Friday Mash Up - Feeding Your Muse

Welcome - Milo Fowler, Gabi & Katie Anderson. Stop by & check these folks out.

NaNo Counts - Brenda Drake 18355 Clarissa Draper 18000 Lisa Potts 11502 Yea!!!!

In Other Blogs:
Roni Loren posted on lessons learned from NaNo. Erica gave us 5 methods for dealing with unruly characters. In a funny bit, Jayne showed us how to pack some light reading for vacay. Shellie talked about 'The Hook' & its many dresses. Sending out prayers to Karen G's family. Nicole MacDonald had a post concerning professional editing. Kay Theodoratus talked about the death of a favorite character. Jamie Council is celebrating new jeans - check out the pics. Alexandra has been searching for plot issue resolution. Jennifer Lane looked at goal setting & how it has benefitted her writing life. Jennifer Shirk discussed Twitter observations. Pat Stoltey provided a list of contests & giveaways. Allan also posted about some giveaways. The Blood Red Pencil introduced a new blogger this week - Elspeth Antonelli. Jody Hedlund talked about the self-doubt ogre. Maggie Stiefvater let us in on the lengths we go to for our WIPs with some tea that is definitely not in my cupboard.

Reviews & Hostings:
Pamela Turner had a guest post from LK Below on world building. Iggi & Gabi reviewed 5 verse novels; all of which sound amazing. Jenn posted a review of 'Invention of Hugo Cabret' by Brian Selznick. Joanna St. James hosted Jessica Barksdale Inclan. Laura Kaye introduced Lea Nolan. Michelle Teacress placed a teaser for 'The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place' by Maryrose Wood. Nancy Williams hosted her first author on her first blog tour - all those firsts; check out Mary Montague Sikes. Madeleine had an interview with Annie Ashworth & Meg Sanders. Angela Ackerman hosted 'Across the Universe' by Beth Revis. Lydia Sharp had guest host Juliette Wade. Jan O'Hara posted a second shot interview with Lisa Brackmann.

Celebratories:
Milo Fowler received great news on rewrites & reprints.

Agent Bloggy Things:
Scott Eagan posted on building writing depth & why a duck is a duck & not a wading dinghy. Jessica Faust turned the blog over to one of her clients, Angie Fox, who discussed taking charge. Janet Reid is preparing for Crime Bake; if your attending & pitching her, best to read the posts first & don't forget to bring a tree. Nathan Bransford, if ya haven't heard, has decided to leave the agentsphere - sad indeed. You can see pics of Kristin Nelson in Florida - an agent, a mission, & an IRS report. Rachelle Gardner had guest blogger Gwen Stewart & rejection from the agent's desk.

On my NaNo front, I am crawling up the 26k mark. I have devised a get back on track plan. And, I took plenty of vitamins to get me through - just like the Beatles!

One last thought for the week: If your child insists on wearing the concrete shoes of stupid choices, are you required to throw them the rope? Or, is this more of an arbitrary thing? Any advice is appreciated as the weekend hangs in the balance.

Happy Writing,

Patti

Friday Mash Up - She Cried Mo, Mo, Mo

Welcome to Lisa Potts and Christine both of whom joined us the week.

NaNo Counts - Brenda Drake = 8359     Clarissa Draper = 4792
Big Bumps to both ladies!!! Add your count in the comments for some Bump Support.

This week we got to see a bunch of folks' work spaces in the 'Show Your Space Blogfest': Roni Loren and Katie Anderson. Check out their writing spaces.

In other blogs: Shellie posted an article about cell phone etiquette; between teens & technology, I found kernels of truth from my perspective. Christine Bell has an interview with Tia Nevitt. Karen G posted a great article on the blogging no-no's. Deanna Knippling posted a great article on writing speed. And on the same beat, Iggi & Gabi posted an article on binge writing - writer's little helpers. Julie Musil's article on strong foundations is a definite must. Check out Nancy Williams' Hump Day Improvs every Wednesday. The Blood Red Pencil gives some advice on Word. Candyland described her juggling method - better known as - ball adjustment. Jody Hedlund gave us scene writing tips - great advice.

Celebratories:
In medias res celebrated its 1st Blogiversary.  Donna Hosie has big doings & great news to share on the path to pub front. Simon Kewin has big doings also; stop by & check 'em out - 4 for 1 day. Lydia Sharp will be published in her 3rd Anthology.

