February 1st, 2015 Challenge

Hi, it’s Christina –

Good Morning! What is it about 3:38 am? For the past twelve days I have woken up at exactly 3:38 - not 3:30, not 3:45, 3:38 on the dot. On a few of the mornings, I have been able to fall back to sleep; but for the most part, at 3:38 the invisible rooster has crowed, and I have been wide awake.

Needless to say, this new predawn ritual has left me a bit foggy come late afternoon early evening. I have tried taking an afternoon nap (but that’s nothing new – it is a well-known fact that I love my naps), but I’m even finding it difficult to sleep then. Last night, I was so tired, I went to bed shortly after dinner, around 8:30ish. I did well. I think I fell asleep around 10:30, which is an hour to an hour and a half earlier than I have been. So, when 3:38 rolled around this morning I had actually gotten five hours of sleep. Not optimal, but I should be able to function today.

Function, ha, I need to do a whole lot more than function today. I have around twenty people coming to my house today at five to watch the Superbowl. I have to finish cleaning up the house, bake brownies, make the chili, the wings, and the various dips.

Now this next confession will probably have you rolling your eyes at me, but I also have to take down our Christmas tree. Yeah, yeah, I know. Normally it would have been down by January 15^th, sometimes even sooner if I get sick of looking at it, but this year, for some reason, I still haven’t gotten to it. I asked Paulie to bring the ornament boxes up from the basement so I could take the tree apart this morning before he woke up, but he forgot, and with my back, I can’t carry boxes up and down the stairs. Then again, last night Dani did ask if we could keep the tree up until her birthday… It’s on Wednesday… LOL. I don’t know, we’ll see.

I have admitted many times before that I am a total Twitsaster. I don’t know why, but Twitter baffles me, and if I’m being honest, intimidates me. However, I do know it is a necessary evil as far as marketing my books goes. I am trying.

Yesterday I learned how to shorten the links to my books. For example, here’s what the Kindle link to Taking Chances looked like before:

http://www.amazon.com/Taking-Chances-Bradford-Christina-Paul-ebook/dp/B00B8RJWQM/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1422790750&sr=1-3&keywords=christina+paul&pebp=1422790755940&peasin=B00B8RJWQM

Wow! I’m pretty sure I’m over the 140 Twitter limit before I even typed a word. That just won’t work.

Now through this site called Bitly, the link to Taking Chances looks like this: http://amzn.to/1BIMing Infinitely more manageable. Now the trick was to, in the remaining 118 characters, include the appropriate #hashtags and something catchy or witty as well. Considering I have been told the following #hashtags are the ones I should be using - #IARTG #SNRTG #amwriting #tw4rw #romance #IAN1 #WW #RT – I had to put my thinking cap on, because I only had 14 characters left.

My first Tweet was pathetic. I put in all the #hashtags, the Bitly link and the words “Now only $2.99”. Seriously, who cares? Nothing makes that stand out from the pack, but at least I got something out there. I gave it considerable more thought this morning, and I came up with this:

Snow’s on its way. Stay toasty with a warm romance. #TakingChances http://amzn.to/1BIMing

You might say, “Wait, that’s almost all of your characters. What about the #hashtags?” I split them into three tweets. It’s a little more work, and if you follow me, you’ll see nine tweets from me in a clump, but I have got to do something to boost sales.

Taking Chances has fallen to its lowest ranking ever, and I can’t fathom why. Honestly, in my opinion, it’s the best of the three books I’ve written so far. The mystery is more intricate, the historical detail is more in-depth, there are more twists and turns, and the sex is much hotter. The book holds elements which would appeal to a much broader audience.

Because of this, I know it must be because of something I’m not doing marketing wise. So, for 2015, my goal is to get more marketing savvy. I have expanded my books to Nook, and hopefully soon Kobo. I’ve also gotten involved with sites like beezeebooks.com, and I am going to look into advertising with bookbub (if they’ll have me).

Okay, enough confessing for one day. I hope you have a spectacular day, and happy writing!

Your Next Challenge is:

You have ten minutes (be honest). There is no right or wrong, just write. Spelling and punctuation don’t count, and NO ONE is allowed to criticize what someone else has written. Go.

