you send any cards, a few things to keep in mind:

Do not post to Facebook.  Some of these guys are on facebook and would rather not see their names popping up.  (Mine gets imported and I'm deleting as soon as it goes up…DO NOT SHARE this via FB, please…)
And most important of all….guys, this is a support thing.  A few ladies, dunno who, but a few ladies thought this was a dating list.  Many of these soldiers and marines are married. It's not only uncomfortable for them to get flirtatious sorts of notes…it's kinda tacky on part of the person doing it, if you ask me.  Especially when most of us who post these things make it very clear…this is about support.  Again. Not a dating list.

Brian Hughes

1/4 A CO

Unit 40256

FPO,AP 96609-0256

Luke Smith

1/6 A CO 1st PLT

Unit 73150

APO,AE 09520-3150

these all belong to the same unit

Joerssel Arroyo

Ronald Bedingfield

Steven Fichtorn

Sean Miles

C-CO 1-175 IN

Unit 31530 MFO 55

APO,AE 09833

More soldiers and Marines needing Christmas cards & letters…

Okay, a few more names…

Just a reminder…

Before you send any cards, a few things to keep in mind:

Do not post to Facebook.  Some of these guys are on facebook and would rather not see their names popping up.  (Mine gets imported and I'm deleting as soon as it goes up…DO NOT SHARE this via FB, please…)
And most important of all….guys, this is a support thing.  A few ladies, dunno who, but a few ladies thought this was a dating list.  Many of these soldiers and marines are married. It's not only uncomfortable for them to get flirtatious sorts of notes…it's kinda tacky on part of the person doing it, if you ask me.  Especially when most of us who post these things make it very clear…this is about support.  Again. Not a dating list.

Brian Hughes

1/4 A CO

Unit 40256

FPO,AP 96609-0256

Luke Smith

1/6 A CO 1st PLT

Unit 73150

APO,AE 09520-3150

these all belong to the same unit

Joerssel Arroyo

Ronald Bedingfield

Steven Fichtorn

Sean Miles

C-CO 1-175 IN

Unit 31530 MFO 55

APO,AE 09833

A note about reviews…

This is from my FAQ page.  But I'm getting more and more review requests, so I want to post it here again.

Now please understand…I love book reviews, bloggers, etc.  And I know I do the 'call for reviews' with my new releases.  But this one of the business things that can get very time-consuming.  Keep in mind, I've got more than 50 (I think it's over 70) releases out.  I've got books with 4 different publishers.  There are numerous review sites out there.  Before I send to a new one, (when I was doing so), I'd always check it out.  A writer simply has to.

All of this is time consuming.  It got to the point that I was spending an inordinate amount of time handling it. Sooo…I had to change my policy. It's been this way for a couple of years.

It's as follows:

I'm a reviewer and would like to review your books.  Can I contact you?

Aside from occasional call for reviewers when I have ARCs on my blog or the occasional blogger/review site that I will contact directly, I no longer handle sending out books for reviews.  Review requests must go through my publishers.

Ellora's Cave | Samhain Publishing | Berkley

For the self-published works only, you can contact my admin Nicole at grimmhunter.shilohwalker(at)gmail.com.  She'll need the name of your review site/blog and other information.

Please note, due to the number of emails I receive and the fact that my publishers handle reviews, I'm unable to respond to review requests personally.  Any such request received by me are likely to be deleted, without response.  All questions must be directed through my admin or publisher. Please understand that I've got roughly 70 titles out and I write for 4 different publishers and there are a lot of review sites out there.  That's a lot of correspondence that ends up coming my way and I can't keep up with it.  When I'm dealing with it, that's time I spend not writing which is why I now direct all review requests to my publishers.

Thanks for understanding.

Now when I have a new book, I will contact some bloggers, or ask Nicole to. I'll do a call for reviews when I've got ARCs-with new releases you have to set a time aside for promo. But I also have to streamline. And this was one of the ways I had to do it. Hope you understand…

Romancing the Holidays…December 3 Signing, West Chester Oh

HOLIDAY ROMANCE AUTHORS SIGNING

Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 1 PM – 3 PM

Barnes & Noble

Streets of West Chester

9455 Civic Centre Blvd.

West Chester/Cincinnati, OH 45069

tel: (513) 755-2258

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Authors signing:

Lori Foster

Patricia Sargent

Jules Bennett

Donna MacMeans

Marcia James

Kay Stockham

Denise Gwen

Shiloh Walker

Gabriella Edwards

Michele Stegman

Toni Blake

Serena Miller

If you live in or around the area, hope to see ya there!

