tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61070749350367013822023-11-16T10:53:13.167-08:00The Busy ProcrastinatorThe site of Ariyana D. Spencer, constant procrastinator, occasional writer.Ariyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333892387803654141noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6107074935036701382.post-50463919063320942102012-07-12T19:55:00.001-07:002012-07-12T20:01:10.905-07:00Free Story & Other Updates of the Published Work Variety<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_dAkxP2XEp5MVUqcjE4rWv0dYI8Ve-8eMmPDBdOMiD2lzWVDkSto0wNDN2xrZvsGePB1OP33yL7iBeg4mUhi_alMLEpppjn1_WPsItD5gmUBCQQudzjfgchXPlziUPvrliYRlryiFxk/s1600/cn_winner_180x180.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_dAkxP2XEp5MVUqcjE4rWv0dYI8Ve-8eMmPDBdOMiD2lzWVDkSto0wNDN2xrZvsGePB1OP33yL7iBeg4mUhi_alMLEpppjn1_WPsItD5gmUBCQQudzjfgchXPlziUPvrliYRlryiFxk/s1600/cn_winner_180x180.png" /></a><br />
<h3>
Life </h3>
<br />
I took part in Camp NaNoWriMo this June, and I'm happy to say I made it
to the 50 thousand word mark by the end of the month. While that was
nice, I still didn't quite finish the projects I actually *wanted* to
work on throughout that month of writing mayhem. There's always August's Camp NaNo session, I suppose.<br />
<br />
I'm still working on my
collective stories/novels about an ornery woman with a funny name and her
adventures hunting fairies. (How can you resist that summary?) I recently finished a short story set in
that world, concerning the woman's boss, a leprechaun, and St. Patrick's Day. I'm currently searching for a home for that little shamrock...<br />
<br />
I haven't
finished my superhero novella either (though I think I've fallen back in love
with the universe in which it's set). It's kind of gritty and was originally intended to fall into the subcatagory of "Romance," but I won't be sure if I've fully hit that mark until it's finished.<br />
<br />
Don't even ask about my kid's book. Dear Lord in Heaven, don't ask...<br />
<br />
<h3>
Free Read!</h3>
<h3>
</h3>
<h4>
<a href="http://www.wilywriters.com/blog/on-the-unlawful-events-taking-place-at-outcasts-last-by-a-d-spencer/" target="_blank">"On the Unlawful Events Taking Place at Outcast's Last"</a></h4>
Normally, I update to tell you all about my recent publications. This blog post is no different,<i> but</i> this time, I get to share a story that's absolutely 100% free to listen to or read.<br />
<br />
I was utterly delighted to be published by Wily Writers. It's such a fantastic site for fans of fantasy and science fiction! Their stories are often themed, with the guest editor making two selections. I'm happy to say my story fit the theme "Space Western."<br />
<br />
"On the Unlawful Events Taking Place at Outcast's Last" actually began with an idea, an unfinished story, from my high school years. I believe I was in ninth grade when I wrote the first chapter to a story called "Vertilla." Sadly, it was never finished, and the original copy was lost, but the idea of that world and its characters stayed with me throughout the years. When I saw Wily's theme, "Vertilla" jumped back into my head with a fresh new voice from one of the secondary characters. It was really a pleasure to write, especially since it brought back so many memories.<br />
<br />
Here's what the editor and site producer, Angel Leigh McCoy, had to say about the story:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
..."On the
Unlawful Events Taking Place at Outcast's Last" has such a charming voice.
The main character, Mim, comes to life, and brings you into her story. There's
so much depth to this story that I found myself thinking about it long after
I'd finished reading it. The story continued to expand and advance in my mind.
That's good storytelling. </div>
</blockquote>
Suffice to say, I was left blushing-happy. If you decide to check the story out <a href="http://www.wilywriters.com/blog/on-the-unlawful-events-taking-place-at-outcasts-last-by-a-d-spencer/">here</a>, I highly recommend listening to the fantastic reading by Folly Blaine. I still have no idea how I become tongue-tied reading my own title, but she manages it so expertly.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Shop Til Ya Drop</h3>
<h3>
</h3>
Well, that's all for now, but perhaps you might like to see what else has been published since my last update. Perhaps you'll even find an anthology that strikes your fancy. Check out these titles:<br />
<br />
<h4>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGgdPJ5cV2LIuKKo4FFpsfD4bI2kM6l9pHVK8xdS-R1hyyZTf7NoDS9v4DjHUB1oeihZhcmHbXYzqtCCupBoZV96IDoMoWisYSV7Orx681ylzX-3XvV0qwwqZ5sWc7PhCspJ7qa_ggCg/s1600/CorruptsAbsolutely_150dpi_eBook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGgdPJ5cV2LIuKKo4FFpsfD4bI2kM6l9pHVK8xdS-R1hyyZTf7NoDS9v4DjHUB1oeihZhcmHbXYzqtCCupBoZV96IDoMoWisYSV7Orx681ylzX-3XvV0qwwqZ5sWc7PhCspJ7qa_ggCg/s200/CorruptsAbsolutely_150dpi_eBook.jpg" width="125" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Corrupts-Absolutely-Dark-Metahuman-Fiction/dp/1615726152/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335326171&sr=8-1">Corrupts Absolutely?</a> </h4>
This collection of dark meta human fiction includes my story "Oily." (I mentioned this one in <a href="http://busyprocrastinator.blogspot.com/2012/02/meta-madness-in-march.html">my blog post from Feb</a>.)<br />
<br />
Official Description:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The only family member to survive the 9/11 attacks. A
sidekick-turned-construction-worker. The teenaged products of an
institute for unwanted metahuman children. The man who can make anyone
do anything. Are they heroes? Are they villains? Sometimes they're both.
Often, even at the same time. Corrupts Absolutely? collects twenty
brand-new stories from veteran authors and newcomers, each with a unique
perspective on what it might really be like to be superhuman in today's
day and age. In the center of such a roiling mass of uncertainty and
excitement lies one important truth: the fight against good or evil is
never as important as the fight for or against oneself. Contributors:
Weston Ochse, Jeff Strand, Joe McKinney, Cat Rambo, A.D. Spencer, A.S.
Fox, Andrew Bourelle, Anthony Laffan, Edward M. Erdelac, Jason Gehlert,
Jason M. Tucker, Jeremy Hepler, Karina Fabian, Kris Ashton, Lee Mather,
Lincoln Crisler, Malon Edwards, Tim Marquitz, Trisha J. Wooldridge,
Wayne Helge, Wayne Ligon, and William Todd Rose.</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Conquest-Through-Determination-Steampunk-Anthology/dp/1617061948/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338818109&sr=8-1">Conquest Through Determination: Steampunk in All of Its Splendor</a></h4>
Steampunk! I love it, as you might have noticed. This anthology by Pill Hill Press includes my rather lengthy short story "A Mind Most Desirable," a Victorian England murder mystery with a dash of mad science.<br />
<br />
Official Description:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZIESJgqr9629lJEIrjwaM8-QCKPhO0NH65wHdROGAZvFa2Q36W0ObmMWo6F2Iq9aSkce2q1L_Au4Iam-j8TS0CcfoX_teNJv4CWSWr-_BXv7ge6LOK3IcFCgO3bVVoAQRlfir3plkPY/s1600/ConquestPHP.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZIESJgqr9629lJEIrjwaM8-QCKPhO0NH65wHdROGAZvFa2Q36W0ObmMWo6F2Iq9aSkce2q1L_Au4Iam-j8TS0CcfoX_teNJv4CWSWr-_BXv7ge6LOK3IcFCgO3bVVoAQRlfir3plkPY/s200/ConquestPHP.png" width="130" /></a>Airships cleave through dawn mists on errands of war and discovery.
