Wednesday's Written Word: LIGHT

The fan spins overhead...

Sweat beads below my lip...

My fingers anxiously await the deciding factor...

I watch as he begins to sift through remaining slips of paper...

He looks up...

I inhale...

Light

I let the air out and turn to the familiar keys....

***

Laughter.

Rich, full laughter fills my ears.

My body tingles with the excitement that her blue eyes hold. I want to move quickly, to find that special moment where she sees me for the first time.

Plush carpet beneath my feet has my mind on clouds of white and cotton candy summers. My legs no longer ache and my mind no longer burns with the disturbing heat.

The laughter comes again, only this time ending with a giggle. Sweet and cute, the sound is purely female.

Weaving through the house I ignore the piles of dirty clothes and magazines yet to be read. I'm oblivious to the dishes that wait to be washed in the sink. They no longer matter.

There is only the sound of utter joy that leads me to my goal.

I hear the voice of an angel singing her ABC's and the bark of a dog welcoming home it's favorite friend.

Her laughter rumbles again, smothered only by what I am sure is the love of a treasured pet.

I grin, steps away from what I know is paradise when I hear his voice. My smile grows wider. He compliments her on her dress and I hear her polite response.

My heart swells at the thought of two people so special, so amazing, so missed.

As I walk down the hall, photographs line every inch. She is so small, so precious. He is so handsome, so loving. There are three photos on the end. Very special photos.

We are all four together. Captured together only three times before the loss, forever frozen within the frame.

She laughs again and calls for me up ahead.

A tear begins to travel down my cheek but I brush it away. No longer will there be tears, no longer will there be sadness.

I step forward and see them.

She smiles, her deep blue eyes sparkle with joy. He holds out his hand and the dog dances at his feet. I cannot contain the love that pours from my heart as I grasp onto him.

She begins to sing again. Only this time it is the lullaby I used to sing when she was scared of the dark. I shake my head.

"No need, darling, I am not afraid. There is no more darkness."

Together we step outside and into an eternity only found within the light.

***

For members of the Royal Court new to my Wednesday's Written Word series please peruse the past entries under my Original Works page or via the right sidebar menu.

(How it works: these are written on the spot with a time limit of 45 minutes - no word limit. Each word is drawn from a bowl where the 26 letters of the alphabet are represented by words selected by my husband. I have no idea what words are in the bowl nor which ones will be pulled out each week. I use this as a great 'interruption' from my current work in progress to keep my creative juices flowing & to not get bogged down with current major projects)

Have a Wondrous Wednesday!

Monday Memos on a TUESDAY! Keeping you on your toes ;o)

"Interruptions can be viewed as sources of irritation or opportunities for service, as moments lost or experience gained, as time wasted or horizons widened. They can annoy us or enrich us, get under our skin or give us a shot in the arm. Monopolize our minutes or spice our schedules, depending on our attitude toward them."

-William Arthur Ward

We all know that interruptions in writing are quite temperamental. Sometimes the break is what we need, allowing us time to reflect and see what we have missed; then dive back in. Other times the interruption shines light on the fact that we are completely lost within our current projects. Who ever said writing was easy never understood interruptions.

You see, we all have them. They may come in the form of persistent children, slightly neglected housework, husbands hungry for supper, wives wanting to go out rather than sit in while their husband writes and of course the need to be interrupted can arrive straight from the author's own mind.

Most of you know that I am definitely a glass half full girl, or really a 3/4 full girl ;o). This is something that can come in handy when dealing with interruptions. Just last night I needed to work on a chapter in my WIP. I sat down and began to type, twenty-five minutes in my dog scoots next to me. He rolls over and puts his belly up to be scratched. I look at him and tell him give me five more minutes. He lays there tail wagging, patiently hoping that my fingers discover his stomach is much more pleasing than the keys. After eight minutes he flops onto his paws and tries to crawl on top of the computer.

Yeah, he likes to do this.

I quickly hit save before his paws type the dog version of my story and I look at his face. I have been traveling for pretty much the past eight days. I have not been home really more than seventy-two hours during the last eight days. I decide to let his interruption occur. Even though I KNOW that while traveling I did not get to put as much time into my work, this interruption is worth it. I set the computer aside and for the next thirty minutes I pet him and watch Big Bang Theory on my DVR utterly relaxed.

