The Lucky Seven Game

I've been tagged! There's a new writer's meme going around the blogosphere. It's called The Lucky 7 Game, and it's a game of writerly tag. If you're tagged, you have to do the following:

1. Go to page 7 or 77 in your current manuscript.

2. Go to line 7.

3. Copy down the next seven lines/sentences as they are--no cheating.

4. Tag 7 other authors.

Please note the rules listed above are from the two people that tagged me--Juliana and Kendra

This is from my latest draft, Threads of Deception. It's a Steampunk YA, and the character, Amelia, is going to become an air pilot. The selection below is from page seventy-seven, during a pit stop at a stranger's house. Amelia and her sister are trying to flee bounty hunters. I picked seven lines.

“Emma Grace hasn’t been this affectionate since her mama died a year ago.”

Amelia shifted in her seat. After the royal police sent the official letter four years ago that they executed her daddy, she shut down and wouldn’t talk to anyone for over a year. Oscar was finally able to snap her out of her grief.  She pushed those memories aside, and took a gulp of her juice suddenly feeling hot.

“You don’t eat eggs.” Claire pointed her fork at Isabell.

“No,” Isabell said, pushing the white and yellow fluff to the side.

“You eat bacon, right? If you don’t, you can get up and start walking out the door.”

Who's next:

Emily King: Get Busy Writing
Diana Paz: The Ocean Under Stars
Stefanie Gaither: Stefanie Gaither YA Author
Shell Flower: Tangent Shell
1000th.monkey: 1000th.monkey: I use a mac, not a typewriter.
Tracy: Scarletssanctum
Jani: Lifedebatable


Yes, and some of them have already done this. But it's still fun. :)

It's Been Awhile

Yes, I'm still here and kicking. I've been knee deep in revisions and finally sent my ms out for one final look. At this point, I'm not sure what to expect as I hope those reading it enjoy the story.

In other news, my life has been busy for the past seven weeks. I’m training a guy to get ready for his pro day at University of Miami. When I first saw him run, I cringed. But now he’s doing much better and should do very well in a couple of weeks.

Oh, and my eight-year-old spilled chocolate milk on my laptop. Eek!!! Yes, that wasn’t a fun day at all. But I saved the important things somewhere else as Geek Squad is going to try and save it. I'm glad we have a desktop at home.

Rule of thumb: Keep your children away from your computer. J

Drivers License Profile Syndrome (DLPS)

Do you remember the joy you felt when you finally got your driver’s license? You had a grin from ear to ear. You couldn’t wait to pack your friends in the car and go. It didn’t matter where but you were going, minus the younger siblings.

What does this have to do with writing? This might be a stretch so bear with me. When you get your license, it is a profile of who are: age, height, hair colour, address, etc.

That is good for a license; however, it might not be great for writing. You know the deal.

He entered the room and he was 5’9 and wore glasses without lens. His black hair sparkled in the sunlight and wore a t-shirt with black shorts, blue socks, and sandals.

I’m not saying this is a bad thing. What I am saying is be careful you don’t give your characters the Drivers License Profile Syndrome (DLPS) all the time.

I’ve done it many times in my own writing because it’s easy. But here are a few examples that I hope will help.

• Instead of writing: He wore a black t-shirt. How about: Tunnel lifted up the tail of his black shirt and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

• Instead of writing: She had on some black leather cuffs. How about: Amelia adjusted the black leather cuffs around her wrists.

• Instead of writing: He had on a black leather jacket. How about: The door opened and Hugh stepped out. Foam from his goblet spilled onto his black leather jacket as he trekked down the stairs. “Nightshade, you’re looking lovely. You’re making the goggles around my neck steam up.” / “Watch it or I’ll yank out one of those blond dreadlocks.”

These are a few examples from my current manuscript. As you edit your wip, I hope you can find ways to change things so you won’t suffer from DLPS.

Keep writing. 

Let's Talk Canadian, eh!

Happy New Year!!! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday with their family and friends.

I’ve decided to do Let’s Talk Canadian, eh! Because I’m disappointed about how little some Americans know about Canada. That needs to change, and I need blog ideas. ;) 

My first Canadian item:

By the way, these below are not Smarties. They are an imitation. It hurts my eyes to even have to look at them. Just joking, sorta. :)

Back to the original. 

They are popular in Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Germany, and Greece. They’ve been manufactured since 1937. (Thank you Wikipedia)

There is even a cool jingle. If E.R King reads this, I’m sure she is humming the tune.

When you eat your Smarties do you eat the red ones last? Do you suck them very slowly, or crunch them very fast? Eat those candy-coated chocolates, but tell me when I ask, when you eat your Smarties, do you eat the red ones last?

Today “Show YOUR colours!” is splashed on the box.

I hope you enjoyed, and I know this had nothing to do with writing. But sometimes that's okay.



You know you want one.

Isabell and Amelia Kincaid

My friend Lydia designed a picture of my main characters Isabell and Amelia.

When I saw the picture, I was amazed.  She gave this to me as an early Christmas present a few weeks ago. I’m not sure why I didn’t post it sooner. HELLO! But now I’m sharing a bit of my story with you. The characters I love and I hope one day others will love, too.

I think it’s interesting how people see characters when they read a ms or novel.  I do like her version of the girls, though. 

By the way, Amelia is the one with the sword.

Keep writing.