Writerly Wednesday on a Tuesday

For those of us in the US of A, it's Thanksgiving week, which means I'll be frantically cleaning or cooking tomorrow, so you get WW a day early. 

So what better way to show thanks than to accept a blogging award and pass it on? 

Huge thanks to my pal and poet, Fifi Islaih for the award. In order to accept it, I have to list 7 facts about myself and nominate others. 

1. My love for cheese is no secret, but there are some French cheeses I don't much care for. (I know, the shock!)

2. The last time I was expecting, I was living in NYC--in an 850 square foot apartment (with 3 other family members.) 

Yes, it felt like this. (source)

3. Although I have consistently taught kids ages 18 months 18 years (not counting my own) for the last 20+ years, I have a hard time calling myself an educator. 

4. I leave reviews for 90% of the books I read. (Which is typically 2 books a week.)

5. I miss hobby writing.

6. My greatest fear is playing the piano in front of people...and I still do it on occasion. (You should see my hands shake while playing. It's awesome.)

Source

7. My first REAL masterpiece was a drawing of either a horse, or a unicorn (maybe both) at the happy age of 3.

NOW, because it's gratitude time, if you take a moment to comment on this post, you are officially nominated for the award. There are so many of you I want to give the award to, and it seems no matter how many people I do nominate, I miss at least fifty others. So that's it. You've been nominated. =)

Ready to guess the lie and win a book? 

Last week, M.J. Fifield shared EFFIGY with us, along with two lies and one truth. Those who guessed the truth correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win an eBook.  

M.J.'s game: 

1. Once, M.J. ran into famous New Hampshire author Jodi Picoult at the vet’s office and proceeded to make her (and everyone else around) question her ability to speak in complete sentences, as she attempted to tell Jodi how much she enjoys her novels.   
2. In high school, she sang back-up vocals for Kenny Rodgers. It is, however, not the only reason why she knows all the words to “The Gambler.”
3. In college, she worked as a stagehand and once tried to throw comedian Carrot Top out because she had no idea who he was or how he had gotten backstage.

And the lie is:

#1. Yes, M.J. has had some interesting run-ins with real, live celebrities. Awesome, right?

Way to guess those of you who got it right! And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

M. Pax!

Congrats Mary! 

And now to today's feature...

When her protective older brother disappears, sixteen-year-old Melody loses control of her orderly life. Her stuttering flares up, her parents are shrouded in a grief-induced fog, and she clings to the last shreds of her confidence. 

The only lead to her brother’s disappearance is a 30-second call from his cell phone to Rex, the leader of a crime ring. Frustrated by a slow investigation with too many obstacles, and desperate to mend her broken family, Melody crosses the line from wallflower to amateur spy. She infiltrates Rex’s group and is partnered with Drew, a handsome pickpocket whose kindness doesn’t fit her perception of a criminal. He doesn’t need to steal her heart—she hands it to him.

With each law Melody breaks, details of her brother’s secret life emerge until she’s on the cusp of finding him. But at what point does truth justify the crime?

Get your copy HERE.

Julie Musil writes from her rural home in Southern California, where she lives with her husband and three sons. She’s an obsessive reader who loves stories that grab the heart and won’t let go. Her YA novels The Summer of Crossing Lines and The Boy Who Loved Fire are available now. For more information, or to stop by and say Hi, please visit Julie HERE.

She especially loves cheese when it’s piled on a pizza.

Julie 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 THE SUMMER OF CROSSING LINES. How awesome is that?

You have until Tuesday, December 2 at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on December 3.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. Julie knows almost all the words to the GREASE soundtrack.
2. She used to wear a bow in her hair—Madonna Material Girl style.
3. She loves country music, but doesn’t know any country line dances.

So which is the lie? What is one unique fact about you? Are you celebrating Thanksgiving? If so, how? 

A Blogpost Full of WIN (And a Chance to Win)

You know how life can just get backed up on you, like a drain that's slowly clogging over time--and eventually it has to get cleared out or something will explode? Well, I like to occasionally wait to the point of explosion. 

BUT FIRST, yes, I know the suspense is killing you (or more likely me,) so let's get to our Writerly Wednesday winner!

Writerly Wednesdays here are dedicated to writers and readers. If you've published anything for Young Adults with a fantastic twist (fantasy in all varieties, paranormal, speculative fiction, horror, sci-fi, dystopian, etc.), shoot me an email (crystal AT crystal-collier DOT com). I'll be shouting about awesome books, sharing new covers, or participating in book releases every week--and I'd love to share yours. Spots are filling up quick, so schedule a date now. 

Before the fun, let's announce the winner for last week. Sandra Ulbrich Almazan shared with us Twinned Universes last week and blew my socks off with the premise. She told us two truths and one lie about herself, and those who guessed correctly were entered into a random drawing to win her ebook. The options were:

1. Sandra can make both bread and cheese from scratch. 

2. Sandra has a black belt in karate.
3. Sandra occasionally walks around at work and home balancing a book on her head.

And, the lie is: 

#2 Sandra is not a black belt, although she got half way to being one. Guess that means I'm going to have to adopt her, because I totally need a cheese maker in my house. (You heard me Sandra--so when that black bag flies over your head and someone shoves you in the back of a van, go peacefully. I promise eternal servitude will be awesome.)

