Something I like

As strong as the desire is to fit in and be accepted, we usually try to give our children enough self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-worth that they are not owned by the latest fad, and yet have some sense of fashion and style.

The latest fad I'm hearing is, "It is what it is!" It is already annoying me and I can't believe the number of people who say it. First off, I think it sounds stupid. Might as well say something jibberish. I have a strong desire to reply, "And just what is it, exactly?" (So far, I haven't given in and asked.)

The point I'm leading up to here is that sometimes a writer will get in a rut with a cliche and over do it. Being cute or clever isn't the same as good writing and the reader will tire of it.

I'm probably one of the toughest audiences for writers, because I don't like to read fiction. I love reading mss because I accept that they aren't the finished product. But once a book is published, especially by a big publisher, I expect the story to represent fine writing. So when I can't put down a book and read it in one weekend, that is meaningful.

Ray Derby writes government conspiracy books that fling me into their world and hold me there until the end. If you're serious about reading a good book or two, grab Ray's books while they are still in print. www.rayderby.com

Something I like

As strong as the desire is to fit in and be accepted, we usually try to give our children enough self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-worth that they are not owned by the latest fad, and yet have some sense of fashion and style.

The latest fad I'm hearing is, "It is what it is!" It is already annoying me and I can't believe the number of people who say it. First off, I think it sounds stupid. Might as well say something jibberish. I have a strong desire to reply, "And just what is it, exactly?" (So far, I haven't given in and asked.)

The point I'm leading up to here is that sometimes a writer will get in a rut with a cliche and over do it. Being cute or clever isn't the same as good writing and the reader will tire of it.

I'm probably one of the toughest audiences for writers, because I don't like to read fiction. I love reading mss because I accept that they aren't the finished product. But once a book is published, especially by a big publisher, I expect the story to represent fine writing. So when I can't put down a book and read it in one weekend, that is meaningful.

Ray Derby writes government conspiracy books that fling me into their world and hold me there until the end. If you're serious about reading a good book or two, grab Ray's books while they are still in print. http://www.rayderby.com/

Party to the Max: Five winners today!

Today launches the THIRD week of the awesome-est BLOG PARTY for readers and writers! I am so thrilled all my friends are meeting each other and having such a good time. Today we are giving a way SIX BOOKS from FOUR authors!

Peggy (USA) won Carolyn's book last Friday! Congratulations! (email me, please)

Several of my good friend are not able to party with us, but they are here in spirit and they are donating autographed books for me to give away. I have the best friends in the whole world!

Ray Derby has been a long time friend. If you want to be dazzled by a bio, go look here: http://rayderby.com/bio.html I am, without a doubt, Ray's biggest fan. He writes books about government conspiracies with the voice of authority. Any of his books could easily be made into a movie that would rival Three Days of the Condor, Spy Games, or any other conspiracy movie you can name. His titles are Shadow Government, Bradley's Ghost, and Clouds of Deception. Look here for details: http://rayderby.com/index.html Each of these books are incredible stories and his voice is distinctively that of a master storyteller. Ray will give one of his books today.

Next on today's line up is Frederiko "Fred Baby" Aguilar. Fred is 100% character. He and my hubby lit up Las Vegas one weekend. (I don't want to know the details!) Fred comes from my home town (Southern California area) and even wrote a murder on Seal Beach, the same beach in my trilogy. The Desert Has No King is a true mafia-style story of the young desert city of sin and gambling - Las Vegas, Nevada. It is a God Father story of the west and how much of the story is fiction, I can't say for sure. Learn more here: http://www.thedeserthasnoking.com/index.html

Turning to the lighter side of life is Kip Cosson. Kip is a New York City designer of children's clothes. He took his characters from the front of his clothes into a book a couple of years ago. I was the first person to order his book! Yep, I have the first autographed copy of Ned Visits New York. Ned Penguin hops on an ice burg to go to NYC to visit his pen pal, Meece Mouse. The two mates visit all the best spots in New York City. This is a toddler age book, the pictures drawn by Kip are vivid and fun. Coming this fall will be Kip's second book, Ned & Meece The Wheels of New York. Each page of the story will be written in 6 languages. You bet, I'm going to be first in line to get this book too. Kip sends his regrets and said something about a honeymoon, so I let him off this hook for the blog party. http://kipkids.com/AboutKipPage.htm

And the lady of the day is Rita Y. Toews from Canada. Rita writes award winning novels for adults, but she and I are on a campaign about Bullying. Bullying is a life long cycle. Both the bully and his/her target commence down a road that leads no where good: Broken relationships, poor social skills, failed employment, inadequate parenting skills...the solution is to break the cycle. The Bully: A Discussion and Activity Story is for grade school children. The perfect companion to The Bully is Bullying: A Parent's Primer. (These two books will be given away together.) And for teens, Why Me? (an eBook). Please learn more about these books here: http://www.thebullybook.com/ Bookmark this page. If you ever know of a person who is being bullied, come here and buy the book for them. That will be your contribution to their life and a better tomorrow.

Party Game: On your FIRST comment of the day, include which book you would like to win. There will be 5 winners today. Here are your choices:
1) one of Ray Derby's books, Shadow Government, or Bradley's Ghost, or Clouds of Deception. Pick one.
2) Fred Baby's The Desert Has No King
3) Kip Cosson's Ned Visits New York
4) Rita Toews Bully (for children) and Bullying (for parents) - both books come as one gift, for you or someone you know. Why Me? I'd like to go to a teen or be for a teen you know.

You have lots of choices, do your homework and post your choice in the comment section.

Coming up tomorrow is Connie E. Curry! Yea!

**If you need help navigating blogger, here are some basic instructions: http://nadinelaman.blogspot.com/2009/08/just-few-basics.html

The comment section is below this line. Click on the word "comments." That's where you can leave a note. eMail me if you have trouble with this...NadineLaman(at)aol.com