Congrats to Fellow Writer Making Amazon Writing Contest Quarterfinals

I wanted to send congrats to friend and fellow writer Courtney Mroch, whose manuscript THE GHOST OF LAURIE FLOYD made it to the quarterfinals of judging in the 2010 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest. (Courtney also runs the interesting Haunt Jaunts blog.)

Her mystery was one of 5,000 entries chosen in the general fiction category (another 5,000 entries are in the Young Adult category.) Her book then advanced to the second round of 1,000 entries, with 500 entries in each of the two categories.

Her entry is now in the quarterfinals with 500 entries, 250 in each category. (wow!) The top 100 semifinalists will be chosen April 27 - and then go to Penguin editors who choose the last six entries.

So... this is where you come in. Readers and feedback are needed.

** Read the excerpt HERE - and give a review online at the site. Be honest, as the editors are looking for honest reviews, not just glowing reports.

NOTE: Since this is an Amazon contest, the excerpt is in KINDLE format. You can download the free Kindle for PC program if you don't have one. It's easy to do and free.

See a preview below and wish her luck! (And don't forget to put in your review at the link above.)

Preview: THE GHOST OF LAURIE FLOYD

When Megan Daniels begins her first day at the law firm of Mayhugh and Horne, she sees a body fall past the window. But when the police come to investigate, they don’t find anything. So begins Megan’s association with the ghost of Laurie Floyd, a secretary who committed suicide off the building’s roof the year before. Or did she?

As Laurie leaves Megan more and more clues, it becomes evident she didn’t take her own life. Someone killed her. But who? And why?

Megan believes Andrew Kirkpatrick and Matthew Horne, both attorneys, may know. She’s drawn to Andrew and repulsed by Matthew, but can she trust her instincts?

She joined the firm to work, not to solve a murder or fall in love. Both seem to be happening anyway. If she’s not careful, her job and her heart won’t be the only things she stands to lose.

Author Morgan Mandel Writes Her Own Destiny: Mysterical-e column

My interview with Morgan Mandel, author of KILLER CAREER, is now up in my Author Snapshot column at Mysterical-e.

Morgan has been successful at forging her own writing success.

See what she has to say about "Writing Her Own Destiny."







BUY:

New Miniatures Mystery Book: Monster in Miniature by Margaret Grace

Today is the release date for the new book, MONSTER IN MINIATURE in Margaret Grace's Miniature Mystery series.

This miniaturist is in BIG trouble...

For a festive Halloween project, Geraldine Porter and her granddaughter, Maddie, set out to create a multi-story haunted dollhouse. But their holiday fun turns to fear when a neighborhood scarecrow turns out to be a bloody corpse.

The series has been fun so far, but.... this one sounds great! Miniatures, a mystery, and.... a haunted house! Well, it doesn't get much better!

No one and only time to haunt in miniature, I say! (Yes, I have a mini haunted house. See link at my miniatures page at my website. )

Pink Saturday: Happy Easter and Thanks to Jody for Swap!

Running behind today so hopefully some visitors will still stop by today for PINK SATURDAY, hosted by Beverly at How Sweet the Sound.

First I stopped by Karin at Creative Chaos (Love that name! Is that what this is??) Loved her pretty pinks and all kinds of creative stuff!


As tomorrow is Easter Sunday, I wanted to share a few Easter miniatures... like the lily I made (above) and the sunny yellow cake and orange tarts.

I also wanted to share the beautiful flowers Jody at Peach Blossom Hill made for me for our swap. They look so real!

Though not Eastery, I wanted to share the spooky painting Jody did. I love it! It'll be a perfect large wall painting in a half scale scene I'm making in a gothic clock case. Just been collecting things for it. Already thinking I have to expand the back and enlarge the space!




A Happy and Blessed Easter!

Fooling and Shopping

No it's not an April Fool's joke. What are they doing to old favorites at the grocery?
That's my topic today at Fatal Foodies

Miniatures Wednesday: See the light!

A teeny tiny half scale lamp I won as a prize from Sue B on the Half Scale Yahoo group. Cute! Thanks, Sue!


Oh going to be 73 out today. wow!!!!!!

It's a Dog's Life.. Really, Doggie Yoga anyone?

Ok now your dog has to exercise, too. Well, some may need to lay off the chew bones, but is this dog stuff getting, well, too trendy?

The latest fad - Doggie Yoga - (see link for video) "Doga"

So, would you? Or could you?

Happy Pink Saturday!

It's another PINK SATURDAY at Beverly's blog, How Sweet the Sound.

So what is new and PINK this week?

Well first I stopped and visited Colette at The Open Cupboard who has the cutest collection of vintage plates and all kinds of stuff. Love the pink shelves!

As for my pink stuff...

For fun, here's a set of fun 50's tin plates I picked up at a flea market....




My favorite Thumbelina doll (early 60's) has a pink hat and a pink bunny...

The miniature scene at the top is from my Tudor tea Shoppe. I'll have to take some new pix when I remove the plexiglass cover.

So that's all for now! Thanks for stopping by!

Revising: Again and again and...

I'm a chronic revisionist, it seems.

I think something is done, but every time I open the document, I find something to change.

One manuscript has been shortened several times. It went from over 700 words to 600, and under 500. Now I shaved off another 20 words. I realized the deleted words weren't needed. I could have used them, but no one will miss them.

I wonder if it's the end.

I do like where the manuscript is at now. Hoping that someone else will.

It makes me wonder what other writers think, and do.

** How many times do you revise?

** Do you see things to change after you think you are done?

** Share your experiences.

Spring Cleaning and Motivation

Talking about spring cleaning, focus and all that today at Fatal Foodies

What's your motivation? How do you stay focused?