March 1st 2015 Challenge

Hi, it’s Christina –

Good Morning! Good grief, it’s March 1^st. When the heck did that happen? I know, I know, at midnight, but seriously, is it me or is this year flying by already?

Don’t yell at me please, because I know I have two books I should be working on, but this morning I got woken up at an ungodly hour with a story that demanded to be started. It’s strange really, and totally not my usual style, but Olivia has a real quirky personality. I have a feeling this is going to turn into a very tongue and cheek type of story. Here’s how it starts, tell me what you think.

I’m a tree. Well, I’m not really a tree, I’m Olivia Arianna Kardash, O.A.K. It didn’t help matters much that when I was growing up, I was rather well…solid, but thankfully I had a late growth spurt. My mom says I’m willowy. It’s her way of poking fun at herself for not thinking things through thoroughly before naming me, or my brother, Jeremy Robert, for that matter.

It’s funny really, our inadvertent acronyms ended up fitting us. I’m thin with long arms and legs. Heck, in heels, I’m just shy of six foot. Tree size if you ask me. As for my brother, he’s definitely a JeRK. I have no idea how two people, who shared a womb, could be so fundamentally different. Oh, we look alike; the same dark hair, the same greenish-gold eyes, the same stubborn chin, but that’s where the similarities end.

Jeremy towers over me, even when I’m in heels. I have more a runner’s build, his is more in the lines of a professional wrestler. Okay, that’s not completely accurate. He’s not quite that big, but I’m sure, with a little effort, he could be. In all fairness, he needs to be big. It’s difficult to be a Linebacker if you don’t have some serious muscle behind you.

Physicality aside, we couldn’t be more different than night and day. I’m a freewheeling, quirky, love surprises, suck every ounce of joy out of the moment type of girl, and Jeremy, he’s well…stoic, very goal driven, serious. You know the type, no fun at all. Please don’t get me wrong, he’s a good person. He’s just… well…not me, and he can be a real jerk at times.

He routinely holds the top spot on my short list, and his latest infraction happened last week.

Would you want to keep reading? This is so strange for me. I usually have a title before I even start thinking about a story, and I never, I mean never write in first person. I have no idea if the story will continue that way. I guess I’ll just have to find out.

I know I have to finish Faerie Tale Queen and Simply by Chance, but I’m not sure if Olivia will let me. She’s already turning into a force of nature, and I’m not sure if I’ll be able to real her in… and I’m not sure if I want to. The only thing I am pretty sure of is this story will end up being one for Annie Acorn Publishing.

Speaking of Annie Acorn, I just heard this morning we are going full steam ahead on Spirited Tales – the compilation of spooky stories I am a part of with several other authors – Ron Shaw, SusanRicci, K. Edwin Fritz, D.A. Grady, Steve Cartwright, Peggy Teel, Bill Crash Palace, JoeEliseon, Annie Acorn – I think I got everyone, but I’m not sure. Sorry if I missed someone. I’m so excited. I can’t wait to see the covers, and to read the other stories.

Here’s how my story starts:

The night is clear, the moon is bright, a low fog swirls along the moor

She appears, the woman in white, a mere echo of the infamous paramour

She begins to stroll, to sing her song, a siren to an unsuspecting man

For ‘tis her fate, a curse imparted, to forever wander this land

Now in death, as in life, she’s forced to lure them still

They are drawn to her, the wretched souls, bound by their own free will

A kiss of death, she will bestow, upon their unsuspecting lips

When they awake, remembering the dream, they will already be in death’s grip

~ Scottish Lore

Okay, I’ve got to boogie. Today is going to be spent on much neglected domestic endeavors. I hope you have super day, and happy writing!

Your Next Challenge is:

I had it just a minute ago...

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.

February 11th, 2015 Challenge

Hi, it’s Christina –

WWIII still going on in my stomach today, so this blog will be short, and will be dedicated to my friend Ron Shaw.

http://amzn.to/17fKxnS

Over the past several months Ron and I have built a strong, bizarre, hysterical relationship which I wouldn’t change for the world. I am a firm believer that God puts people in your path, at particular times in your life, for a reason.

Ron is an ex Atlanta police captain turned author after a near death experience he had a little over a year ago. He chronicles this experience in his first book Seven Fish Tree.

http://amzn.to/1AXlZMC

Since the release of his first book, Ron has exploded on the writing scene. Seven Fish Tree was quickly followed by The Yellow Bus Boys. He brings you back to 1964, when he and thirty-three other 6^th grade inner-city boys went on a ten day trip. You’ll laugh out loud. You’ll cry. Buckle up, ‘cause you’ll be in for a wild ride. Oh wait, school buses didn’t have seatbelts in 1964.

http://amzn.to/1zLcGh5

On the heels of The Yellow Bus Boys came Transmutation – The life of a twisted cop. Unlike his previous two novels, this one is gritty and raw. No smoke and mirrors, he laid it all out for you to see.

http://amzn.to/1E0qqUK

His latest release, Cramped Quarters (I came up with the title, thank you very much), is back to his original – for lack of a better word – style. Cramped Quarters is the story of Mary, the ghost Ron and his wife Donna inherited when they purchased an old trunk at a yard sale. It is formatted like a snippet from a journal – entries of Mary’s antics and Ron’s reactions to what it is like living with a ghost.

http://bit.ly/1EXZHfa

When Ron’s not writing, he’s a Twitter fiend, and probably one of the most active Indie Author supporters I have ever met. He hosts a Monday night talk show on ArtistsFirst Radio Network. Actually, I have been interviewed twice. If you’re interested in listening to the two of us cut up, her are the links – Show1 – Show2.

Ron and I have LITERALLY spent hours on the phone – the man can talk – two months in a row I exceeded my allotted talk minutes on my wireless plan. It’s all good though. We have helped each other with our writing, computer issues, marketing issues. He has introduced me to several people I now consider my friends, and I have hooked him up with several talented authors to interview on his radio show. Ron and I are also two of the ten authors in the Spirited Tales anthology, published by AAPublishing, I told you about, which is going to be published soon. Yes, God definitely put Ron in my path, and I’m thankful.

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

Your Next Challenge is:

It was like I stepped into a 70s sitcom…

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.