SHATTER ME Contest

I'm sure many of you have heard of Tahereh Mafi's upcoming debut SHATTER ME due to be released November 15, 2011.

(My birthday! Yay!)

If you haven't:

"Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old-girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel."

Right?

Sounds sooo good!

Well lucky for us she has ARCs!

Woo!

And she is holding a contest with two, 2!, chances to win.

It's going to be chosen by random.org and the more we spread the news the more entries we get.

Hence the blog.

I really, really want this book!

So the ARCs she has now don't have cover art

but

Tahereh plans on doing another contest when the ARCs with cover art come in!

But seriously, we all know it's what is on the inside that counts.

Want one? Check it out. ☺

A TRUE UNDERDOG TALE

I want to tell you a story.

A story of courage, determination and triumph.

 A true underdog tale.

No, no, no. Not that Underdog. Sillys. Though, I do feel compelled to address the super saggy gut Underdog has. What's going on there??

I'm getting distracted.

On to my Underdog story.

Still no. My story will pull at the heartstrings. It can even make a grown man cry. It's triumph against all odds. Can the movie RUDY make such a claim?? (heehee)


 http://www.roflcat.com/Wink.php



This moving tale took place in my front yard just a few hours earlier.

It is about

An inflatable slide (the villain)

In case you're concerned the boy isn't actually headless. Oh, and that is my sister's foot. The slide tried to kill her and she narrowly escaped. See? Villain.

vs.

Amanda (the heroine)

See how innocent & demure looking I am? I'm even wearing an angel necklace (thank you Luna!) which could only mean I'm angelic. Plus! Sepia is my natural color, so obviously I'm a minority. The odds are already against me!

Today the children decided they were no longer going to wait for summer, 78 degrees is warm enough!

So out came the inflatable slide and goosebumps.

The day was filled with children's laughter, shrill screams and splashes.

It was a merry end to our extended weekend.

But the day was growing dark and I was growing anxious.

(Seriously. It's a type of flower and I was growing it in my- yeeaaa, that was pretty lame.)

Because, as everyone knows, an inflatable slide only keeps up its facade of being a fun toy for children during the day.

 But after the sun goes down and the witching hour begins its true identity is revealed!


Duhn duhn duuuuuh!
Cue sinister music. 

*shudders* Admit it, that is freaking terrifying!
In case any of you are insane and want one:  http://www.partyexpressoutlet.com/inflatables.htm

From 3 AM until sunrise its reign of terror will wreak havoc on the unsuspecting neighborhood.

More specifically the grass underneath it.

I had no choice. I had to put it away, tonight.

After quickly shooing the children away (they didn't need to see what would happen next) I unplugged the shape shifting slide and jumped back. This angered it greatly, it weaved back and forth in a threatening manner, hissing at me.

But I could see it also was weakened.

With a menacing whisper it gave me a warning: "If you put me in that Rubbermaid container while I'm wet I'll grow colonies of mildew and mold that you'll NEVER RID ME OF!!"

I gasped.

The children would never forgive me. I checked my watch, (Actually I don't wear a watch, I checked my phone. But saying 'I checked my watch' still is the universal way of saying 'I checked the time' so I used watch in this instance. Aaand I seem to have gone off on a tangent. My apologies. ) I still had time.

 But I had to work fast!

I grabbed a towel and went to work. The slide writhed in my grip. When I tried to dry a spot it'd fall limp, making it nearly impossible. Then it would taunt me by saying, "You missed a spot." "Mold!" "Mildew!" "Slime that'll smell like FISH!" I gritted my teeth. I wouldn't let its torments get to me.

I had to be strong.

For the children. But more importantly, for the grass.

After I was satisfied it was thoroughly dried I heard the slide snicker.

 I knew why.

The battle had barely begun and already I was exhausted from drying it. I stared down at the slide, hoping I'd intimidate it and not let on I was trying to catch my breath.

"Please," the slide said. "I know you're in no condition to fight me." It was going to prey on my weaknesses. "How's your foot?" It asked me. "It's fine." It wasn't. (My previous post tells that story.) "What about that nasty cough you had, do you think your lungs will hold up?"

 I crossed my arms. "Of course." I wasn't so sure.

 "Fine," it said, "bring it!"

So I brought it.

I started at its pool end. That is where it is weakest. I folded it over twice and began to roll it.

Tightly.

The slide rolled its eyes.

It unfolded itself. It pushed out, loosening the roll. It sucked in air making unwanted air pockets.

But I persevered.

I yanked back on it and tucked and rolled it even tighter.

I was nearing the slide portion.

I gulped.

I knelt on the roll and wiped at the sweat forming on my brow.

"You don't have what it takes," the slide said.

"Yes. I. DO!"

I started using my fists to tuck in the folds. I grabbed at the air pockets and slammed them down then shoved them into the roll.

