[Mostly] Wordless Wednesday - Falls Be Gone & Links

I had something else planned for today, but had to delay it, so instead, I will finally show you the last photos of my Seven Falls trip. These ones are from up top, the pinnacle of our hike.

This way for more photos! Oh wait, no, down.

That's downtown Colorado Springs you see off in the distance.

We still had fires burning in October, which is the smoke you see. I think this was smoke from Rocky Mountain National Park, if I'm remembering correctly, and it had come quite a distance.

Helen Hunt Jackson's grave, though I believe it said the body had since been moved and reburied. Not a bad place to be interred. I think I'd be upset they moved me.

I just like this one because the rock looks like an angry rhino to me. Simple pleasures...

My favorite of this batch. This is the uppermost fall, number 7. I don't recall the name.

Now for some links!

Accepting Submissions:

Fringeworks has put out a submission call for their anthology Tiki Terror Tales. They seek scary short stories dealing with tikis. Submission deadline: midnight, April 2. Pays 5% royalties.

World Weaver Press is still seeking sci-fi adventure stories for their Far Orbit: Speculative Space Adventures anthology. Pays $.01 per word, plus paperback copy of the anthology. Can be up to 10,000 words to fully develop the adventure. Submissions deadline is March 31.

Lena Corazone is looking for writers' success stories for an anthology. Pays $50. Your success does not have to involve getting published, just some aspect of your writers life and success.

This Mutant Life is accepting submissions for its 2013 anthology. They must have neo-pulp or superhuman influence. Up to 4000 words. Submission deadline is June 30. Pays $.01 per word and an e-copy.

Silver Boomer Books has an open anthology entitled Longest Hours - Thoughts While Waiting. Deadline April 15. $5 payment for poetry, $10 payment for prose, plus a contributor copy.

Contests:

The Montreal International Poetry Prize is open for submissions for their contest. Early entry deadline is March 31. If you're in a developing nation, your early entry fee is $15. If you're in a developed nation, your early entry fee is $20. There is a $20,000 CDN prize purse and anthology publication (80 entrants will be published).

The L. Ron Hubbard Writers (& Illustrators) of the Future Contest is a quarterly contest. The next deadline will be March 31, with the new quarter opening for submissions April 1, and so on and so forth. First prize is $1000. They're seeking short stories and novellas in science fiction and fantasy. No entry fee. They also have a contest for illustrators that you can find on the same page. There are limitations on how many times you can have been published and still enter.

The Diana Woods Memorial Award in Creative Nonfiction has been created in her name to help writers of creative nonfiction. Your entry should be an essay on their choice of topic up to 5000 words. Award is $250 and publication in Lunch Ticket.

Enchanted Conversation has a monthly contest to seek works to publish. They accept 1 short story and 1 poem (or some combination of that) each month, based upon fairy tale format. You must read their guidelines, as there are specifics you'll want to be aware of. Prize is $25 Amazon gift certificate and publication.

Blog hops/fests:

Kelly Hashway and Beth Fred are hosting the Sweets Blogfest March 6. Write about your favorite sweet, whether that's food, romance, or anything else sweet you come up with.

Other:

The Martha's Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing will have their annual summer writing seminar July 7-12. The program fee is $975 for the week, which includes a professional consultation. Lodging is not included.

Anything of interest to add? Any of these you're excited about? Missing fall color? Yearning for spring yet? Or are you enjoying the winter weather (I am!)?

May you find your Muse.

Method Acting? How About Method Writing?

In my new position as Director of Non-Conference Events for Pikes Peak Writers, I sailed my maiden voyage this Saturday in terms of putting on an event. All of the feedback I've gotten so far has been positive, so I think it can be considered a success! I do call into question my abilities as an MC, but I'm okay with that.

I've been quite involved in getting this event off the ground and running, and I've slacked in other areas. Namely, my writing. I took care of all the followup work I had last night so I could take Sunday off and just rest. Today...I write.