Reviews & Hostings:
Jennifer Lane has a book giveaway - her romantic suspense novel - 'With Good Behavior'. Joanna St. James has an interview with Talli Roland & her new book - 'The Hating Game' - sound deelish. Laura Kaye has a book review up - 'Crave' by JR Ward. Pat Stoltey hosted Stephen Tremp & his novel 'Breakthrough'. Writer Unboxed has an interview with Lisa Brackman author of 'Rock, Paper, Tiger.'

Agent Blog Stuffs:
Mandy Hubbard, MG/YA agent & author, lists some of the items she would like to find in her query pile. Scott Eagan babbles about his pet peeves. Jessica Faust of Book Ends provides insight through her recent blown away reads. Janet Reid offered a link regarding the Zero Draft & NaNo. Nathan Bransford is out of the office this week, but does have a poll up regarding genre. One of Kristin Nelson's clients will be in Broomfield, CO this weekend - click on over to view the venues. And, Rachelle Gardner provided some Twitter talk & the invaluability of tools - I need to re-read this bad boy.

And then the week ended. I got to sleep in this morning - Parent/Teacher Conferences. We did ours last night. As we drove across town - a whole five minutes - I said to my teens, "If anyone has anything to declare before we arrive, please do so now. I am in no mood for any surprises." Let me just say, the innumerable excuses of this, that & many others appeared to be in vain. To which, hubs & I breathed much relief.

Last but not - crossed the 12000 word barrier yesterday thanks to hubs. He provided the grease to turn the engine over & I thank him.

Have a magsplendif weekend and Happy Writing,

Patti

Friday Mash Up - NaNo, NaNo & the rest

Announcements - Special thanks to Cheryl Schenk for dropping by yesterday. An extra-special thanks to Kay Theodoratus for a mention on her blog. And another extra special thanks to Angela Ackerman for the retweety!

Very Special Welcome - Francine, KK Brees, Summer Ross, Jules, Lynda Young, Angela Ackerman, Jamie Council, Erica

Congratulations - Clarissa Draper on her sale!!! Al's first book is now available from Amazon - 'Veiled in Shadows'.

NaNo Blogs
Brenda Drake was kind enough to show her project notebook & provide an overview on her blog this week. Karen G has a lovely little friend to inspire during the month of November. Hannah Moskowitz has a great article on her approach for her 3rd NaNo year. Katie Anderson discusses the plan/pants leading up to NaNo. Lisa M Potts lists 36 different plot types. Jennifer Becton inspires with a Fear Free NaNo blog. Dani Greer, founding member of The Blood-Red Pencil, covers her NaNo experience as well as the plotting debate leading into November. Nathan Bransford has held NaNo Boot Camp all week - a must read.

The Other Stuffs - Jamie Council had a post this week regarding a Marie Claire article about 'Mike & Molly' - check it out. The Bear Monk covered Glee & Rocky Horror - who'd of thought the 2 would go in the same sentence. Julie Musil has a book review of 'The Preacher's Bride' & a great post on self-censorship. Pat Stoltey had a book review, guest blogger person & some great marketing advice this week. Madeleine has information re: the Campaign for Real Books - conservation at its finest. Lydia Sharp has a guest post over at Writer Unboxed - 'The Butcher, The Baker, The Candlestick Maker'.

And that, pretty much covers this week.

As Monday begins my foray into the unknown land of NaNo, I will probably be crying much come Fridays. I will try to keep it to a mini-hankie. But only time will tell. Have an amazing weekend, a Happilarious Halloween & much more.

Happy Writing,

Patti

Friday Mash Up - A Halloween Blog Party

First things first: A warm welcome to The Golden Eagle who joined us in the Bump House this week.
Second: A special thanks for all of the great comments this week. You guys keep me on track, provide lots of cranial exploration & of course make me laugh. I appreciate everyone.

So, on to the good stuff. Nancy Williams is having a Halloween Blog Party this weekend. You need a costume, a trick & a treat. Here are mine: The Love Bug (not the car), No crying during NaNo, Pumpkin coffee & cinnamon rolls. Check it out here - N.R. Williams, Fantasy Author.

Next week, NaNo will be on the agenda as I prepare to take the cold water bath & pray for inspiration. I may have to build a shrine, cry in advance or assume the fetal posit. Possibly all three - we'll see.

Have an awesome weekend.