October 5th Challenge

Hi it’s Christina –

Good Morning! Sorry I have been MIA for a few days. I have been working on a time sensitive project, and after spending hours on it, I didn’t have the energy to blog.

The two beaties making a ruckus at
7 am on a Sunday

I have visitors with me this weekend, my human nephew Christopher, and my canine niece Lexi. Other than having to be driven places, you’d never even know Christopher was here. Lexi on the other hand is a different story.

"No computer Aunt Chris,
give me lovin' instead!"

She is an adorable, lovable, moose who follows me everywhere, insists on walking on my feet, and apparently does not like it when I’m on the computer. She is a Lab-Pit mix, and a total mush. Her and Colby are like twins attached at the hip. The two insist on being side-by-side, which is quite comical when they are trying to get through the door to get outside. She snores, she’s flatulent, and she is constantly up my butt, but I love her to pieces. I will actually miss having her around when she goes home later today.

Yesterday’s book signing got rained out. I was a little disappointed, but considering this was the first one ever to get cancelled on me, I think I’ve got a pretty good track record. I will be heading out shortly to the signing today. Today is absolutely GORGEOUS, though it is a bit chilly. It’s 39 right now, and it’s only supposed to get up to 62.

I had planned on wearing the new Christina Paul Books t-shirt, and then one of my writing themed sweatshirts over it, but I fear my t-shirt is ruined. Not only did the footprints from the puppy attack not come out completely, something bled onto the shirt. I just washed it with one of those color bleed sheets, and it looks a little better, but it’s still not great.

I have this in a sweatshirt.

Out of desperation, I just ran it through again with bleach. I can’t wear it as it is now, so even if the bleach ruins it further, I had to give it a try. What fries my cookies is, I don’t think, if I ordered a new one now, it won’t be in on time for Collingswood next Saturday, which is the reason I bought the shirts in the first place.

Well, I should get going. I need to shower, figure out what to wear, do my hair and make-up. If you happen to be in the Lahaska, PA area today, please stop by and say “Hi”. I’ll be in front of Canterbury Tales Forever Book Store in Peddlers’ Village. I hope you have a wonderful day, and happy writing!

Your Next Challenge:

You have ten minutes (be honest). There is no right or wrong, just write. Spelling and punctuation don’t count, and NO ONE is allowed to criticize what someone else has written. Go.

September 3rd Challenge

Hi it’s Christina –

Good morning! It’s HUMP DAY, and the last day of summer break. School starts tomorrow, so after I’m done working today, Dani and I are going to be doing a whole lot of running around. She wants to stop at Verizon to get her phone fixed, at Kohl’s to get a new outfit for tomorrow, and I need to stop at the grocery store because after having the summer off, tomorrow morning, I need to start making sandwiches again. YUCK! The smell of cold cuts in the morning turns my stomach.

This week is insane, and it marks the start of a hectic fall for me. Last night I had my critique group, and surprise, surprise, we had a film crew taping our session. Apparently there was an email I missed warning us it was happening last night. I have to say, I completely forgot the camera was even in the room with us, so I guess that’s an inclination of how good the director was, totally unobtrusive. They are coming back next Thursday for our writing group, and now that I know what it is going to be like, I have no reservations.

I already told you what today is going to entail. Tomorrow I have a reunion committee meeting to go over continued planning for our November class reunion; the first one I’ll actually be able to attend, so I am REALLY looking forward to seeing my old classmates again. On Friday, I have our church women’s group meeting to plan for our November church bazaar. I’ll be doing a lot of the work on the silent auction portion of the bazaar, which is going to be a neat trick since I’m pretty much booked up every weekend between now and Thanksgiving.

The only thing I have planned for this weekend is a celebratory dinner for my in-law’s anniversaries – yes plural, my sister-in-law’s anniversary is Friday. However, Saturday will more than likely be filled with shopping for the list of required school supplies Dani will get on Thursday when she returns to school.