Honest to goodness after the show he hopped up and went to sit on his perch in the window, allowing me to open the computer and start working again. That thirty minutes did not hurt my progress, nor did it hinder the nights events. It actually allowed me a little down time and I found myself putting more productive energy into my work. Rather than be aggravated by the interruption I just dove right into it. Sure, it was thirty minutes rubbing a dog that loves me unconditionally but to be honest it could have been a load of laundry or a trip to the store and I still would not have let it become a hindrance. It is all in how you approach/react to the interruption. Let it in but don't let it control you. Let yourself enjoy it but don't forget that work is still waiting.

Sometimes I live for interruptions, memories are made with interruptions, characters are discovered, locations realized, and life enjoyed. So when you get bogged down, you shut the door, you only have enough light on to see the keys, you have your mug of tea or coffee and you feel like the world is separate from your hole; remember that interruptions can fuel your work if you let them. They can become food for thought, they can let your dog enjoy some me time, they can let your family know that you aren't a zombie or that dinner will occur before the kids are old enough to own their own restaurant... ;o)

***

Since yesterday was a spotlight on author day I am doing my link list today!

Check out a few of today's awesome posts:

So do you FREAK OUT about little emergencies? If so check out the Book Snipers post!

Shannon Messenger asks if anyone else needs to join her at Downloaders Anonymous

The always amazing author Shannon Hale discusses Banned Books

The adorable and fun Sara McClung is about to start querying...yep that means a Deal with the Universe! But wait she is crazy enough to let her writing buddies select what the deal will be! Go vote - any of them are bound to make you smile!

The Alliterative Allomorph is hosting a contest! Yep - with some awesome prizes - check. it. out.

If you did not get to see all the Recommended Reads from over 60 bloggers yesterday, be sure you do today!

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER MY THE DARK DIVINE SWAG CONTEST!!! either via THIS LINK or the sidebar photo link on the right ;o)

Have a Terrific Tuesday!

Spread the Awesome! Author Spotlight: Bree Despain Interview & Contest!!!

Welcome to the Kingdom!

It is a pleasure to have the talented author Bree Despain visiting today.

(don't you love those yellow shoes?!!... ;o) )

Bree’s book The Dark Divine is a favorite here in the Kingdom and our excitement is palpable! The wonderful Elana Johnson started all this by asking which book did I feel deserves 10 STARS!!!

After reading my entry on this AMAZING book be sure to check out over60 Other Bloggers who have also chosen to spotlight their favorite author & recommended read!! For example check out

Suzanne Palmieri's post on author Kenneth Harvey once you learn all you can about Bree Despain here!

So are you ready for The Dark Divine? Turn the page with me..

A prodigal son...

A dangerous love...

A deadly secret...

I stood back and watched his movements. Daniel had that way about him that could shut me down in an instant. . . . I kicked the gravel a couple of times and worked up my courage again. “Tell me . . . I mean . . . why did you come back? Why now, after all this time?”

Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared—the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in blood. But she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night really held. And when Daniel returns three years later, Grace can no longer deny her attraction to him, despite promising Jude she’ll stay away.

As Grace gets closer to Daniel, her actions stir the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind Jude and Daniel's dark secret . . . and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it—her soul.

(synopsis, book cover, and photo courtesy of Bree Despain's blog site)

WHEW!! Is that not something that makes you want to run to the closest Barnes & Noble right now!!! Well, put the keys down, keep reading below THEN go buy it… ;o)

SP: Now, Bree, as you can see you are surrounded by adoring members of the Royal Court. All of us here are beyond ecstatic to learn as much as we can about you – we just love juicy details...Ahem.

BD: It is my pleasure to be here your Highness, and I only hope to please the court.

As I was saying we are all delighted to meet you! *smileswickedly* Now for the interrogation..ahem..questions…

SP: When I sit down to write I have my tiara slightly askew, my laptop (jewel encrusted of course), my husband fanning me with a palm leaf and a cup that has Princess emblazoned on it filled with Green Tea at my side. Do you have any little writing quirks, what are your rituals?

BD: Interestingly enough, my writing rituals are very similar to yours. Except my cup would be filled of either cinnamon bears or chocolate chips, and my hubby would be shirtless—occasionally pausing to flex for me :D. In all seriousness, I prefer to write in bed the best.