The Friday 56…Lauren Dane

 

Maggie Chase approached, grinning.  "It's been way too long since I've seen you last.  Come on in."

I've wanted to read this since I saw the cover…finally did it.  It was fun.  The model matches the heroine perfectly, too.

About the Friday 56

Grab the book nearest you. Right now
Turn to page 56.
Find the fifth sentence.
Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.
Post a link along with your post back to this blog.
Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

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Winner, oh, winner…where are you? 4 days left

Okay, so the thrills and chills winner-the lady who the nook, Alexandrea Ward, still hasn't contacted us about her prize.

The contest rules were all set up per my site's disclaimer…entering the contest meant you agreed to (and read) that disclaimer.

And Alexandrea W is running out of time…per the disclaimer, winners of contests have two weeks to claim the prize.

That time ends on Monday 11/21.  If we don't have a winner by that time, we'll be drawing a new name.  Alexandrea, we hope to hear from you soon! You can email me, Jaci or Lisa!

Writer Wednesdays…

Today's Writer Wednesday guest is SD Grady…

What's the one thing that remains unchanged during your writing process, from one book to another? (ie: Intensive plotting? Music?)

A: The cat.

When I embarked upon my first novel, there was a lot of closet writing. I hunkered down in front of the monstrous desktop and typed away. I put on music, but mostly tried to ignore the goings on in the rest of the house. But there was Betty. My tuxedo kitty who has never accepted the fact she was the "also ran" from the pet store.

Betty would jump on my lap, purr (you would not believe the engine on that cat) and meow. She does that a lot. It can be annoying. She's got that, "Hey Mom? Mom. Mom? Mooom. Hey Mom!" thing going. Closing doors does not work, she just tries to rip it off its hinges when locked away from me.

One day, she sat on the floor next to my chair and stared up at me, making her usual amounts of noise. Occasionally the paw would fly up and hit my knee, or the seat cushion, maybe my hand. We had discussed writing with her in my lap before. It didn't work. But clearly she required easy access at least to the human level of the planet.

I spotted my shaker foot stool in the corner and wondered. I brought it over and placed it next to my chair. Betty jumped up, purrrrred, and laid down. That was that.

Ever since, whenever the keys start clicking, she comes running and parks her lazy butt next to me. We've moved around the house a bit with the advent of laptops, but there's always a spot for me, and one for…Betty.

What's the one piece of advice you'd give a new writer?

A: Find some new friends. Lol Don't get rid of your current ones, that's not what I mean. You need fellow writers in your circle. Ones who will tell you when you've messed up, who are ready to work with you, and who will understand when you can't go to sleep because the people in your head won't shut up.

Writing groups are the reason I'm still doing what I do. Fellow scribes are supportive of this addiction, and tend to IM in complete sentences

What's the one piece of advice you wish was wiped from the minds of writers everywhere?

A: Absolutely never…

There are no absolutes in writing. A great many rules exist that will help you get to where you want to go, but you can break every single one of them and still succeed. You just need to know why those rules exist in the first place…then have at it! Writing is a creative process, not a mathematical equation.

What's the one book you think everybody, writer or not, should read?

A: The Cat in the Hat

Before we pick up War and Peace, the planet must first be able to read. Every child and adult needs to be able to read. In order to do so, they need someone who does read to share their joy of reading with them.

I know at this blog, I'm preaching to the choir, but I'm gonna ask the question anyway. Did you read with your child, today?

Even some forty years later when I visit with my parents, we pick up the morning paper and share columns that spark our interest. I do it at work, pointing out articles to those who usually don't bother with the paper. Others show me links on their phones.

Awareness of politics, news items, sales, health hazards, weather….literacy for every person on the planet is required.

want to know more about Writer Wednesdays?  Go here…