NaNoWriMo

I did lots of good work in November. It just didn't come to 50,000 new words.

Happy Thanksgiving

Rethinking My Blog

I love blogging because of all the wonderful people that I've met. In the beginning, my posts were all about the things I was learning. I used to share about great posts I would find and explain my take on them. I'm still learning things and expect to continue to learn things as I write.

Once I signed a book contract, the demands on my time ramped up. The nature of my blog changed because I simply can't get around as much as I used to. I miss that. I miss the people I used to interact with more often.

More and more, it seemed like my blog was all about cover reveals and book releases. That's not a bad thing. I love celebrating with them and helping to get the word out. But was that the only thing my blog was going to be?

During this hiatus, one of the things I've been doing is rethinking how I do things here. I've decided to start posting twice a week. Here's the plan:

Mondays will be for me. I'll do what I've always done and talk about whatever. Maybe I'll share brilliant posts again (not mine, of course).

Wednesdays (first one of each month) will be for my IWSG posts.

Fridays, I'll be posting spotlights of cover reveals, book launches, or book reviews. Since these seem to come out in bunches, there could be Fridays with multiple books.

What about your blog? Has it morphed over time? What are you doing to keep it fresh?

Big Indie Giveaway

The awesome Natalie Aguirre over at

Literary Rambles

is hosting a big Indie giveaway.

And you know who

(no, not Voldemort)

is part of it.

They usually spotlight children's books,

so I feel especially honored to be included. 

I've added so many books to my to-be-read list from their site.

Why not drop by and say hi?

ISWG - Coming Out of the Tunnel

Click here to find out more.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Yes, I've seen the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm going to a writing retreat today and feeling pretty stoked to finish the seemingly neverending rewrite of Torn Canvas and begin my NaNo project. What you are up to?

Special Ninja Cap'n Guest Post

I'm coming out of blogging hiatus to give you a treat: the awesome

 Ninja Cap'n Alex J. Cavanaugh!

I'm a huge Science Fiction fan myself, and I asked Alex to share a bit about his history with Science Fiction and what draws him to it. Take it away, Cap'n.

What Drew Me into the Wormhole of Science Fiction

I think I’ve always had a thing for science fiction. (And fantasy.) Both genres allow the imagination to run wild because anything is possible. Anything! When you’re a kid, that just sounds awesome.

I spent part of my childhood in Japan and was inundated with Godzilla and other Japanese monsters. I watched the movies and played with the toys. I was also into comic books and the DC super heroes were my favorite. I could see myself fighting right along with the Justice League of America!

Movies and television shows also caught my attention. Star Trek was an instant favorite, both the original series and the cartoon. And remember the original Wild, Wild West? It was very early steampunk. It was also a western, and the combination of elements probably started me on the space opera path.

I like all types of science fiction, although I tend to shy away from the heavy tech and science aspects. (I don’t care how something works, I just need to know that it does work.) I’m more drawn to science fiction that’s set in the far future or somewhere else in the galaxy. A world beyond our own is an adventure to me, and that is what I like best.

When you really think about it, science fiction is a blend of genres or another genre masquerading as science fiction. It can be part thriller, horror, romance, and of course western. Star Wars is a western set in space. (Outland is literally High Noon in space.) The Thing is horror. Galaxy Quest is humor. Starman is romance. Science fiction is very diverse when you examine it closely.

What are some of my favorites?

Books - Timothy Zahn’s Star Wars books, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Robert E. Heinlein, Alan Dean Foster’s Flinx series, Ray Bradbury

Movies - Aliens, Serenity, Star Trek First Contact, MST3K The Movie, John Carter, Jurassic Park, Super 8, The Avengers, T2

Television - Firefly/Serenity, Star Trek (all), and Stargate SG1/Atlantis.

Science fiction just satisfies the imagination. And those of you who aren’t science fiction fans, I think there are stories out there you would enjoy regardless. Maybe you’ll even enjoy mine. Would it help if you knew they were about adventure, friendship, and love?

I like Alex's tastes! So many of my own favorites are listed here. And, it should be no surprise that his Cassa series is a favorite one of ours. I read them to my hubby, so we can share the experience. Following is some information on the third and concluding book in the series. 

CassaStorm

From the Amazon Best Selling Series!

A storm gathers across the galaxy…

Commanding the Cassan base on Tgren, Byron thought he’d put the days of battle behind him. 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, 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 return. As his world begins to crumble, Byron suspects a connection. The storm is about to break, and Byron is caught in the middle…

Barnes and Noble | Amazon | Amazon Kindle | Goodreads

And if, by chance, you don't know who Alex is:

Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. The author of the Amazon bestsellers, CassaStar and CassaFire, he lives in the Carolinas with his wife.

Have you met Alex online?

Read any of his fun books? There are 3 of them.

What are your thoughts about SciFi? 

What's Your NaNo Wish?

Jennie's giving away a 50 page critique + an ecopy of The Spirit of Christmas

Jessica's also giving a 50 page critique + an ecopy of The Spirit of Christmas

Kelley's giving a $25 Amazon Giftcard + an ecopy of The Spirit of Christmas

David's also giving a $25 Amazon Giftcard + an ecopy of The Spirit of Christmas

Cassie's giving a choice of any of her ebooks + an ecopy of The Spirit of Christmas

So what do I want for NaNo?
Creative I'm not. My NaNo wish is simple: A finished Second Chances 101.

Even if you're not doing NaNo, you can participate in the bloghop.

What is (or would be) your NaNo wish?