Wednesday's Writing Update: Catching Up

 

Happy Wednesday!

I'm slowly trying to catch up on things. Between the four-day weekend and the Flash Fiction Blogfest, I've fallen way behind in just about everything. So I hope you'll forgive me for being slower to comment and answer emails.

I also have jury duty in June, so I'm trying to get as many posts done with my summer blog schedule as possible for the month. Who knows? I might get on a murder trial and won't be able to be online for a while. I hope not in many ways, but you just never know.

My summer blog schedule is as follows:

Mondays

1st Monday - Book Chat

2nd Monday - Fantasy Chat

3rd Monday - Ask the Editor

4th Monday - Purrsonal Story

Wednesdays

Wednesday's Writing Update

Fridays

#fridayflash

Depending on how much I get done this summer, then that new blog schedule might last longer than August.

I've also decided to put A to Z Flashes of Foxwick on sale...as in free! But it can take a while for Amazon to change it from $0.99 to free. I could use your help. If you click here, it'll take you to Amazon's page for A to Z Flashes of Foxwick. Scroll down until you see "Product Details" and click on "tell us about a lower price." Then, enter in 0.00 for the price amount and this website: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/152339. Also, if you click that link, you can get it free on Smashwords too. The more people who tell Amazon about the lower price, then the more likely they'll change it before Women of Foxwick comes out. I hope to release that short story collection on June 19th, if all goes well. We'll call it a tentative release date.

So what are you up to this Wednesday?

Favorite Summer Reads Blogfest: Favorites Reads This Summer

Surrounded by Books Reviews is hosting a Favorite Summer Reads Blogfest. Yesterday, I talked about my favorite read this year (to date). Today I'm going to mention a few of my favorite reads this summer.

Jennifer Hillier's Creep is fantastic! This thriller had me reading late at night, dreaming about it when I slept, and made me finish reading it the next day. And the ending . . . oh, I can't wait for the next book by Jennifer Hillier!

I don't read much sci-fi romance, but I have read Aubrie Dionne's Paradise 21 from first draft to finished product. I have been Aubrie's friend and critique partner during her early writing days, the highs, the lows, her agent quest to publication. Aubrie makes me want to read more sci-fi romance. It's wonderful!

I recently read King's Envoy by Cas Peace. I acquired this fantasy novel as an ARC from the publisher (Rhemalda Publishing). I thought the cover and description seemed intriguing. Then, I began reading. This book makes me want to write fan fiction about it. Seriously. I was wrapped up in the characters and world and I didn't want it to end. Now I must wait until 2012 to read book two, but wow! Great fantasy novel.



So, what books have you read this summer and enjoyed? And there is still time to sign up for the Favorite Summer Reads Blogfest. You'll have a chance to win some great books.

#fridayflash "Hot Sand and Fireworks"

Hot Sand and Fireworks

Sand clung to Georgia's toes. The summer heat still soaked into those top particles, and she shifted from foot to foot. Salty spray inched closer. She darted forward, chasing the waves. They roared back, playing tag. She giggled when the water caught her. It pulled the sand from her feet.

Boom!

She froze and stared upward. Her mouth opened and eyes stared wide toward the sparkling green and red lights. They rose higher and higher. Then they fizzled as they shimmered outward, like streamers on her bike's handlebars.

Boom!

The sound rushed through her body, causing her to unfreeze. She yelped and dashed away from the ocean's edge.

"Mommy!" She grasped her mommy's legs, wrapping her arms around them as tight as they could go. Her body trembled and she squeezed her eyes shut.

Boom!

Fingers danced through her hair, tapped along her head. Mommy placed her hand underneath Georgia's chin and lifted it away from her thigh.

"Georgia, dear, it's just fireworks. They won't harm you." She leaned over and tugged on her. The child held on, but relented and climbed into her mommy's arms. "Shh, there now. Don't cry. The fireworks are pretty. See."

Boom! Boom!

She didn't realize she had been crying until her mommy told her. After she brushed the dampness onto her mommy's shoulder, she peeked toward the sky. Gold and blue rained down in the sky, disappearing before it touched them. She shuddered.

Her mommy swayed back and forth. A soft hum vibrated against her temple.

Boom!

She stiffened. The humming grew louder. She unclenched her hands and relaxed against her mommy.

Boom!

She opened her eyes a little bit, spotting the streaming light. Red and blue intermingled, reminding her of flowers. She smiled slightly.

Boom!

This firework spun in circles. She giggled at its silliness. 

"They're pretty things, aren't they?"

Georgia nodded.

Boom!

"I like them."

Her mommy embraced her as they watched the sparkling lights booming into the sky.