"Stop it! I could tear. What would the children say?"

Empty threats. It had realized it had underestimated me.

The stairs and canopy were coming up.

Both of us knew it was DO or DIE.

The slide ballooned up.

I jumped onto the roll, holding it in place.

"You're not rolling me tight enough! I'll never fit in that Rubbermaid," it mocked.

"I'll make you fit!" I screamed.

With my knees on the roll I threw my upper body onto its puffed up remains.

I heard it hiss as it ballooned out on either side of me.

I punched at it.

It hit back.

The battle was epic and if any neighbors were out they would have witnessed a miraculous show of will.

(Or possibly just a show.)

We were in a brutal grappling match.

Punch. Tuck. Roll. Body Slam.

Pull. Yank. Twist.

I had burns on my cheek and arms from its rough material.

Grass and dirt was on my shirt. My hair was falling from my ponytail. The back pocket of my jeans was on my left hip. (Read pants were twisted.)

But a smile was on my face.

I sat on top of the roll as I listened to its last breath come out in a wheeze.

And with the last of my strength I heaved it into the Rubbermaid container and slammed its air pump on top of it.

Only when the lid clicked in place did I let myself cave to my exhaustion.

I waited for the cheers.

The pats on my back for beating the odds.

They didn't come.

"Mom?" I turned to see my boys and their friend behind me. "Andy (name changed to protect the "innocent".) is going to spend the night tonight, ok?" I nodded.

 "Oh, and you're going to put the slide up tomorrow, right?"

THE END

So, are all of you awed and moved??

*crickets chirp*

Fine then, go watch your RUDY!

heehee

Have any of you been bested by an inanimate object?

No?

Ok, what about when you're writing, have any of you been harassed by one of your characters whenever he/she is not in the scene? Making it difficult to concentrate because he or she is jumping up and down saying, "Me! Me! Write about me! I'm not in this, why aren't I in this scene?!"

Still no?

I guess it's just me then.

;-)

THE ALMOST TRUE ACCOUNT OF HOW I HURT MY FOOT

Round three of trying to post this. Anyone else having Blogger issues right now?

Gah!

Ok, so I need to first apologize for being absent in the Blogshpere lately. Spring has been more than chaotic and my online presence has suffered greatly. But things are beginning to slow down so I'm hoping to get around to visiting your blogs soon. ☺

 It seems like Mother nature has been unleashing some serious wrath this spring. More currently the outbreak of tornadoes that have been wreaking havoc on the citizens of the southeast. The heart wrenching stories we hear from the victims and the stories unfolding as I type will continue as the forces of nature relentlessly terrorize. This morning my husband left for a month for Alabama where he'll be aiding the victims in Tuscaloosa.
 I need a distraction. And I'm sure many of you do as well. SO, I wanted to try and make you smile today. (Well besides that little tidbit of doom.) I know that this is a great community of Bloggers and already many of you are using your blogging skills to help the tornado victims. You guys are all amazing, you proved that during Write Hope. ☺

Last Friday I had a little incident and I've been gimping about ever since. There's been a few speculations as to what happened...all lies. Lies I tell ya!

I'm here to set the record straight. ;)

Now I'm sure my husband, Bobby, will try to weave a web of lies and make you believe I wrecked a little 1978 trail bike and that's how I hurt myself. But that'd be false. In all actuality it was a

RSV4 SUPERBIKE!!!

VROOM BABY!

I'm not usually one to brag but...I'm a freaking natural! This was my FIRST time ever on a vehicle that wasn't safely grounded by four wheels with a high back seat AND seat belts, safely encasing driver and passengers with metal on all sides. And I'd be amiss to say I wasn't at first intimidated my the pure raw power of this machine. So for awhile I teetered precariously on the bike ranging in speeds of 10mph and 2 as I got a feel for the clutch, brake and gears.

But before long I was cruising up and down my street. I was pushing break neck speeds upward of 25mph!!

I was soaring.

It was as close to flying as I was going to get. Heck, it was as close to running as I was going to get.

I felt free.

Invincible.

Maybe a little cocky.

Wanting to live up to my self proclaimed title as a bad ass I started taking the turns faster. I'd put my foot down and lean into the turn as I pulled back on the throttle (As Seen on TV) making that awesome grating sound as the bottom of my shoe slid over loose gravel signifying my coolness.

Amanda Milner: HARDCORE

I was flying back down my road. My fastest yet! ( I had to be pushing 25mph) I readied myself for another bad ass turn as I passed Bobby who was trying hard to not look impressed as he sprayed weeds in the ditch.

HIGHWAY TO HELL by AC/DC played loudly all around me, a fitting theme song for my new hard core persona.