Polished boots and gold tipped canes echo, nervous fingers adjust finely
tuned goggles, and all around you machines and machinations are set
into motion in the grand opera that is Steampunk... See more. Be the
first. Triumph. Inside all of us burns the desire to love and none of us
is immune to the thrill of exploration, the whisper of greed or the
keen anticipation that hums whenever we get close to any of them. That
hum is echoed in these stories. Time travel and top hats, bodies made of
metal and hearts and minds that are even stronger. Peer through clouds
of steam at adventures set in the Old West, the dusty Outback, and
along the coastlines of loch and sea. Thrill as some stories end in
victory and cringe as some go down in flames... But rest assured that
every story is told with the flourish and style that can only be
Steampunk.</blockquote>
<br />
<h4>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Here-There-Dragons-Doug-Souza/dp/1617062022/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1342144366&sr=1-3&keywords=here+there+be+dragons">Here There Be Dragons</a></h4>
My contribution to this dragon themed anthology was "A Trade of Ice." I fell in love with my dragon in this story and have written a flash fiction tale about her set far before "A Trade of Ice" begins. This was a very fun dip back into classic fantasy for me.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv46PEC5-ogpGW7mAXoNb3yPnO70OZgO4xyRwmyfdjbhZ4B0LV0XdfqsdxL49jW44opbSvY10kmc-ce_0rWdeZR8vDsOAP0mpzJo2uC4IlDmcNCVKo5MzpIr6JOJGkQVvifbQUuNCk_NM/s1600/HTbD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv46PEC5-ogpGW7mAXoNb3yPnO70OZgO4xyRwmyfdjbhZ4B0LV0XdfqsdxL49jW44opbSvY10kmc-ce_0rWdeZR8vDsOAP0mpzJo2uC4IlDmcNCVKo5MzpIr6JOJGkQVvifbQUuNCk_NM/s200/HTbD.jpg" width="150" /></a>Official Description:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Dragons: Beautiful and magnificent beasts. Also cunning, greedy
tricksters that won't hesitate to eat you. This collection of dragon
stories takes you to the depths of the ocean, the peaks of the highest
mountains, and through the dreamlands where they are commonly found. For
Here There Be Dragons. Tuck in, grab a blanket, start a fire (with or
without a dragon's help) and enjoy the 21 tales brought forth by the
talents of Doug C. Souza, Pete Clark, Sevan Taylor, David Hayes, Aaron
Renfroe, LaVa Payne, Steven Lloyd, Mel Obedoza, Bennie L. Newsome,
Douglas Poirier, Van Muller, Tom Howard, Jull Valuet, A.M. Burns, Livia
Finucci, K.G. McAbee, Sarah Adams, A.D. Spencer, M.E. Garber, Brianna
Stoddard, and Richard Jay Goldstein.</blockquote>
<br />
<h4>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Suspense-Tales-Jaidis-Shaw/dp/1617062103/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1342144263&sr=1-1&keywords=wicked+bag+of+suspense+tales">Wicked Bag of Suspense Tales </a></h4>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjExjw9jD49fFfkVM6hVvl3YF9xKhPhqU5lnFFlPbQ8v5keC-zrBfzVGY3mAafQ2yIxUZDlCg176_uc7GxiUYnicYEW5QGr4y1ye9X0ot7TlmhS5SamzhH7wqDBoXgGRRv1LinXgtGfyHU/s1600/WickedBagSuspense.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjExjw9jD49fFfkVM6hVvl3YF9xKhPhqU5lnFFlPbQ8v5keC-zrBfzVGY3mAafQ2yIxUZDlCg176_uc7GxiUYnicYEW5QGr4y1ye9X0ot7TlmhS5SamzhH7wqDBoXgGRRv1LinXgtGfyHU/s200/WickedBagSuspense.jpg" width="127" /></a>Suspense comes naturally in story-telling, but writing a story that is categorized as "suspense" is an altogether different challenge. I wrote the novella "Seeking Sagittarius" with my mother in mind, because she is constantly requesting I try my hand at the suspense and mystery genres. "Seeking Sagittarius" is a tale of paranoia which asks, "Why do people always assume they're at the center of their own mystery?"<br />
<br />
Official Description:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Nine minds pull you from the normal and thrust you into places where not
everything is as it seems... Sometimes the helpless aren't helpless at
all. And a judgmental mind can shadow the truth that is otherwise
obvious. When a jealous lover jumps the gun, lives enter a downward
spiral in which no one escapes unscathed. Sometimes, everything you once
believed can turn out to be a façade, a play on reality that only
reveals itself when the end in near. Expect the unexpected in Wicked Bag
of Suspense Tales...</blockquote>Ariyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333892387803654141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6107074935036701382.post-90382322538755810952012-02-26T11:07:00.005-08:002012-02-26T11:45:17.874-08:00Meta Madness in MarchMarch is going be a great month for me. I'm really excited about a few of the projects making their debut over the next few weeks. The first of which is the release of the anthology <span style="font-style: italic;">CORRUPTS ABSOLUT</span><span style="font-style: italic;">ELY?</span> It's due out on March 1st, and I'm buzzing with anticipation. Let me tell you a bit about the book before I get ahead of myself.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCg4xABdNwMEc-jsaBKDrWhYl-0ZSYwaHcEU7EVDRZ99T0GIR-4so2AG9i_YNyZO9MAmZG8vHxVRR2wnQ8P8PYLms-xmX2tGNa7J18FLsQhWsoRh6MvqUeuJbf_gE8vc4_WHhQk8DTS0Q/s1600/CORRUPTS+promo+MARCH+-+CORRECT.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCg4xABdNwMEc-jsaBKDrWhYl-0ZSYwaHcEU7EVDRZ99T0GIR-4so2AG9i_YNyZO9MAmZG8vHxVRR2wnQ8P8PYLms-xmX2tGNa7J18FLsQhWsoRh6MvqUeuJbf_gE8vc4_WHhQk8DTS0Q/s400/CORRUPTS+promo+MARCH+-+CORRECT.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713523853933327970" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY?</span> is edited by <a href="http://lincolncrisler.info/">Lincoln Crisler</a> and published by Damnation Books. Here's the official site description:<br /><br /><blockquote>"<strong>Lord Acton</strong> originally wrote, <strong>“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” </strong>Modern pop-culture is brimming over with stories of bright, polished men and women with iron wills and indestructible moral codes, who throw themselves into a life of public service after being graced (or cursed) with cosmic powers, a magic ring, puberty-activated mutant genes or robot suits. <p style="text-align: left;">How about the people who look out for ‘Number One?’ With flaws? With serious psychological issues? Who’ve ve been looking for a ticket out of their circumstances and finally lucked into it? Who’ve devoted themselves to their success and have reached it, at long last? The nerdy kid who doesn’t have to be pushed around and isn’t willing to hide anymore? The jealous girl that’s tired of being the ‘other woman?’ The disenfranchised homeless man? The bored housewife who wishes she’d made some different choices?</p> <p style="text-align: left;">What would <em>really</em> happen if today’s people had superpowers? Available <strong>March 2012 </strong>in paperback and digital formats from<strong> <a href="http://www.damnationbooks.com/">Damnation Books</a>. </strong>Cover art by <strong><a href="http://www.damnationbooks.com/people.php?artist=36">Jessi</a></strong><strong><a href="http://www.damnationbooks.com/people.php?artist=36">ca Lucero</a>."</strong></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><strong></strong></p><p style="text-align: left;">If that didn't get your attention, this should. It's the official Table of Contents.</p><p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><strong>Tim Marquitz<br /></strong> Retribution<br /><strong>Weston Ochse<br /></strong> Hollywood Villainy<br /><strong>William Todd Rose<br /></strong> Mental Man<br /><strong>Jeremy Hepler<br /></strong> The Real Church<br /><strong>A.S. Fox<br /></strong> Ozymandias Revisited<br /><strong>Jason M. Tucker<br /></strong> Enlightened by Sin<br /><strong>Jeff Strand<br /></strong> The Origin of Slashy<br /><strong>Edward M. Erdelac<br /></strong> Conviction<br /><strong>Kris Ashton</strong><br />Threshold<br /><strong>A.D. Spencer<br /></strong> Oily<br /><strong>Joe McKinney<br /></strong> Hero<br /><strong>Wayne Ligon<br /></strong> Pride<br /><strong>Malon Edwards<br /></strong> G-Child<br /><strong>Jason Gehlert<br /></strong> Static<br /><strong>Karina Fabian<br /></strong> Illusion<br /><strong>Anthony Laffan<br /></strong> Sabre<br /><strong>Lee Mather<br /></strong> Crooked<br /><strong>Trisha J. Woodridge<br /></strong> Fixed<br /><strong>Cat Rambo<br /></strong> Acquainted With the Night<br /><strong>Wayne Helge<br /></strong> Gone Rogue<br /><strong>Andrew Bourelle<br /></strong> Max and Rose</p><p style="text-align: left;">Definitely some recognizable names on that list, right? </p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I'm always excited about new anthology releases, especially featuring my shorts, but I'm even more thrilled about this particular book because I finally wrote a story for my metahuman Cat's Eye.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">While my contribution, "Oily," is a very short story, I have several novella length tales starring Cat's Eye, just waiting to be written. The character came to me in a sudden r<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKgSRvxU5Ax0M3styiUfnyCdq3NUugSgpIv30l62WamIAnZhMNuOH_sXS_iHKv5QKi4gWcAtS8AhTB9If8omOlFegeBCBJGq8-JhbWsle1XtBBgW5Fuwf_k50Pqu2qXRclb7UgdA00dc/s1600/cats_eye.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKgSRvxU5Ax0M3styiUfnyCdq3NUugSgpIv30l62WamIAnZhMNuOH_sXS_iHKv5QKi4gWcAtS8AhTB9If8omOlFegeBCBJGq8-JhbWsle1XtBBgW5Fuwf_k50Pqu2qXRclb7UgdA00dc/s320/cats_eye.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713528664868677362" border="0" /></a>ush...an angry one-eyed girl, a tragic family history, a father who creates marvelous marbles, and an informant with a hook for a hand. I was inspired by a student I once met who had a glass eye, by a documentary on the machines and craftsmen who make marbles, by a childhood littered with characters displaying telekinetic abilities. Cat's Eye's origin tale is as clear as the pages of a graphic novel page behind my eyelids. I know where her journey began and where it'll end, with that final marble, the Devil's Eye.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">"Oily" is just a tiny trip into her world, but I hope to revisit it often. Having her first story published in what I know to be an awesome dark collection is hopefully just the beginning.</p><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /><strong></strong></p><p style="text-align: left;"><strong></strong></p>Ariyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333892387803654141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6107074935036701382.post-37176233020767998332012-02-21T09:46:00.003-08:002012-02-21T09:56:35.599-08:00Sale at Evolved Publishing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3hokPd_h9n5j0_uGgfymB8ZIu80YHfcghgu1NYJ85bQHiMQVf2KQDwsCuccq4stSI8M43CyJPTzFa-LMa3wzSXFsAydxAzqVB7W4cbkiPlYJ1KwC1FFjVhxs4z4afCBwPjDeZ89wwXY/s1600/Evolved.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" 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mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif-->A couple posts back, you might have noticed my announcement for the e-release of <span style="font-style: italic;">Evolution Vol: 1</span>, an anthology featuring 10 very different and entertaining tales, including my science fiction short, "Sirius Issues." Well, Feb 21 & 22, the publisher is holding a great mark-down, which includes that anthology, as well as several of their other books. They even have a few free short stories, so I'm sure you'll find something to read, no matter your budget. And remember, just because it's an ebook, doesn't mean you need a Kindle to read it. The reader software is free at Amazon. Hope you enjoy!<p class="MsoNormal">Here's the official promotion and a link to the site:<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">For two days only, all the e-books at Evolved Publishing (normally priced between $3.99 and $7.99) are on sale at the reduced price of $2.99, and all the short stories are FREE!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Whether you enjoy award-winning YA Paranormal with romance, Psychological Thrillers, uplifting Memoirs, deeply touching Historical Fiction, illustrated Children's Fantasy Books or Short Story collections, we've got something for everyone!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Minngs";mso-bidi-Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SAfont-family:";font-size:12.0pt;" ><a href="http://bit.ly/EPFebPromo">http://bit.ly/EPFebPromo</a></span>Ariyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333892387803654141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6107074935036701382.post-20552239992055021932012-01-19T16:37:00.000-08:002012-01-19T16:54:17.523-08:00Steam Works<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrzj1SL5Ya0rMPCJqLxc3vPYo8MnPATwAW9nSNoz-2yNsetPQa08PDk534aD2ZTIfy5TDohLp5-NcJFo5Pp4g3xdkAGJe7BXkk3X0VCiE6tX6yA89jVkMywamTW3AOodia6888gyGbp0/s1600/small+cover-steam-works-200x300.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrzj1SL5Ya0rMPCJqLxc3vPYo8MnPATwAW9nSNoz-2yNsetPQa08PDk534aD2ZTIfy5TDohLp5-NcJFo5Pp4g3xdkAGJe7BXkk3X0VCiE6tX6yA89jVkMywamTW3AOodia6888gyGbp0/s400/small+cover-steam-works-200x300.