In the meantime, I write a blog post...

All of the speakers on Saturday were wonderful, but today I'm addressing Robert Liparulo's talk, which was titled "To Know Your Character, BE Your Character."

You've heard of method actors, right? Actors who get deep into their characters in order to be able to play them the best they're able? Well, were you aware there were method writers?

Robert Liparulo is a method writer. He said he spends months on research (the left brained part) before writing a book, but the month before he sits down to write, he becomes his character.

In order to embrace a villain he was working on, he said he theorized that truly bad people don't care how their actions impact others. They don't care if they hurt or inconvenience people. Other people's feelings and opinions really don't exist to them. So he went to a full service gas station (I didn't even know we still had those in this area) and asked for one penny's worth of gas, and for them to check his oil and clean his windshield. The kicker here is that the guy did it!

Then he drove around the block and did it again, just to thoroughly inconvenience the guy.

He did go back later, explain, and give the guy a $20 tip for his trouble, because he's genuinely a nice guy, but he had to fully get himself into the mindset of someone who could care less about what they're doing to someone else. And obviously he can't kill someone or torture them, so he had to find a small way to reach that mindset.

Robert regaled us with tales of the different ways he's gone above and beyond in order to get to know his characters, some shocking, some hysterical, many both.

The point he was making was that by getting to know your character inside and out, you will be able to write that character and always know what they would do in a given situation. You can't get writer's block if you know how your character would react to anything that comes their way. By being in their heads, he can automatically figure what would happen. As he said, you can't back a person into a corner and have them not do something; they will always have a response. You'll know that response if you know your character.

He also pointed out that character bibles aren't necessary if you know your character completely. You don't need to answer all these questions about them to know what to do, because you'll know. You'll just know.

His talk was fantastic. If you ever have the opportunity to meet Robert Liparulo, I recommend it. He didn't speak from a script (either time--this is the second time I've attended an event with him as a speaker), yet he was funny and informative. Just as the MC my mouth went dry and I totally forgot everything I'd thought to say. At least until I warmed up. (No, I didn't just stand up there with my mouth opening and closing, I did say what needed to be said, but I'm pretty sure I sounded like I was about to burst into tears, because my voice got so thin and was shaking, and I kept forgetting to breathe, hahahahahahaha).

Robert will be a speaker at the Pikes Peak Writers Conference in April, so if you're going, I assure you his workshops will be entirely worth your time. And his YA series is a great series. I haven't read any of his adult novels yet, but I only just discovered his work last April at Mountain of Authors, put on by Friends of the Pikes Peak Library District, so give me time, people!

Would you consider yourself a method writer? What's the most out there thing you've ever done in the name of research?

May you find your Muse.

CassaStorm Cover Reveal

It's time for the Ninja's cover reveal! You ready to see the awesome cover of CassaStorm?

In order to see it, you must stand on your head, while playing Rush, watching a sci-fi movie, and drinking water (in case you got the hiccups from the rest of it).

No?

Okay, I'll show you anyway.

Without further ado, CassaStorm, by Alex J. Cavanaugh!

How fantastic is that cover!?

Congratulations, Alex!

***

CassaStorm by Alex J. Cavanaugh

http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/

A storm gathers across the galaxy…

Byron thought he’d put the days of battle behind him. Commanding the Cassan base on Tgren, his only struggles are occasional rogue pirate raids and endless government bureaucracies. As a galaxy-wide war encroaches upon the desert planet, Byron’s ideal life is threatened and he’s caught between the Tgrens and the Cassans.

After enemy ships attack the desert planet, Byron discovers another battle within his own family. The declaration of war between all ten races triggers nightmares in his son, shaking Bassan to the core and threatening to destroy the boy’s mind.

