Say what!?

Remember Wayne's World?  "Excuse me?  I cunt hear you!  I have an ear infuction!"  Yeah, you know exactly what I'm talking about, and don't lie.  I'm sure every single one of you have used those lines.  I know I have, especially when someone sideblinds you with something that you believe in.

Take my guest blogger for example.  Newly signed author, Amy Gregory, was just slapped in the face by her daughter's school programming.  Left in a daze, I let her rant her little heart out here.  So, I'm going to turn the soap box over to Amy.

Rant away!

AMY: 

Ok, so I’m not one to complain about my school district.  I know just how fortunate I am to have my kids in the schools they are in.  HOWEVER!!!

Having said that, I am an author.  I make people up, situations, storylines, their feelings all of it.  This is what I love to do, it is my passion.  So imagine my surprise when at ‘freshman night’ at the high school when the English department made the statement – from now on the kids will only be focusing on learning to write research papers, essays and etc.  The things they’ll need to know in college.  They won’t be writing any of the fluffy poems and creative and fun stuff of middle school.

Hmmmmm?  EXCUSE ME?  I took a moment to breathe, not wanting to spontaneously combust and embarrass my daughter who was now slinking down in her chair at the smoke billowing out of my ears.  Oh hell no!  I did not just hear that right – did I? 

Apparently, I did!

They went on to further explain how that was not a necessary part of the high school curriculum, or what they’d need for college.  Ok?  Well, um, what if they want to be a….. WRITER???  Oh, I guess those books in the library – the state of the art library that we were sitting in at the time, mind you – just magically appeared on the shelves from authors of long ago.  That no new ideas are written about, no new worlds explored, no new loves found.  So apparently they don’t need to teach it anymore.

Again, let me state, I’m so lucky to be in the district we’re in.  They have some of the most outstanding programs in the country.  Our public schools surpass any private school around, these kids are ready for college.  I guess it just floors me, when you tell me that my love, my passion, my job isn’t worth the piece of paper I write on, teaching MY kid about.  Or any kid for that matter.  It makes me sad to think, that something that has lasted as long as time itself, may not be important to our future.  At least in the eyes of those who decide what is taught in schools today.  College isn’t for everybody, however learning to write, most certainly is.  Maybe not the next Shakespeare masterpiece, maybe not the next Odyssey or even one of Charles Dickens’ works of art.  But maybe something as simple as an endearing thank you note, or their own wedding vows. 

So, now that I’ve said my piece, I’ll go back to what I love.  Writing.  And NO, it’s not for a college essay! 

_________________________

Now, with that being said, I'm going to leave you with some video fun!  Let me know what you think about schools who dictate what is good or not good for your children.

When You Wish Upon A Star

"All of our dreams can come true,

if we have the courage to pursue them" - Walt Disney

I have been taking the blogging course "Blogging to Build Brand" by Kristen Lamb and have learned many many things.  One of the things that I have learned is to always be real.  Be yourself.  Be 3-Dimensional.  Involve others, promote others, give thanks. 

I'm here today to do all of that. 

Once in a while, we need to talk about ourselves, giving insight on who we are.  Perhaps a form of a biography.  Writing down 100 individual words that describe me helped so much to figure out what I want to blog about, or directions that I can take it.  I'm random.  I always have been, always will be. 

So, here we are.  You and me.  Bored yet?  I promise you won't be much longer.  Want to know why?  I'm going to tell you a few things about myself and about the people who helped me get where I am.

Let's touch on my first book, "From Hel, With Love".    How did I get started?  D&D.  Yeah, you remember that board game in the early 80's???  Yup, the one that every parent screamed was the Devil's playground along with Metallica?  YES!  I saw that lightbulb ignite!  You know exactly what I'm talking about.  My step-brother had a D&D game night once a week with his friends.  One got grounded, so he asked me to be the Dungeon Master.  Boy, was that a mistake.  I had WAY too much fun creating worlds and scenes for them to play with.  I finally begged to create a character, and thus, Raven was born.

Raven quickly became a household name for me.  I'd come up with adventures for her at his next game night, try and have Raven kick his characters butt.  It kind of got out of hand, Raven was always on top, and he finally got mad and wouldn't let me play any more.  At that point, I decided to write down some adventures, short little stories of her adventures that I didn't want to ever forget. 

BAM!  A dream was born.