SP: I dream about how I will react when a book of mine is published – the crazy excitement that will occur. What is the craziest, most out of the ordinary thing you have done since having TDD published?

BD: The craziest thing we did as a family was take a trip to Disneyland. I know it doesn’t sound crazy, but did I mention we drove there? 12 hours later, we learned that was about as crazy as you can get. I promised my boys that if mommy ever sold her book, they’d get a trip to Disneyland out of it—it was a great bribe to get more mommy time for writing.

SP: *SLIGHT SPOILER* What is your favorite page in The Dark Divine? Why?

BD: Good question. Hmmm… I think I’ll go with pg 115. I absolutely love this scene between Daniel and Grace. This is where Grace begins to fully realize the feelings she has for Daniel are more than just a friend wanting to help another friend out, and the first time we begin to see Daniel open up and be truly himself. It is a tender moment and was one of my favorite scenes to write.

SP: What is your favorite color and did you have any say in the cover of TDD?

BD: Red. But purple comes in as a close second. As for the cover, when I was asked if I had any thoughts from my publisher, they got a two page letter outlining what I liked and disliked as cover concepts. I was hoping for something that helped convey the mood and feel for the book, rather than a literal depiction. After a bit of trial and error, we ended up with a cover for TDD that I couldn’t be happier with.

SP: Okay, let’s be honest here. I am a Princess. That means I know things. Things like…you are really a Slayer, right? In other interviews you talk about watching Buffy and how you “would be” a paranormal Slayer. So that must mean that the rest of your family has certain “hidden” attributes…

Its time to fess up: What paranormal creatures are the rest of your family? We promise, this is just between us…

BD: Well, my youngest, Kid A, keeps telling me that he wishes we were all nocturnal and has devised a plan of sleeping in and staying up all night to turn himself into a “night creature” so, I’m thinking he must be a vampire. As for hubby – wolfman all the way. Kid Z takes after his father.

SP: Last but not least, what words of wisdom about becoming published can you share with all the writers here in the Royal Court?

BD: Learn to take feedback gracefully and use it to make your writing better. You may not always agree with the critiques, but often the underlying reason behind the comments can tell you something about how to make different parts of your story stronger. If you don’t learn that now, then you’ll find working with your agent and your publisher on revisions more than overwhelming.

There you have it my friends. Right from Bree herself, we would continue to bother her with random questions but she has THE LOST SAINT to finish up…

Oh! Didn’t I tell you she has a sequel to the Dark Divine coming out on December 28th!! Well, it looks like we may just have to see if we can have her visit again… perhaps right before it hits the shelves…yes, yes, it is now a Decree…

Sorry Bree no arguing with Royalty! You know “Off with her head!” and all that nonsense is a common phrase around here *winks*

Goodness! I almost forgot! This isn’t just a day to celebrate the most AMAZING BOOK! Not only can you now claim to know Bree Despain’s favorite color, her favorite page of TDD & what paranormal creature her husband truly is…but you can WIN SOMETHING!!!

One lucky commenter will win Dark Divine Swag!

Dark Divine T-shirt

(winner will email me their size and color choice)

1 copy of:

The Dark Divine by Bree Despain

Any one piece of:

The Dark Divine jewelry items from Heather Gardner’s Etsy shop

Heather Gardner Photography & Jewelry at ETSY

Click the link above to view her shop!

You have until May 7, 2010 at 11:59 PM CST to enter.

RULES:

You must be a follower of mine & Bree's Blog to be eligible!

You must comment on THIS POST – please leave your email address in order for me to contact the winner.

(Be sure to block spammers by using the following format)

clsbarr(at)yahoo(dot)com

Open INTERNATIONALLY!!

One lucky winner will be drawn using The Hat software!!

Now go check out Suzanne Palmieri's post on Kenneth Harvey!

WINNERS!!! Where have Gnick & Courtney Been???

Okay, can I just say this was the most fun contest to host! I seriously enjoyed this. A dayjob work trip is not always exciting and fun, but you guys made this one a blast!! Gnick was the most hospitable chaperone ever and he loved updating everyone!!

I LOVED that Gnick was able to take such a fun group on a virtual tour of where....

Washington, D.C.

Yes, yes I know that some of you have a bit of issue with me saying that it is the city I was in. Well it is a city (sometimes nicknamed Capitol City or Federal City) AND a district. It has a city council, a mayor yet it submits all jurisdiction to the federal government. It did not become a District until 1871 and is still today considered both titles.