Meanwhile the ancient alien ship is transmitting a code that might signal the end of all life in the galaxy. And the mysterious probe that almost destroyed Tgren twenty years ago could be on its way back. As his world begins to crumble, Byron suspects a connection. The storm is about to break, and Byron is caught in the middle…

Release date: September 17, 2013

Science Fiction - Space Opera/Adventure

Print ISBN 9781939844002

E-book ISBN 9781939844019

Have you read CassaFire and CassaStar yet? Hanging on by the seat of your pants for the September 17 release? What do you think of the cover?

May you find your Muse.

[Mostly] Wordless Wednesday - Gem Carvings & Links

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is a place I went once, probably in middle school, on a field trip, and haven't been to since. This year, I took my kids up there to see Pompeii, and we got an annual membership, because it's a great place! Lots of hands on activities for the kids, interesting exhibits, etc. Well, we went up for our second trip on Monday to see the new Mammoths and Mastodons exhibit. An exhibit that stood out to me, despite being in one tiny little room, were these great little gem carvings by Vasily Konovalenko. Apparently, this is the only place outside of Moscow any of his artwork is on display. The gem carvings are all of Russian folk life.

Aren't they cute? Every piece is carved out of some sort of gem. I love their faces, and all the wonderful details. 

Now for some links!

Accepting Submissions:

Foliate Oak Literary Magazine is taking submissions for short (preferably flash) fiction, short creative non-fiction, poetry, graphics, photos and artwork. Submission window closes April 24. Non-paying market.

Arc Digital Quarterly is accepting submissions of short fiction over 5000 words, having to do with the future. Does not have to be sci-fi. They also accept essays, features and poetry. Paying market.

Ciara Knight is looking for contributions to baskets for conferences (for instance, your book). She is also trying to put together a steampunk anthology.

Contests:

The Missouri Review is holding their 6th Annual Audio Contest. $1000 first prize. Deadline March 15. Choose your own submission fee.

RWA is offering their Daphne du Maurier Award, closing to entries March 15. Novel-length fiction. They have a contest for both unpublished and published authors.

What the Dickens? Magazine is having a giveaway for those who purchase Issue 7 before March 8th. Huge prizes!

Workshops:

WANA International is holding WANACon February 22 and 23rd. An online conference that includes authors, editors and other writing experts. 8:00 AM to 11:59 PM. $125 for both days, or $75 for one day. $35 for agent pitches.

Grants:

The Furthermore program is issuing grants for nonfiction for 501(c)(3) organizations. March 1 deadline.

Blog Hops: 

Check out No Ordinary Blog Hop for an ongoing blog hop.

Kyra Lennon and Clare Dugmore are hosting The Bloghop of Joy on March 1. Post your list of joy, the things that cheer you up.

Of Interest:

Cracked.com put out a piece on 5 Hilarious Reasons Publishers Rejected Classic Best-Sellers (there is quite possibly naughty language in this one - you've been warned...it's Cracked).

Editor Tim Radford put together 25 Commandments for Journalists.

What do you think of the gem carvings? Seen anything like them? Any links of interest? Anything you'd like to add?

May you find your Muse.

Why Public Speaking is Good for Writers

Having just come off a speaking engagement this past Saturday, I thought talking about why this is a good thing would be an apt Monday topic.

I know, I know, we're writers, not talkers, right? I'm sure not a fan of public speaking, personally. However, the more I do it, the more comfortable I get with it. Eventually, I'll be able to sleep the night before. I hope?

So why should a writer be a speaker? One good way to sell books, at this point, is to speak at writer's conferences and other similar workshops and engagements. By presenting a workshop, you get exposure to a new audience, and if you know what you're talking about, there's a good chance you'll gain a few readers for your book. In addition, any advertising put out by said conference/workshop/engagement is free advertising for you.

It's smart to aim for smaller engagements first, in order to build up your resume so that you can ultimately get into a conference. Look for programs at your local library, at book stores around you, and with writer's groups.

