Friendlies! As I am want to do, I've stored up a couple awards/whatevers and now it's time to unload.
#1 To the AMAZING and so personable Janie Junebug, thank you for the Versatile Blogger!
I'm supposed nominate 15 bloggers I've discovered recently or follow, and then tell seven random things about myself. (To come.) Nominations are hard when I've got so many AMAZING bloggy pals, but even if I didn't nominate you, I wanted to. Congrats to:
1. S.P. Bowers who relaxes me with her laid back background every time I visit. (And her great words too.)
2. Michelle! Who is easily one of the nicest, wittiest people I know. (Check out her A to Z Challenge!)
3. Meradeth Houston who not only inspires me with her amazing book reviews, but that woman is unstoppable. Seriously. She's a brain and a go-getter.
4. Liz Blocker, who must the be the most tolerant person in the world to let me butt heads with her, and still call me a friend.
5. River Fairchild. I totally die over her amazing book covers, and she's such a gracious blogger.
6. H.R. Sinclair. Her posts are fascinating, bursting with great info, and always worth dropping in for.
7. Keith, my optimistic buddy who muses about this strange world and always brings a smile to my face.
8. Jennifer L. Hawes--one of my favorite newer blogging buddies. She admits a fear of technology, but she's doing awesome where blogging is concerned.
9. Stephanie Faris, who writes to influence young minds for the best. She's amazing.
10. Kristin Smith. *squeal* She's probably new newest blogging bestie, and not just because she raved about my book. (Although that might have some sway... Love you, Kristin!) From her sense of design to the words she types, this gal is epic.
11. Krystal Jane. I seriously want to high five this woman after every post. She's a writer after my own heart.
12. Jenni Enzor. I just love Jenni, and that's all there is to say. She's awesome. Like cheese.
13. Kathy Combs who must be THE most supportive blogger I've ever met. This woman shares EVERYTHING with the world. You rock, Kathy!
14. Juliette who has me busting a gut every time I stop by. Unless she's got me crying. I wonder why this woman isn't pursuing a career because she sure knows how to make you feel through the written word.
15. Sia Mckye who must be the MOST professional looking blogger I know, yet she always condescends to visit me.
I was also tagged in the My Writing Process hop thinger by S.A. Larsen (thank you, lady of awesomeness!) and so I'm going to mix the two up a bit by sharing 4 answers about my writing process, then adding 3 random things about me--to finish off the Versatile Blogger.
My Writing Process:
What am I working on now?
BELLEZZA: a serial story. TIMELESS: book 3 in the Maiden of Time trilogy.
How does my book differ from others within its genre?
You've never met the Soulless or Passionate before, and you've certainly never met them in the 1760's of England--not unless you've read Moonless. I wanted a modern feel or voice (for paranormal) mixed into a time period that oppressed women's rights, importance, and value. How else could a female protagonist truly shine?
Why do I write what I do?
Initially, I started writing because I was suffering. I'd torture my characters and make their lives ten times more miserable than mine--so I could count my blessings. My stories have always been about people in unfair circumstances, societies or plagued with tragedy, who eventually overcoming.
How does my writing process work?
I start with a dream, pen what I dreamed, then leave it. While the story is sitting, my subconscious works through plot, character, etc, and when I come back to it, I plot loosely, followed by steady writing over the course of one to three months (to orchestral music), then months and months of editing, critique partners, beta readers, and finally my editor.
What's your writing process like?
NEXT UP ON THE WRITING PROCESS TOUR: Misha Gericke, Robyn Elana Engle, & Madeline Jane.
My 3 additional random facts...
1. I can quote Serenity almost as fluently as The Princess Bride.
2. We don't have pets, but we do have a pet ficus tree--that we've named Benjamin.
3. I got my first patch of white hair--stress induced--when I was 23 from coordinating Girl's Camp.
And the lie is:
#3. Melissa loves broccoli, especially lightly steamed. She likes brussel sprouts, too. She actually touched a piranha, but it was a stuffed one her dad brought back from one of his trips to South America, and her dad used to raise and crossbreed orchids. The name 'Melissa Ann' was taken, so he registered his prized hybrid as 'Phalaenopsis Prissy Missy.'
