September 28th Challenge

Hi it’s Christina –

My Booth

Good Morning! It’s going to be one of those days. I’ve been up for three hours and I have done absolutely nothing, and have no clue where the three hours went. Working on my second cup of coffee now, but it’s not helping much.It is amazing to me how exhausting book signings are, all I’m doing is talking to people for hours, but when I’m done, I’m spent.

Barbara and Her Mom

If it wasn’t for the company I had, yesterday would have been a total bust. When we got to Milford Alive, and hauled all our stuff over to where we were to set up, I got a nice surprise. We were right next to another author, Barbara Steingas, who I met at an event I did last year at Canterbury Tales. I really wish my Paulie would read, because if he did, I’d give him one of Barbara’s books, “Germans AreFunny, Too!”. I think he would get a kick out of it.

Kathi & Me

Kathi Kurz is such a doll. I have known her for roughly a hundred years. She was friends with my sister-in-law when they were growing up, and my mother-in-law and her mother were best friends, so we were together quite often. (I really should be saying “are” not “were”, because all parties are still alive, and well, and friends.)

Kathi's Book
Does a Robot Have a Nose?

Kathi’s book, “Does a Robot Have a Nose?”, is an adorable and very imaginative children’s book inspired by her oldest son. It is the first book in a series (next installment due out in December). The story is about Robbie the Robot, but at the end of the book it shows you how to build Robbie with items you find around the house – a shoebox, a tissue box, water bottles and their caps, yogurt tops, etc. As Kathi says, “All of the items are recycled, except the glue.” Each of the books in the series will have arts and crafts projects parents can do with their kids when they finish reading them the books.

I couldn't get the link to

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(717) 254-7581

Across the street from where we set up, there was a tent where Face Paints by Maggie was doing free face painting. I told Kathi she should go over and see if they would do a robot on her cheek, and I said that if she did, I would go and get a heart on mine. (Barbara was supposed to get a beer stein on hers, but she never made it over there.) Hey, it was free right?

Kathi’s robot came out great, but I was a tiny bit disappointed with my heart. I told the girl she could do whatever she felt inspired to do. I thought, since she knew I was a romance writer, she would do something red and pink with white frillies of some sort, but she just made a plain red heart with a black outline. It came out fine, but oh well, what do you want for nothing? The ladies doing the painting were really sweet, and the work they did on the kids was true art. It’s no big deal that they didn’t do anything elaborate on this old lady.

As I’m finding out, events such as Milford Alive, favor children’s authors. Neither Barbara nor I sold a single book, but Kathi did quite well. As a matter of fact, she sold her 200^th book while we were there, and we all did the happy dance.

We were set up between Church Street and the bridge going into PA, in front of the Milford Station Bakery. On our corner the Grace Fellowship Church had a stand and their praise band was playing on the mobile “River Stage” (an Updyke Lumber flatbed truck) across the street. Later in the day there were two other bands playing, Bad Hands & Bliss, so we had music all day long. It made it a little difficult to talk over the music, but it was still nice having them there.

The Milford Historical Society’s stand was around the corner from us. Two of their members were decked out in full regalia. They looked amazing, but it was a bit warm yesterday, so they must have been dying. They told me they were going to be doing a historical walking tour, which I believe will be on Saturday, October 4^th to commemorate the 137^th anniversary of the wreck of the Oswego Express. Unfortunately I do not know any of the details, and there is nothing currently up on their webpage, but if you are interested, you can contact the Milford Historical Society at http://milfordnjhistory.org, and I’m sure they will be able to help you out.

If you have never been to Milford Alive, I would suggest you attend. It was quite an event. The streets were closed to traffic, and packed with vendors and patrons – both two and four legged kind. I wish I had the time to go and check out the fair, because folks walking by my stand were eating some yummy looking treats. You know me, I’m all about the food. At the other end of the fair, they had the “Main Stage” with bands playing, but they were out of earshot, so I cannot comment on them.

At 2:00 pm, the main event occurred. The event which Milford is famous for… the bed race. It started off with a parade. First came the boy scouts, troop 187 if I recall correctly, and they lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. A teenage girl sang the National Anthem. I wish her name was listed in the program, because I would love to be able to tell you who she was. She did a great job and deserves to get some credit.

After the boys were done, the parade of antique cars and trucks rolled by. I loved the old fire truck, and this car was really cool. I think it’s an old Aston Martin, but I’m not sure. Do any of you recognize it?

When the cars finished their second drive by, a flock of bi-planes flew overhead. All totaled, I think eight or nine planes flew the length of Bridge Street, signaling the start of the race.

Now this wasn’t a typical race. Not only were the “vehicles” unusual, converted bed frames, but the racers went one at a time, not head to head. Each vehicle consisted of one driver and either three or four runners, and all the vehicles are themed. There was one which was quite clever. They used a bunk bed frame, and atop sat Cleopatra and her Roman guards – in togas of course – were her runners. I wish I had gotten a photo of that one for you.