Way to go those of you who guessed right! You are officially human lie detectors. And the winner is: 

...DRUM ROLL...

Madeleine Sara

Yay, Madeleine! 

And now who wants to WIN?

I've been stock piling blog awards for a couple months, and it's time to purge. First, from the ever-generous, super supportive and cheese deserving S.A. Larsen--and thank you TONZ for these: 

RULES:

These two have pretty much the same guidelines. 

1. Display the Award Certificate on your website. 

2. Link to whoever presented your award. 

3. State 7 things about yourself.

4. Present the award to 7 deserving bloggers.

5. Notify nominees.

6. Post 7 interesting things about yourself.

This third one is a bit different. 

1. Thank the Super Sweet Blogger that nominated you.

2. Answer 5 super sweet questions.

3. Post the award.

4. Nominate a bakers dozen (13) bloggers.

5. Notify your nominees. 

And if that weren't enough, the super suspense writer,  Michelle Wallace was kind enough to nominate me for this one. (You rock, Michelle!)

The only rule is to pass it on to 10 to 12 other amazing bloggers. 

So here's how this is going down. I'm going to give 7 facts about myself and answer 5 questions. PLEASE tell me something completely random about you in the comments. Anyone who mentions their favorite cheese will be entered to WIN a free ebook of your choice (also known as $5 at Amazon). If you mention your favorite cheese AND guess the magic # I'm thinking of (how many mind-readers are out there?) you win. Period. (I'll give you a hint, it's more than 1 and less than 500.) The winner will be announced next Wednesday.  

THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE WINNER. WILL IT BE YOU? 

FACTZ...

1. I'm an accent chameleon. If I hear it, I can speak it. (And probably will. Unintentionally.) 

2. Along those lines, I sing anything from first soprano (burst-your-eardrums high) to tenor. 

3. My first blind date was with my amazing husband. 

4. I still delightedly answer to the nickname of "chicken."

5. I despise politicians. All politicians. Everywhere. (Sorry, politicians.)

6. One of my favorite places to live was Yellowstone National Park. 

7. My debut book will be available for purchase some time in the next six months. (Squee!)

My Super Sweet Questions:   

1. What is your favorite dessert?  Creme Brulee
2.  Cake or ice cream? Ice Cream. Hands down.
3. When do you like desserts most?  Truth? Most the time I can do without dessert. 
4. Would you choose cookies or cake? Definitely cookies. 
5. Vanilla or chocolate? Vanilla.

And now the nominees (And seriously, there were about 50 others I wanted to include!): 

Dragon's Loyalty: 

1. Liz
2. Catherine Stine
3. Dianne K. Salerni
4. Natalie Aguirre
5. Ian 
6. Rena
7. Medeia Sharif

Shine on: 

1. Melanie Schultz
2. Gwen Gardner
3. Beverly Fox
4. Lynda R Young
5. Keith Wynn
6. PK Hrezo
7. Julie Dao

Super Sweet Blogger: 

1. Michelle Wallace
2. Carol Riggs
3. Emily R. King
4. Jai
5. Celeste Holloway
6. Murees Dupe
7. C. Lee McKenzie
8. Carol Kilgore
9. Elizabeth Seckman
10. Suzanne Furness
11. M Pax
12. Connie Keller
13. Jyoti Mishra

Sisterhood of World Bloggers: 

1. Heather Holden
2. Mary Waibel
3. Denise Covey
4. Patsy Collins
5. Theresa Milstein
6. Nicole Zoltack
7. Madeline Mora-Summonte
8. Rachel Morgan
9. Ilima Todd
10. Miranda Hardy
11. Nutschell
12. Lynn Proctor

Okay, hit me with your randomness!!! 

Awards Coming Out My Ears!

If you've ever questioned the generosity of the blogging community, stop. Stop now.

In the last month ALONE I've received 3 books--given away out of the goodness of people's hearts. Above and beyond that, I've been endowed several awards. You people rock! (I would say, "You people cheese," but I don't think most people would get that. Still, cheese can be a verb, right?)

So without burning more of your patience, a big thank you to Sania and the anonymous "Me" for the:

The rules:

1. Display logo in your blog to show you've been nominated!

2. Link back to your nominator.
3. Share 7 things about yourself.
4. Nominate other bloggers for the award.
5. Notify your nominees.

I also received this one from Sania (who is super awesome sauce, btw): 

Best Moment Award rules: Winners re-post this completely with their acceptance speech. This could be written or video recorded. Winners have the privilege of awarding the next awardees! The re-post should include a NEW set of people/blogs worthy of the award with notification sent to them of the great news. Display the award’s badge on your blog/website.

Resources: What makes a good acceptance speech?

• Gratitude. Thank the people who helped you along the way.
• Humor. Keep us entertained and smiling.
• Inspiration. Make your story touch our lives.