Of course if you ask Bobby, who's a liar, he'll tell you I was singing FREE FALLING by Tom Petty. 0.o

Then it happened.

~Now I think it's been well established that you can't believe a word my husband says on this matter. Obviously he is threatened by a wife who surpasses him in awesomeness. So when he tells you I got a little too cocky and took the turn a little too fast, ignore him. He may even go as far to say I hit the throttle instead of the handbrake resulting in me sliding on my side with my foot trapped under the bike which is a LIE.

I mean that just makes me seem pathetic.~

Nope, you have to hear my more accurate account of what happened.

Because it's AWESOME.

You see, as I took the turn, flawlessly, I came face to face with a tank that'd completely blocked the road in a threatening manner. Strapped to the roof of the tank was an Armed. Nuclear. Warhead.

And guarding the nuke were guerrilla-looking terrorists with machine guns.

And ninjas.

The nuke was aimed at my peaceful little town of Wenatchee and the ninjas and machine guns were aimed at me.

There was little time to react. I looked to Bobby for guidance but he was already saving the yard from ruthless weeds.

It was up to me.

I alone had to save our town.

And the world.

I hit the throttle. Machine gun fire rained down obliterating the road before me as I dodged each lethal strike with super human precision.
Right before hitting the tank I cranked the handlebars, laying the bike on its side and sliding under the tank in an explosion of sparks and curses from the terrorists.
As I came to the other side I grabbed at the undercarriage of the tank and flung myself onto the back of the tank in a move that'd put Lara Croft to shame.

The stunned terrorists never had a chance to turn their weapons back on me before I had them disarmed. Defenseless they yelled for their ninjas to attack.

The ninjas were fast.

But I was faster.

One by one they fell. Littering the tank like crumpled candy bar wrappers.

With the last one down I checked on Bobby who was mercilessly annihilating a particularly bad weed.

My relief was only temporary.

Seconds ticked on the clock of the live nuke.

I tried to disarm it but it was locked with a 20 digit code. I lifted the panel to McGyver it but it was obviously rigged with countless trick wires. One wrong clip...

The nuked counted down.

10
9
8
NO! I couldn't lose now!!
6
Wenatchee wasn't going down like this!
4
So I kicked it.
3
I kicked the sh** out of it.
1...The nuke shut down.

I grimaced through my triumphant smile as I slid off the tank and into the arms of my awestruck husband.

And THAT is the almost true account of how I hurt my foot.

No, my foot is not normally that lumpy. Yes, I really DO need a pedicure.





So please tell me, have any of you done something particularly idiotic and wished there was a better story to tell when someone asked you "how the heck did THAT happen??"

I'd love to hear it.

☺





To the WRITE HOPE volunteers, donors & bidders who rock, I salute YOU!

Are we not adorable?! I do believe i prefer myself this way. Our very own talented artist, Luna, drew this as a thank you to all of you who participated and helped us raise a fine chunk of change for the victims of Japan's tsunami.

And what was that fine chunk of change, you may ask?

Well I'll tell ya...

From the auctions...

We raised....

$10,351 !!

Woo! Hoo!!!

But wait! There's more!

That's right, we're not finished.

I mean why stop at $10,351?? Let's go higher!

The very talented Luna will make you your very own Write Hope t-shirt and book mark!

Here's the design. Lovely, right? And you get to choose the colors of the t-shirt and design!

So what are you waiting for?

This is not an auction so you're guaranteed to win!

Also,

I want to apologize for being absent on blogger and with my fellow Crusaders.

During the auctions for Write Hope I spent all my allotted Internet time Tweeting about Write Hope and then the chaos of spring came down on me full force and I am just barely coming up for air.

I am sorry Crusaders!

Now, if your a Vampire Diaries fan and haven't seen this weeks episode, turn away now.

Possible *SPOILER* coming up!

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***

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OMG! OMG! OMG!

PLEASE DON'T DIE DAMON!!!!

PLEEEEAAAAAASSSEEEE!!!

I swear to Klaus I will go APE SH** CRAZY and boycott V.D.!!

heehee,

V.D.

But I'm serious!

I don't even care that after your sweet, heartfelt moment with Elana, with those sad puppy dog eyes and your totally heart wrenching line, "I can't lose you." you went completely psychotic and forced your blood down her throat.

 Nope, don't care.

 I get it.

Desperate times.

Desperate measures.

♥I'm still Team Damon.♥

WRITE HOPE & iCLUE

DON'T MISS OUT ON ALL THE AWESOME GOING DOWN

AT

WRITE HOPE!!

The response, not only from the bidders but the many who came forward to donate has been moving to say the LEAST. I absolutely ADORE this community of writers and feel honored to be a part of it.

Marieke said it well in this post. I couldn't agree more.

So if by some crazy chance you haven't heard of Write Hope, you HAVE to check it out. You won't be disappointed you did. ☺

In other news.