Book wise, things are pretty packed as well. The 9^th is the filming for the TV show. On Monday, September 15^th, I’ll be appearing on Ron Shaw’s radio show on ArtistFirst Radio Network at 8:00 pm. It should be a blast, so I hope you tune in. Saturday and Sunday, September 20^th & 21^st I’ll be back at Canterbury Tales Forever; and Saturday, September 27^th I’ll be at Milford Alive.

I’m not sure yet which authors will be joining me at Canterbury Tales (I’ll let you know when I find out), but my friend, Kathi Kurz, will be coming with me to Millford. Actually, I’m going with Kathi (even though I’m driving), because I would never have known about the festival if it wasn’t for her.

I am going to be waking up extra early Saturday and Sunday, and probably all week as well; and on Friday and Monday, after everyone is out of the house, I will not be moving from my chair. The publisher is calling for an update next Friday, and FTQ is still not finished. If I keep my blog down to a minimum over the next week, it will give me roughly forty hours to finish up Faerie Tale Queen. Considering this is first draft, that should be enough time.

This whole going with a publisher is a double edged sword. Having to be creative under a deadline is stressful, and can very easily cause writer’s block. However, having to be accountable to someone else’s deadline, forces my butt into a chair and makes me write. It’s easy to brush off deadlines I set for myself – not so much when there’s someone else involved.

On that note, I should start rereading what I have written already so it will be fresh in my mind to start the next chapter as soon as I wake up tomorrow. I hope you have a wonderful day, and happy writing!

Your Next Challenge is:

Since I haven’t done one in a long time, today’s challenge is a photo challenge.

You have ten minutes (be honest). There is no right or wrong, just write. Spelling and punctuation don’t count, and NO ONE is allowed to criticize what someone else has written. Go.

July 23rd Challenge

Hi it’s Christina –

Good Morning! When am I going to learn to do my blog first and then go online? It’s after nine and I’m just getting started.

I know I’ve mentioned before, I’m not one for TV, and when I do have a show I enjoy, I watch OnDemand, because whenever they air, it’s never a convenient time. Because of this, I am hopelessly behind on current events. Things can be blowing up, and I won’t now about it until days later.

I didn’t know about the plane shot down over the Ukraine until three days after it happened. I just saw the white flags on the Brooklyn Bridge. I got caught up on the conflict in Gaza, and the fresh fruit recall because of listeria contamination.

The world is going to hell in a hand basket, and I remain blissfully ignorant in my own little world. I’m pretty sure this is a Freudian response. I can’t handle all the heartache, so I close myself off to it.

I find the reason behind the conflicts so senseless. I cannot get my brain around why people can’t get along, and treat others the way they wish to be treated. If they did, we wouldn’t have all the strife in the world.

I know. I’m idealistic. So shoot me. I believe every person, on this Earth, is beautiful, vibrant, and an integral part of our existence; regardless of their skin color, religious belief or sexual orientation. Each and every one of us laugh when we’re happy, cry when we’re sad, and bleed red when we’re cut.

In essence, what they are fighting over is dirt. Pieces of land where they think they should have rule over. I ask you, is a handful of dirt more valuable than the lives killed to claim it? Not in my book.

Enough philosophical mumbo-jumbo. That’s not where I wanted to go with today’s blog. I will happily crawl back into my cocoon, because if I have to see one more injured or dead child because the so-called adults around them can’t get along and their answer is to drop bombs and launch missiles, I’m going to scream. This is why I don’t watch the news. I get so angry I just want to shake some sense into these people, and there isn’t a dang thing I can do about it.

I had an abridged day at work yesterday, and I have a sneaking suspicion today isn’t going to be much better. I never even made it to my writing group last night. My back is in total spasm. I’m walking around doing the ninety year old shuffle. Other than getting RV to her appointment yesterday, and then back home, I didn’t accomplish much.

The back is marginally better today, but I think I’m still going to be limited in what I can do. That also means I didn’t get a whole lot of writing done yesterday either. I am over 30K, so that’s good, but I doubt I’ll be able to drop another 20K in a week.

Ooo, before I forget, I have a request. If any of you are (or have a significant other) from NORTHERN Ireland, and are willing to read, I could use your help. When I finish Faerie Tale Queen, I would like someone to go over my phrasing and word choice for my Irish characters. I want to make sure I’m consistent with it and not flopping around the country. Also, I want to make sure it is true to middle class – not above or below. If anyone is interested, just let me know – a DM on Facebook is probably the quickest way.