Way to guess those of you who got it right! And the winner is:
Tara Tyler has had a hand at everything from waitressing to rocket engineering. After living up and down the Eastern US, she now writes and teaches math in Ohio with her three active boys and Coach Husband. Currently, she has two series, The Cooper Chronicles (techno-thriller detective capers) and Beast World (MG fantasy) She's an adventure writer who believes every good story should have action, a moral, and a few laughs!
Her favorite cheese is baby swiss and I like to eat it rolled up with roast beef - a great low-carb/hi-protein snack!
#1 To the AMAZING and so personable Janie Junebug, thank you for the Versatile Blogger!
I'm supposed nominate 15 bloggers I've discovered recently or follow, and then tell seven random things about myself. (To come.) Nominations are hard when I've got so many AMAZING bloggy pals, but even if I didn't nominate you, I wanted to. Congrats to:
1. S.P. Bowers who relaxes me with her laid back background every time I visit. (And her great words too.)
2. Michelle! Who is easily one of the nicest, wittiest people I know. (Check out her A to Z Challenge!)
3. Meradeth Houston who not only inspires me with her amazing book reviews, but that woman is unstoppable. Seriously. She's a brain and a go-getter.
4. Liz Blocker, who must the be the most tolerant person in the world to let me butt heads with her, and still call me a friend.
5. River Fairchild. I totally die over her amazing book covers, and she's such a gracious blogger.
6. H.R. Sinclair. Her posts are fascinating, bursting with great info, and always worth dropping in for.
7. Keith, my optimistic buddy who muses about this strange world and always brings a smile to my face.
8. Jennifer L. Hawes--one of my favorite newer blogging buddies. She admits a fear of technology, but she's doing awesome where blogging is concerned.
9. Stephanie Faris, who writes to influence young minds for the best. She's amazing.
10. Kristin Smith. *squeal* She's probably new newest blogging bestie, and not just because she raved about my book. (Although that might have some sway... Love you, Kristin!) From her sense of design to the words she types, this gal is epic.
11. Krystal Jane. I seriously want to high five this woman after every post. She's a writer after my own heart.
12. Jenni Enzor. I just love Jenni, and that's all there is to say. She's awesome. Like cheese.
13. Kathy Combs who must be THE most supportive blogger I've ever met. This woman shares EVERYTHING with the world. You rock, Kathy!
14. Juliette who has me busting a gut every time I stop by. Unless she's got me crying. I wonder why this woman isn't pursuing a career because she sure knows how to make you feel through the written word.
15. Sia Mckye who must be the MOST professional looking blogger I know, yet she always condescends to visit me.
I was also tagged in the My Writing Process hop thinger by S.A. Larsen (thank you, lady of awesomeness!) and so I'm going to mix the two up a bit by sharing 4 answers about my writing process, then adding 3 random things about me--to finish off the Versatile Blogger.
My Writing Process:
What am I working on now?
BELLEZZA: a serial story. TIMELESS: book 3 in the Maiden of Time trilogy.
How does my book differ from others within its genre?
You've never met the Soulless or Passionate before, and you've certainly never met them in the 1760's of England--not unless you've read Moonless. I wanted a modern feel or voice (for paranormal) mixed into a time period that oppressed women's rights, importance, and value. How else could a female protagonist truly shine?
Why do I write what I do?
Initially, I started writing because I was suffering. I'd torture my characters and make their lives ten times more miserable than mine--so I could count my blessings. My stories have always been about people in unfair circumstances, societies or plagued with tragedy, who eventually overcoming.
How does my writing process work?
I start with a dream, pen what I dreamed, then leave it. While the story is sitting, my subconscious works through plot, character, etc, and when I come back to it, I plot loosely, followed by steady writing over the course of one to three months (to orchestral music), then months and months of editing, critique partners, beta readers, and finally my editor.
What's your writing process like?
NEXT UP ON THE WRITING PROCESS TOUR: Misha Gericke, Robyn Elana Engle, & Madeline Jane.
My 3 additional random facts...
1. I can quote Serenity almost as fluently as The Princess Bride.
2. We don't have pets, but we do have a pet ficus tree--that we've named Benjamin.
3. I got my first patch of white hair--stress induced--when I was 23 from coordinating Girl's Camp.
Ready to guess the lie and win a book?