Consider what you can speak on with some authority, what you can share with others that will help them along in some way. Put together a workshop. They can be anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours (and probably outside that window, too, but those are the more common time frames I've seen), so try to have some idea what you're applying for before you figure it out. Aiming for 45 minutes to an hour may be best if no time frame is given. You can always add or take away in order to meet specific time constraints.

Pick a good title - it will be the first thing people see in advertisements. Write up a short blurb about your workshop. They may ask you for a shorter version and a longer version of it, so be prepared for that.

When you apply to do a workshop, you will be asked for information like why you're the one to present this information, your previous speaking engagements, writer's groups you may belong to, publications, contests won, your website/blog, so on and so forth. Each one will be different.

Alright, all of that out of the way, want to know another reason to be a speaker? It can get you free or discounted entry to workshops, presentations and conferences. Food for thought!

Have you ever applied to present a workshop? How did it go? If you haven't, would you consider doing so? Do you have any pros of speaking to add to this?

May you find your Muse.

[Mostly] Wordless Wednesday - Going Bovine & Links

Today's [Mostly] Wordless Wednesday won't be one of my photos, but a fun book trailer I wanted to pass along. It's a funny book trailer, and one that I've mentally filed away for when the day comes that I'm having to make one.


Libba Bray will be a keynote speaker at the 2013 Pikes Peak Writers Conference. I'm looking forward to meeting her!

Links!

Accepting Submissions:

Voluted Tales has reopened for submissions. At this time, they are only taking pieces for their main magazine, but will reopen the other three as they go. They are seeking sci-fi and fantasy short stories, as well as some steampunk. You can also submit artwork. Paying market.

Etopia Press, via Bothersome Words, is accepting novel submissions for speculative fiction and romance/erotica (or a combination thereof). Royalty paying market.

Contests:

The Stories Space "Darkness and Light" Story Competition has given their last call, deadline February 27. Cash prizes paid out via Amazon Gift Card or Paypal.

The Fountain Valley School of Colorado is holding their annual Althenaea Poetry Competition. Open to 9-12 graders in the Pikes Peak region.

The Pikes Peak Branch of the National League of American Pen Women (and Yours Truly, the Flash Fiction Chair) is hosting their annual flash fiction contest. Cash prizes. $10 entry fee. Theme: Hidden Amongst These Worlds.

Blog Hops/Fests:

Mark Koopmans will be hosting the Got Green? Blog O'Hop on March 15. More details to come along later.

Carrie Ann's Blog Hops is hosting the Lucky in Love Blog Hop from March 15th to 18th. Talk about your love, your romance and how much you love St. Patrick's Day.

The Ninja's next blog fest has been announced: the Top Ten Movie Countdown Blogfest will take place March 18.

Jamie and Allison are holding the Level Up! BlogFest on February 20. Easy peasy, you just post about a game you play or used to play, and why you enjoy it.

Stephen Tremp, Laura Eno, and Luanne Smith are hosting the National Wormhole Day Blog Hop on March 13 & 14th (Einstein's birthday). If you could go through a wormhole and choose your destination, where would you go and what would you do there?

Anything you'd like to add? Any of these you're particularly interested in? Did you watch the Libba Bray video? If so, what did you think of it?

May you find your Muse.

Impressions Matter

I went to see a movie last night (Skyfall, in case you're wondering), and there was a preview for the Jack Reacher film. I can't remember the title, but I've enjoyed the book series. I was excited when I first heard they were making a movie based on the book series, but then I heard Tom Cruise was cast as the main character, and I was deflated.

You see, I just plain don't like him. Therefore, no matter how good an actor he may or may not be, it taints the film for me. Admittedly, it looks like a damn good movie, and I will likely see it, but there's an internal war going down about that right now. Is it worth it to me, even with T.C. in it? Will my feelings for him remove me from the film too much?

