IWSG: February and So Much News

Welcome all to February's version of IWSG. There is so much to share. Started by Alex J. Cavanaugh, this group supports other writers by giving advice, empathy, and sharing victories and rejections. Everyone helps everyone. Wouldn't it be great if the real world worked as well as this group? I think we need Alex to run for President in 2020.

Check this out! IWSG is now offering merchandise sharing the cool graphics with the world and on your desk. You might already have a tee shirt like I do, but there's more. Go to the Merchandise Page and check it out.

The winners of last fall anthology have started a group blog to tell the world about their upcoming book. Visit Hero Lost: Mysteries of Death and Life.

You may notice some new administrators helping to run our wonderful group, but they're probably not strangers. Welcome C. Lee McKenzie and Heather M. Gardner.

If you haven't joined IWSG on Twitter, please do. Each day we share a lot of links to great writing articles covering all genres and the business of writing.

And please welcome some new members of IWSG by visiting them on their first posting day.

Blue Fox Cafe

Kathy S Collier/Author

My Brain Injourney

The Write Project

Write Accountable

Going Solo with spelling errors

600 Second Saga

Putting the Clothes On, Taking the Gloves Off.

Northern Lights Gothic - KT Wagner

Danger, Love, and Mystery

Writers Read – That’s What They Do

Ray Pace at Large

And today's question if you chose to answer it: How has being a writer changed your experience as a reader?

It has changed it in many ways. First, those spelling and grammatical errors jump out at me. Mistakes in POV bother the heck out of me. Use of adverbs by 'big time' authors irritates me. How come they're allowed to do that and I'm not? Being a writer makes me very critical of other works. And I'm quicker to give up on a book than I used to be. There are so many good books out there, I don't waste time on mediocre ones.

And one last thing to check out. There's some info coming out on the 2017 A to Z Blogging Challenge. Still unsure if you're going to participate? See what's up.

Thanks for sticking with me through all these links. Hope you find something interesting to read. Are you reading for IWSG merch? Are you a critical reader? Alex for president?

Good Habits and Already Home

I posted on this blog a few months ago that it takes about 3 weeks at a certain behavior to make it a habit. As a former health teacher, I appreciate that good habits have to be worked at. I try to walk or jog at least one hour 5 or 6 days per week. I floss nightly and go to the dentist every 6 months. Later today, I'll be visiting the dermatologist for my yearly checkup.

I've probably mentioned on her a few times that I grew up on a family farm. That meant hours and hours in the sun for all those years. And I played sports through high school and college. More sun. After college, at the old age of 21, I started my career as a PE teacher, coach and then watching my own children play sports. Lots and lots of sun. So for almost twenty years now, I go visit the dermatologist. Use that sun screen, everyone, please. And visit that dermatologist anytime you're not sure if something is as it should be. That's my summertime lecture.

Another habit I've picked up over the years is writing at night. 10 pm to midnight are my best hours. I wish I could change that but I haven't managed it yet.

In other real news. Heather M. Gardner's book Already Home: A Macquire's Corner Novel is available to day. Find it on:

Amazon  B&N  Kobo

Coffee shop owner Maggie Maguire doesn’t trust the new police chief her father hired to protect Maguire’s Corner. He’s a stranger, cold, bossy and annoyingly handsome. But, Maggie’s witnessed a serious crime and now someone’s trying to kill her. The man that aggravates her most might be the only one that can help her. 
Police Chief Jack Munro likes his new job and his new town, and unfortunately he also likes the stubborn but beautiful town sweetheart. His self-imposed hands-off Maggie policy is about to be put to the ultimate test when he must keep her close to protect her while he tracks down a ruthless killer. 
Determined to ignore Jack’s charms, Maggie attempts to help him unravel the mystery but when their lives hang in the balance she must decide how much she’s willing to risk to save the man she suddenly can’t resist. 

Writers' meeting tomorrow so I'm pretty excited about that. Then some time writing and reading on the front porch.

What are your plans for the weekend? Do you always use sun screen? What good health habit do you practice? Are you going to check out Heather's book?

Blood, Boobs and Carnage Blogfest

After a very busy weekend, it is so nice and normal to come home to the Blood, Boobs and Carnage Blogfest. This event is sponsored by Alex J. Cavanaugh and Heather M. Gardner. To participate, share a movie, TV show or book that fits the self-explanatory title of this fest.

I'm rather sure I'm not going to be the only one to pick this TV show and the books it is based on certainly fit the description too. My children bet on how many minutes into an episode of Game of Thrones the first nude scene will occur because lots of skin will be shown every week. Usually full nudity and not just of boobs. Blood and Carnage! Can I say Red Wedding? Too many examples to even name them and more will follow.

I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with.

The Pennwriters' Conference this past weekend was wonderful. You know I'll be sharing lots of information with you on this blog over the next few weeks with the first installment showing up this Wednesday. The only bad part of the event was driving through road construction. Pennsylvania does road work in a manner designed to torture commuters. I believe my home state to be the bozo kings of road construction.

I'm looking forward getting back to my WIP, the first in a new science fiction romance series. And it is time to get some yard work done. I haven't planted anything yet.