Last week, the fabulous Melissa Maygrove shared COME BACK with us, along with two truths and one lie. Those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win her either a signed print or ebook.
Melissa's game:
And the lie is:
#3. Melissa loves broccoli, especially lightly steamed. She likes brussel sprouts, too. She actually touched a piranha, but it was a stuffed one her dad brought back from one of his trips to South America, and her dad used to raise and crossbreed orchids. The name 'Melissa Ann' was taken, so he registered his prized hybrid as 'Phalaenopsis Prissy Missy.'
Way to guess those of you who got it right! And the winner is:
Gabe is an average fifteen-year-old goblin. He’s
in the marching band, breezes through calculus, and gets picked on daily by the
other kids at school, especially the ogres. He's tired of being a goblin – he’d
like to try other things. And he has his eye on the new ogress at school. It’s
against all beastly rules, but there’s just something about
her.
When a prank goes wrong, Gabe is forced to join
the football team as punishment, but finds a way to make it work. Soon the
whole school is getting in on the fad of mingling with other species. Too bad
the adults decide to step in and ruin things, threatening to destroy the school
and split up Broken Branch Falls. And Gabe is their scapegoat. With help from
other outcast friends, Gabe sets out on a quest hoping to saving Broken Branch
Falls. After all this trouble, it better work.
Get your copy HERE.
Tara Tyler has had a hand at everything from waitressing to rocket engineering. After living up and down the Eastern US, she now writes and teaches math in Ohio with her three active boys and Coach Husband. Currently, she has two series, The Cooper Chronicles (techno-thriller detective capers) and Beast World (MG fantasy) She's an adventure writer who believes every good story should have action, a moral, and a few laughs!
Her favorite cheese is baby swiss and I like to eat it rolled up with roast beef - a great low-carb/hi-protein snack!
Also by Tara Tyler, techno-thriller detective
series:
The Cooper Chronicles, Book One: POP
TRAVEL
Tara gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Those who figure out the lie will go into my magic hat for the chance to win an eBook of BROKEN BRANCH FALLS.
You have until Tuesday, July 1, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on July 2.
TRUTH OR LIE
1. When Tara was
young, she and her classmates would have recess in the snow and once made a dragon as long as the
school.
2. When she was growing up, she and her family were the victims of burglars two times in two different houses.
2. When she was growing up, she and her family were the victims of burglars two times in two different houses.
3. When she was
young, a huge St Bernard tackled her, causing her to be afraid of dogs.
Which is the lie? What's your writing process like? Have you ever dealt with bullies?
I'm going to guess that number one is the lie. Broken Branch Falls sounds awesome!
ReplyDeleteIt does, right?
DeleteI'll guess that number three is the lie.
ReplyDeleteHappy Wednesday, friend! :)
Dana! Yay! It's been forever since I've seen your smiling face. Great to see you!
DeleteThat's cool you write down your dreams and use them for your writing. My last novel was born that way. :)
ReplyDelete*high five* We totally rock, right?
DeleteI got tagged in the Writing Process hop, too, but I've been procrastinating...
ReplyDeleteI'll guess #1 is the lie.
Yeah... Well, here's a timely reminder, eh? ;)
DeleteThanks so much for thinking of me!
ReplyDeleteI love your process of writing down your dream, then letting it percolate. It's similar to what I do. Imagination is a wild thing, isn't it?
Congrats to Tara!
So wild I sometimes can't sleep at night, if you know what I mean. ;)
DeleteThank you so so much for the nomination!! And what an awesome idea about dream-inspired writing. I think #1 is a lie, but it would be cool as hell if it wasn't!!!
ReplyDeleteIt would, right? And you totally deserve the nomination. Totally.
DeleteCongrats, Carol!
ReplyDeleteThanks again for featuring my book, Crystal. :)
It was a joy, Melissa!
DeleteHmm, I'm going with #3 as the lie.
ReplyDeleteI love how you have a pet tree! In my house, plants don't usually last long enough to get a name. :o
Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption
Yeah, Benjamin would probably be dead if it was up to me, but my daughter latched onto him.
DeleteThanks so much, Crystal!! I'm not at ALL the most tolerant person in the world, though :) I just think that people prove their character in many, many ways, and you are always a kind, generous, positive presence. Of course I still call you a friend! I might say the same for you, too ;) I already got this award last week, so I probably won't post on it again, but I WILL give you a big thank you when I'm back from vacation in a couple of weeks!