The early 90's hit and we all know what became popular then.  V:tM aka Vampire:  the Masquerade.  Toreadors, Ravnos, Brujah.  Raven went from demon to vamp.  It just didn't work.  Raven was so complex that changing her up wouldn't work, so we discovered AOL's Rhy'Din.  Lord have mercy upon anyone who crossed our path. 

I honestly think that is where my writing skills developed to their fullest.  My imagination was running wild, Raven was becoming more than a character, but a part of me and I knew that I needed to tell her story to the world.  How could I not?? 

Another dream was born.  I wanted Raven in print, and her world that I created. 

I wished upon a star.

I've made quite a few friends when I decided to take my dreams to the next level.  I have to give many thanks to Charity Parkerson, Johanna Denton, Amy Lichtenhan, Katie Henson, Joanna Shupe, Amy Gregory, Diane Hattaway and last but not least, Sapphire Star Publishing.

No, no, I'm not forgetting my hubby, Daisy or Sarge.  Not by any means.  They support me in everything I do.  Charity became an immediate friend and helped me with my self esteam with Raven.  She kept pushing me to take chances and because of her, I took the step and spoke with Katie.  Johanna is a sister, already having been a close friend, though we only get to see eachother about twice a year, the texts and calls and emails between us, bouncing idea's off of eachother, I'm sure our hubby's are sick of it.  Amy G .. well.  She's the Thelma to my Louise.  We hit it off immediately, and well, the rest is history.  Amy and Katie are my new family in the publishing world.  These two believe in Raven and I, giving us a chance to shine and become a household name.  Diane.  Well, Diane is a whole new world.  She's helped me more than I can ever say.  Basically has been my personal assistant.  She would spur on my idea's, give me a few to run with and we'd both be scribbling these idea's down on the back of projection schedules, notebooks or napkins.  What fun.

I guess what I'm trying to get out here, is that I have a great family and awesome friends, and without every one of you, I wouldn't have had the dream I had come true, that wishing upon my star would have been just that.  A wish.

Wishes can come true.  I'm living proof of that.

Tell me your dreams and wishes, and let's make them come true.

Please... Silence Your Phones

As most people know, I am the GM of an REG Theatre.  One thing that is in my blood, is entertainment.  Whether it be music, books or movies.  I.  Love.  It. 

Most parents who go to the movies spend a ton of money on tickets,  concessions and babysitters.  When they go to a 7 o'clock showing of a movie they've been waiting for for months, they don't want to listen to a baby crying, ruining the evening they've waited on having for so long.  Most theatres have installed a policy stating that No child under the age of four may be admitted to movie unless it is G to PG rated and deemed a family movie.  Let me tell you, I did a jig!  Granted, it pisses of more people who are not considerate of "date night", but I get more pats on the back than not.

I admit it.  I cannot sit in any of my auditoriums during normal business hours.  I will end up going postal and probably kill someone.  Between the talking and TEXTING, I cannot even enjoy a simple movie any more.  To cure this, a policy was created at our theatre.  Not only does Sprint or AT&T send us the "Please Silence Your Phones, No Texting or Talking During The Movie" signs, but if my staff or I have to speak to you more than twice, you are escorted out of the theatre, no refund given.  Of course, when you remove a teenager for texting the whole time, it wasn't them.  You're lying!  I have often pointed to the sign and have asked them if they can read it, since it is plainly posted on the ENTRANCE of the auditorium, and they read it out loud just fine.  I then ask them if they saw the ad that says not to text, and I get a grumbled yes.   When asked why they do it, and I get told they weren't, but yet there I was standing over them, watching them, but I'm a dumb adult.  I don't know anything.

I think the Alamo Drafthouse has it right.  I honestly WISH we could show this video and get away with it.  I think it would solve some problems, and maybe I wouldn't have to wait until midnight to watch a movie, because I'd hate to be the first GM in history to get kicked out of their OWN theatre because she opened a can of whoop ass all over someone for texting.

Enjoy the video.  I know I did.  Don't forget to drop me a comment on your pet peeves in a theatre too!

February means it’s sexy time…

I am the luckiest girl. Admit it, you're jealous.

Huh? Oh. Whoops. Why be jealous? (Okay okay, you don't have to rub it in, I forgot how to properly introduce her!)

Be jealous because I have the Wickedest Sinner of all in the house! That's right! (I hear the OoooOohhhh's! and AAaAAahhHHh's! ) Charity Parkerson ! She is the author of "The Danger from Within", "A Fighting Chance", "The Society of Sinners", "A Secure Heart", and "Wicked Sinners".