Due to the confusion or sneakiness of a question like this I accepted either Alexandria or Washington D.C. since I spent the most time in those locations.

Just a quick note on Alexandria...did you know that for some time it was actually considered a part of the District? I learned a good bit on this trip - not all for the dayjob.

ON to the answers:

#1 - Old Town Alexandria

#2 - The Torpedo Factory Art Center

#3 - The Lincoln Memorial

#4 - The Washington Monument

#5 - International Spy Museum

#6 - National Archives

#7 - National Museum of American History

Bonus - The Star Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key

#8 - The Smithsonian Castle

#9 - National Museum of the American Indian

#10 - Mount Vernon Mansion in Mt. Vernon, Virginia

Joey stated: You can't have Thanksgiving without turkey. That's like Fourth of July without apple pie, orFriday with no two pizzas! in episode 9, Season 8 THE ONE WITH THE RUMOR - Gosh I love FRIENDS! ;o)

Okay so we know the right answers, but WHO WON WHAT?????

You know me, I love the HAT so watch & see...

PRIZE PACKAGE #1 WINNER:

PRIZE PACKAGE #2 WINNER:

Thank you all so much for playing along, journeying with me & Gnick. I am so honored to have such great members of the Royal Court! I look forward to getting back to a normal blogging schedule and visiting everyone's blogs again! I will see you all on Monday...Don't forget:

BE SURE TO STOP BY ON MONDAY...AWESOME AUTHOR SURPRISE & ANOTHER CONTEST!!!!!

WINNERS: EMAIL ME YOUR INFO!

For Prize Package #1 - Go browse the Book Depository.com for a book

For Prize Package #2 - okay, so WHAT GIFTCARD??? Think about it and get with me!

Have a Fabulous Friday!

CONTEST ENDS TONIGHT! POST ANSWERS HERE!!! Where in the World have Courtney & Gnick BEEN??

So I 've been traveling with our favorite gnome Gnick to a pretty cool location. And today is the day to post your winning comment...

You MUST be a follower and MUST post your answer on THIS POST by 11:59 PM EST tonight!

Contest open INTERNATIONALLY!!!

You can click back through Sunday, Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday's posts to re-evaluate the clues.

YOU HAVE 3 PARTS TO THIS CONTEST IN ORDER TO WIN!!

1. You must correctly name all the landmarks from each picture

2. Name the city I was in.

3. Name who said this: "You can't have Thanksgiving without turkey. That's like Fourth of July without apple pie, orFriday with no two pizzas!

**DON'T FORGET THE BONUS ON #7**

THEN POST YOUR ANSWERS AT THE END OF THIS ENTRY before MIDNIGHT TONIGHT APRIL 29, 2010

So click back through the posts on

4-25 CLUES

4-26 CLUES

4-27 CLUES

4-28 CLUES

A reminder of the prizes...

We did decide that if only ONE person gets ALL the right answers then that person wins the big prize pack and everyone else gets entered to win a $15.00 giftcard to ANY online store.
Yep ANY store!!!! No matter what there will be two winners on Friday 4-30-2010... ;o)

So prize pack for ALL CORRECT ANSWERS:

PRIZE PACK #1
*surprise*Goodie bag from the city I am in
$10.00 Book from the Book Depository
Copy of the book I am giving away on May 3rd
(yes, yes, I know you don't know which book that is yet, but trust me it is AWESOMESAUCE from cover to cover!!!)

PRIZE PACK #2
$15.00 Giftcard to ANY Store
(online that participates in giftcards)

Remember, even if someone else has answered still post your guesses so that you can enter the drawing! Don't be discouraged if you don't know them all, put your guesses, prize pack number 2 is still up for grabs!

Good LUCK!

WEDNESDAY'S WRITTEN WORD: ESCAPE + FINAL DAY CLUE!!!!!!!

On the phone...

Miles away...

He sits in front of the bowl...

Amidst sounds of a strange city I wait with bated breath...

In the quiet of our home he pulls the paper out...

ESCAPE

The city disappears as my fingers find the keys....

***

Screams echo off the stone walls as the smell of loss swamps the air. Another one is lost to the darkness. I feel the cold hard dirt solid beneath my feet; worn smooth by the diggers before me. My toes curl while I crouch beside the wall yet they merely scratch the surface.

