Well... That trip was... Amazing.

I had such a great time. Traveling by myself wasn't that hard. As long as I remember that it's ok to get turned around or to ask directions/help from the airline employees. That's what they're there for, after all!

Well.. To get to the bones of the weekend.... Bethany House Publishers absolutely LOVED my story NaNo was good for something after all!!! :hurrah: They want me to continue writing chapters and send them (unedited :gasp to the rep that I met with at the Con. I also have an agent who thinks my style of writing is superb I'm barely able to contain my excitement. No contract on either yet but who knows???

Now. Neen. I haven't asked you this yet and I need to x_x Is it ok if I use Lisbeth? I'll pull up my own storyline for her time in the otherworld but she was your character first. Bethany House is willing to let me write a pair of companion novels one for each girl. Whatcha think??

I've started writing up my weekend's experiences in a series of short fictionalized pieces. One is up now. Let me know what you think of the first one. I may or may not continue to post them, depending on the feedback I receive. In all honesty I'm just trying to capture the memories.

I also have a plan to get my novel done. Similar to NaNo but slightly different. Several of the speakers at the Con harped on the point that "I have no time" is just an excuse. So I have decided to start getting up at 3 (Yes, AM) and make a pot of tea before sitting before my computer and writing until I get at least 1667 words. Today it only took hours and I rewarded myself by going back to bed for a little more rest. I really want to get this done.

And now... For a mindless quiz.


Pick 3 characters, and have them answer the following questions accordingly. (They may be original characters or not):
1. Ril
2. Karyn
3. Nicholas

1. Number one (Ril), what was your childhood like?
It was beautiful and peaceful. The type of childhood that one wishes for. It was everything I could have ever wanted.

2. Character number three (Nicholas), if you could go back and time and change one thing, what would it be? (It can be something regarding your personal history, or something that is in the history books.)
I wish that I had continued my ballet studies, despite my parents refusal to fund my dreams.

3. Number two (Karyn), would you rather be immortal and eternally miserable, or live a mortal, blissfully peaceful life?
I'm already mortal! Nothing much can be done about that. I think I'd much rather be happy for a few years than miserable for all of eternity.

4. Say, character number three (Nick), how much do you weigh?
145, it's as much as my ankles can take.

5. Have you ever loved and lost, number one (Ril)? I'll bet it was your fault, wasn't it? Tsk tsk...
I've spent all of eternity loving and losing. It's a battle I'll never win. Everytime I vow never to love again, to close and harden my heart to any emotion I meet someone who insists on my affection. I care not a whit for Red. He can rot in hell for all I care. Ixion did not deserve the brutal death that was forced upon her. Dakarys... Kimani... Words cannot describe the pain I felt when I lost you. Yes, it was my fault. I would do anything to change what happened. E ki su, Dak.

6. Oh, no character two (Karyn)! You've just strolled into a department store to admire the lovely washing machines when a guy with a nylon stocking over his head runs in and holds the whole store at gunpoint! How will you save the day?
Well, I'm not a coward. But my lack of sight might cause problems in being a hero. I suppose I'd call 911. That would be the smart thing to do.

7. Number Three (Nick), tell your best "Yo Momma" joke.
Yo Momma is soo big she sat on my Harley and it told her to get off.

8. Who is the one person you cannot live without, character number one (Ril)? Why? (Please don't say Oprah, please don't say Oprah...)
I've learned to live without the people I love.

9. Hey, number two (Karyn), tell me one of your deepest, darkest secrets. To make you feel better, I'll tell one of mine: I don't have any deep, dark secrets.
I hate my parents for giving me up. I wish they had at least tried to raise me.

10. All characters: What kind of music do you listen to? Do you play any instruments? If so, which ones? (Yes...the cazoo counts. Your nose, however, does not.)
Ril: What most would term 'tribal' I enjoy flutes and drums, things that reming me of home.
Karyn: Pretty much anything. I can play a little piano though it's mainly just Bach.
Nick: Rock, classical, Scream-o, hip-hop. I like it all. I can't play an instrument unless you count the stereo

11. What is the most annoying thing in the world, character one (Ril)?
Humans. Most definitely humans.

12. Finish the statement, number three (Nick): Art is... Movement.

12. Finish the statement, number two (Karyn): People are... mostly good.

13. Finish the statement, number one (Ril): Imagination... leads to trouble.

14. All characters: Out of the three of you, who is the most outgoing? Reserved? Humorous? Stinky?
Ril: Nick is both the most outgoing and humorous. Karyn is reserved but only at first. If by stinky you mean bitch than that would be me.
Karyn: Nick is pretty funny but he's too much of a flirt for my liking and he can be pretty smelly at times. Ril is... Ril.
Nick: I'm all of them!