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699510762188376146" border="0" /></a><br />The long awaited (at least for some of us) collection of Steampunk short stories<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Steam Works</span> is live at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Steam-Works-Mae-Empson/dp/0615565840/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326302273&sr=8-1">Amazon</a>, and I've to say, it's a fun collection of stories. Steampunk officially won a place in my heart about two years ago. Sure, I'd loved it before,without realizing it. I think I'm one of eight people still begging for dvds of the short lived <span style="font-style: italic;">The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne</span> tv series (that's love, folks). Anyhow, back on point:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Steam Works</span> is a short anthology of Steampunk published by Hydra Publications, but what it lacks in size is made up for in awesome. And I'm not just saying that because it contains one of my stories, "A Gun for Jebediah." No, I'm saying that because it also contains a story by my bff, and all around fan-friggin-tabulous writer, <a href="http://patriciapuckett.yolasite.com/">Patricia Puckett</a>. I've read the unedited proof of the collection, and each story was enjoyable. I hope others enjoy the anthology just as much.Ariyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333892387803654141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6107074935036701382.post-33078093818032469992011-12-28T18:25:00.000-08:002011-12-28T18:56:36.336-08:00Evolution Vol. 1Boys and girls, before we get into the epic-deep-breath that is a New Years Resolution post, I thought I'd share a few updates with you. Not much to say concerning "new news," though I'm happy to say I've been shortlisted at a few great places, but there have been a couple book releases since last we blogged.<br /><br />First up, a December e-book release sure to please ya:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5qXL22VoeuTnWhvtImPftuR9_XuWN3rD-O1QB7K8R4aQWC7qFxBE7_1GM-9Wf4xS6ETBMsdzTkOGJLPc9CDAAkOnkKkjlsK_2drGXDhGne2_NSo5MreazfCAij8UGQpNvBCbUxSb7aI/s1600/Evolved.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5qXL22VoeuTnWhvtImPftuR9_XuWN3rD-O1QB7K8R4aQWC7qFxBE7_1GM-9Wf4xS6ETBMsdzTkOGJLPc9CDAAkOnkKkjlsK_2drGXDhGne2_NSo5MreazfCAij8UGQpNvBCbUxSb7aI/s200/Evolved.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691371298342817458" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Evolution-Short-Story-Collection-ebook/dp/B006OEFCUE/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1324487983&sr=1-2">Evolution Vol. 1</a><br />Edited by talented <a href="http://lanediamond.com/">Lane Diamond</a><br />Published by <a href="http://www.evolvedpub.com/press/">Evolved Publishing</a> (check out their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Evolved-Publishing/231681676864562">facebook page</a>)<br />Current E-book Price: 4.99<br /><br />Official Description:<br /><blockquote style="font-style: italic;"><span id="freeText950525006291332580" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">A collection of 10 short stories resulting from Evolved Publishing's first-ever Short Story Contest. Stories cross over many genres, and range from 2,000-5,000 words each.</span><br /><span id="freeText950525006291332580" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><br />The GRAND PRIZE WINNER was "If I Should Die," by Amanda Papenfus. 6 other stories were chosen from the almost 200 submitted.<br /><br />Additionally, stories are included from 3 of Evolved Publishing's regular stable of authors: Lane Diamond, D.T. Conklin and Ruby Standing Deer.<br /><br />EVOLUTION: VOL. 1 is the first in an ongoing series of semi-annual anthologies planned by Evolved Publishing.</span></blockquote>And, boy, are they not kidding when they say <span style="font-style: italic;">Evolution Vol. 1</span> ranges many genres. For example, the collection kicks off with its prize-winning tale by Amanda Papenfus, a deeply moving story I'd classify as literary fiction, and then the jumps into speculative fiction soon after.<br /><br />My story, "Sirius Issues," for example, is comedic science fiction. I'd say 'deep space', but, truthfully, the human characters are still in the right galaxy, just stuck in their overpriced alien condos. What's "Sirius Issues" about? Well, taxes, rebellions, drunken sex, alien landlords...the usual stuff.<br /><br />You can download a copy at <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/116197">Smashwords</a> or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Evolution-Short-Story-Collection-ebook/dp/B006OEFCUE/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1324487983&sr=1-2">Amazon</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">***<br /></div><br />Also, amongst my newer releases is <a href="http://www.pillhillpress.com/">Pill Hill Press</a>' <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Daily-Frights-2012-Flash-Fiction/dp/161706162X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325126669&sr=8-1"><span style="font-style: italic;">Daily Frights 2012 (Leap Year Edition)</span></a>.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmrb6CZ0FqkVIW71Hy2OhcSkAkjEGVUMsHYfVkHQfO7BOvOS14trtkMIA3qs0YDUMhW3aSqe8ST8raIA94MOc2yYs0hfr9Ghad4BbDJ7UySVQgae8sKDuoEL1QeABnj9JARX6mw7n-TU/s1600/DailyFrights.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 146px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmrb6CZ0FqkVIW71Hy2OhcSkAkjEGVUMsHYfVkHQfO7BOvOS14trtkMIA3qs0YDUMhW3aSqe8ST8raIA94MOc2yYs0hfr9Ghad4BbDJ7UySVQgae8sKDuoEL1QeABnj9JARX6mw7n-TU/s200/DailyFrights.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691375489772592082" border="0" /></a>Official Description:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"></span><blockquote><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">DAILY FRIGHTS 2012: 366 DAYS OF DARK FLASH FICTION (LEAP YEAR EDITION) is a 2012 flash fiction calendar anthology, with a 500 word or less short story featured for every day of the calendar year. Filled with 366 short stories, this is a fun and practical anthology designed for busy readers.</span></blockquote>Can you honestly think of a better way to ring in the New Year? Come on! This is 366 tales, one snippet for every day--just enough to read over a cup of coffee in the morning or before you turn out the lights at night. And, at this moment, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Daily-Frights-2012-Flash-Fiction/dp/161706162X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325126669&sr=8-1">Amazon</a> has it available for a swell 21.89 (normally, it runs 24.99). I'm not sure when the e-edition will be available, but I'll let you know as soon as it's released.<br /><br />I only have one tiny contribution in this collection (though the antho is littered with so many great authors!), and it's called "Class Project." Kids, horror, Egyptian mythology: my name might as well be stamped all over that one... Oh, wait, it is. :DAriyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333892387803654141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6107074935036701382.post-81463946317468724072011-12-05T22:17:00.001-08:002011-12-05T23:36:52.797-08:00December's Super Blog PostHappy holidays, everyone!<br /><br />This is an exciting time of year, isn't it? Or, maybe I should just trade out the word "exciting" for "stressful." Everyone has their fair share of busy work this season, cleaning house for guests, shopping for gifts, working extra hard at their retail jobs. Usually, by the time Christmas Eve rolls around, I'm standing between a group of fussing family members, having a Clark Griswold style freak-out and giving the "Hap-Hap-Happiest Christmas" speech, cursing included.<br /><br />But, Christmas isn't entirely to blame. It's almost as if we're all running about in a mad rush to finish as much as humanly possibly before the arrival of the new year. As if we can somehow defeat Father Time through our will alone. (Note: this method only seems to work during the college years, when essays are due the next morning.) Writers, of course, are not immune to the crazy.<br /><br />We wrack our brains, check our graphs twice, count our filed submission emails...just to see how much work we put in over the past year. How do the stats add up? Did we put in enough effort? Should we have spent more time at the keyboard and less time watching Big Bang Theory? Should we have spent more time at a Word doc and less time on Facebook? The answer to both questions is simple: "yeah, probably." Which only adds fuel to the New Years Resolution fire... But that's a topic for another blog.<br /><br />Let's get back to 2011, shall we? I can honestly say...this wasn't the best year ever. Not for my personal or professional life. And I'm not alone, which is somehow even more heartbreaking.<br /><br />Had some great experiences with small publishers, though, and I also came up with a few characters I hope are going to fully come out to play next year. The "started in 'll" line-up includes a paranormal series that doesn't take itself too seriously, a kid's book that has truly tried my patience, a handful of superheroes who are simply begging me for more adventures... It's been fun. Half of me wishes I had another month in this year to work on projects, the other half just wants to start fresh in January with a full to-do list and 12 months to complete it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mZUWnaoeiUTsYVAeBr6BEZteM3ccxtyOV1lNx7m_7HpfX9QN2FqOtXNSJl1gW5m5fCz4bxpN2IiITZMKj5UZqMBbyPpw3c7fBRD5aZayhbLigCaPYResVVcrnRa5YRk8dVtWd4gNhDQ/s1600/ConquestPHP.png"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 136px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mZUWnaoeiUTsYVAeBr6BEZteM3ccxtyOV1lNx7m_7HpfX9QN2FqOtXNSJl1gW5m5fCz4bxpN2IiITZMKj5UZqMBbyPpw3c7fBRD5aZayhbLigCaPYResVVcrnRa5YRk8dVtWd4gNhDQ/s200/ConquestPHP.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682904558501920466" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">~*~</span><br /><br /></div>Since my last update, my story "A Mind Most Desirable" has been accepted into Pill Hill Press's steampunk anthology <span style="font-style: italic;">CONQUEST THROUGH </span><span style="font-style: italic;">DETERMINATION</span>. This Submission Call is still wide open, so if you'd like to give it a shot as well, please check it out <a href="http://pillhillpress.lefora.com/2011/07/26/conquest-through-determination/">here</a>. "A Mind Most Desirable" has been one of <span style="font-style: italic;">those</span> favorites sitting lost in my "completed stories" file, awaiting a home. It started out a hefty 13,000 words and was slowly trimmed down each reading until it hit below the 10,000 mark. Obviously, it's steampunk, with a large cast, set in England during the Victorian Era, but it's also a bit of a murder mystery at heart--I'll gladly admit, that aspect was completely inspired by my mother's love of Agatha Christie.<br /><br />"A Mind Most Desirable" was also my first serious attempt at writing steampunk. My second attempt (my first accepted) was called "A Gun for Jebediah" and is due out in the soon to be released <span style="font-style: italic;">STEAM WORKS</span> by <a href="http://www.hydrapublications.com/">Hydra Publications</a>. (And I do mean soon. I'll post when the listing becomes official.)<br /><br />Also, over the past month, I took part in Pill Hill Press's Shootout. Think online creative writing workshop. Authors write short stories based on prompts, then the stories are sent out anonymously for other writers to critique (also anonymous). This Shootout, the host held a contest in the final round for those with the highest scores, and I ended up winning! (Using the "Bragging Rights" part of my prize here.) Now, I've got four stories ready to go (after some editing) find new homes. If you want to participate in the next Shootout, keep an eye out at the Pill Hill <a href="http://pillhillpress.lefora.com/">Forums</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">~*~</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Lastly, let's talk shopping. It's December. Gifts are expensive. You probably<span style="font-style: italic;"> don't</span> have a very heavy wallet right now. Which means you're not going to put aside much money for yourself this month. So, let's talk cheap thrills, shall we. (Also, yes, self promotion.)<br /><br />For those of you out of the loop, Kindle books don't require actual Kindles or e-readers of any sort. You can get the software free for your PC at Amazon.<br /><br />With this in mind, there are a few ebooks that are listed at prices too good to resist. Oh, and I have stories in these.