Christmas Memories

My friend Tristi has this awesome thing she's doing on Facebook and I wanted to continue it here, as it's the first little bit of the Christmas spirit I've felt this season. In the comment thread, share a favorite Christmas memory or tradition. I'd love to hear them.

One of my favorite memories was the year I was 5 or 6 and we were living in a trailer while our house was being built. When we got up Christmas morning there was hardly anything under the tree and NOTHING from Santa. I was sooo disappointed and near to tears when Mom said that maybe Santa thought we were in the new house already and had delivered presents there, so we went to the house ... See Morethat was basically a shell and there were all of Santa's presents. It was thrilling to play with them there on the plywood floor and enjoy the moment together.

And my favorite tradition is our Christmas breakfast. We always have orange rolls. My daddy started the tradition when he and my mom were first married, and we carried it on to remember him all these years, and now I continue it to remember the both of them. Merry Christmas, Mom and Daddy, and to each and every one of you.

A Picture Says a Thousand Words

I have this strange habit when I write. Before I can write a single word, I have to know what my characters look like. You know the old saying, a picture says a thousand words? Well, I've found it true. The other saying that has hit me with this is that the eyes are the windows to the soul. It has been a fascinating process to me, but I've run into a bit of a dilemma.

I'm running out of pictures.

So, to fix this problem, I've come up with what I consider a brilliant solution. I''m turning to you, my readers, to help me fix it. Now, I know I'm taking a chance here, because there are some people who are determined to show much more than I'm willing to see, but I'm not asking for those kinds of pictures. I'm asking for HEAD SHOTS. Pictures of people's faces--yours in particular, and I am not asking that you be model worthy for this project. Actually, I'd prefer that you NOT be model worthy. I want angry pictures, crying pictures, laughing, scared, and threatening faces. I want angelic and devilish expressions. I want VARIETY, and the more unique your features, the better.

Now, in exchange for your head shots, here is what I will do. Sometime in the near future I will have a web site. It is being designed at the moment, and as soon as it's up I'll post the link. If I choose your face for any of my future books, I will post it there, will put your name in the acknowledgements section, and if I can finagle it with my publisher, might be able to get you an autographed book. I can't promise that until I talk to them, but I'll certainly try.

But still, to have your name in the acknowledgements? That's got to be worth a picture, don't you think?

So, if you are willing to send me a headshot, put it in the text of the e-mail (no attachments!) and send it to picsforkaren@hotmail.com. And remember, HEADSHOTS ONLY. I don't want to see anything below the neck.

Thanks in advance! I knew I could count on you all!

Quote of the day: “Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go.”

E.L. Doctorow

Double Digits

I would like to draw your attention to the countdown timer on the sidebar. Yes, that's it, look to your right. You see it? Now check out those numbers. Do you notice something different? Yep, I lost a number.

I'm in the double digits, baby!

Just a little over 3 months and The Sapphire Flute will his bookshelves everywhere and I'll be having an amazing launch party with 5 other fantastic authors. Holy cow, it's just around the corner!

I'm in the process of having a web site created, so that will give you the chance to keep updated more than just my sporadic blog ramblings and also let you read some chapters, maybe some poetry, and definitely all the news about where I'll be and when.

I'll get you some updates on that just as soon as it's done. Until then, keep writing!