ReplyDeleteAh, vacation... What is that like? ;)
DeleteHi Crystal - you've awarded some great bloggers ... and all their books and WIPs .. amazing crowd of blogging friends ... I think I guess (1\) .... cheers and congratulations to one and all .. Hilary
ReplyDeleteI agree. They're all pretty stellar, and so are you. =)
DeleteA whole patch of gray hair? Who knew Girl Scouting was so stressful!
ReplyDeleteand thanks.
DeleteGladly! Yeah... What you don't see behind the scenes...
DeleteWow thank you Crystal! Now you've made me cry! I'm truly honoured :)
ReplyDelete#3 is the lie.. I think.
Aw. Congrats, Juliette. You totally deserve it. =)
DeleteThank you!!! That was seriously all kinds of sweet of you :) I just started Moonless last night, which made me giggle a little at the synchronicity! Anyhow, my guess is #1!
ReplyDelete(Oh, and Girls Camp. Totally get it. That's some stressful stuff there!)
Yay! I hope you love Moonless and eat cheese while reading. =)
DeleteThank you, Crystal, for nominating me! I was so touched to see my name on this list next to these awesome bloggers.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading about your writing process, especially how you chose a time period to make your character be even stronger. Yay for strong female characters!
I'm guessing #2 is a lie. If #3 is true, I can relate. St. Bernard's scare me too.
We need more strong female characters, right? And not just because they're tough.
DeleteCongrats to Tara! I'm going to guess #1 as the lie, although it would be totally awesome if it was true.
ReplyDeleteI know, right?
DeleteHi, Crystal. CONGRATS on your award! CONGRATS to all who you passed it on to.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to guess that #2 is the lie.
Thanks, Susanne. Wish I could have saved a nomination for you. =)
DeleteWhat great awards! And congrats to Tara for releasing her book!
ReplyDeleteYay! Seconded.
DeleteCongrats to everyone! Fun facts, Crystal. You nominated a lot of great bloggers.
ReplyDeleteI think so too. What I really should have done was offer up a fill-in-the-blank nomination, as in, "put your name here." =)
DeleteSo interesting that you start with a dream ... I've had characters appear in dreams from time to time, but haven't had whole plots appear. I do find that time just before waking very productive though. Just the other morning, the final outcome to the novel I'm plotting and researching at the moment drifted into my half awake consciousness. I always have a notebook and pen by the bed.
ReplyDeleteAs for bullies, iy happened to me a fair bit at school. When I was in primary (aged 7) I was bullied mercilessly because I was the new girl. It took the form of a group of girls and boys making up things I was supposed to have done (kicking them etc) and they'd tell the teacher who punished me by depriving me of playtimes etc and making me stand in the corner of the playground where naughty children had to stand so everyone could see them (no, it wasn't Lowood and my alter ego isn't Jane Eyre!). I moved on to another school when my family moved and I had a happy time at my new school but the bullying took a new form when I went to secondary school. I am a Christian and some boys took delight in taking every opportunity to ridicule me and my faith. The bullying was both verbal and physical. I think most people have experience of being bullied at some point, whether as a child or adult. I try to live by Jesus' teaching that we treat others as we would like to be treated. (I do not always succeed - in fact, I often fail miserably).
I guess it's kind of rare to get the whole plot and cast in a single night, eh? Well, it happens.
DeleteI know what you mean. There's no excuse for bullying, and I think it's an outward manifestation of people's insecurities. If only we all saw the world through one another's eyes, eh?
Cool! I excited to win Melissa's book. Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteIt's great seeing Tara here - her book sounds great. I'm guessing her lie is #2 is the lie.
Lucky you! I'm looking forward to reading it, as soon as I can breathe again. =)
DeleteOh Lordy if I ever wrote the things I've dreamed I'd be investigated a hundred times over! LOL
ReplyDeleteI love this idea, though. I'm going to try it. Thanks! :)
LOL. Admittedly, I do occasionally mold the aspects after dreaming. ;)
DeleteThanks for thinking of me! I'm honored.
