Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Ten Things NOT to Say to Your Teacher

I thought you could use a good laugh, so here are some of the excuses I've heard over the years.
  1. "I left my paper at home. Seriously, I did it and it's lying on my desk at home."
  2. "My dog ate my homework."
  3. "You didn't tell ME I had to do the assignment."
  4. "This is stupid. Why do I have to learn ___? I'll never use it."
  5. "Are we doing anything important in class today?"
  6. "Why did you give me an F?"
  7. "I turned in the paper. You lost it because you don't like me."
  8. "Why did I get and F?" I copied from ___ and he/she got an A."
  9. "I couldn't do the homework because...of football practice (or any sport practice), I had to wash the dog, there was a game last night, it was ___ birthday party, etc.
  10. "My mom/dad said I didn't have to do the assignment because it was stupid.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Signs of Being a Writer and Yes, I'm Guilty of a Few


  • You sometimes argue with people who aren't there.
  • Your work uniform consists of over-sized t-shirts, socks, flannel pants, etc.
  • You drink a lot of coffee/caffeinated drinks by the gallons. 
  • You ask people lots of weird questions about their jobs.
  • You have a strange fascination with body farms which bothers some of your family members. 
  • You plan elaborate torture and death scenes for the people who irritate them.
  • You walk around with pen and paper because you never know when an idea will hit. You have to be prepared, just in case.
  • You have a favorite pen and you're obsessed with post-it notes and notebooks. Be warned. I know when one of my pens is missing.
  • You would rather stay home and write than go out.
  • You find story and character ideas everywhere.

Monday, May 6, 2013

Quotes About the Writing Life

"All writers have this vague hope that the elves will com in the night and finish any stories."
  --Neil Gaiman


"Quantity produces quality. If you only write a few things, you're doomed."
  --Ray Bradbury

"I'm writing. The pages are starting to stack up. My morale is improving the more I feel like a writer."
  --Neil Gaiman

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Blurb Blitz Tour

I'm excited and nervous. Tomorrow kicks off the first day of a two week Blurb Blitz Tour for How NOT to Train a Zombie!!! I've never done a tour before so this is a new experience for me. I've posted the links to the bloggers who have generously given me a day on their blogs, and below is the dates for each stop on the tour. Stop by each day and leave a comment. At the end of the tour, I'm giving away a $25 Amazon gift card to one lucky commenter.




May 6    
The Muse Unleashed

May 7    
Andi's Middle Grade and Chapter Books
(STOP TWO) Straight from Library

May 8    
Mom With a Kindle

May 9    
Zombie Girl Shambling

May 10  
Deal Sharing Aunt

May 13   
Sandra's Blog
(STOP TWO) Long and Short Reviews

May 14 
Storm Goddess Book Reviews and More
(STOP TWO) Frankie Blooding's Bookshelf

May 15 
Books in the Hall

May 16 
J.C. Martin, Fighter Writer

May 17 
It's Raining Books

Thursday, May 2, 2013

I WRITE because...

Writers write for different reasons. In fact, the reasons are as wide and varied as the individual personalities of the writers themselves. But no matter the reason there's something that drives us to write.

I write because...

The characters in my head won't leave me alone. Sometimes they push and shove each other to the point I feel like I'm going a bit crazy. And the reason they do this? To see who'll get his or her story told first.

Writing is like breathing, if I don't do it, I'll die. I carry a notepad and pen with me all the time. Jotting down notes, ideas for new stories, solutions to scene problems--the list is endless. I have to write.

It keeps me sane. Try walking around with all the voices in your head. By writing I can get rid of some of the noise and give myself some quiet time, though it usually doesn't last long. Plus, if a character decides to fade away or disappear, I have their essence on paper so I won't forget.

I can torture anyone I want to in my writing and not have to worry about criminal persecution. Turn the bad guy in your story into the weasel who irritated you this morning. Now you can torture them, lock them away with no chance of parole, or feed them to the zombies. A good, safe way to relieve some of your frustrations.

Writing gives me a chance to create new worlds or realities that I want to go back and revisit over and over. I can add new characters and new problems, and revisit old friends.

Writing is a fairly cheap addiction. you just need a pen and paper. Not too expensive. at least not too expensive as long as I stay away form all the pretty and colorful pens and notebooks.

I LOVE WRITING!!!

On days I don't get to write, I get cranky. You know, us writers have to get our fix somehow.

Oh, and by the way, I know when one of my pens is missing!