I've been told that there is a place where the earth is loose between your toes. It is soft and comforting, a promise of life within its crumbling pieces. Here the floors only breed sorrow and death. Beneath my nails, caked with sweat, are bits of that death. I taste it when the nerves overcome me and I have nothing to grasp in my hands. It is impossible to stop the fingers from touching my lips, from my teeth nibbling on the nails and feeling the grit across my tongue.

Once I believed that the dirt was the only food I would ever eat again. No longer. Weeks had passed since the nerves had fed my hunger. Stories of hope now fed my belly.

At first I desperately tried to ignore them, to pretend that they were only in the imagination of the weak. Yet here I was crouched along the earthen wall for a glimpse of what was called sunlight.

Rumors had begun about a light so bright it could blind you and water that ran free, clear of silt and worms. The idea was preposterous but so tempting. It was a dream that I had banked for months after he came.

The man who held in his hand a small green leaf had finally convinced me. GREEN! The word was new and beautiful in my mind. We had never seen such a brilliance, never held such a tender object in our hand. I had stood there watching him talk, not hearing all the words only seeing the herb he clutched as though it were his child. He spoke of things I had never heard of.

The man had appeared in our crossway. Thrown on the ground by the Leaders, covered in mud. His wet appearance had been bizarre but it had been his hands that had made us listen.

No callouses wore down his palms. His nails were clean and his wrist free of the burns from the straps. The crevices in his knuckles were clean of the smoke that stains us so easily. He had not been down here before, he was from somewhere we had never thought to imagine.

We worked for the Leaders. Digging into the hard earth, breaking it away in huge chunks only to find small sections of a shining stone they snatched from our hands before we could even see what it was. The Leaders were brutal on those that could not produce enough of the shiny stones. A beating by their strap could cut deep into your back or worse break a bone that could not be seen.

So many people had been lost over the years. Today two more children had been turned over to the Leaders. Their bodies limp and their eyes wide, staring blindly into the darkness. The sorrow was palpable today.

I had watched the cold, damp earth claim my parents when I was five. Their bodies already brittle from the hard work when the sickness that stole their breath with its ruthless cough ripped them from me.

The man had changed everything. I had seen the herb, smelled its richness and now I stood facing the strap if discovered. My breath came out slow and steady as I waited for the Leaders to end their daily post. This would be easy.

The plan was simple. An object dangled from the hip of one of the Leaders. I had stolen it two hours ago when he fell asleep watching the early digs. The object now rested in my right hand. There was only one place in all the crossways that was not the familiar brown earth. It was an entry wall made out of a hard material with a hole that they placed the object into every night.

Right now the entry stood only a few feet from me across the hall. The Leaders would be here soon, especially when they discovered the missing object.

I straightened and glanced down at the cold oddly shaped thing in my hand. There is no promise that it would show me where the man had come from. I had nothing to guarantee that wherever it took me would be better or even different from here. Gripping it tightly I carefully crossed the room. The familiar padding of my feet gave me the confidence to make the final steps.

After inspecting the hole I glanced down the hallway. I was losing precious time, the sounds of our picks in the distance told me that digging would be halted for meal break. It was now or never.

Lifting the object I turned it to fit into the hole. It hung there not moving nor changing the entry. I remembered that the Leaders always moved it. Closing my dirt laden hand around it I began to twist it. After a second of resistance my hand moved in a circle. I jumped at the soft click and stepped back. The heavy entry moved away from me revealing its other side.

A silent stairwell curled upward in front of me. It was not dirt but a gray rough looking block system. Glancing back at the crossway I smiled. Turning I took a step forward. My foot hovered over the steps hesitantly before meeting a new type of surface. This one was not earth packed by the many steps of lost friends and family. It was cold, rough like a callous and most importantly it was something I had never seen before.

The man was right. Our dungeons were not all that existed...it was time to see about those herbs. I did not look back at the dark earth that had been my home for eleven years, I only looked up praying that with every movement I grew closer to what he had called freedom.

***

Okay here is the FINAL CLUE!!! Come back tomorrow to name everything before midnight!!!

Gnick was so excited for our final tour stop! He truly thought it the highlight of our trip.