BETH REVIS is holding another AWESOME contest!

And since I crave new, shiny, smells delish books like a crack addict craves, well...crack, I totally jumped aboard!

In her own words:

"Here's how it works:

• Starting on April 4th a new author will be featured on the iClue Site each week.
• The author will post their mystery on the site on Monday.
• On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we will post links to The Reading Room and two book bloggers who will be posting a special clue to help you solve the mystery.
• Once you've solved the mystery you send us the correct solution using a form on the website.
• If you enter the correct solution you get one entry into the contest.
• Solve all 6 mysteries you get 6 entries to win the iTouch.

iClue launches next week (April 4th) with my mystery, featuring some of the characters from ACROSS THE UNIVERSE. Solve the mystery, get the password, and you'll get an entry to win an iPod Touch! So make sure you check back next week for this!"

2nd Challenge & Write Hope news

~First of all~

Have you visited Write Hope?

Why the heck not??

GET OVER THERE! AWESOME THINGS ARE WAITING FOR YOU!

These items are up for bid now:

• A signed copy of XVI by Julia Karr
• A 30 minute Skype chat with Meredith Barnes
• A signed copy of The Reinvention of Edison Thomas by Jacqueline Houtman
• A 20 page critique from author Rae Carson
• A pre-order of Bad Taste in Boys and 20 page critique from Carrie Harris
• A signed copy of Losing Faith by Denise Jaden
• A signed copy of If I Stay and ARC of Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Much More To Come!

~Second of all~

It's time for the Second Crusade Challenge!!

So, in 100 words or less (you're keeeeling me Rach!) we are to write a flash fiction story starting with the words, "The goldfish bowl teetered". For even more of a challenge, write it in the genre you write.

Hmmm, so here is my Paranormal flash fiction starring a goldfish!

Lol!



The goldfish bowl teetered on the edge of the counter. Light flashed inside, casting warbled light on the walls.
"Creepy carny guy gave me a radioactive fish!" I yelled, ducking. I heard a strange whine then a loud pop,  glass shards & water sprayed the kitchen. I peeked around the corner & gasped. A hot, yet very naked, guy replaced the fish. He blinked at the water dripping from his dark hair. "What the hell?" he mouthed before noticing me. He startled and grabbed the glass fruit bowl next to him, oranges bounced at my feet.
I smiled & wondered if I should tell him the bowl just magnified & distorted.
"Hi," I said instead. "I named you Ariel, I'm guessing that'll never do."



http://media.photobucket.com/image/aquaman%20smallville/cherryvamp_photos/Motivational%2520Pictures/aquaman.jpg

Whatever! HIS name could be Skidmark and I bet no one would care!

Thank you CW's Smallville for casting hot guys

and someone named cherryvamp over at Photobucket for the pic!

WRITE HOPE

Today when I think of Japan the image that comes to mind is not of its majestic snow capped mountains, luscious vegetation, sprawling metropolis or sweeping coastline.

Not even cherry blossoms come instantly to mind.

What I see when I think of Japan are images that would put the movie 2012 to shame.

Because that is what the citizens of Japan are living in right now.

Devastation of apocalyptic proportions.

• 8.9 magnitude quake
• 5th largest quake recorded
• 2,414 confirmed dead
• 10,000 estimated death toll
• 2 people found alive in rubble
• 5 million with out power
• 76,000 buildings destroyed
• 9.8 inches the Earth was thrown off axis
• 7.8 feet Japan was shifted

As I watched the events unfold in awe struck horror a growing pain of sympathy and helplessness over came me. I was overwhelmed. This was impossible! How can they ever come back? It keeps getting worse!

The tidbits of hope the news gave was hardly enough to sustain me when in the next breath more bad news flooded in like the tide that washed a thousand bodies on shore.



Then the obviously more brilliant ladies of my critique group came up with a plan while I walked around in a stupor. They created WRITE HOPE.

"Welcome to Write Hope! We're an international group of Kidlit writers with a connection to Japan. Some of us have lived there. Some of us speak the language. Some of us love the culture. Some of us simply think Japan is exotic and mysterious.

The land of the rising sun and cherry blossoms in spring.

These last few days one thing that binds us above all is our mutual horror at the disasters striking Japan - from earthquakes to tsunamis to nuclear meltdowns.

...

We want to do our bit to help. To that end we have formed Write Hope. We're busy preparing everything now and over the next few weeks we plan to auction kidlit books, critiques, and other prizes for donation to the relief fund of our chosen charity Save the Children. "

Genius, right? Donations have already been coming in and it looks like the wonderful community of kidlit writers are wanting to do their part in helping. You guys are all so cool!

Please check out the beautiful website!
 

This is Nozomi, she is Write Hope's Mascot.