How does your state handle road construction? Do you think I picked the winner for the blogfest? Have your spring yard work done? Can I sign you up to attend our state conference next year?

One Good Catch

It's Friday the 13th. Again. Most of my plans for the upcoming weekend involve getting posts ready for the A to Z Challenge both on my blog and on the other two blogs where I'm a co-host, IWSG and the A to Z Challenge Blog home. I'm pleased to help Heather M. Gardner with the release of her novel. I'm sure the 13th will bring her good luck, not bad.

A little wisdom to take us into the weekend.

"A dog owns nothing yet is seldom dissatisfied." Irish Proverb

One Good Catch, A Maguire’s Corner novel

All Romance Ebooks, Kobo, Amazon and Barnes and Noble

Ignoring a recent trauma that is affecting her everyday life, ER Doctor Kate Maguire engages in some high risk activities, but putting herself in these dangerous situations isn’t enough to feed her edginess. She needs something more. When her brother’s high school best friend comes back to town, it’s her chance for a ‘no strings attached’ fling with the man who still headlines in all her best dreams.

Rhys MacGrath’s days of one-night-stands are long over. The pro-football player might be side-lined at rehab for a shoulder injury, but that doesn’t mean he can’t admire and desire the all-grown-up, so-damn-hot, version of the tomboy he once knew. His sudden interest in Kate might be aggravating his best friend, who doesn’t approve, but it’s her indifference that’s driving Rhys crazy.

Everything heats up when Kate’s nosy nature sets her in the line of fire of an arsonist forcing them to deal with more than just the sparks igniting between them.

Heather M. Gardner's love of books began on the hand-woven rugs of her small town library where her mother worked. There she had a never-ending supply of stories to read at her fingertips. As a teen, her favorite genres to curl up with were romance and mysteries. When she started to create her own stories, they were the perfect fit.
Heather resides in New York with her best friend who is also her husband, plus her talented and handsome son. She is currently owned by four stray cats. Heather's a full-time mom, works part-time from home, a chocolate enthusiast, coffee junkie, cat addict, book hoarder and fluent in sarcasm.

Blog: The Waiting is the Hardest Part  Twitter: @hmgardner  Goodreads   Facebook

Hope your weekend plans are a little more exciting than mine though I'll be really happy when all the posts are scheduled and ready. Do you know any dissatisfied dogs? And a little Pratchett to honor the loss of another icon of fantasy and science fiction. Starting to make me feel old. Do you agree with Terry's description of English?

Friday Highlights

Wrapping up a great week. I've caught up on a bunch of things and already filled one of my goals for the month. Besides that, I'm all ready except for packing my books for the booksigning tomorrow at Ashcombe's Greenhouse and Gift Shop for tomorrow. Some good things have happened this week, including winning A Jumble of 500+ Writing Prompts by Tyrean Martinson. It's a great buy even if you have to pay for it. I'm going to let all my writing friends know.

Don't forget on Monday the linky list for Theme Reveal Day will open. It's a lot of fun and will get everyone in the mood for A to Z. Check back here Monday for more. I still need a few Dragon Soldiers to help me behind the scenes of A to Z. I'll give you a peek at the cool badge Jeremy designed for me next week. So far only my helpers have seen it.

I'm pleased today to highlight Heather M. Gardner's upcoming release with a cover reveal today and a teaser of a blurb.  

Title: One Good Catch

Author: Heather M. Gardner

Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense

Publisher: InkSpell Publishing

Cover Design: Najla Qamber Designs

Release Date: March 13, 2015

Ignoring a recent trauma that is affecting her everyday life, ER Doctor Kate Maguire engages in some high risk activities, but putting herself in these dangerous situations isn’t enough to feed her edginess. She needs something more. When her brother’s high school best friend comes back to town, it’s her chance for a ‘no strings attached’ fling with the man who still headlines in all her best dreams.

Rhys MacGrath’s days of one-night-stands are long over. The pro-football player might be side-lined at rehab for a shoulder injury, but that doesn’t mean he can’t admire and desire the all-grown-up, so-damn-hot, version of the tomboy he once knew. His sudden interest in Kate might be aggravating his best friend, who doesn’t approve, but it’s her indifference that’s driving Rhys crazy.

Everything heats up when Kate’s nosy nature sets her in the line of fire of an arsonist forcing them to deal with more than just the sparks igniting between them.

 Heather M. Gardner's love of books began on the hand-woven rugs of her small town library where her mother worked. There she had a never-ending supply of stories to read at her fingertips. As a teen, her favorite genres to curl up with were romance and mysteries. When she started to create her own stories, they were the perfect fit.

Heather resides in New York with her best friend who is also her husband, plus her talented and handsome son. She is currently owned by four stray cats. Heather's a full-time mom, works part-time from home, a chocolate enthusiast, coffee junkie, cat addict, book hoarder and fluent in sarcasm.

Blog: The Waiting is the Hardest Part

Twitter     Goodreads      Facebook

Need some great writing prompts? Check out Tryean's book. Aren't you intrigued by Heather's blurb and that cool cover? Are you curious to see my badge? Happy Valentine's Day to you all. I hope you have as much fun as I intend to have at the book signing. Maybe I'll sell enough to take my dear husband out to dinner. I promise pictures next week of the signing.