So, without further adieu, here is my good friend and author with her guest post on the most sexiest holiday of all:


Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and this means that most of us have two things on our minds: chocolate and sex!

In honor of this occasion, I thought I’d share some fun facts with everyone, just to get you in the mood.

· Over50 % of all people fantasize more often about money than sex

· The most popular method for burning calories is kissing

· 11,000 Americans injure themselves every year attempting a new sexual position

· Lipstick was invented in Egyptian times for women that specialized in oral sex. They wanted their lips to look more inviting

· Many believe that chocolate is an aphrodisiac, possibly because of the simple sensual pleasure of its consumption. Scientists suggest that the obromine and other chemicals do act as mild sexual stimulants

Now that you know a few new facts, go eat some chocolate, get a little, and if you need some help heating up go check out my book "A Secure Heart"

Mascots or Our Babies?

Everyone loves animals.  Period.  They always bring a smile to our faces on the days that we feel horrible, they know when you're not feeling good and cuddle right up, or when you want to play, they're right there waiting.




These are my babies, and mascots.  Daisy is my oldest, a rottie, and acts like she is still a 70lbs lap dog.  She will actually say please when you ask her, and talks like our favorite Wookie:  Chewbacca.  She has a favorite stuffie that she is pictured with, a horse aptly named "Horsie" and carries it around much like a child, snuggles with it and even takes it to bed with her.  She has great charisma and is a well rounded family dog.

Sarge is the baby, but wears the pants.  He thinks he is ten foot tall and bullet proof and rules the roost.  He has a personality that terrorizes the best of us, loves to play a game we call "Get the paws", keeping his paws away when you try and grab them, and he loves fetch.  He won't hesitate to tear up Daisy's stuffies, but has had a squeekie since he was 8 weeks old that he will fight a pit bull over.  No one touches it.  His soft side is with me, he loves to give me hugs and cuddle up when he's cold, but otherwise, very independent.

I call them my mascots because when it comes to writing, they're always right there, whether it is Daisy wanting attention or Sarge trying to crawl onto my lap or walking across my keyboard.  Either way, it causes laughter, which is the best medicine at any given time.

What about you?  Any babies that rule your world?  Do they act like they think they're human and pout when you scold them?  How're their personalities?    Do tell, I'm dying to know if mine are the only ones who think they're people!

Until next time,
Stay Evil!

It's all in the sauwse

You read it right.  Sauwse.  I couldn't believe it at first either. 

My husband came home from work one night telling me about this crazy video he found.  EpicMealTime.  He found something on zombies.  I rolled my eyes.  I mean, come on ... a bunch of guys trying to make a meal with a ton of calories??  Well, I was a good wife and sat down to suffer for the next two minutes of my life.  I admit, at first, I glared at my husband like he had lost his mind.  You know the look.  The scrunched up nose glare that reads "REALLY???"  Yeah, that one.  Then he just had to show me more.

I.  Got.  Hooked.

So guess what?  I'm going to hook you all in with some Candy Sushi.  I would eat this.  I know half of you would too if you have a sweet tooth like me.  Enjoy, and bon appetite!

New Year, New Rules...

I have actually come to the point where I have a staff..
Yes, you heard me right, a STAFF!
Bless them, they don't get paid, but are two of the most amazing women (I say women so my husband doesn't feel left out of the equasion) that I know. I guess you could say that they get paid.. In hugs.. And lots of love.. And kisses from Sarge!! (:

Raven has continued to poke and prod in the back of my mind. I think she has been trying to get my attention. She has succeeded. So I'm laying down the motorcycles, romance and law enforcement to letting Raven have her fun.. Killing people, of course! Right now the Spider fae, Essy, is pushing her luck... What will happen to her? I have a few ideas... But nothing I am willing to share right now. Na-na-na-na-boo-boo!! Dont you  just hate me!! Bwahaha!!!

So my head admin and I have found this incredible website that actually let me design the first book cover and OHEMGEE!! Amazing! It's so good that I want to make it the wallpaper on my phone! It's almost better than chocolate. Notice I said, almost.

Doesn't that just make you wanna... Nevermind.. You get the gyst.
It's actually making me want to go thru and design every single book cover for every single book that I may happen to write in the future (and some I'm not even planning on writing)!

Well, until next time;
Stay Evil!!