Even though the photo of this one isn’t great, it was hysterical. It was the O Farma entry. All the runners were in plaid flannel shirts and caps, and the “driver” was a hugely pregnant cowgirl, supposedly in labor, huffing and puffing, as her runners were trying to get the bed to the hospital in time. I was about five seconds late on snapping this photo. She was already climbing down from her perch, but you get the idea.

Okay, I have yammered on long enough. I hope you have a wonderful day, and happy writing!

Your Next Challenge:

It has now become the time for action…

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 27th Challenge

Hi it’s Christina –

Good Morning! Today’s blog is going to be REALLY short, because I still have some things to get together for today’s signing at Milford Alive.

I have a bunch of Halloween decorations I pulled out of the Scarecrow Festival I was at last week, and I decided to expand upon the theme. This time instead of my Christina Paul Books paint can for the chocolate, I have a black cauldron. I had Dani write Christina Paul Books on it with silver Sharpie. (Her handwriting is so much nicer than mine.)

I got the car all cleaned out and organized. There’s so much stuff, and I still have to get Kathi’s table and books in there. I did take up more than half the available space, but in my defense, I have the items we’ll be sharing – the tent, the chairs, and the cooler.

The tent is so heavy, and I’m a little concerned about getting it set up. I know I’m going to look like a complete spaz. I had asked Paulie if we could do a trial run one night this week when he came home from work, but we never managed to find the time. I have set up tents before, but each one is a little different, has its own quirks, so I would have been a whole lot more confident if I had been able to practice.

Okay, I just realized I told the girls we were leaving at nine, but I had told Kathi we would be at her house at nine. So I had better get my butt in the shower, so when I wake the girls up early, they’ll be able to have the bathroom.

I hope you have an awesome day, and happy writing!

Your Next Challenge:

Bubbles rising from the middle of the lake…

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 26th Challenge

Hi it’s Christina –

Good Morning! I’ve been in a bit of a funk for the past few days – kinda – sorta – sick, but not quite. Everything was a little off, and that is why I did not do a blog post. I was concentrating on the “absolutely have to”, and letting the rest slide.

I did go to my Tuesday writing group. We had a HUGH crowd. I think it was the biggest yet. Afterwards, a small group of us went for ice cream. Terrance, a regular in the group, Rebecca, a new addition who found our group completely by accident (she was supposed to be studying, then thought we were a volunteer group, so she decided to sit in – boy was she surprised; but then she had so much fun, she decided to stay, and will more than likely be returning), and Annabelle, a radio producer for the BBC, who was visiting from England, via Tanzania.

Can you believe that? She was in Princeton for just one day, had nothing better to do, so she decided to visit our writing group at the library. She claims she has never written before, but Oh MY, what a talent she has. If she ever gets bored with doing her radio shtick, she could have a lucrative career as a writer. Yeah, she was that amazing.

Blessedly, Wednesday evening I had not meetings, so I was able to relax a little. Dani went out with some friends, and I commandeered the television. Monday night I got to watch the season premiere of Sleepy Hollow, but as luck would have it, it aired at the exact same time as a new show I wanted to see, Scorpion. Thanks to the magic of OnDemand, I was able to watch Monday’s show on Wednesday.

Now, even though because of all the hype, and all the previews, you pretty much saw the entire show before it aired, I still think it is going to be a good show. Next week will be the real test for me. If they can keep the momentum going, I’ll continue to watch. (On OnDemand of course – Sleepy Hollow takes presidents.)

Even though I claim I do not watch much TV, this season appears to have sucked me back in. I am, and I have been, a fan of NCIS since its inception, and have watched fairly faithfully. A few years back they did a spin-off NCIS:LA, and I began to watch that one too, but not faithfully. Now this year there is another spin-off NCIS: New Orleans – and considering I have always been a fan of Scott Bakula, there was no way I was going to miss this new series. So there’s three shows.

You already know what a Sleepy Hollow nut I am, plus now I may be adding Scorpion. My husband got me hooked on Person of Interest, but I’m not a faithful watcher. Dani and I watch Teen Wolf together (it’s our thing). Another obsession of mine is Grimm, which like NCIS and Hawaii Five-O, I have been watching from their first episodes; and as luck would have it, Grimm and Hawaii Five-O are on at the same time. All told, that’s nine shows – nine hours of my week spent unproductively, doing nothing but sitting on my bum, relaxing. Not my usual style.

Oh wait, I forgot one. Elementary. I’m a big fan of Sherlock Holmes, so when a modern day version came out, I was all over it. I love pitting my wit against the character to see if I can pick up on the same clues he does.

I will admit, the new show Forever has caught my interest as well, but I think I will let that one slide by for now. For someone who doesn’t not really like to waste time watching TV, my plate is quite full at the moment. This one I will relegate to OnDemand while the others are in reruns.