Okay, I should go. I hope you have a wonderful day, and happy writing!

Your Last Challenge was:

Why did it get so quiet? How long has it been this quiet? Was I so engrossed in my book, I didn’t notice sooner? The waves. I can see them. Why can’t I hear them?

The kids playing volley ball, one of them just yelled something. I saw him do it. Now he’s laughing and horsing around with one of his teammates. They’re close enough. I should be able to hear what they are saying. Something’s wrong.

The roller coaster, sure it’s a bit away, but I can always hear the screams when the riders drop over the big hill. Is it running? Oh my God, it is.

It’s getting hard to breathe. Don’t panic, don’t panic. It won’t solve anything.

Think. I was fine this morning. I sang along to the radio on the way here. Everything was crystal clear when I sat down. The gulls were squawking. The kids were squealing when the cold water hit their toes for the first time. I heard the lifeguard’s whistle when I came out of the water. Now, nothing.

What do I do?

***

Well, that sure didn't go where I had expected it to when I posted the photo yesterday.

Your Next Challenge is:

What is that stuff all over you?

You have ten minutes (be honest). There is no right or wrong, just write. Spelling and punctuation don’t count, and NO ONE is allowed to criticize what someone else has written. Go.

July 22nd Challenge

Hi it’s Christina –

Good Morning! No birthday shout outs today. The beach was nice yesterday, and since I spent most of my time under an umbrella writing, I’m not a crispy critter, which is good.

I did get in the water, but it was still cold and a bit rough for my taste. Normally, I’m usually one to be in there, jumping the waves with the kids, but with my back being sore and the chance the cold water would make it cramp more, the rough surf and a pretty strong under tow, I was apprehensive. I would have been content to stay on the edge of the breakers, but the rocks and broken shells were murder on my feet, so I ventured in. As you can tell, because you are reading this now, I survived.

Writing on the beach went much better this time, but it was not an easy chore. The glare, even with the umbrella, was a challenge. I could see the words on the screen fairly well, but finding my mouse proved frustrating. I was fine as long as I was just typing, but if I had to go back and fix something or add something, it was a chore. That, paired with the distractions on the beach, had me quitting after I finished chapter 42.

It was nice having a change of venue, and I absolutely love being by the ocean, but there is one definite draw back to me being at the beach. I think it has something to do with the salty air. When I’m at the beach, I can literally eat all day. I finished an entire sub, a bag of chips, a bunch of cherries, a pack of cookies, and then on the way home, we stopped for ice cream. Even though I would love to go to the beach every day, if I did, I’d run the risk of getting harpooned, because I would look like a beached whale. I’m sure I burn off a lot of the calories trudging through the sand and playing in the surf, but…

The first few hours of today, I spent chatting on line with author and radio personality Ron Shaw. I’m really enjoying getting to know him, he’s a neat guy. This whole being an author thing has opened the doors to so many wonderful new experiences and amazing people, experiences I would never have had if I hadn’t got up the nerve to submit my first book. I doubt I will ever become wealthy from my writing, but I can definitely say I have become richer for it.

Since my conversation this morning doesn’t count toward my word count goal (too bad because it would have probably boosted me another 1K words), I should boogie if I want to get anything done before I have to get ready for work. I hope you have a terrific day, and happy writing!

Your Last Challenge was:

Use the following: Sitting on the floor, A Knife, Newspaper

Wrapping, not a fan. But here I am, just like every week before Christmas, sitting on the floor, wrapping paper and presents spread all around, tape stuck on my arm, and my sharpest knife in hand. I don’t use scissors, I can’t get a straight line with them if I tried.

I’m trying to stay in the holiday spirit, really I am, but I keep finding myself grumbling. The deal was, if I shopped – which my husband hated, he would wrap – which I hate; but somehow that promise has fallen by the wayside. Now I do all the shopping AND all the wrapping, while he sits on the couch and watches the idiot box.