This can work in various ways. Maybe it's not just about not liking the actor. Maybe I've seen them in another role and my brain has typecast them. For instance...the dad in Twin Peaks. I, to this day, cannot see that man without being completely ooged out about him. In human-speak, he's creepy! Actually, that's probably true of a few of the actors in that show. But the dad always sticks out to me. So seemingly harmless, and then...

In books, this is a bit different. When I meet the authors, it can sometimes bleed over into what I'm reading by them. If I don't like the author, negativity leaks into some part of the book. I've only met two writers I didn't like (writers rock, man!), and I've only read a book by one of them. But that person was so unlikable that I ended up finding her main protagonist impossible to like. A lot of her personality seemed to be wrapped up in her character, and I saw the things I hadn't liked. I struggled the entire way through the book. Now, this person has a successful series of books, so it's apparently only me that feels this way. In fact, I spoke to someone who loved her protagonist the other day. So is it the character...or the writer?

This can be a good thing, too. I met another author before reading their work, and they had such a distinct cadence when talking that when I read this person's books, I do so with that cadence in my mind. And, in fact, it makes the reading experience better, because that cadence is reflected in this person's writing. I've heard from others who hadn't met him that they had a hard time reading his work, but I'm betting it would suddenly get quite a bit easier if they met him and heard him speak.

Other experiences with this are fairly neutral. Yes, I'll see some bits of personality from the author in the writing (why wouldn't there be?), but it won't have any great affect.

The point of this? Remember when you're rich and famous that the way you interact with people will surely be reflected in your writing when they read your books. Don't be a jerk.

Do you find this happens with you? Or can you keep the actor/writer independent from their characters? 

May you find your Muse.

Image courtesy of Iyo at clker.com: Education Student Reading

Getting to Know Me

I have that song "Getting to Know You" in my head now.

I forgot to post on here that I guest posted on the A-to-Z Challenge blog with my Getting to Know Your Co-Hosts post today. Want a little light and fluffy getting to know me fun? Stop on over and pay a visit!

May you find your Muse.

IWSG - Literary Fiction vs. Genre Fiction & Links

It's time for Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Support Group! You can join at any time. We post on the first Wednesday of each month.

Some days I feel a bit insecure about my choice to pursue genre fiction, rather than literary fiction. I see award winning books and wonder if my books will stand a chance. Are those award accolades what I want? Do I wish Oprah would pick me for her book club (is she still doing that in some way?)

Genre fiction sells, but does it have the same respect that literary fiction has?

I have so many ideas in various genres, but the ones that really peak my interest don't tend to be the more literary ideas. I did start one of them awhile back, though, and it still swims through my mind, but I had trouble deciding on a few of the details in that one. When I started it, I identified with it, and the character reflected that in her life situation. Since then, I've ceased identifying with her situation, and I've started wonder whether I should stick with her family/life or go with other ideas I've had. These are the things that need to be addressed before I write her story. Had I finished it then, I imagine it would have been different.

That story is powerful. It might even be something that could get a certain kind of attention. Yet my love is the fun and action of the stories I'm writing now. The dark sectors that show in them. And I can't help but be swayed back in their direction each time. Even if it means I never get that certain kind of respect for what I've written.

Now for some links!

Accepting Submissions:

On Impression has a listing of editions and deadlines that are taking submissions. Mix of poetry, art and literary.

Dark Moon Digest is always open for short horror fiction for their publications. Pays $10 and a copy of that issue.

This Mutant Life has reopened and is taking submissions for a 2013 neo-pulp/superhuman anthology. Pays $.01/word, plus royalty share (once costs are recovered) and e-book copy. Open for submissions through June 30.

Eye to the Telescope is looking for submissions for their April issue. Theme: Immigrations. Deadline: March 1. Poetry. Pays $.03/word.

Contests:

Author J.A. Kazimer is holding two contests to promote her new book, Froggy Style. Both go through March 30. Prizes include an e-books, books, $100 gift card, and being written into her next novel. Enter to win at her website. For bonus points, take a picture of you (or your child, pet, etc.) kissing a frog, real or stuffed.