That’s the same way I get my Castle fix. I watched an episode this summer when there was nothing on, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. So between TNT, OnDemand, Netflix, and my computer, I have been getting caught up on the last several seasons.

So what about you? What shows have gained your loyalty and commandeered your precious time? What is it about the show that drew you in, that keeps you coming back week after week?

Just a reminder, the $0.99 Kindle Sale is still going on. You have until 11:59 p.m. on Saturday to get your copies of A Second Chance, Taking Chances, and/or Corporate Blues. At midnight, the prices go back up, and I don’t think they will be on sale again this year. We’ll see.

Okay, I should get going. I need to run to the bank to get change for Saturday – I’m actually selling my books, they are not being filtered through a bookstore this time. I have to run to ShopRite to replenish my candy again – both days last weekend, I got wiped out. Then, when I get home, I need to clean out my car, because not only does all my junk need to get pack in there, Kathi Kurz is driving up to MilfordAlive with me, so I’m going to have all her junk too. Two tables, two chairs, all our decorations, cases of both of our books, our food and drink cooler, and God only knows what else. At least we are sharing the tent, so we’ll only have one of those. 

I hope you have an amazing day, and happy writing!

Your Next Challenge:

Cinderella gets fed up with being “mister nice guy” and plots her revenge on her step sisters…

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 13th Challenge

Hi it’s Christina –

Good morning! I received my confirmation for the Collingswood Book Festival in the mail yesterday. I was assigned slot 208. 208! There are going to be over 200 book related vendors at this show! I knew it was going to be big, but this isn’t big, it’s HUGE! So hey, if you don’t have plans for Saturday, October 11^th, and you love books, you should consider a trip to Collingswood, NJ. The street fair starts at 9:00, and I think it runs until 4:00.

Between Milford Alive on Saturday, September 27^th, and Collingswood, I knew I needed certain supplies – a folding table, a cart, and a tent – so I ordered them, but then I got to thinking that a simple white tent was too plain and I should jazz it up a little. So yesterday, I played around on VistaPrint and designed a banner. I thought I could hang it in the tent. What do you think?

I convinced my hubby to come and help me that day, and I think Dani will be coming too, so I thought we should all have matching t-shirts for the day. Yeah, I know, I’m a dork. Here’s what they look like. Again, what do you think?

I know I’m spending a little more than I should, and I’m going to have to sell a bunch of books to hit the break even, but all of the things I’m ordering can be used at future events. When I have smaller shows, I can attach the banner to the front of my table. Now that I have a tent and my own table, I can look into other street fairs; and the cart and my t-shirt can be used at every event I do. Logical or am I just justifying?

If you know “the real me”, then chances are you are friends with me on Facebook, so you know this story already. However, if you’re not, I’ll fill you in. We have a bit of a mystery going on right now in my town. On the 8^th, there was a big hullabaloo a few miles from my house. I’m talking the emergency vehicles blocking off the streets for several hours. Accounts from local residents confirmed a body was removed from the residence, the county prosecutor’s office was represented, and there was at least one FBI officer on scene, but in what capacity, it is not clear.

Here’s the mystery. There is not one shred of news about what happened. Please keep in mind, in our town if a car with a flat tire snarls traffic, it is news worthy and gets a mention. Some folks suggested that perhaps they were waiting to notify the next of kin or that perhaps the family did not want details revealed, especially if it was a suicide. I disagree.

If a person is murdered, it doesn't really make a difference what the family wants (not saying this is right, but it is a fact). Even during an "on-going investigation", details still slip out. It is the complete lack of details which is throwing up the red flags for me,and I'm sure others too. If the poor soul who passed away was just some joe-schmo, by either natural or nefarious reasons, there would have been no hesitation by the authorities to make some sort of statement, even if it was "we cannot comment at this time", but we don't even have that.

It's like the press has been issued with a gag order. There is no mention of the incident anywhere. Like MIB were called in, and everyone's memory was erased. Who was the person? What were they doing there? Did they belong there? What happened? Did someone do this TO them? Who was that person? What was their connection? Where either parties involved someone of importance? (Don't misinterpret that please, everyone is important - you know what I mean.) Maybe it's the writer's brain kicking in, but I think something fishy is going on.

I agree that IF it was a suicide, then it's no one's business, however, more times than not, those details do leak out as well - which IMO is sad. Regardless, even in those cases, a mention of "police activity at such-and-such address" does make the paper, even if there are no details. If they had done that, my imagination would not be working overtime.

All sorts of scenarios are playing through my brain - politician - clandestine meeting - homeland security - sleeper cell - the possibilities are endless. And IF this somehow did involve homeland security, we will never know. (Supposedly there were folks in plain clothes there that no one could guess their affiliation, and it all adds up to way too much activity for a suicide.)

What do you think? Does this add up for you? Perhaps a future foray for me can be a true mystery novel. Yes my novels now contain mystery and suspense, but…

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

Your Next Challenge is:

You are not allowed to read that…

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.