15. Quick, Number three (Nick)! Write a poem!
Uh... Roses are red
Violets are blue?
I do ballet and uh... Your ass is cute?


16. What is your favorite word, number one (Ril)?
Blood

17. Character number three (Nick), what is one weird thing that you can do? (i.e. wiggle your ears, fold your tongue, play 'amazing grace' with your armpit...)
Um.. Well.. I can dance Romeo. Is that.. wierd?

18. Speak any other languages, Number Two (Karyn)?
Not speak, but I can read Braille.

19. What is your nationality, character number one (Ril)?
Fey


20. Pick, number two (Karyn): asparagus or canned peas? Please elaborate.
I like both. But cans are hard to open, I get a lot of cut fingers. But then asparagus has to be boiled. Boiling water equals burns.

21. What scares you the most, character three (Nick)?
Breaking a leg. I couldn't imagine not dancing any more.

22. All characters: What is one thing you would like the world to know about you?
Ril: I didn't mean for it to happen.
Karyn: Just because I can't see doesn't mean I'm less of a person.
Nick: Ballet isn't just for chicks. I'm awesome and I do it!

I got this from

Rules:
The first ten folks who respond to this journal get featured. I go to their page and chose my fav three pics, and I post a link to it on here.

But there's a catch. You have to do the same thing with your journal. I won't feature you until I see that you've done the same thing.

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Ok, I'm going to do something I never do and that's beg. Some of you know that I'm working one being published and it's a tough road for me to take. I'm currently out of a job so sending off packets to publishers gets expensive.

However I've been given a tremendous chance. Every February there is a four day writers conference held at a hotel on Pikes Peak in Colorado. I would love to go as I've been invited to attend. There are editors and publishing agents along with intensive workshops that would be incredibly helpful for my work. The only thing is the expense. I've broken it down to this.

Hotel: $350 a night. That's at a discounted rate, I can get it at half that if I share a room with another conference attendee

Taxi: $100. I need to go back and forth from the airport to the hotel and if I stay at a different (aka cheaper) hotel then from the hotel to the conference site.

Air-fare: $650. Non-negotiable. I've got to get there somehow and flying seems the best option. I just hope I can get a cheap rate.

Conference: $650. This is a non-negotiable fee. If I pay now it's $50 less than paying a week before the conference. This covers the fee, most of my meals and all my materials that I need for the classes.

Food: $75. There's a couple meals that I'm on my own, that's also taking into account lay-overs at airports and such.

Miscellaneous: $100. There will be vendors for books and writing resources and I know I'll be spending some money on that type of thing. This'll also cover costs if I decide to go shopping or something along those lines.

Clothes: $200. Colorado. In February. For a southern girl like me, that's scary. I'm going to need some heavy jackets and sweaters plus thick leggings, pants, boots. All that fun stuff. This might be hacked down to $50 if necessary but I'd much rather get the things I need. As this conference is in a business environment I'm also going to need to get at least one suit.

So that adds up to a grand total of $3175. I don't even have half of that. I'm willing to go into debt to make it to Colorado. I'm planning on taking a loan out from my brother (Uncle Money-banks over there.) and maybe visiting the bank. But without a job and no credit, paying it back is going to take a lot of time. Where do you come in? Well... Commissions, buying a print of some of my photographs or just plain donating. I know I'm asking a lot. But this means a lot to me. If you can find it in your heart to give a little money to my cause I'd be very grateful

~E

Edit

A few hours after typing this my mom was able to talk my brother into lending me $1,000. After a bit of refiguring and budget reduction this sum (plus what I already have) will cover my entire cost!! I'M GOING TO COLORADO!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited it's unbelievable. I'll be going by myself, which is in itself a little frightening. I've never traveled alone before. I just hope I can make connecting flights, get taxis, etc without too much hassel. Gods I'm so thrilled. Thanks for your good wishes everyone. They helped

Now just hope I get published

~E

This was stolen from Thanks, love!

Q1- IF YOU WERE GRANTED AN EXTRA EYE, WHERE WOULD YOU HAVE IT INSTALLED?

I wouldn't haven't installed yet as I'd keep it as a spare until I needed it. I really think that's the most logical thing to do.