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Patented-DNA-ebook/dp/B003ZK5ON0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1323155515&sr=1-1"> <span style="font-style: italic;">PATENTED DNA</span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbXFONp085LpOvb6UQQIi1uK-ygkjpV1TO5UBcNazyMSila3Fr6sf4yR_ToUEUd4ydZj7iMQUyk9m1AqlcGfTQgbWfJztT0DlLK33TrGym2H6b8dSb9k-H-Zm66BWSQYeH5uCHzXCGbs/s1600/Patented+DNA.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 104px; height: 157px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbXFONp085LpOvb6UQQIi1uK-ygkjpV1TO5UBcNazyMSila3Fr6sf4yR_ToUEUd4ydZj7iMQUyk9m1AqlcGfTQgbWfJztT0DlLK33TrGym2H6b8dSb9k-H-Zm66BWSQYeH5uCHzXCGbs/s200/Patented+DNA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682912676001657506" border="0" /></a><br />Kindle Price: .99<br />Published by Pill Hill Press, this is a collection of dark clone stories at a price that can't be beat. That's right, a whole anthology for less than a buck... Get it while you still can.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Monster-Mash-ebook/dp/B004HO5JSI/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1323155601&sr=1-2"> <span style="font-style: italic;">MONSTER MASH</span></a><br />Kindle Price: 3.99<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3edC3aAlxsxBA14lKHOUi5bVBGlt8wTKdvy3_NCZtmEhHdkotaDnhffG2QI2pE-8MD03JoFgQhY9nTwcbWoEUpko4V_r7eyhR10kv1obDYxi45JlaSSvP1eet_qxAztvekJd7GTvWt0Q/s1600/Monster+Mash.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 107px; height: 159px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3edC3aAlxsxBA14lKHOUi5bVBGlt8wTKdvy3_NCZtmEhHdkotaDnhffG2QI2pE-8MD03JoFgQhY9nTwcbWoEUpko4V_r7eyhR10kv1obDYxi45JlaSSvP1eet_qxAztvekJd7GTvWt0Q/s200/Monster+Mash.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682913015920010946" border="0" /></a><br />Published by Pill Hill Press, this is a collection of horror tales where monsters of all types meet and duke it out. Come on, now, treat yourself. Your inner monster geek needs this book.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Bag-Horror-Tales-ebook/dp/B005HPPAGC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1323155783&sr=1-1"> <span style="font-style: italic;">WICKED BAG OF HORROR TALES</span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JXcEUeayj7PzwAV2I-AsjtF9qBGPGn51D_kvWWg5JBZNaeht3a5gY5p4L5LYE9zT7Fw_nKANPX6AyP3LyvJeFPyx2hM2_3JfxGLwBK2TsXwhpYimiPY1xr9r6VprFekmFGa5jgCIX94/s1600/wickedbags.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 104px; height: 157px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JXcEUeayj7PzwAV2I-AsjtF9qBGPGn51D_kvWWg5JBZNaeht3a5gY5p4L5LYE9zT7Fw_nKANPX6AyP3LyvJeFPyx2hM2_3JfxGLwBK2TsXwhpYimiPY1xr9r6VprFekmFGa5jgCIX94/s200/wickedbags.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682913589606644482" border="0" /></a><br />Kindle Price: 3.99<br />Published by Wicked East Press, this is a collection of nine tasty, novelette-sized horror stories. For those who like a bit of meat on their bones.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Ok, let's say you don't have a couple bucks. Well, I happen to know that, through the month of December, Permuted Press is giving away <span style="font-weight: bold;">free</span> e-copies of five of their zombie books. I'm not in any of them, but I'm sure they're still great, even without me. Check them out at the bottom of their sales page, <a href="http://www.permutedpress.com/index.php?view=article&id=133&option=com_content&Itemid=77">here</a>. They also have several books for 2.99. (I plan on checking out <span style="font-style: italic;">Autobiography of a Werewolf Hunter</span>, myself.)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">~*~<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Well, until next time, friends... Stay safe as you brave the malls, watch out for crazed shoppers with knifes and pepper spray, and have a bit of fun this holiday season.<br /></div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /></div>Ariyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333892387803654141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6107074935036701382.post-51015010263766932802011-11-14T17:59:00.000-08:002011-11-14T18:48:11.902-08:00Review: Idols & Cons by S.S. Michaels<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41eR4H1b%2BaL._SL500_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-49,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41eR4H1b%2BaL._SL500_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-49,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I first noticed the cover to <span style="font-style: italic;">Idols & Cons</span> while lurking around Omnium Gatherum's (the publisher's) <a href="http://http//ogatherum.blogspot.com/">blog</a>. Come on, it's kind of hard to ignore, right? Also, I had no clue what the paintbrush was all about, so color me intrigued. (It now makes perfect sense, btw.) I was very happy to receive an ARC of the e-book. Officially, <span style="font-style: italic;">Idols & Cons</span> is released on November 15th, but I believe the Kindle edition might have been released today, the 14th.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Idols & Cons</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">By </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/S.S.Michaels.author"><span style="font-weight: bold;">S.S. Michaels</span></a><br />Published by <a href="http://omniumgatherumedia.com/">Omnium Gatherum</a><br />Available on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Idols-Cons-ebook/dp/B0066DI8J0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321318615&sr=8-1">Amazon</a><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13047534-idols-cons">Goodreads</a><br /><p style="margin: 0in; font-family:georgia;font-size:11pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family:georgia;font-size:11pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family:georgia;font-size:11pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Product Description</span> (as listed on Amazon):</span></p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"></p><blockquote>Jake Wolfram is the biggest, slickest, sickest pop star of our time. Drug-dealing voyeuristic punk, Jake, is yanked from poverty and into the white-hot spotlight after witnessing a crime committed by his neighbor, Damien Tungsten, front man for the boy band, In Dreams. Jake lives life on the run, hiding in the limelight, and resenting every single minute of it. He’s relentlessly pursued by his former friend, psychopathic visual artist, Patrick Salinger, who coerces Jake into helping him turn a grisly murder into a masterpiece. Seizing control of the power he craves, Jake disposes of Damien, confronts Patrick, and lives a bad-boy rock-and-roll lifestyle as he hijacks Damien's super-stardom. But Damien's not quite ready to let it go.<br /><br />In her debut novel, Michaels uses biting wit and seething satire to bring the reader behind the scenes, to an explosive world where pop music grinds up against the cutting edge of art and drugs are the fuel that ignite it. <br /></blockquote><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Review: </span><br /></span><p></p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family:georgia;font-size:11pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;font-family:georgia;font-size:11pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;">To say that S.S. Michaels' <span style="font-style: italic;">Idols & Cons</span> is about sex, drugs, and pop music is completely accurate, but this book is also about three very powerful motivators: desperation, fear, and ambition.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Michaels creates a set of characters, led by Jake/John, and dangles stardom over their heads like chum on a string. In return, each has no choice but to play the part of the shark.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family:georgia;font-size:11pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> </span><p style="margin: 0in; font-family:georgia;font-size:11pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> </span><p style="margin: 0in;font-family:georgia;font-size:11pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I'll skip the summary, as you can read the product description on your own, and cut straight into the meat. <span style="font-style: italic;">Idols & Cons</span> is told through first person, in dated entries by different characters. The format is very easy to understand, and it makes for a quick reading. I gobbled it up over two days, and enjoyed the ride immensely. The characters aren't entirely sympathetic, or even likeable, but the pacing keeps you hooked.<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family:georgia;font-size:11pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> </span><p style="margin: 0in; font-family:georgia;font-size:11pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> </span><p style="margin: 0in;font-family:georgia;font-size:11pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;">When I first read the synopsis for the story, I instantly wanted to see where the writer took the idea. I contacted the author about an advanced copy and received one. I knew there would likely be an intriguing murder, a cover-up, and a few thrills awaiting me. I wasn't expecting the heavy dose of despicable horrors, but I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out the story was about more than one young man getting bribed into keeping quiet about a crime.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in; font-family:georgia;font-size:11pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> </span><p style="margin: 0in; font-family:georgia;font-size:11pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> </span><p style="margin: 0in; font-family:georgia;font-size:11pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Human depravity outdoes itself when the prized "fifteen minutes of fame" is at stake, a fact S.S. Michaels thoroughly explores.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Be warned (or intrigued): the pages are littered with adult language from not-so-adult mouths, extreme drug use,<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>sick works of art, a boy band, and the corrupting of the not-so-innocent. I recommend it for anyone who wants a glimpse of teen idols at their worst.</span></p><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span>Ariyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333892387803654141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6107074935036701382.post-24126677429220453912011-10-25T08:28:00.000-07:002011-10-25T08:47:40.871-07:00Making the Most of a Bad SituationUndead Friends,<br /><br />Several authors, myself included, received really sad news yesterday from <a href="http://www.twistedlibrary.com/">Twisted Library Press</a>. Due to financial obligations and the massive number of books on the "to-be-released" queue for the small press, most of their upcoming anthologies were dropped from the line-up. From my understanding, the Library will continue to publish their fantastic horror novels, as well as a few other anthologies, over the next year.<br /><br />Unfortunately, that means I can no longer officially say I'm a writer at the Library. I had six short stories due out, four horror tales and two horror-comedy shorts. On the bright side, that means I now have several stories to read over and send off to new publishers. Hopefully, I'll get some bites.<br /><br />If you love zombies, horror, anthologies, head over to the Library and lend them your support. Their books are available on Amazon and other sites, in e-book and print format in most cases. Their main site can be found <a href="http://www.twistedlibrary.com/">here</a>. If you're interested in hanging out with other zombiphiles, check out their forum <a href="http://libraryofthelivingdead.lefora.com/">here</a>. The Library is a beloved publisher, and they could use the support.<br /><br />Thanks!Ariyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333892387803654141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6107074935036701382.post-47598017380712110602011-10-19T08:27:00.000-07:002011-10-19T09:27:05.909-07:00"Sirius Issues" Selected for Evolved 1 AnthologyWhile putting the finishing touches on my short novella "Seeking Sagittarius" for <span style="font-style: italic;">Wicked Bag of Suspense Tales</span> (<a href="http://www.wickedeastpress.com/">Wicked East Press</a>), I received an acceptance email from <a href="http://www.evolvedpub.com/">Evolved Publishing.</a> Evolved is putting together a mixed genre anthology for their short story contest finalists, and I'm thrilled to say, my quirky science fiction tale "Sirius Issues" will be one of its ten selections. <span style="font-style: italic;">Evolved 1: A Short Story Collection</span> will feature a great range of tales. Its tentative release date is December 23, 2011, and it will be, initially, released in e-book format.