Flash Fiction Chronicles has their String-of-10 FIVE Flash Fiction Contest going this week. Deadline is Saturday, February 9, at 11:59 PM PST. Prizes include cash, online publication, and books.

The Pikes Peak Branch of the National League of American Pen Women is hosting their annual flash fiction contest, with the theme Hidden Amongst These Worlds. Despite the group's name, this contest is open to one and all, not just women. $10 entry fee ($8 for each additional entry). Cash prize.

Blog Hops/Fests:

The Indelibles are hosting an Indie-Kissing Blogfest on February 14. You can make it your own, but suggestions include sharing a romance scene from your WIP/book, writing about how to write a romance scene, talking about a real date of yours, giving Valentine's suggestions for romance, etc.

Carrie Anne's Blog Hops will be hosting the Heartbreaker Blog Hop February 8-11. Three prizes available, and the ability to enter 200 times (if you hop around to the host blogs and comment).

Mary, Suze and Nicki are hosting the Back From the Future Blogfest  March 1. Imagine you've received a box from 10 years in the future; what's in it?

Other:

Book Marketing Buzz Blog made a listing of book marketing and publicity tips.

The San Francisco Writers Conference Charity Auction is currently underway until February 11. Some great items to bid on for writers!

Pikes Peak Writers will be giving a free half-day workshop on Saturday, February 23, all about how to Write Your Heart Out. This will be a sampler of speakers from the Pikes Peak Writers Conference in April, including Robert Liparulo, Lisa Renee Jones, and Kathryn Eastburn. RSVP required. More information can be found HERE if you scroll down. This is my maiden voyage as NCE Director!

For those that can't attend Pikes Peak Writers events in person, we put up four online MP3 Write Brains per year. Author Stephen Koonts is our speaker this month. This month's MP3 can be found at the above link.

The Western Museum of Mining and Industry is presenting a workshop Saturday, February 23, on History and Science Writing for Teachers and Learners of All Ages (13+). 9 AM to 1 PM. $20 for adults, $10 for students. Presented by Steven W. Veatch.

Anything to share? Anything you're particularly interested in that I've mentioned today? What makes you feel insecure? 

May you find your Muse.

Adventures in Kim Harrison World

Hello! So you may have read last week that I went to a Kim Harrison book signing at the Tattered Cover in Denver last week...

It was snowing that night, and ever so coooooold.

It was actually clear in Colorado Springs when we left, and I hadn't checked the weather. The drive up to Denver is about an hour long, though probably a bit over to this part of Denver. We hit snow about halfway there and slowed to a crawl on the interstate.

~Pause, roll, pause, roll.~

It was so bad, my friend and I had to open the windows and let the snow drift in, because we were both nauseous. There's something about swirling chunks of snow that gives a person a little vertigo, especially when it's dark and the snow is whirling through various sets of headlights (plus, I suffer from a chronic migraine condition that causes frequent vertigo, so that didn't help).

The Tattered Cover is a shrine for readers and writers alike, and one I've wanted to visit for ages. Problem being, I'm not a big-city girl. I don't like to drive in the area, and I hate having to find parking (and pay for the privilege of using it). However, for Kim Harrison, and with the company of a friend and my little sister (who we picked up in Denver), I figured the trek would be worth it.

There are two Tattered Covers, but this one is somewhere called the 16th Street Mall, a stretch of old roadway with shops rising on either side. A shuttle runs from one end to the other alongside horse drawn carts, bicycles and pedestrians.

We found parking just a couple storefronts up. The meter wouldn't let my sister put in more than an hour with her card, so we shoveled in a few more coins, figuring we'd come back out to add money if we were in there too long. We then braved the slick pavement, shuffling through bits of slush, until we came to the unassuming, yet still magnificent, double wooden doors. My first sight of the Tattered Cover!

