The BIG Fat FAIL Post: IWSG & Being Human

Have you ever had to make a REALLY hard choice?

That's where I'm at. It's been coming for a long time, but it is finally time for me to step away from the blog.

And no, I don't mean for a month, or two, or three... This is an extended farewell.

I know, I know. We've all seen people desert us here on the blogosphere for the continued reason that, "I need to focus on my writing." Basically, when I read those words I think:

I've been doing this for over ten years, and the relationships...oh the relationships! I love this place. Seriously, I do. Watching each person disappear has been painful--like spooning out a peice of my heart and stomping on it. (Sorry, that was graphic.)

But it's time.

And it's killing me.

This won't come as a surprise to some of you, as many have marveled at how I juggle the writing, home schooling, and babies around not just blogging, but leading choirs, writing music, vocal performances, and visiting hundreds of blogging friends each month. The truth is, we could make it work, until now. My oldest is leaving, my baby is walking and getting into everything, and my toddler is in preschool full time (which we teach her). My older middle children are on the cusp of high school. My writing is almost non-existent, and I find that my creative juices really do need to be focused on my children for the short time that I have them. It flies.

I've even cut down (or dropped out of) Facebook, Goodreads, Instagram, and Twitter. And reading. *gasp* (So you know it's desperate.)

And that's it. I'm not leaving to write. (And yes, I'm sorry, the writing thing is a lame excuse. Even if I've used it before...)

So give me a virtual hug, and perhaps if the stars align, I'll be back one day.

In the meantime...

This has been an answer to the IWSG blog hop: How do major life events affect your writing?

Huge thanks for hosting
Alex Cavanaugh, Dolorah @ Book Lover, Christopher D. Votey,
Tanya Miranda, and Chemist Ken!

Last month Sherry Ellis shared BUBBA AND SQUIRT'S BIG DIG TO CHINA along with two truths and one lie. Anyone who guessed was entered to win a signed print copy.

The game:

1. Sherry once played her viola at night in the middle of the Black Forest in hopes of scaring away the wild boars. 
2. Sherry enjoys parasailing and hopes to do it in Australia some day.
3.Sherry once crawled through a window of a locked hotel in Europe to get inside because she was out past curfew.

The lie: #2. From Sherry: I have never para-sailed. I do want to go to Australia, but I don't care about parasailing there. SCUBA diving? Yes. 

And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Shannon Lawrence!

Congrats, Shannon!

And a HUGE thank you to Tonipads & Ezvid Wiki Editorial for featuring a surprise review and recommendation of my Maiden of Time series in their Paranormal Romance article! (Click on over.)

WAIT, WAIT, BEFORE YOU GO--!!!

What kind of lame-o friend would I be without a parting gift? Exclusively for you, my blogging buddies, pick any one of these books, shoot me an email (crystal@crystal-collier.com), and your inbox will fill up with cheese and joy:

8 Reasons Women Kick Trash

Do you occasionally disappear from reality? Yeah, that was me the last couple weeks. I handed in a manuscript to an editor, critiqued 2 books, survived 2 weeks without my helpful kids around, and last minute got an acceptance letter for a specialized school for my very DIFFICULT child. Needless to say, it's been a very full 3 weeks, but I missed everyone. A ton!

So, I welcome you back with a few chuckles:

1. Men think they're tough, and we allow them to delude themselves.

Because we're awesome like that. ;)

2. Have you seen how many things women take on...and accomplish...simultaneously?

3. Cognitive processes. Women's brains don't function in a straight line. Thus the possibilities are infinite rather than linear. =)

Source

4. We really do hold all the power.

5. Truth, men: Isn't an angry woman more terrifying than an angry man?

Be honest here.

Source

6. We can be adorable WHILE being terrifying.

7. No matter how you try to spin it, women have a ridiculously high pain tolerance.

That goes for more than just physical pain. See, it's a darn good thing we're so nice about it.

Most the time.

8. Because a woman can get through PMS and not do this.

Source

As fun as all that is, women have the most influence in the world. They're the shapers of reality. Builders of the future. Think about that next time you're tempted to put one down, eh?

(Men, if it makes you feel better, I'll type up a post for you soon. 

And it will be awesome epic. With CHEESE.)

Three weeks ago, Carol Riggs shared two truths and one lie with us. The winners were entered to win an eBook of BOTTLED.

The game:

1. Carol loves to swim; it’s one of her favorite things to do in the summer.
2. Carol has been married three times; her current husband is her third.
3. Carol has never gone skiing before, downhill or cross-country.

The lie: #1. Carol couldn’t care less if she didn’t swim in a pool or other body of water for the rest of her life. Occasionally she does go swimming, but she doesn’t like to put her face in the water, and she gets a bit nervous when her feet can’t touch the bottom!

Way to guess everyone! And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Sandra Almazan!

Congrats, Sandra!

And now, a book I'm SO stoked about (because I read an early draft and it's well worth getting excited over!): 

Saxon barbarians threaten to destroy medieval Wales. Lady Branwen becomes Wales’ last hope to unite their divided kingdoms when her father betroths her to a powerful Welsh warlord, the Hammer King.

But this fledgling alliance is fraught with enemies from within and without as Branwen herself becomes the target of assassinations and courtly intrigue. A young woman in a world of fierce warriors, she seeks to assert her own authority and preserve Wales against the barbarians. But when she falls for a young hedge knight named Artagan her world threatens to tear itself apart. Caught between her duty to her people and her love of a man she cannot have, Branwen must choose whether to preserve her royal marriage or to follow her heart. Somehow she must save her people and remain true to herself, before Saxon invaders and a mysterious traitor try to destroy her.

Get Your Copy HERE.

Ready to meet the author?

Mark Noce writes historical fiction with a passion, and eagerly reads everything from fantasy to literature. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, he’s an avid traveler and backpacker, particularly in Europe and North America. He earned his BA and MA from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he also met his beautiful wife. By day, he works as a Technical Writer, having spent much of his career at places like Google and Facebook. In addition to writing novels, he also writes short fiction online. When not reading or writing, he’s probably listening to U2, sailing his dad’s boat, or gardening with his family.

His debut novel, Between Two Fires, is being published by Thomas Dunne Books (an imprint of St. Martin's Press and Macmillan). It is the first in a series of historical fiction novels set in medieval Wales.

Mark 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 a PRINT copy of BETWEEN TWO FIRES. (Open internationally.)

You have until Tuesday, September 6 at 2 p.m. EDT to guess. Be sure to come back for the answers on September 7, 8 a.m. EDT.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. I once ate a package of plastic C4, thinking it was chocolate (it was nighttime people).
2. I take a car, two trains, and walk a mile-and-a-half in order to get to work each day.
3. I may actually be related to the second-most-prolific man in history (King Niall of Ireland).

Oh, and it's not too late to sign up for the cover reveal of TIMELESS.

So sleuths, which is the lie? Who is your favorite TV/movie heroine? Are you a fan of historical fiction?