ReplyDeleteI totally believe planning girls camp gave you white hair. I did it for the last seven years. They finally released me and I'm having a very relaxing summer!
Whew! The last seven years? You must have nerves of steel, woman. STEEL.
DeleteCongrats on the award, and to those you've passed it on to! Congrats to Tara as well! It's interesting to hear about your writing process. Inspiring too. :) Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen. Hope you had a wonderful weekend as well.
DeleteI'm guessing the lie is the fear of dogs. Tara is so gutsy, I can't imagine her being afraid of anything!
ReplyDeleteGreat list of wonderful bloggers! How cool to have a flower named after you...I am jealous much of Melissa!
Elizabeth, I'll name a flower after you if it will make you feel better. ;)
DeleteIn college, I had a pet lamp named Bubba. I put a face on him. I miss Firefly. I say that at least once a week.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing #3 is the lie for Tara.
Yes! Bubba, that's awesome. (I miss Firefly too.)
DeleteI'm really rubbish at that two truths and a lie game, but I am still giggling over the fact that you have a pet tree! :D
ReplyDeleteBenjamin. You should see the kids cooing at him. =)
DeleteCongratulations on winning the Versatile Blogger award! :)
ReplyDeleteThose truths and one lie are the best I've seen so far. It's hard to pick one, so I guess I'll wait to find out which one is the lie.
Hah! Taking the easy way out, eh? *shaking head*
DeleteCongrats on the awards Crystal. Tara all the best. I'm not entering for the book but I'll guess #1.
ReplyDeleteThanks for playing, Sheena-kay. =)
DeleteCongratulations on the awards. Jenni is like cheese...
ReplyDeleteI'm going to say the third one is the lie.
And that you can quote Serenity and the Princess Bride is just awesome!
Because Serenity rocks, right? =)
DeleteI'm hoping the third is the lie! I had to get plastic surgery after getting bit in the face by a blind dog when I was young, but I still adore the cuddly creatures.
ReplyDeleteOh my. Brave woman!
DeleteWow, there are a lot of blogs I'm going to need to check out.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Tara! I can't enter the competition because my TBR list is tottering and ready to fall over, but my guess for the lie is #2.
I know what you mean about that TBR list. Mine's ridiculously long, but there's only one solution for that, you know. ;)
DeleteReally liked hearing your writing process -- very interesting that your story seeds are dreams. I very rarely remember dreams unless I wake up during them, they never make much sense, and they're usualy gone and forgotten pretty quickly.
ReplyDeleteI'll also go with the dog-knock-down as Tara's lie.
It's a special science to take ten minutes after waking and just focus until the dream comes into clarity. Practice, eh?
DeleteCongrats to Tara, and to you for the awards! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lara!
Delete#1 sounds WAY too awesome to be true, so I'm going to go with #3 as the lie.
ReplyDeleteI love your writing process! I'm a big fan of letting things bake in the old subconscious. ^_^ I had a few stressed-induced white hairs come in a couple of years ago. Lol!
The subconscious is the greatest undervalued resource, eh?
DeleteBroken Branch Falls sounds like a winner:) Thanks for the award! You are awesome!! I think the lie is #3. Hope you catch a little break this summer and get to relax.
ReplyDeleteMe too. Probably not going to happen, but it would be nice. =)
DeleteGreat answers! Thank you SO much for tagging me. I just did this one--it posted Monday. This one is really making the rounds! But I'm going to go through your list of tagged people because it looks like there may be a few great blogs I'm not reading yet.
ReplyDeleteOh man! I was so careful in checking, but so go the best laid plans, eh? =)
DeleteIt's interesting that your writing process starts with a dream. I'll have these dreams and wake up thinking they'll make awesome stories, so I jot down notes. But then I go back and read them and am like, 'that doesn't make sense in any way, shape, or form.' Dreams are funny.
ReplyDeleteLOL. I find mine make a ton of sense, but they have to be looked at through a fantasy lens. =)
DeleteI can't write about my dreams - they're FAR too scary. I don't want to live in those worlds for the time it would take to write and edit!
ReplyDeleteOoh! Scary dreams are the best! Seriously, some of my horror story ideas would bring Hollywood to its knees.
DeleteYay for Tara's release . . . ordering it for my classroom :-) I hope #3 is the lie!