I’ve tackled all the standard box sized items, and all that’s left are the unusual shaped gifts. The small ones are not an issue, but I keep eyeing the giant stop sign we got our son as a decoration for his man cave. It would take an entire roll of wrapping paper just to cover it, and, being the scrooge I am, I don’t want to waste an entire roll on one gift. Newspaper it is. I’ll just decorate it with some of the more colorful Christmas ads.

Your Next Challenge is:

Since I haven’t done one in quite a while, today’s challenge is a photo challenge.

You have ten minutes (be honest). There is no right or wrong, just write. Spelling and punctuation don’t count, and NO ONE is allowed to criticize what someone else has written. Go.

June 6th Challenge

Hi it’s Christina –

Good Morning! Okay folks, I need your advice. I am about to my eyeballs with Verizon and I’m looking to change to another carrier. AT&T? Sprint? Virgin Mobil? I want to know what plans you have and what you think of them. With Lys’ school still up in the air, I need make sure the plan has coverage in VT, NC, TN, and, of course, NJ.

I only believe the reviews on line so much, and I’d like to hear the opinions of people I actually know. Please tell me the good, the bad, the ugly as well as the positives. For once, I want to make an educated decision and not just go with what’s easy (the devil you know). Thank you.

I got most of the chocolates done yesterday before I had to leave for work. Lys finished up the batch of chocolate that was already melted, but she didn’t melt any more; so I need to go and check the inventory to see if I have enough.

As soon as I finish this post, I am running to the store to get the stuff I need to make baked beans and sausage & peppers. Then it’s off to Costco to pick up the cakes, burgers, dogs and rolls. I have to find new tubs to chill the adult beverages because ours didn’t survive the winter, and then I need to get the items to fill the tubs. I keep vacillating between getting a keg or bottles of beer. Bottles will be more expensive, but there would be a variety. I’m the worst person to do this chore, because I don’t drink. I am limiting it to beer and wine coolers though. As far as I’m concerned, there is no need for hard liquor at a picnic.

Ooo, take a look at this. We had our first harvest from our garden last night. Aren’t they beautiful? I brought them in, cleaned and sliced them, and the whole time Colby sat there and begged, so I threw him a slice. The crazy mutt gobbled it up and begged for more. I swear, he’s part goat! LOL!

Okay, let me boogie so I can get a start on my endless “To Do” list. Oh, just so you know, I won’t have time for writing prompts over the next two days, so you’ll have until Monday to think about this one.

I hope you have a great day, and happy writing!

Your Last Challenge was:

Use the following: Strangle, Turtle, Soup (it can’t be turtle soup)

“Dear God Trevor, will you hurry up and finish your soup already. We were supposed to leave five minutes ago!”

“I’m going as fast as I can, Dear.”

“Oh, don’t you play the turtle card on me.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it Dear.”

“Humpf. I know damn better.”

“Yes, Dear.”

“You certainly aren’t slow when it comes to the bedroom. There it’s wham bam and you even leave off the thank you ma’am.”

“I’m sorry Dear.”

“Have you finished yet?”

“Almost Dear.”

“Oooo, will you hurry up! Oh, and for the record, I’m driving tonight.”

“If you say so, Dear.”

“Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go.”

“Let me just run up to the bathroom, and I’ll be ready to go, Dear.”

“The bathroom? Are you kidding me? Argh! Sometimes I could just strangle you!”

Your Next Challenge is:

You have ten minutes (be honest). There is no right or wrong, just write. Spelling and punctuation don’t count, and NO ONE is allowed to criticize what someone else has written. Go.

April 24th Challenge

Hi, it’s Christina –

Water's a bit rough and there's still
snow on the mountains

I’ll confess. I took a little nap when I got to the hotel instead of jumping right online and doing my blog. Up before five, then driving for six hours wiped me out. 

Since all of the snow and most of the ice waterfalls were completely melted, I decided to take the ferry over from Essex, New York to Burlington, Vermont. This usually cuts over an hour off of my trip and saves about a quarter of a tank of gas. 

The water on Lake Champlain
is so high from the snow melt
it's lapping up on to the dock.

Unfortunately, we got there ten minutes after the ferry had left, so we had to wait fifty minutes for the next ferry. They only run once an hour this time of the year. So, I still saved gas, but missed the short window between exams when Lys would be in her room.