Q2- WHAT'S THE MOST DANGEROUS THING YOU'VE EVER DONE?

Physically: Barrel racing, cliff diving, bungee jumping
Emotionally: Listened to what other people think about me

Q3- WHAT COLOUR ARE YOUR EYES?

Hazely green

Q4- DO YOU PRACTICE VOODOO?

Voodoo? No. Magick? I dabble here and there.

Q5- CAN YOU PUT YOUR LEG ROUND YOUR NECK?

Despite numerous years as a gymnast I've never been able to achieve that.

Q6- WOULD YOU GO UP IN SPACE IF INVITED?

Oooh, yes!

Q7- IF YOU COULD SWAP PLACES WITH ANYBODY FOR A DAY, WHO WOULD IT BE?

Huh... I don't know. There's no one person I envy. Though I suppose if I could be some hot guys arm candy for a day, I wouldn't complain

Q8- WHAT IS THE NEXT BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD?

Phantom, hands down

Q9- DO YOU THINK WE DESCENDED FROM APES?

Eh. I try not to get into these types of discussions. But since I am... I believe in intelligent design.

Q10- LEFT HANDED, RIGHT HANDED OR AMBIDEXTROUS?

Right.

Q11- WHO WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO SHARE A SLEEPING BAG WITH?

Lo-Lo, just us a sleeping bag and a star full of skys.

Q12- WHAT'S YOUR POISON?

90% Dark Chocolate.

Q13- WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE FOODSTUFF?

Uhhh... *looks up* I already answered that, I guess. But, hmm. Chocolate or a really good veggie pizza with Spike.

Q14- ARE YOU AFRAID OF DEATH?

No. "Death is the natural course that life takes. Immortality is not a gift but rather a curse" Yeah, waxing philosophical.

Q15- IS THE GLASS HALF EMPTY OR HALF FULL?

Neither. It's just... Half

Q16- DO YOU HAVE ANY WAR WOUNDS OR BATTLE SCARS, IF SO, WHERE?

On my tummy from surgery. Wrists from my self. Knuckles and palms are pretty scrapped up from forgetting that mirrors are sharp x_x

Q17- WHO ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?

"Song of Love" Rebecca St. James

Q18- STARSIGN?

Virgo

Q19- WHAT MOVES YOU?

Music, sweeping, sad, angry... Music is the soul's cry. It is one of the few things that can actually bring me to tears.

Q20- WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE(S)?

I love epic films. Lord of the Rings and Star Wars are some of my all time favorites. The Princess Bride, Pans' Labyrinth, Secret Window, Seven Brides for Seven BRothers, Phantom of the Opera. I love musicals and scary films, romance and thrillers. As long as it's not stupid or too gory then I'll probably enjoy it.

Q21- WHAT IN YOUR OPINION IS A RIGHT RIVETTING READ?

Susan Kay's "Phantom" of course. I read a lot of mysteries and psychological thrillers. My all time favorite author is Ted Dekker. Anything written by him is teriffic

Q22- WHAT IS YOUR MOST REDEEMING PERSONALITY TRAIT?

I'm great with children. I love the little buggers beyond belief.

Q23- WHAT IS YOUR MOST ANNOYING PERSONALITY TRAIT?

I'm extremely sarcastic and have a biting sense of humor. I also don't show my positive feelings very well

Q24- IF YOU COULD ONLY LISTEN TO ONE SONG, OR PIECE OF MUSIC, FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE...?

Per Te by Josh Groban

Q25- WHO IS THE MOST INSPIRING PERSON YOU HAVE MET?

Emily Taber. Ami, I love you! That old lady is 96 and still kicking. I have the greatest conversations with her.

Q26- ARE YOU HAPPIER THAN YOU WERE A YEAR AGO?

No, I don't think so. Neither am I any less happy. I'm pretty content, I think.

Q27- WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST EXTRAVAGANZA LAST YEAR?

Black patent leather heels. They're properly broken in now and those babies do wonders for my legs.

Q28- WHEN DID YOU LAST WASH THE DISHES, OR HOOVER?

Ha! I washed the dishes 20 minutes ago

Q29- IF THERE WAS AN EXTRA 6 HOURS IN THE DAY - WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH IT?

Write or crochet. I'd like to make enough hand-mades to sell for a bit of cash.

Q30- DO YOU BELIEVE IN UFO'S?

No, not really. Faeries, yes.

Q31- WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE METHOD OF TRANSPORTATION?