The old wooden floors creaked and groaned beneath our feet. I've always loved that sound. Bookshelves rose all around us, the smells of ink, paper and coffee enveloping us, drawing us in. Covers both shiny and dull beckoned us--leather, paper and cloth.

I should have taken a photo of the inside of the Tattered Cover, but we were late due to the snow, so we rushed upstairs to get our numbers for the book signing: 111, 112 and 113--yeah, we were really late.

For the signing, we were upstairs in a dedicated area. I dream of signing a book I've written in that space some day.

We moved around the already seated audience, taking in photos of famous faces that lined the walls, and ended up in a row one from the back, behind a large column. A few more people made their way in, some wearing matching shirts. We'd find out later that Kim Harrison gives away shirts at her signings/readings, so these guys must have attended others.

A brief intro, and Kim Harrison stood before us on a podium, wonderful thick hair, dark glasses.

She read a snippet from her new book, Ever After. I learned I'd been saying one of the character's names wrong the whole time...whoops! It was great to hear it in her voice, and she didn't read for so long that I was bored, which was nice. She then did a Q&A, her favorite part, she said.

The questions were good, better than I expected. One amusing one stuck out: they asked what burnt amber smelled like and she said she really had burned amber, and she didn't recommend it, because it stank. She was asked if she was tired of writing the series yet, and she said she was getting there, but wasn't yet. She also said that it was an author's job to keep themselves interested in their stories, because if they're bored, the reader is bored. She did say that when she grows bored of it, she will let it go.

She and her husband had some fun banter back and forth throughout, and during the signing process he came around and asked if there were any additional questions anyone had, any stories anyone might want to hear. He chatted with us about Kim Harrison World, and how she writes every day and keeps business hours. As he said, that's how you get a series of best sellers. He told us about their first date (Valentine's, but he had no idea it was that day; he just knew it was Friday). He makes her tea in the morning, and then checks on her throughout the day to see if she needs food. I asked him to write a letter to hubby so he'd know what would be expected of him. ;-p

During the signing, they also had a camera going around, and asked people to take photos of themselves or their shoes. Yes, she has a Pinterest board for shoes/feet, as well as photos taken at her signings, so check it out if you have an account.

We finally got in line, and when we got to the front a woman offered to take a picture of us (my little sister, me, Kim Harrison):

She was pleasant to talk to and, despite being a self-confessed introvert (her hubby is the extrovert), she was a great speaker. I highly recommend attending if she has anything in your area. I think she was heading east again, to one of the Carolinas?

When we got out of there, it was after 10pm, and I had a big fat parking ticket, because the meter had run out. I'd turned my phone off inside and had no idea how late it had gotten. Instead of putting the ticket on my windshield, where I first looked for it, they shoved it in the door, so I was all relieved when I didn't see the darned thing, then brought right back down. Messed up. I was NOT a happy camper. Jerks.

It had stopped snowing while we were inside, so we went to dinner at a Village Inn. By the time we walked back out, the snow was falling in those big, heavy chunks again, and the drive down was hellacious. My windshield wipers froze, so they stopped actually clearing anything off the windshield. My contacts dried out. Visibility was low. I couldn't tell if it was icy or just wet. I did finally pull off in Castle Rock and get the ice off my windshield wipers, but yikes! It dried up soon after, and we arrived to find a bone dry Colorado Springs (though it did snow overnight).

And that was my Adventure in Kim Harrison World.

I'd love to go back up to Tattered Cover, but I have no interest in paying the city anymore money to do so. Boo, hiss. Way to ruin a girl's night. Stupid meter. Stupid me for having manners and turning my darned phone off!!!! Next time I'll turn it on when it comes to signing time. (And, no, I can't wear watches--I kill the batteries.) My bad.

Ever been to a signing? How about a Kim Harrison signing? Did you get a shirt? Heard of 16th St Mall or Tattered Cover? Been there? Do you have as much trouble as I do adjusting to using only one space after periods?

May you find your Muse.