ReplyDeleteYay! Very cool.
DeleteHmm... I never thought about writing a female protagonist in a place where she was oppressed in order to get her to shine. Interesting idea. Though I'm not sure if I'd be able to write woman-oppressing characters without having them die horrible deaths by the third chapter. -_- Challenge noted.
ReplyDeleteLOL. It's easier in past cultures. You can't change the past, and you have to realize that these mentalities or treatments were perfectly acceptable and even expected, although my characters defy their social norm quite a bit.
DeleteI love that you have a pet ficus tree. Now I want one! =) Of course, w/my houseplant skills, it would die a slow death...
ReplyDeleteMaybe. Ficus trees are especially resilient.
DeleteI tried to get one class last week to watch some Firefly (we were watching movies as they had already finished their finals). No dice. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteLie... This one is hard. #3 is my guess.
What? Crazy kids. Maybe you should have started out with Serenity. =)
DeleteI read a couple of these people on your list... I love Keith and Stephanie, I am sure I would love many of these... I will have to check a few out. I like seeing why a reader likes reading a certain blog, it is interesting... :)
ReplyDeleteI know! I've met so many amazing people via recommendation. =)
DeleteIt's tough being a goblin surrounded by ogres! That story sounds like fun :D
ReplyDeleteIt does, doesn't it?
DeleteThank you for the tag, Crystal. I'll tray to crank something out this week for it. (I'm going to be away next week. It's actually pretty timely to do the hop and mention where I'm going.) Be well.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I want to get away too. *sigh*
Delete" I can quote Serenity almost as fluently as The Princess Bride." <--- Love this.
ReplyDeleteI do that too!
*fist bump* Do we rock or what?
DeleteThanks for the tag!
ReplyDeleteI'll post my response today. :-)
Correction. Monday. (Had a rough day today. :-/)
DeleteMisha, you are epic fast. Way to go!
DeleteCongrats on the Versatile Blogger award! And ooh, how fun to see your writing process! I can relate a lot to the bit about torturing characters, haha. Good luck with Bellezza and Timeless!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Heather. It's going well so far.
DeleteThanks for your visit to my blog. Good luck with your writing.
ReplyDeleteJB
Thanks, Julia.
DeleteLove it that you write your dreams! Thanks for visiting my blog.
ReplyDeleteMary Montague Sikes
Likewise, Mary.
DeleteI love your writing process, Crystal. It's inspiring to hear about the period of time you choose to have your novels take place as well as having your characters suffer tremendously before overcoming the struggles you face them with. This sparks my interest even further into reading your books. Moonless is waiting for me in my Kindle=)
ReplyDeleteI will have to visit the other bloggers you have listed!
=) Oh, I'm so glad that sparks your interest. It's surprising how many deeper elements we unearth if given the chance to dive into an author's head, eh?
DeleteI love the idea of making your characters' lives worse than your own :) that's sheer brilliance ....
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting my place today - lovely to meet you :)
Fil
Fil’s Place - Old songs and Memories
That or it's sheer cruelty. ;) Great to meet you too, Fil.
DeleteCongrats to Carol! And, wow, what a writing process you have. Starting with dreams, that's cool:)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mark.
DeleteA pet ficus tree would be a whole lot cleaner than a German Shepherd!
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed you actually named 15 bloggers to get the award. I've been so lazy when it comes to that!
I think most people have, but seriously, there are so many amazing bloggers, how could I not pick a few, eh?
DeleteI wish I had a pet ficus. #2 is the lie. Thank you for accepting the award.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
They make for amazing pets, truly. =)
DeleteA pet ficus isn't a bad idea... you don't have to board it when you go away, don't have to trim its nails and get it shots... no poo to clean up, no messy baths. Then again, it doesn't wag its tail when it sees you coming, either.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the award! Let's see, I'll guess that number one is the fib.
Pros and cons, eh?
DeleteI accept! I accept! :) Thanks so much for the nomination and shout out! I feel so honored!! :) Love you too, Crystal! You are the best and such an inspiration to me!
ReplyDeleteLoved reading about your writing process. So interesting how you initially started writing to torture your characters so their lives were more miserable than yours. I write to escape, so I totally get the torturing characters thing. We don't have any pets either (unless you count our half-dead leopard geckos).