<br /><br />I will, of course, put up more information on the collection, and my story, closer to the release date. In the meantime, though, check out this great publisher at their <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Evolved-Publishing/231681676864562">Facebook</a> page, or their <a href="http://www.evolvedpub.com/">main site</a>.Ariyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333892387803654141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6107074935036701382.post-55893932413936871172011-10-01T14:21:00.000-07:002011-10-01T14:55:34.248-07:00Of Scaled Beasts...Since the final Table of Contents are now up, I thought I'd share a couple of my recent acceptances with the blogosphere.<div style="text-align: center;">****<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fish<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZLH0E-qHEFerm_j60WDz3e9NPXI7cpbaWokbTJAVyPNeszxPbS3ANT5QPlCtFydPNx4eu9jw04T32hrrTbAF3-4Y8br7BOFvCYxZXPHFMfU8CQn7IGP7axHWVp2Vnw4yLJA-m0YIufo/s1600/finalfishcover0611.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZLH0E-qHEFerm_j60WDz3e9NPXI7cpbaWokbTJAVyPNeszxPbS3ANT5QPlCtFydPNx4eu9jw04T32hrrTbAF3-4Y8br7BOFvCYxZXPHFMfU8CQn7IGP7axHWVp2Vnw4yLJA-m0YIufo/s320/finalfishcover0611.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658638890794638994" border="0" /></a><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://daganbooks.com/">Dagan Books</a> is publishing an anthology called <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Fish, </span>which promises to be filled with tales of underwater wonder and rediscovered fish mythology. As soon as I saw the charming cover by Galen Dara, I went to work on a short story to fit the call for submissions. I'm happy to say that my story "Fish Tears" is listed in the Table of Contents. "Fish Tears" is a post-Apocalyptic glimpse at a world without rivers. And, if you know me well, the heavy dose of Egyptian mythology comes as no surprise. It was a joy to write. <br /><br />The anthology is due out in February 2012. I'll be sure to post more information closer to the release date.<br /><br /></div></div>****<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Here There Be Dragons</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbTpm_hQZfXihsuhsc_l7JteR6nD49HphCwvG0rjMTCx_KZVL9MSrffzr5uprTDM6a1oWSIJ1hebLbsBNFlo8yqkv0-RqMPj1MLg8GfeYEZ7iaj5naosiR9SKqJxkQT9EU9e1Q-pbxm8/s1600/HTbD.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbTpm_hQZfXihsuhsc_l7JteR6nD49HphCwvG0rjMTCx_KZVL9MSrffzr5uprTDM6a1oWSIJ1hebLbsBNFlo8yqkv0-RqMPj1MLg8GfeYEZ7iaj5naosiR9SKqJxkQT9EU9e1Q-pbxm8/s320/HTbD.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658639460010306386" border="0" /></a></span></span><a href="https://sites.google.com/a/wickedeastpress.com/wicked-east-press/"><br />Wicked East Press</a> (their submissions forum can be found <a href="http://wickedeastpress.lefora.com/">here</a>) held their first writing contest recently, and though I didn't win a prize, my story was accepted for publication in <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Here There Be Dragons</span>. My tale, "A Trade of Ice," concerns an unwilling messenger sent to make a <span style="font-style: italic;">terrible</span> trade with a great monster (hint, she has wings, scales, and fits the cover art--which was put together by the lovely <a href="http://www.rebeccabesser.com/">Rebecca Besser</a>). From the Table of Contents alone, I can tell this is going to be a great "gift" anthology for fans of dragons--in fact, I'm pretty certain I'll be giving my brother a copy.<br /><br />I'll give you an update on the release date as soon as I have more information. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">****<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Random Chicken<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">And now for a segment I like to call "Random Chicken". Because chickens, when they appear, usually are, well, random. <br /><br />This week, <a href="http://patriciapuckett.yolasite.com/upcoming-works.php">Patricia Louise Puckett</a> celebrated the birth of her first niece, Madeline Rose. Congratulations to the lucky parents, Laura and Lee! She's one of the most beautiful baby girls I've ever seen, and I might just have to use her for inspiration in one of my upcoming middle reader stories, which is only fitting since she's certain to be spoiled like a princess ;) <br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div></div></div></div>Ariyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333892387803654141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6107074935036701382.post-5251589614201390192011-09-23T23:28:00.000-07:002011-09-23T23:38:00.427-07:00It's Coming....Yes, that's right, it's on its way....<a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/"> NANOWRIMO 2011</a>!<br /><br />And I'm way more excited than I should be about NaNo season. Sure, I've got tons of deadlines I haven't yet met, a slew of unfinished stories in the works, a dog that needs a bath every once in a blue moon. But, come on, folks, we're talking epic NaNo word slayage! Alright, alright, so maybe I wrote over 50k in August. So, why is November somehow different? Because NaNo begs you to start anew and to join the masses as they bleed out from the forehead.<br /><br />Yesterday, I chose the story I plan on writing in November. I have back-ups in case this one doesn't work out. I'd be crazy not to. But, I really hope this one develops. I'll probably take the last week in October to outline this sucka.<br /><br />This will be my first time tackling the Middle Grade Reader audience, and that alone is scary, but this story has been haunting my dreams for months now. It's pleading for life.<br /><br />Here 's the banner for--what I really, really hope to be one of my first completed tales in 2012--<span style="font-style: italic;">Troll for Hire</span>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAa2_xFipftpiC0i7Fdkn45Cp7WOkEw9Djutio9o695Lt_LuFJM701skQOLQ0oUsEfp1t6qcZZGT_rOgUoJK1eDPbC6SrjiDXTMIOE4x06QQesRLFUNZ7wJS1HizyvqWvc8kgVZp04SNs/s1600/trollban1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 80px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAa2_xFipftpiC0i7Fdkn45Cp7WOkEw9Djutio9o695Lt_LuFJM701skQOLQ0oUsEfp1t6qcZZGT_rOgUoJK1eDPbC6SrjiDXTMIOE4x06QQesRLFUNZ7wJS1HizyvqWvc8kgVZp04SNs/s400/trollban1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655811401572549394" border="0" /></a>Ariyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333892387803654141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6107074935036701382.post-12422536768359878042011-09-14T19:11:00.000-07:002011-09-14T19:39:44.433-07:00Halloween Hell-o-ween Released<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dv35PJ4G1ISspX3nMqpRuGdwQD3uYe_tMm0Z8yco08QIKbT4FuD8U4V0QIjAWhoMszbdGaIEgtPImu5p-eTREEF5mftc3wSiqMnvdK8jMYwGTKT8ToC-hKHJeozRCQgBQ8oQQqLAbVE/s1600/hallofront2011.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 154px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dv35PJ4G1ISspX3nMqpRuGdwQD3uYe_tMm0Z8yco08QIKbT4FuD8U4V0QIjAWhoMszbdGaIEgtPImu5p-eTREEF5mftc3wSiqMnvdK8jMYwGTKT8ToC-hKHJeozRCQgBQ8oQQqLAbVE/s200/hallofront2011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652404372216885346" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"The Gourd"</span><br /><br /></div>So, about a year ago, I wrote and sent off a short story called "The Gourd" about a young man who fulfills his grandmother's final wish and gets to see the other, not-so-human side of Halloween. Whortleberry's Halloween antho at the time was filled, though, so the lovely Jean M. Goldstrom asked to keep it for this year's release. Well, it's finally available, if you'd wish to give it a read.<br /><br />Sure, Halloween is about a month and a half away, but with so many anthologies to choose from, let's get the reading season started with the new release by <a href="http://whortleberrypress.com/">Whortleberry Press</a>: <a href="http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/halloween-hell-o-ween/16947247">Halloween Hell-O-Ween</a>, available at <a href="http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/halloween-hell-o-ween/16947247">lulu.com</a>.<br /><br />"A Halloween tour of the Underworld, conducted by authors who know what they're writing about!"<br /><br />Hmm, maybe I should be worried about how well I know the Underworld...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*~*~*<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">In Other News</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I have a Kindle. Yes, ok, officially, it's a Christmas present, but I'm already using it--and loving it, by the way. Does this mean I'm an "all e-books" kinda girl now? Nope. I still love the smell of old books. And new ones. But being able to pick up an affordable copy of a new book, and try out new authors and publishers for only a couple bucks...so worth it. <br /><br />Have an e-book over at Amazon you'd like me to look at? Well, advertise it in the comments. I'm always looking for new reading material. <br /><br />Also, you might have noticed I haven't been as active with my short story subs as of late. That's because I've been working on a few novella projects.<br /><br />Yes. I'm still working on those.<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">*~*~*<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Flash Fiction? Yes, Please</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">On another note, <a href="http://patriciapuckett.yolasite.com/">Patricia Puckett</a>--yes, you know her by now--has a short flash fiction piece up at Columbus Creative Cooperative's Bland to Grand Flash Fiction Writing Contest. Her story is called <a href="http://http://columbuscoop.org/writing_contests/read_entry.php?id=34">"Piece Of"</a> and if you enjoy it, you should lend her your vote. And if you don't enjoy it? Well, there are several other shorties awaiting a good read. Go check it out. Or, hey, enter it yourself--I hear you win a nifty Kindle.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*~*~*<br /></div></div><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Other Recommended Reading</span><br /></div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10869776-the-monster-s-corner">The M</a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10869776-the-monster-s-corner" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Monster's Corner: Stories Through Inhuman Eyes" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1312080347m/10869776.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10869776-the-monster-s-corner">onster's Corner: Stories Through Inhuman Eyes</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4522.Christopher_Golden">Christopher Golden</a><br /><br />My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/192012226">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br /><br />I won an ARC of this anthology from the Goodreads' Giveaways, and I'm rather glad I did. The Monster's Corner was definitely a book I'd pick up in stores. This is an excellent selection of stories, though not necessarily what I was expecting when I cracked open the spine. There are a few stories I liked less than others, but, for the most part I felt all the contributing writers had something fresh to say. My favorite tales--and I do hate picking favorites because several of the stories featured characters I found entertaining--included "Torn Stitches, Shattered Glass" by Kevin J. Anderson (a must-read for fans of Frankenstein's monster), "Less of a Girl" by Chelsea Cain (short and...well, not so sweet--but that's the point, right?), "Rakshasi" by Kelley Armstrong, and "Breeding the Demons" by Nate Kenyon (how are demons made, anyhow?). Also, Simon R. Green's closing number gave me a laugh and helped round out the bunch.<br /><br />All in all? Worth the read if you're a fan of the genre.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/5770125-ariyana-spencer">View all my reviews</a>Ariyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333892387803654141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6107074935036701382.post-48185860451461404862011-09-02T18:05:00.000-07:002011-09-02T18:36:45.432-07:00Free Read: Home Again<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdA2JE9Zgk_bQFXbFePGl4zl8xngtq9DlJjy9y1HAvfzKA-VUzg9ZTTDhIFeCkNEzQYxxiwky7ZPWG24CST3Z0WTPhGnW1NscxH3ixAwXKdjrM6ygnx0uZBZz3pX3FM_Ufyk9TAg3DVo/s1600/red+skull.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdA2JE9Zgk_bQFXbFePGl4zl8xngtq9DlJjy9y1HAvfzKA-VUzg9ZTTDhIFeCkNEzQYxxiwky7ZPWG24CST3Z0WTPhGnW1NscxH3ixAwXKdjrM6ygnx0uZBZz3pX3FM_Ufyk9TAg3DVo/s320/red+skull.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647935107465196210" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Home Again</span>
<br /></span></div>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">by A.D. Spencer</span>
<br /></div>
<br />A dewy mist hung just above the ground, hugging the thin trees like over-sized skirts stopped in sway, mid-dance. Looking away from the forest and to the stop sign at my right, I realized I had been sitting a full minute at this spot, my headlights beaming out into the black, foggy woods, their white glow absorbed in the first reflective wave of moisture.
