The Flight of Fantasy - A New Blog Award

A huge thank you to the lovely and talented Sophie Tallis for nominating me for the Flight of Fantasy Award. You can check out her book, White Mountain (Darkling Chronicles), out from Safkhet Publishing.

Onto the Award!

The Rules of the Award are as follows:

1. Display the award logo on your blog.
2. Link back to the person who nominated you.
3. State 11 things about yourself (it’s a Spinal Tap thing!), including why you love fantasy and your first or favourite fantasy book.
4. Nominate 7 bloggers for this award and link to them. (If you want to link back to me as well, that would be lovely but isn’t required!)
5. Notify those bloggers of the nomination and the award’s requirements.

I've already done steps 1 & 2, so now I'm on step 3. Let's see if I can think of 11 interesting things about me.

• I love fantasy because it allows me to bend reality. I'm not forced to follow real-world rules, which means anything can happen. The only limitations are my (or the author's) imagination.

• Favorite fantasy book is hard. Who can really pick only one? If forced to grab one off the bookshelf while my house was on fire, I think it would be THE PRINCESS BRIDE by William Goldman. It's one of those favorites that has stood the test of time. Or at least the test of time for the length of my own life, which is close enough. ;-)

Those were the easy ones. Now to think of 9 random interesting things:

• I have two children, a 6-year old boy and a 4-year old girl. They are as different from each other as it's possible to be. My son is neat, studious and mostly quiet. My daughter, well, think opposite of that.

• I've been married 7 1/2 years. Most of that time was spent in western Massachusetts.

• This is the fifth interesting fact about me and my favorite number is 5.

• My favorite color is blue.

• I play clarinet 'professionally.' By professionally I mean, I get paid to squeak my way through concerts.

• Favorite snack: cheese & crackers with jam. You should all try it and thank me later. And don't get the cheap stuff. It's best with Irish cheese and homemade jams or preserves, not jellies. This is why I don't get to eat it often. :-)

• Ever see the movie 'Dumb & Dumber'? That was totally based on my family. We would take road trips out to Aspen, CO from our home in RI every year. Part of the reason was because my mom was a rabid John Denver fan. Unfortunately the film-makers missed some golden opportunities, like getting stuck in Kansas during torrential downpour and accidentally driving into a train tunnel because it totally looked like an off-ramp.

• Speaking of John Denver, my mom smacked him in the head with her camera once. Good thing he was a nice guy.

• I have a B.A. in theater. See how far that one got me.

And that's 11 random and odd facts about me. It's everyone else's turn now. My nominations are as follows (make sure you check them out):

1. Veronica Bartles
2. Thomas Knight
3. Kay Kauffman
4. Sophie Tallis
5. Hart Johnson (Not specifically a fantasy writer, but she does a lot of world building. Check her out.)
6. John Lucas Hargis
7. William Macmillan Jones 

Take a look at these lovely writers and their blogs. You never know when you'll find a new favorite author.

*Nerd Cat Diaries will return tomorrow, for anyone looking for this week's installment.*

Nerd Cat Diaries: Game of Cats 2

Day 2-

My sense of 'Brotherly Devotion' is dwindling with all the stupidity floating around here. What is with all the 'Winter is Coming?' Dudes, I hate to break it to you, but it's already here. Want to know how I know? Two words: Static Electricity. Oh, and all the snow everywhere.

Seriously, I've been crackling for the past two days. I shock myself every time I walk. Too bad it's not good for much more than finding me in the dark and the odd surprise shock. I mean, how great would it be if we could use excessive static electricity against the Wildlings? Think about it. 

"Hey King of the North, can we talk? Let's shake paws to show no hard feelings." Zaaaap. No more wildlings.

Unfortunately, it's not going to work. I do have a warning for Jon Snow, if that's even his real name: you say one more time how winter is coming and I will use my powers on you. While you're sleeping. Zap.

***Sorry for lack of pictures. Camera wasn't working this week. And yes, Toothless is a zapping ball of fur right now.***

Nerd Cat Diaries: Game of Cats

Day 1

I, Toothless of the House McKeon, have taken the black. My life is now devoted to defending the realm against the threat from the north. My dear friend, Hiccup, was unable to join me as he had matters to attend to over the Iron Seas. Rumors circulate of a young man who thought he was part dragon. Things did not end well with him. I can only hope it was not Hiccup getting overconfident. 

Most of my days are spent on the Wall. From here, I can see everything. It gives me a sense of power in a place where I have none.

I am being called for dinner, my current watch is ending. Until the next time when I hope to have something more worthy of writing down.

New Beginnings, New Year

Welcome to 2013! I know, we've been here for a week, but all my regular readers should know me by now. And if you don't know me, than you soon will. AND YOU WILL LOVE ME!

Now we have that out of the way, time to discuss this year and changes happening. Not all the changes because that would make things boring. Surprises are good every once in a while. But, some things have already changed and others will be soon, so quick heads up on what's going on.

First, some of you may have noticed that WHAT THE WHOLE TOWN KNEW is missing. Well, mostly missing. There is a reason for this. Currently I'm working on edits and revisions to get it all cleaned up. Next Monday, it will be entered into this year's ABNA. I'm curious to see how it will be received there. Should it get booted early, I'll go back to the drawing board and edit some more before querying with it. Again, I'll keep everyone updated on what's happening.

Second, ABNA!!! Next week!!!! Completely not ready this year, but I will be. If anyone has any last minute suggestions, thoughts or ideas from when they read WHAT THE WHOLE TOWN KNEW, feel free to email or leave a comment. Otherwise, forever hold your peace.

Third, new feature will be coming to the blog. Starting next week there will be Nerd Cat Diaries, with accompanying pictures, once a week. Be warned. And, if you have any suggestions for it, again, leave me a comment.

Fourth, I'm going to be marketing my children's book like crazy, so I may not be here often. Where I do hope to be is in libraries, schools and bookstores. All of you can help me with this goal. Go to your bookstores and ask them to stock it. Ask your library if they have it in their catalog. Tell your kids' teachers about it. I'd also love to do readings and signings. While I'm based in New England, if there's enough interest elsewhere, I can be persuaded to come visit. Have your local libraries, schools and bookstores email me to set up something.

I think that's it for now. A very Happy New Year to you all. May this be one to write (good things) about.