I'll guess that the lie is #3...
*hands over whip and mace* Let's get to torturing, eh? Wahoo!
DeleteNice list of nominations. I would love to check out some of the blogs.
ReplyDeleteSweet! I hope you will. They're all awesome.
DeleteThank you much for the nomination. I am honored!!
ReplyDeleteYou deserve it, Kathy. You totally rock.
DeleteI think #3 is the lie. I suspect she's not actually afraid of dogs :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, I am impressed at your ability to save up those blog awards/tours and combine them. I've never thought of that, and I usually do the tour things right away so I don't forget LOL Maybe if I were a bit more organised...
Hey, doing it right away is always a good idea too. I used to pen out the responses way in advance, but once the blog got too crazy, I found I couldn't make it work anymore. Here's to pre-planning, eh?
DeleteHey Crystal,
ReplyDeleteWow and gosh, I'm actually here. Such is the life of a celebrity. Either I have a hectic life or a really slow computer.
Ahem, cannot get enough blogging awards. Well done and time for a Cheesy Blog Fest!
Thrilled to note the lovely Tara has been mentioned. Congrats to Tara and of course, I'm her adoring groupie. Number 4 is the lie.
Your writing is formulated from your dreams. Now I know why my writing is a nightmare.
Have a cheesy weekend, Crystal.
Gary :)
LOL. Gary, how long has it been since I visited you? *she asks sheepishly*
DeleteHere's to nightmares that turn into awesome stories, eh?
Congrats on the awards! And as for Tara's lie, I'm going with #3.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Christine.
DeleteAwards are so much fun! Congratulations to all the bloggers you've nominated.
ReplyDeleteHmm, guessing #3 is Tara's lie...
I agree. We all deserve rewards, eh?
DeleteCrystal! you're just so darn popular! Love your award answers! How fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks, y'all for the wonderful comments and guessing which is the lie, some of you got it right (ha ha)
Thanks again, Crystal for having me!!
Glad to have you, Tara.
DeleteYeah for all the awards! Congrats. :)
ReplyDeleteI have been seeing Tara's book around the blogosphere this week. It sounds great and I have it on my list to read. I am guessing #1 is the lie. :)
~Jess
You should, because I'm sure it is fantastic!
DeleteKudos to you on the awards! So neat to get a glimpse into your writing process.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Elsie!
DeleteCongrats on the award! I got really bad to giving them out. I kept putting it off until I had 15 to deal with. :P
ReplyDeleteHmmm I'm going with #3 for Tara's lie.
Yikes! 15? I never let them stack up quite that high--typically 4 at a time (at most) but 15?
DeleteCongratulations on all the awards! And awesome of you to pass it all on!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nas.
DeleteCongrats on your awards!!
ReplyDeleteAnd congrats to Tara. I like the sound of a dragon the length of a school, so I don't want that to be a lie ;)
I'm right there with you, Lynda.
DeleteThis was a fun post! Congrats on your awards!
ReplyDeleteI can relate to writing characters whose lives were worse than mine, to help myself feel better. It works.
I know, right? It totally does.
DeleteCongratulations on your awards! I'll guess the lie is #3.
ReplyDeleteI'm a bullying survivor, and to this day have body memories every single time I walk or drive past my old junior high. Some skeptics insist body memories don't really exist, but I know what I'm feeling when I see that old building. I hope to God those now-adult bullies aren't teaching their own children to bully kids who are different from the supposed norm,
I wish we could somehow stop bullying from happening. It really does come down to the parents.
DeleteCongratulations on the award.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Vanessa!
DeleteHere's to the awards and the great job of handling them.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lee!
Deletecongrats to all those fab winners. totally deserving and also to Melissa and Tara!!! whoo-hoo! the lie is #3??
ReplyDeleteWhoo-hoo for sure!
DeleteWhat great awards! And congrats to Tara for releasing her book!
ReplyDeleteYou are movin' and groovin'. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteLet's dance! Everybody now!
DeleteCongrats to Carol on the win and you on the awards. I always enjoy reading the writing process hop.
ReplyDeleteI think 3 is the lie.
oh, crystal! what a slew of awesome comments! thanks for playing everyone!
ReplyDeleteand thanks again, crystal, for having me!!