So to keep from boring you, I'm attempting to lump both into one.

Acceptance speech/7 things about me: *clearing throat* *bursting into tears* *wiping tears away with a slice of cheddar*

I want to thank all of the amazing people in my life who have made this award possible: a critique partner who locks me in her basement and a glass cage on her roof (to make sure I get the appropriate amounts of Vitamin D--isn't she thoughtful?), my pet zombie who occasionally breaks out of his closet and keeps us on our toes, the team of scientists sealed in my Floridian basement who will one day finish both my teleportation device and time-stopper; you all make life so worth it! 

On a deeper note, the cheese. Thank you to cheese everywhere. Without your deliciousness I may have died of malnutrition/New Yorkerisms while living in the city, say nothing about all those years growing up. Lastly, a HUGE thanks to the man who still buys me flowers to be romantic, even if I am allergic to them, and the three littles who bury me in cards, love notes, and dirty laundry. You make life worth living!

And now to pass the awards on. (That's right--two at once. Eek!) I hereby nominate:

1. -g- Also known as Maggid--who accuses me of being inspiring. Ha! I aspire to your level.
2. Sandy -- Whom I LOVE interacting with on the blog-o-sphere every week. 
3. Theresa --Because seriously, she deserves it. Have you seen all the charity work? 
4. Sherry -- Who inspires me with her tales of mommy-hood. We can survive!
5. Robyn -- Makes me chuckle and is SUPER optimistic. I want to be like her when I grow up.
6. Madeline -- She's young, but man is she gung ho. You're inspiring, woman!
7. Sharon -- One of the amazing women who keeps me writing, even when I want to quit.
8. Rena -- Geeks of a feather... (And I don't care if you're on a blog holiday!)
9. DL Hammons -- Shaved his head to support his wife. You are awesome sauce!
10. Margo -- I don't know how you do the cold, woman, but that alone inspires me.

What has you inspired this week? Or who has inspired you and deserves an award?

11 Random Things

Actually this is 3 X 11 for randomness, but it starts with... I'm still not over the "wow" of the April A to Z challenge. Are you? The writing community is so supportive, sweet, and encouraging that they regularly hand out doses of cheese,  (in the form of blog awards,) just to say, "You're awesome." Today, I need to say thank you and pass along the love. 

So, from the A-Z Challenge, thank you Mary, and not from the A-Z Challenge, thank you Candice, for the Liebster! 

I guess I'm supposed to share 11 random facts and answer 11 questions, and pass it on. So, if you want my random facts, you can find them here.

1. What's the first thing you ever wrote that you were proud of?
Um, the first thing I ever wrote. I think it was my name. ;D

2. What kind of roller Skates did you own/rent?
Ice skates? See, I have bad ankles. Bad ankles=bad accidents on rolling footwear. 

3. Did you name your bike as a kid? As an adult?
... ... ... Was I supposed to? 

4. Has another person's dietary habits ever ended or threatened to end the relationship?
*scratching head* Not really. Dietary habits made for interesting relationships when we lived in the heart of an orthodox Jewish neighborhood--like being asked to come over and turn on someone's malfunctioning stove on Shabbas, or being unable to make goodies for the kids next door.

5. Is there a sport you could not live without following?
LOL. I have 5 brothers, so you'd think this would be the case, right? Is video gaming a sport? Or maybe programming?

6. What is it about ketchup?
I'm not sure. Mustard's more my speed, thank you. (And mustard is late a lot less often.)

7. Have you ever shaved your head, or wanted to?
NO. Crazy heads.

8. Is there a song you know the lyrics to that you will sing just to annoy people?
Have you met me? My life is a musical. Every kid has their own theme song, every action a soundtrack, and because we have 3 kids we love to annoy, we have a full roster of "annoying" to choose from. It's more a question of what's your brand of annoying? 

9. What is the first meal you learned how to cook? Do you still make it the same way?
Spaghetti. Yup. Is there another way to make it? Boil water, throw pasta in pot?

10. Have you ever turned down an invitation out of spite?
Nope. 

11. Did you believe new sneakers made you run faster? What if they did?
Nah! It was the pixie wings I borrowed from my neighboring sprite that made me faster. Or was it the cheetah whiskers?

And now to pass this bad boy along!

My nominees:

Sania Heba
Fida Islaih
Lynn Proctor
L. Blankenship
Ru
Summer Ross
Jessie Harrell
Afshan
Larissa
Tammy
Rachel

My questions:

1. What is the best book you've ever read?

2. What is your sport of choice? To play or watch?

3. What's the coolest place you've ever visited?

4. Favorite song or artists?

5. What's your biggest pet peeve?

6. What is your brand of geek? (Or obsession?) 

7. What movie do you have memorized, word for word?

8. If you could choose one myth to be true, which would it be: Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, or the Tooth Fairy?

9. What food is your nemesis? 

10. Which army would you choose to defend your home? Ninjas, or Cowboys? 

11. What is your favorite or most embarrassing nick name? 

Okay friendlies, now I want you to pick one question, either one I answered or asked, and tell us something awesome sauce about you!