<br />
<br />Something was watching back.
<br />
<br />Was that why I had stayed at this stop for so long? Was I waiting for that 'something' to appear, waiting to see feet beneath the misty skirts? Or had I simply forgotten the way? It was left, I reminded myself, left down the hillside. That's where my home stood, a modest, square house with white walls and dark blue, useless shutters at the windows. It was quaint, with a nice lawn that tilted down toward the patchwork road, and a marked grave at one side, where my old German Sheppard lay buried for the past four years.
<br />
<br />Home was to the left, three minutes away, and I flicked on my signal at long last, though no other distant, glaring lights announced another driver. Thankfully the old county road didn't see much traffic, especially at this time of night, or I would probably have been awakened from my thoughts by the blast of a horn.
<br />
<br />I licked dried coffee off my lips, savoring how the taste mixed with my last meal, and let one hand release the steering wheel. It was tingling, numb; why was I holding onto things so tightly these days? Fingers loosened, it felt like a stranger was wiping the sleep from my eyes. I was overwhelmed, suddenly, by the need to lie in my own bed. My own, not Jared's. Never Jared's again.
<br />
<br />Not after tonight.
<br />
<br />"I'm getting old," I told the clock, which firmly announced that there was another half hour until midnight.
<br />
<br />With a groan, I released the break and rolled the steering wheel, missing the curve's deep pothole by an inch. I'd have to get used to going to bed earlier again anyhow. School started back in two days, and that meant an excuse to stay out of the house for half the day and asleep for the other half. It would be a relief, even though Cassie wouldn't be in class with me anymore.
<br />
<br />I bit my lip to stop myself from tearing up.
<br />
<br />God, I'd miss her. My best friend, along with the rest of her family, had moved out of Moonpass. How they had managed to escape this place, I'd never know. I know what some people would say, that this was the age of technology, that she was only a text message away, but that wasn't quite true in Moonpass, in "the little-big valley." This place was my home, the only one I'd ever known, and it didn't seem odd to me that it was so disconnected, that when people moved, they didn't write back to their hometown.
<br />
<br />It wasn't strange at all, to me. But I'd heard from others, those new people who came and went, that Moonpass was special. The funny thing was, those folks always had this look in their eye, like special wasn't the right word. Like maybe they were afraid of saying what they really thought.
<br />
<br />I grinned, blinking tiredly. I'd eaten late, a big meal, and that always made me sleepier. After all, I was still young, I could usually stay up and greet the dawn, unlike my parents. My lips twitched. I didn't exactly enjoy going home anymore, not since staying with Jared this summer. What I hated most was that my family would probably boast. Mom and Dad might not say it, but they'd smile in a way that let me know how wrong I was about him.
<br />
<br />And it sucked that they were right. I thought I needed a new friend after Cassie left, but Jared was no substitute. He was just too different.
<br />
<br />The fog disappeared as I slid down my driveway, taking in the bumps of the gravel path and watching my lights spread free again. I caught it from the corner of my eye and slammed on the brakes, my heart in my throat. A shaky breath later, I realized what it had been, the slight glow of red in two perfect orbs. Eyes. Eyes watching me.
<br />
<br />My body was tense, my jaw clenched so hard it hurt, but I hit the gas again, turning onto the cement square beside my dad's pick-up. The yellow indoor lights shined brightly out the thin curtains of my home, and I could hear the roar of chatter and the television through the walls. It was easy to spot Mom there, staring through the windshield at my face. She was holding a flat wooden box, her good utensils, the ones from the garage, under her arm. I opened my car door to the sound of her voice.
<br />
<br />"Honey," she greeted, a sad smile on her face, "I'm so glad you came home."
<br />
<br />"Mom. . ."
<br />
<br />She shook her head, her tight gray bun bobbing at the motion. "Don't start now. I know how hard this was for you, but you're doing the right thing."
<br />
<br />"Maybe."
<br />
<br />"I'm just happy you made it in time. All your cousins are here and waiting—they're so excited about tonight."
<br />
<br />Her arm was around me, guiding me to the trunk of my car. I slid the key into the lock with a sigh. "Jared's no good," I said, shaking my head. "Mom, he's. . ."
<br />
<br />"Honey, you're just a bit too picky," she assured. "And you've probably forgotten what a fresh one tastes like."
<br />
<br />The trunk popped. A soiled tarp lay over the cargo. I pulled it loose, careful not to sling blood onto my blouse. A carpet was tucked tightly around the broad-chest of the body within, the mangled head sticking out of one end, blue tennis shoes out the other.
<br />
<br />"You're probably right, Mom. I'm sure everyone will love him."
<br />
<br />Mom reached down into the shadows, pulling the corpse's head up into the moonlight. She smiled chidingly at its missing cheek, clicking her tongue at the sight of the facial muscles and molars beneath.
<br />
<br />She elbowed me, "That's your problem, dear. You've never cared for soft meat."
<br />
<br />I smiled, relieved. "So, we're ok now, Mom? You're not mad at me for staying with Jared?"
<br />
<br />"With this harvest, we'll be just fine," she said, dropping the head back down. It thumped against the floor of the trunk and something wet slid loose. "I'm not mad, honey, though I still don't know what your friend Cassie's family is going to do—I hear the pickings are slim in Wava County. Well, we better get this inside before Robby and Tim start eating each other."
<br />
<br />I reached down, tugging at the covered shoulder against the interior. A howl sounded in the distance, stopping me. I looked up at the hovering moon above, shining down on the black treeline, and rolled my eyes.
<br />
<br />"Say, Mom, was that Uncle Bob on the road earlier?"
<br />
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">***
<br /></div>
<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">About the Story:</span> "<a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2161031/home_again.html?image=729681&cat=44">Home Again</a>" was originally published in 2009 on <span style="font-style: italic;">Associated Content</span> as an entry to a Halloween short story contest. The illustration above is my own.
<br />
<br />I hope you enjoyed the tale. And if not, well, at least you didn't spend any money.
<br />
<br />
<br />Ariyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333892387803654141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6107074935036701382.post-66428011800935828322011-08-07T15:53:00.001-07:002011-08-09T12:07:02.623-07:00The Big Book of Bizarro Release<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhMx1m-wKzn3PffkpdwTbM6uHIznjgd3UkncwHJ5OLF6bUTvNeQbuXNvOeKXjGpve-Ia6iE89PGUG7c0aVgj7IlkWm24fZejdHRWG35okbGr8WhNKOmhuurNqtluq7yPgAxrVRjwnKkA/s1600/The+Big+Book+of+Bizarro.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhMx1m-wKzn3PffkpdwTbM6uHIznjgd3UkncwHJ5OLF6bUTvNeQbuXNvOeKXjGpve-Ia6iE89PGUG7c0aVgj7IlkWm24fZejdHRWG35okbGr8WhNKOmhuurNqtluq7yPgAxrVRjwnKkA/s200/The+Big+Book+of+Bizarro.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638251054381226242" /></a>
<br />
<br />"So, what <span style="font-style:italic;">kind</span> of stories do you write?"
<br />
<br />This is a question I get asked every time I see my relatives (which, granted, is only once or twice a year, so they have a perfectly legitimate reason for asking). I have a hard time answering because I honestly bounce all over the map when it comes to genre and intended audience. A sampling of my stranger, more adult friendly, work can be found in the newly (of the Brand Spankin' variety) released <span style="font-style:italic;">The Big Book of Bizarro</span>, published by <a href="http://burningbulbpublishing.homestead.com/index.html">Burning Bulb Publishing</a> and edited by Rich Bottles Jr. and Gary Lee Vincent. The Big Book of Bizarro is a whopping slice of crazy pie and can be purchased on <a href="http://amzn.com/0615502032">Amazon</a> . Instead of attempting to seduce you into a purchase, I'll let the official product description do the work for me:
<br />
<br /><blockquote>“Salacious - Sacrilegious - Scatalogical - Scotomizing - Strange!” The Big Book of Bizarro brings together the peculiar prose of an international cast of the most grotesquely-gonzo, genre-grinding modern writers who ever put pen to paper (or mouse to pad), including: NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD horror writers John Russo & George Kosana HUSTLER MAGAZINE erotica contributors Eva Hore & Andrée Lachapelle, and Established Bizarro genre authors D. Harlan Wilson, William Pauley III, Laird Long, Richard Godwin and so many more! From Alien abductions to Zombie sex, The Big Book of Bizarro contains OVER FIFTY STORIES of the most outrélandish transgressive fiction that you’ll ever lay your capricious and curious hands upon! WARNING: This book may be one of the most controversial and dangerous books you’ll ever read.</blockquote>
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<br />See, now you <span style="font-style:italic;">have</span> to pick up a copy. And, if you do, make sure you read my story, "She Who Cleans: A Dung Sticker's Shitty Tale."