Happy Writing,

Patti

Friday Mash Up - Contestus Rightus

Announcements - I would like to welcome Brenda Drake to the Bump House. And, I would like to thank everyone for their wonderful comments this week. You guys make my writing life go round.

Jennifer Becton had a great article on writing without FEAR. Terri Tiffany posted an article about Winning Through Writing. And, if the issue has eluded, Writing Contests zagamine by Writer's Digest is on the B&N shelves. Also, Writer's Digest's latest issue details 27 agents looking for new writers.

On my contesting front, now the second thoughts are rearing ugly hair-do's. Will I? Won't I? Where did I screw the purple pony? Why, why did I submit that piece? *boo-boo face*

Oh well, it could be worse; right? Although, at this interchange, I am loathe to decide what worse is. Breathing, breathing - will. cry. later. Whilst I consider NaNoWriMo.

Have an awesome & productive weekend.

Happy Writing,

Patti

Friday Mash-Up & A Bit More

This week dealt with contests - the why, where & when. I will be putting together lists in the coming months of different contests. If anyone knows of any that are not listed, please post them in the comments & we'll get them out there.

Announcements - I would like to welcome Alexandra Crocodile & Erin MacPherson to our little Bump House.
Check them out.

No awards this week, but we'll keep plugging. So, on to the rest.

First, a bit that has defined this last week...

Here I sit, heating pad at my back,

Laptop at the front

And, poor hubby has taken the brunt.

Second, an anecdotal compilation of this week's posts.

This morning, my 17yo daughter invaded my bathroom. Mostly because the mirror's bigger, but also to complain about her love handles. The sad part of this is that she weighs all of 120lbs. & is a stick. I digress, I proceeded to share the tank trick with her. You know the one, a size larger tank underneath a tee & you flatten out the rolls.

"But, my only tight tank top is dirty," she said.

"Here, you can wear one of mine." I went to my closet, found the perfect compliment & then tightened the straps. Perfectly reasonable.

She put it on, put the t-shirt over it & then looked into the mirror. Now, did my little princess say, "Hey, thanks mom." No, no she didn't.

She slushed that shirt over her abdomen & said, "Oh my God, this is so sad. I must be getting fat if I can wear one of your shirts."

"Um, what???" I said dropping the blow dryer to the counter.

"Well, I've never been able to wear one of your shirts before. It's," she looked at my reflection in the mirror. "It's just weird."

Refusing to take this bit any further, I calmly traced to the kitchen & poured myself more coffee. Ha!

However, there is an allegory here. I have been putting my contest submission piece out there for feedback. And, there have been mixed reviews. But, that doesn't stop me from continuing to trim the *fat* & rolling out the love handles. I am determined to employ the tank trick - layering with the important bits. And, I will be heading back to the exercise dvd's - stat.

How does the mix of feedback you receive play a role in your writing life & your pursuit of writing contests?

Happy Writing,

Patti

Friday Mash Up - Something Different

Here we are on yet another Friday. First things first, I would like to welcome our newest Bumper - Mel.

Second, to the awardin'. As promised, I am handing over the reins.

Laura Kaye

Nicole MacDonald

Michelle Gregory

Roxy

Al

Ann Best

Jenn

Mel

Kay Theodoratus

Pat Stoltey

Clarissa Draper

Julie Musil

Nancy Williams

Nancy passed this one to me & I wanted to return the flavor. Because, I love reading her blog.

In keeping with the Refer-a-Friend program, I am assigning it to yet another Bumper.





This week it goes to: Pat Stoltey

I am still determining a Friday format that I like & am comfortable with. Please forgive me whilst I trip over myself in the process.

Check out the following great blogs from this last week whose info had too much to work quixotic whimsy. All of these blogs represent a cross-section of interesting, plaguing &  informative words for aspiring authors everywhere.

Jessica - Twitter Lessons

Jenny - Manuscript Hospital

Jennifer Shirk - Owning Your Talent

Jennifer Becton - Writer PSA

Madeleine - Why Blog

Lisa Potts - Banned Book Brigade

Erica - Masterpiece Theatre of Writing Advice

Joanna St. James - Awesome Interview

Iggi & Gabi - DIY MFA

Gabriela Lessa - The Chick-y Lit-y Dissection

Clarissa Draper - Thesaurus Holy Grail

Sneak Peak for Next Week - Contesting - Yea's, Nay's, & Weighs

To all of you, I give tremendous thanks & appreciation. Have an awesome weekend!!

Happy Writing,

Patti