If I could have a horse without all the expense I would. Or a sleek and fast car.

Q32- WHAT'S THE MOST VULGAR THING YOU OWN?

Vulgar? Well, I own this t-shirt that I got from a concert from the lead singer.. Does that count?

Q33- WHO PUT THE RAM IN THE RAMA LAMA DING DONG?

Haywood Banks, without a doubt

Q34- WHO IS THE ONE PERSON TO WHOM YOU OWE THE MOST?

God, that's a heard question. I'd have to say my sister-friend, Rebecca. Through the years she's been there for me no matter what.

Q35- WHAT DO YO DO IF YOU HAVE THE BLUES?

Listen to music or write it out

Q36- FROM GREEK MYTHOLOGY : THE SNAKE HAD BEEN BOTH A WOMAN AND A MAN AND SAID THAT WOMEN ENJOY SEX MORE THAN MEN... DO YOU THINK THAT THIS IS TRUE?

I believe so. From what I've heard, sex for men is something like breathing! :laugh:

Q37- IS ELVIS DEAD OR ALIVE?

Way dead.

Q38- DO YOU EVER DREAM? DESCRIBE YOUR FAVOURITE...

I don't often have dreams, since I don't often sleep. When I do dream they're usually nightmares. But my favorite good dream is the one where Logan and I are married. I remember sitting at the table with him and our children and just basking in the love that was felt. It was incredible.

Q39- WHAT'S YOUR REAL-LIFE NIGHTMARE?

Being left alone

Q40- HOW MANY HOURS A WEEK DO YOU SPEND ON THE PHONE?

Uh... One at the most. I prefer the computer.

Q41- WHO, OR WHAT, IS YOUR IDEA OF 'COOL'?

Someone who doesn't worry about trying to be cool.

Q42- WHERE IS THE WEIRDEST OR WILDEST PLACE YOU'VE HAD SEX AND WHO WITH? [Masturbation does NOT count!]

Heh, seeing as I'm a virgin I'm gonna have to skip this one.

Q43- WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE EROGENOUS ZONE?

Throat. I have an extremely sensitive neck

Q44- HAVE YOU EVER HAD ANYTHING SURGICALLY REMOVED?

My gallbladder and wisdom teeth.

Q45- WHICH IS WORSE - 'UP-CHUCKING' OR 'A DOSE OF THE WILDIES!'???

Ooooh, definitely the wildies.

Q46- WOULD YOU LIKE TO SWOP PLACES WITH THE OPPOSITE SEX FOR A DAY?

Probably just for kicks and giggles. I don't know what I'd DO but it might be fun.

Q47- DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING? LIKE STAMPS, COINS, COMIC BOOKS ETC.....???

I collect books, I have about 300 of them. Also slogan t-shirts. I own about two dozen shirts with various sayings/pictures on them.

Q48- WHAT 5 CITIES DO YOU RELATE MOST TO - AND WHY????

I've lived in Jacksonville for near to 12 years now so that's one.
I'd love to visit Sacremento again.
Guam, gorgeous island.

Q49- WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE COLOUR?

Black, bright purple, bright red. Strong colors. I'm not a girly type of girl.

Q50- ONE WORLDLY PREDICTION FOR 2008 - PLEASE....

Someone, please, change the adoption system! Too many kids are waiting for families.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas/Winter Holiday/Kwanzaa/Hanukkah/Dark Moon!! ^_^ Mine went about as it usually does so there's not much to complain about but *shrugs* not much to be thrilled about either.

I know I said I was back. But I got sick again. Damn my immune system. Headaches are bad and then I got Carpal Tunnel. In both hands!!! Yeah, I'm not happy about that. It's getting better but I've still got a lot of soreness in my wrists if I type or crochet for too long.

Josh Groban's Noel...... Good Lord. It's lovely. That boy's voice is delectable. There are a few songs that are not his best but overall it's a gorgeous Christmas album and well worth the wait that us Grobanites have been through.

The New Year is coming up and I've decided to make some resolutions. I normally don't but I feel compelled to do so this year.

1) Write something new every day.
2) Take more pride in my appearance, aka Wear MAKE UP!
3) Find ways to feel pretty even if it's just wearing sexy underwear.
4) Start exercising and get down to a decent dress size.
5) Seriously work on a novel for publication.

Well, there's five. Maybe I can keep at least one or two of them.

Hope you all have a great New Year and remember "One never knows if tomorrow may come. Today may be the last day you have."

~E