#10 Name the landmark location. Yep it is said that the doors to this house are always open - even when the original family lived here. They loved to have guests! In fact in one year they had over 700 people stay here! Can you imagine?

Gnick loved everything: the view, the classic structures and his most favorite spot: The Garden!

He even said that if he wasn't such a roaming Gnome he might consider this place as a final destination! But alas, he chose to stay with us and we are so glad he did!

***

Have a Wonderful Wandering Wednesday!!!

(As always if you are not familiar with Wednesday's Written Word you are welcome to peruse my Original Works Page or click a dated entry on the right sidebar to read past entries)

CLUES DAY THREE!! PRIZE UPDATE

Gnick and I were grinning at everyone's comments yesterday. We told y'all day one was the hardest clues! We believe everyone now knows what city we are in (but I won't spoil it for those who have yet to figure it out) and we are excited to see who posts the correct answers on Thursday's post.

REMEMBER you have to not only know the city but be able to name each numbered landmark where Gnick's picture was taken.


We did decide that if only ONE person gets ALL the right answers then that person wins the big prize pack and everyone else gets entered to win a $15.00 giftcard to ANY online store.

Yep ANY store!!!! No matter what there will be two winners on Friday... ;o)

So prize pack for ALL CORRECT ANSWERS:

PRIZE PACK #1

*surprise*Goodie bag from the city I am in

$10.00 Book from the Book Depository

Copy of the book I am giving away on May 3rd

(yes, yes, I know you don't know which book that is yet, but trust me it is AWESOMESAUCE from cover to cover!!!)

PRIZE PACK #2

$15.00 Giftcard to ANY Store

(online that participates in giftcards)

So what are todays clues....Well we had the dayjob cutting into our touring but we managed to get a few this afternoon:

#8 Gnick took this one - he did good!!! Name the building...

#9 Wow...these replicas represent the EARLY days in this country...They sit in front of a building dedicated to the story of these native people...name the building...

Good Luck! Only one more day of Clues! Come back on Thursday to list your answers and I will announce the winner Friday morning!!!

CLUES DAY TWO: Where in the World are Courtney & Gnick? & Monday Memos

Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.

-Miriam Beard

Well Gnick and I are running ragged around this town!!! I think we may see everything there is to see....

Well, what do you know just when Gnick wants to rest someone won't share a comfy lap to nap in! Doesn't this particular historical figure know he has enough lap for 1000 gnomes much less one little gnome to rest?! How can anyone tell this face no?

#3 Name the landmark

That's okay, we decided to play around with the next landmark. Look at Gnick! Somehow the point on his hat has grown! (albeit crookedly...)

#4 Name the landmark behind Gnick!

Then we decided to sneak around, you know be all stealth.

#5 Can you name the landmark museum in the background? (the cream building)

After discovering how the word gadget transformed many historical events we decided to hit one more spot today...

OH MY! GNICK's face appears to have disappeared?

#6 Do you think we could find a copy or file with his photo in it at the building behind him?

#7 These last 3 pictures are all one clue. Each of the items below are housed in the same building...Gnick was moved by these the most. I know...red glittery shoes? Well, its because these items represent for many of us thoughts of home. The bottom picture is an actual section of the preserved flag in the middle. Yes that is the real 39x42 foot flag that inspired what some would say is the most well known song in America.

(*BONUS ENTRY: Name the Song & Composer)Whew that was 5 more clues....do you know where I am?

*DON'T FORGET: You have to name the city AND each landmark that was pictured. For instance the first picture of the Fish Market is a clue to the historic landmark NEIGHBORHOOD you must enter. I will be sure to put on whether I am looking for the neighborhood, stature, or place on Thursday. Don't worry you have until midnight on Thursday to get your answers in. ;o)

***

MONDAY MEMOS!!

Oh yeah, while Gnick & I are wandering the sites and working on the dayjob agenda check out today's hot blog posts:

Natalie Bahm posts two quotes on

Writing/Rewriting you should add both to your list of quotations on the process of writing, I did. ;o)

Be sure that you have added the The Book Sniper to your blog roll, google reader, whatever! It is a wonderfully insightful new blog from an insider in the publishing world...

Matthew over at The Quintessentially Questionable Query Experiment blogs today about...blogging! Are you a Troll? Sometimes I am...even if it is a Princess Troll ;o)

***

Have a Magical Monday!