Since we were late anyway, my nephew and I stopped at Chipotle for lunch. I have never been, but it is one of his favorite places. I had the chicken tacos, and other than them being a little too spicy for me, they were very good, but $1.95 for a little cup of guacamole was a little ridiculous. After we ate, I called Lys’ roommate Rhea, and she let us in so we could bring the rest of Lys’ packing bins and space bags up to her room. Rhea’s just about finished packing, so the room looks so bare. I did give Rhea something extra she needed to pack though; I gave her a copy of Corporate Blues as a thank you for being a good roommate for my daughter.

I can't believe Lys is finished with her first year of college already. It feels like we were just dropping her off, and now we are packing up her dorm. Boy that

I think this was the groundbreaking
for the new sophomore dorms. 

school year went quick! Granted, some of it has to do with her school year ending so early this year. They only had two weeks for Christmas break, where most colleges had five. I’m not 100% sure, but I think Champlain has some construction projects going on over the summer and they needed the extra time. Next year, the schedule is like every other college, and they get out in the middle of May.

So, when I woke up from my nap, I procrastinated some more, and went to the lobby for a cup of coffee – decaf of course. I chatted with the girl at the front desk, then I went outside for a few minutes. Whenever I stay at a hotel, I like to check out the cars in the parking lot to see where everyone’s from, I know, I’m a kook. The one thing which never dawned on me until Samantha, the girl at the front desk, mentioned it, was just because the license plate says one state, it doesn’t mean the folks are actually from that state. If it’s a rental, the plates could be from anywhere. It was an “ah ha” moment. I had never thought of that.

There was one vehicle in the parking lot which really piqued my interest. I came back inside and whispered to Samantha, “Please tell me they’re a guest, and I have no reason for concern.” She knew exactly what I was referring to, and assured me they were a guest. (Sorry, FB readers. If you want to see what I’m talking about, you’ll need to look at the blog.)

Okay, I don’t want to push my luck. Tim is reading quietly while I write so as not to disturb me, and I don’t want to take advantage. I hope y’all have a wonderful day, and happy writing!

Your Last Challenge was:

Aaarrrggghhh! I can’t take it anymore. Why do they have to make things so difficult? Why can’t anything be simple? Or go easy? It’s a plot, a scheme, I just know it. All the big companies are banning together against us little people. They want to make us feel so insane, we need to turn to them to do everything. See, it must be working, they are turning me into one of those conspiracy nuts.

Every little thing we used to be able to do for ourselves, is now a major production. Example, last weekend, my husband went to change the oil on my car. This is the first time we have had to do it, because the maintenance plan we had ran out. This should be no big deal. He has changed the oil hundreds of times, even on his relatively new, three year old, work truck.

So he picks up the six quarts of oil and the new filter, which should have been his first clue that this project was doomed to fail. The filter isn’t a one piece unit anymore, it’s literally a filter and “O” rings, which need to be placed into a stationary housing. Okay, interesting, but not a deal breaker, so my husband proceeds. He figures out the funky mechanism to release the oil so it can drain from the car – luckily the special adapter needed came with the oil filter. The oil drains, and he goes to replace the filter. He gets the cap off, only to find another top which requires a special wrench.

I ran out of time, but I thought you’d want the end of the story. He realizes he doesn’t have the right tool, so he calls the auto part store, and they tell him they have the wrenches needed. He goes back to the store, makes a wild guess at which of the six wrenches was the right size – the guy at the counter couldn’t tell him – brings it home, and it doesn’t work. My husband ended up closing the oil plug back up and dumping six quarts of cheapy oil in the car, just so I wasn’t driving to Vermont with sludge in my engine. He’ll get the correct wrench and then do a proper oil change next month.

I’m telling you, it’s a conspiracy. They want to make things so difficult, you have to turn to them instead of being able to help yourself. It’s very frustrating.

Your Next Challenge is:

The students have taken over the classroom (or school)

You have 10 minutes (be honest). There is no right or wrong, just write. Spelling and punctuation don’t count and NO ONE is allowed to criticize what someone else has written. Go.