Friday Recommends 5-26-2011

I'm on my way to Marcon sf convention this weekend. If you're there, look me up and say howdy! T. Lee Harris, Samantha Lopez and I are representing the Southern Indiana Writers Group on some panels.

Still, true to my trust, I have some web site recommendations for you.

An Evil Temptress

First, the evil temptress Holly Jahangiri talked me into signing up with SparkPeople, a free diet and healthy lifestyle site. At one point, about a decade ago, I lost 30 pounds, but I've gained it back and then some. Intervention is needed. I'm tired of being a major source of income for the locals who bet the tourists that I really can fit through a door. So.

The fabulous-abulous Johanna Harness has a new website for her YA novel, Disasterminds. The book sounds super, and the cover is da bomb.

Dean Wesley Smith, whom I worship as a god because he worked with Kristine Kathryn Rusch on The 10th Kingdom, has a blog that's full of insights and brainstorms: The Writings and Opinions of Dean Wesley Smith.

Last but far from least, fantasy author and Steampunk aficionado Amanda Borenstadt did a wonderful post on sound effects in your fiction. I mean, not yours, specifically, because how would she know? Just sounds effects in fiction, period.

Have a good time this weekend. Play nice. Last year, we were at the hotel of evil and couldn't get free wi-fi. This year, we're staying at the hotel where the angels stay and the wi-fi is free, so I'll either pop in on Saturday and Sunday or think up a good excuse why not.

WRITING PROMPT: Take a piece you've written and see if there are sound effects in it. If not, put them in. If so, are they appropriate, telling details? Are they realistic, compelling ones?

MA