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<br />After I dig into my copy, I'll be sure to return with a proper review of what else this hefty oddity has to offer.Ariyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333892387803654141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6107074935036701382.post-28570921588264823782011-08-01T08:04:00.000-07:002011-08-01T08:14:58.348-07:00Take a Coffee Break<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTa2KqIeFZA3LKVxwu7PMK-k-1qulxWeIfspiNe9aq4LxhRN6LekTz-I7fqDsJTAR3WqJ-qq4L3Om2EK6rNMQev3ameXkjbi-b0xCptbqX9-dYjrFvBHaQKvv5KiDGFM58529i3CFkGk/s1600/Short+Sips.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTa2KqIeFZA3LKVxwu7PMK-k-1qulxWeIfspiNe9aq4LxhRN6LekTz-I7fqDsJTAR3WqJ-qq4L3Om2EK6rNMQev3ameXkjbi-b0xCptbqX9-dYjrFvBHaQKvv5KiDGFM58529i3CFkGk/s200/Short+Sips.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635905374552703202" /></a><br /><a href="http://wickedeastpress.lefora.com/">Wicked East Press</a> is currently taking submissions for <a href="http://wickedeastpress.lefora.com/2010/02/15/for-writers-to-be-announced-7/"><span style="font-style:italic;">Short Sips: Coffee House Flash Fiction Collection 2</span></a>, but they already have 4/5 of the book filled. But if you happen to have a short tale between 500-1,500, swing by the site and see if Jessica Weiss is interested. Why submit to a 4theLove collection? Well, other than gaining exposure, you'll be sharing the TOC with several great authors. Did I mention that <a href="http://patriciapuckett.yolasite.com/upcoming-works.php">Patricia Puckett</a> and I have made contributions? ;) You can check our stories, "Bad News" by Patricia and "Sammy Four-Eyes" by yours truly, when the book is released (likely by the end of the year). Come join the fun!Ariyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333892387803654141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6107074935036701382.post-1439423339415074882011-07-22T10:04:00.000-07:002011-07-22T10:25:39.582-07:00From the Depths of the Writing CaveIt's a monstrous place where few dare to enter. Yellow ledger pads stack high against a wall of shelves. A treasure-trove of unwatched dvds sit to one side. Notebooks of gibberish lay scattered about. And, at center, the beast itself, with her machine of death. <br /><br />I refer, of course, to myself and my laptop. <br /><br />This is just a quick update to let you know how very sorry I am. Sorry for what, you may ask? Well, this is an apology in advance. <br /><br />In the upcoming month or so, I need to work on over half a dozen new short stories, four novellas, a children's book, and a collaborative novella collection. <br /><br />Then there's fanfiction. Poke fun of the fanfiction writers if you like, but Mercedes Lackey is on our team, as are several other established writers. For example, I recently discovered (thanks to <a href="http://patriciapuckett.yolasite.com/upcoming-works.php">Patricia</a> ) that writer <a href="http://www.rj-anderson.com/index.htm">R.J. Anderson</a> has been successfully published several times now. See, I remember Ms. Anderson from her Harry Potter fanfiction writing days. Hers were some of the first novel-length fanfiction I enjoyed. Suffice to say, I now plan on purchasing her books.<br /><br />Back onto subject, yes, I intend to continue writing my fanfiction amongst all the crazy of July/August/September. Why? a.) I have too many readers. I just can't stand the thought of letting them down. b.) Writing ff keeps my mind on the game. It reminds me how to write for *characters* instead of two dimensional paper people. It keeps me focused on writing for an audience, as well. c.) It's fun. Yeah, I'm going to spend half my time daydreaming, anyhow. I might as well do something constructive with those random fandom thoughts, right? <br /><br />So, in conclusion, I'm sorry. I'll probably be hiding from the world in my writing cave. Good news? I have Wi-Fi. Bad news? I probably will be an oily-haired, snarky hag by the time this write-a-thon is over and done. <br /><br />Expect to receive this warning again in November, when National Novel Writing Month steals my remaining social life away. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsyxP8PYsL_om1NCJcz31toZcf4ZmJntIF6VzD_Gc3YPu-aMzWy9fVk7zyyjBwk4BEE0f4q5dHh1t9vTnKGzC4-Lb_2VcbnT7tWGWlXxsYaxFnpem8pd1fng5FUuCAjdARtgMg2W4nfg/s1600/Urisk+lol.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 171px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsyxP8PYsL_om1NCJcz31toZcf4ZmJntIF6VzD_Gc3YPu-aMzWy9fVk7zyyjBwk4BEE0f4q5dHh1t9vTnKGzC4-Lb_2VcbnT7tWGWlXxsYaxFnpem8pd1fng5FUuCAjdARtgMg2W4nfg/s200/Urisk+lol.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632227781741975330" /></a><br /><br />Oh and this picture? (Disclaimer: it's not mine.) That's my inspiration for a minor character in one of my upcoming novella projects. See what I'm dealing with here?Ariyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333892387803654141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6107074935036701382.post-88759589384964500082011-07-16T19:20:00.001-07:002011-07-16T19:34:24.625-07:00A Midsummer Night's InfluenceI actually meant to mention this in an earlier blog, but, alas, I was distracted. <br /><br />You know <a href="http://trishverse.blogspot.com/">Patricia Puckett</a>, correct? No? Seriously? Well, as she's a best friend and all, you'll be seeing her name on this blog quite often. Other than being a fantastic friend and human being, she's also a great writer. She's also probably one of the main reasons I stayed with writing all through high school and college. So, if this all goes bottoms-up, we know who to blame, don't we? <br /><br />This isn't just a mindless promotion of a good buddy, though. <br /><a href="http://www.thepedestalmagazine.com/index.php"><br />The Pedestal Magazine</a> has a great July issue still out, free to view. Their theme involves Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. It features Patricia's <a href="http://www.thepedestalmagazine.com/gallery.php?item=18300">"The Captured Queens Go to Tea"</a> as one of its fiction pieces. <br /><br />Pedestal is a great zine with new monthly issues. And, for writers, they do indeed pay. Let's face it, it's hard for poets and literary writers to get a check, so we must applaud them. <br /><br />So, if you have a bit of free time and you enjoy your Shakespeare, stop in and read this month's issue: <a href="http://www.thepedestalmagazine.com/gallery.php?item=18300">http://www.thepedestalmagazine.com/gallery.php?item=18300</a><br /><br />Or, for more on Patricia's publications, visit her Yola site: <a href="http://patriciapuckett.yolasite.com/">http://patriciapuckett.yolasite.com/</a>Ariyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333892387803654141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6107074935036701382.post-34274697062254747682011-07-16T16:29:00.000-07:002011-07-16T16:44:45.573-07:00Novellas Own MeI must really enjoy pain. Or else I certainly wouldn't have taken on so many projects at once. <br /><br />Novellas. They are an under-appreciated breed of story, don't you think? However, with e-publishing, they seem to be a little easier to sell in e-book format. Recently, novellas have taken over my life. I'm currently working on a novella collection with a few of my fellow <a href="http://fantasticquill.blogspot.com/">Guild of the Fantastic Quill</a> members. I'm also desperately trying to complete two other novellas for upcoming contests. Then, there is, of course, the Wicked Bag challenge. <br /><br />So, last year, I signed up to take part in a writing challenge with <a href="http://wickedeastpress.lefora.com/">Wicked East Press</a> and the result of the challenge was a great anthology called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Horror-Tales-Jessica-Weiss/dp/1617061182/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310859130&sr=8-1">Wicked Bag of Horror Tales</a> edited by Jessica A. Weiss and M.S. Gardner. My short story "Muerte in a Small Town" was included in the book. Basically, the challenge was to give a writing prompt and take one in return. <br /><br />Well, the creative madness returned, and, yes, I signed up. The challenge this time around? Use a Suspense Prompt to write a novella. Despite the pile-up of novella projects, I'm actually pretty excited about this last one.<br /><br />Now, I must say, this is going to be a dream come true for my mother. She has been <span style="font-style:italic;">dying</span> for me to get more involved in the thriller/suspense/mystery genres. Here's to you, Mom.Ariyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333892387803654141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6107074935036701382.post-6167731016074006802011-04-11T19:38:00.000-07:002011-04-11T19:44:04.558-07:00Ahh, Writing, My Old FriendSo, yes, I'm behind. <br /><br />On what? Why, just about everything. And what am I currently doing? Trying to get the CW website to play last week's episode of Vampire Diaries (don't judge me). Anyhow, my point is, I actually have plans for "after" this horrid site finishes with me. <br /><br />After chatting with Trish, I've decided that one of my YA stories, the one to be written in 1st person, might not require the full on outlining that I usually do for my stories. Though it's speculative fiction, it's raw and character driven. So in order to get more into the story itself, I'm going to focus on writing scenes with my FMC. Hopefully, once I get to know her, I'll get to know the world she lives in.Ariyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333892387803654141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6107074935036701382.post-859150977173014992011-04-05T15:28:00.001-07:002011-04-05T18:18:46.440-07:00YA WoesWhen the real world becomes, in Marty McFly wisdom, too "heavy," I zone. I zone often, as you might imagine. And sometimes, zoning even gets in the way of my passion, writing. Why? Well, zoning leads to second guessing. <br /><br />Currently, I'm working on several different projects. I'm making my first full out attempt to get a novel written for publication purposes. In fact, I've quite the goal in mind (inspired by my writing buddy, Trish, of course). I want a novel agent-ready by December. Sure, not an impossible task, but... We're talking about me here. I'm the girl who rewrote a first chapter nearly a dozen times because of my "second guessing." <br /><br />So, here I am, formally announcing this little goal. And hoping that, by doing so, I'm not making a fool of myself. <br /><br />As for the projects themselves, several of them are Young Adult. Which leads me to the subject of this fair blog entry: YA woes. I have moments, really dorktastic moments, where I stop thinking about these project entirely because I'm worried my stories have too much gore, too many curse words... Then I remember my favorite young adult novels. Almost all of them have deep, resounding themes, deal with death, deal with the monsters of both the real world and the fantasy one. And I realize that having a Young Adult audience doesn't necessarily mean that I need to take a step away from my story. <br /><br />I started out as a young adult writing for myself. I was writing YA stories, whether I knew it or not. Writing YA isn't about toning down the volume. It's about cranking it up. <br /><br />So, yeah, about those "woes"? Who needs them. <br /><br />Hopefully, next time I blog, I'll be well into one of my projects, be it for an adult, child, or young adult audience. I try to keep you updated.Ariyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333892387803654141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6107074935036701382.post-56304124063864171092009-10-08T11:40:00.000-07:002009-10-08T12:12:20.126-07:00Thing I have to Keep Reminding MyselfIn response to <a href="http://trishverse.blogspot.com/2009/10/things-that-i-still-have-to-tell-myself.html">Trish's post</a>: There are some things that I have to remind myself of every once in a while. Frankly, I feel old. Even though I'm only 22. I suppose when you have at least two decades under your belt, you start to feel time passing you by. And, with age, comes the absent-mindedness.<br /><br /><ol><li>Most of my movie/tv star crushes are becoming senior citizens in a few years. It's a harsh reality. Something I'd rather not think of. But it's true. They're going to be wrinkled and yelling for their nurses when I reach my sexual prime. Oh well--I always have DVDs of their golden years. <br /></li><li>My "baby" brother is seventeen. That's one year away from eighteen. That's insanity. He's a baby. He's always going to be my baby. And I'll always protect him. I hate to think of how I'm going to react when I have kids who become adults. <br /></li><li>I'm too old to Trick or Treat on Halloween. Sure, this should have hit me about a decade ago, but I've been stretching out the reality. Unless you're trick or treating with a huge group of people your age, just goofing off, 22 is just too old. At least, according to those old folks who look at you like you're there to rob them blind when you knock on their doors. I think the rules should change. I think we should trick or treat until we're at least 60--or until hip surgery is required. I miss free candy. <br /></li><li>Healthy eating is what's best for me, not just a way to lose some weight. This is a thought that doesn't seem to cross your mind when you're a teen. And I <span style="font-style: italic;">still</span> have to tell myself that this is true. I can't have ice cream every night. Because the consequences are just around the aging corner. </li><li>The things I still love and adore (and write fanfiction for) are old news according to the youngsters. Like <span style="font-style: italic;">Buffy</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Stargate SG-1</span>. Those are "old" shows. The way kids these days talk, you'd think I was referring to an Abbott and Costello movie. I don't care what the kiddies think. I'll continue watching my DVDs as if they were the hot new thing.<br /></li><li>I've graduated with a BS in English. I can't believe that. Already? It's done? That was a lot faster than high school. . . Or, at least, it felt like it with all the rushed deadlines and lack of crushes. Speaking of which. . .<br /></li><li>I have no love interest. More than just single--I mean NO love interest. What's up with that? Aren't adults allowed crushes? I'm pretty sure, or else there wouldn't be so many people around me getting married. And as hot as I think Tom Felton is, guys I'll never meet don't count. You'd think there would be some guy at the supermarket or a clerk at the gas station or an old classmate that I'd become fond of, but no. I'm crushless. I have to remind myself of this every once in a while because I was so used to smiling and dreaming of white picket fences with my crushes in middle and high school. <br /></li><li>I'm a writer. Yeah, between cleaning the house, washing the dog, and cooking dinner, I have to remind myself that I'm still a fiction writer, as well as a freelance writer. And I couldn't be happier with those choices. I just wish life gave me more time to work, and my brain was as energetic as my chihuahau during a thunderstorm. <br /></li><li>Most of my friends are getting married. Or at least in serious relationships where (shh, don't tell the dude) but marriage is most likely going to take place within a few years. It's a a big "wow" moment when I see all the new families being made. It's so very. . .mature. Not to say marriage is always mature (Brittany/KevinF. for example), but my friends are, and that's what is so special about them coming together with the people they love. And I also have to keep reminding myself that I'm a Maid of Honor who has to keep track of her duties! <br /></li><li>That the world is a big place. I have to keep that in mind. It's easy to forget and begin believing that the world is small, that what matters is your job or how many calories you've consumed or who gave you the finger at Walmart. There's so much more out there. I'm a dot. I can't be seen from space, much less the neighboring universe. So much is going on at every second of the day. Sometimes, I really do forget that. I forget about people being blow up and kids starving and countries electing new officials. And sometimes I think there are people who will never realize how big the world is. Most of these people are VH1 reality show stars, I believe. . .<br /></li></ol>Ariyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333892387803654141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6107074935036701382.post-88801848604370905672009-10-04T08:02:00.000-07:002009-10-04T08:21:08.580-07:00The Procrastination TamerYes, as in, lion tamer. 'Cause, frankly, procrastination can be a six-hundred pound, clawed killing machine for writers.<br /><br />Readers of my fanfictions probably assume that I'm dead, but I'm not. I just wish there was a way I could tell all of them that I've been concentrating on a different spectrum of the writing world over the past few weeks: freelance. <br /><br />A few weeks ago, I got my first check for writing articles. It was downright tiny compared to the work that went into it. But, I've got to say, I was glowing on the inside. I really was. Finally, after all these years, I'd gotten paid for writing something. And, obviously, a small number of people out there were reading that something. <br /><br />It occurred to me that the check was a symbol of the future. While I expect the checks in months to come to get larger, and I expect also to not only be working for Associated Content but other sites as well at that time, I can't help but see what that tiny check means.<br /><br />I suppose it's the same for any writer who doesn't strike it lucky the first go-around. The check means that someone can get paid for their passion. I can get paid to do what I love so much. But, if I stick to this course, the monetary payment is always going to be smaller than the work that was put into it. No matter how successful I become as an author or freelance writer, I'm always going to have to put more effort in to it. Because it's what I love. And if you love something, that's what you do. <br /><br />And it'll be worth the hard times. And the lack of nifty gadgets. The possible second job that bores me to tears. <br /><br />It'll be worth it to be doing what I adore. <br /><br />Love means sacrifice. But the rewards are always far greater than what was given away. <br /><br />So, in order for me to pursue this love, I must make that sacrifice, and the lamb will have to be my other personality, the one who can procrastinate herself out of going to the bathroom for an hour. <br /><br />This procrastinator plans to be very, very busy in the months to come, as she attempts to take hold of her old faults and use them. I will continue my fanfiction. I will always be writing on my original fiction (I write on it nearly every day, I simply do not always form enough of it to post on a site or to talk about). And I will take control of my freelancing and produce the articles I need to produce to get to the next level.Ariyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333892387803654141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6107074935036701382.post-65625302605744401252009-09-22T00:36:00.000-07:002009-09-22T00:49:43.702-07:00Mouse Owns SlinkySo, yeah, I was totally owned by a mouse tonight. See, earlier today I found the little bugger's store of my dog's food in my art supplies. A.) Gross B.) Poor Yoda, having his food taken by a mouse. Anyhow, I cleaned it out, along with its droppings. Well, in search of more droppings, I cleaned out half of my room, emptying drawers and shelves, moving baskets of stuff onto my bed to get it out of the way. <br /><br />I walk into my room, forgetting that I'd left a wooden staff in the floor and stubbed my big toe, splitting the big nail. As there was blood everywhere, I had to bandage it, then tape it up to keep it sealed. So, not only has this mouse made me turn the room into a disaster area, it's also, inadvertently, caused me bodily harm. <br /><br />Well, I was working on some writing as well tonight. Good stuff. Anyhow, I didn't get to finish my room (just as Mother predicted), so I realized I was going to have to sleep on the couch (also as she predicted). I get out there and she's asleep on the couch. She has work tomorrow, so I opted to not wake her. I, instead, chose to go into the other tv room and set up camp on the futon. I pulled out a couple sheets, moved my fan into the new room, and laid down. Soon enough my dog, Yoda, was whining, so I let him get into bed with me, sitting him at my feet so he could snuggle against my legs. <br /><br />I'd just started to doze when Yoda shook his head. I assumed he had a flea in his ear or something, so I ignored him, drifting off again. It was at this point that I felt something small and furry scamper across my face. Across my lips. And towards my hair. It took me a split second to go from zero to ninety. I shot of the futon, throwing the creature God only knows where and spilling out a stream of shrieked oaths to the darkness. <br /><br />So, I'm officially done with sleeping. I'll sleep tomorrow, in the daytime, in my bed. <br /><br />Also, I plan to hunt the little bugger down tomorrow. I have named him Pettigrew. And we all know what happened to Peter, don't we, kiddies. Yeah, this war isn't over. I've got a box of poison, a bag of traps, and a jar of peanut butt that's going to work tomorrow. <br /><br />You have violated me for the last time, mouse.Ariyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333892387803654141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6107074935036701382.post-14138433650792208692009-08-10T17:41:00.000-07:002011-07-14T10:47:04.589-07:00Slowly fading away. . .It's so hot outside. Seriously. Hot. I went to the Longest Yardsale over the weekend and my scalp is now on fire. Ouch! Fun but I think I went through about a hundred soft drinks/water bottles :) And the motel we stayed at was hellish. More on that at another time.<br /><br />In other news, a quick recap of random weirdness. So I realized how much "stuff" sucks. My MP3 player was the first casualty of the summer. By now I'm used to the cars messing up so I haven't even been keeping up with my parent's vehicles' many visits to the mechanic, though the green van has spent many weeks there throughout the summer. At the dead center of the summer the family fridge broke down, then the central AC started freezing up again (as in every few hours) so it needs gassed. I find out the green station wagon that I'm supposed to start driving can't be fixed around here because I have to find a Volkswagen dealer to flash the computer before the damn thing will start--the engineering geniuses who created its anti theft system thought it would be cool to make the computer that starts the engine die if the battery is ever taken out (then hopefully the thing that was replaced on it will be working correctly). Then our washer just dies out of no where. The DVD player decides that it no longer records. Then the dryer's wheel stops spinning, and it's death is slow over a few days. And now the family microwave is making this horrible buzzing sound like it's about to explode.<br /><br />You just can't rely on "stuff" anymore...<br /><br />So, last Thursday, Dad walks out onto the front porch to go to work and hears a rattling sound. Turns around and what does he see but a shaking little tail. That's right, a rattlesnake on the front porch a few feet from the door. He had to go on to work, and we haven't found the bugger yet. The animals are safe, though, so don't worry about Dracula and Bart.<br /><br />But I'm watching, little snake...And I hear you taste like gator meat, so beware. I am the predator!<br /><br />Anyhow...<br /><br />Today, I walk into my parents' bathroom for the aloe to find about twenty huge flies against their little window. Freaked me out a bit. I felt like I was in a cheap horror film. What's weird is that my parents come in this afternoon and apparently the flies were not there this morning when they were getting ready for work. And we can't figure out exactly where they came from...<br /><br />I'm going to name the random little mouse in my room that I can't seem to find no matter how hard I look but who enjoys making a strange noise at three in the morning. I have a feeling it's a boy. I shall call him Sparky.<br /><br />Nature is taking the house back....Ariyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333892387803654141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6107074935036701382.post-89170404696303930982009-07-30T12:54:00.000-07:002009-07-30T13:01:32.813-07:00I miss the dorm<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxlSgd_SRsBgjQYhgK5LQ6EH6nF4OqCjoxnLuscWg_DtPqoLBVjzMY1pyzGlSnh1HFIsWrtVnhyphenhyphensjVSvdBPCjlGhSDdFkDZrHHZXZdvs8hNpRPQosTJ7_BNUmK0EOt_xlBVphJZAsQdE/s1600-h/warholizer+squeakslink.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxlSgd_SRsBgjQYhgK5LQ6EH6nF4OqCjoxnLuscWg_DtPqoLBVjzMY1pyzGlSnh1HFIsWrtVnhyphenhyphensjVSvdBPCjlGhSDdFkDZrHHZXZdvs8hNpRPQosTJ7_BNUmK0EOt_xlBVphJZAsQdE/s400/warholizer+squeakslink.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364344548076404242" border="0" /></a><br />You know how people have special writing spots? Places that help them get into the creative mode? The dorm was mine. It was my special writing space. <br /><br />My room here at my parents' house is chaotic. Or maybe my roommates just aren't as much fun here.<br /><br />Plus I miss living with one of my buddies. I miss my visiting neighbors. I miss naps. :(<br /><br />Home just isn't as fun.<br /><br />So I have a new goal. Find a new special spot. Somewhere in my jail cell. Speaking of jail. . . That could provide a nice environment for a creative outlet. Who wants to get arrested with me? <br /><br />I'm only half-kidding. Thankfully it's the half with bodily control.<br /><br />Over and out until the next somewhat depressing post.Ariyanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333892387803654141noreply@blogger.com0